Plugging a hole on a Carbon fork
#1
Thread Starter
Have bike, will travel
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Lake Geneva, WI
Bikes: Ridley Helium SLX, Canyon Endurance SL, De Rosa Professional, Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra, Schwinn Paramount (1 painted, 1 chrome), Peugeot PX10, Serotta Nova X, Simoncini Cyclocross Special, Raleigh Roker, Pedal Force CG2 and CX2
Plugging a hole on a Carbon fork
I’m installing Planet Bike Speedez clip-on fenders to My Cyclocross bike. The fork is a carbon fiber unit with an aluminum steering tube. This fork is produced by Ridley. The fork does not have attachment points for fenders. There is nothing for attaching fenders at the lower section near the drop-out. There is also not the usual horizontal hole that passes through the crown. The fork has canti mounts.
There is a vertical hole that is under the steering tube. The hole is pictured below and is exactly the size of a presta valve cover. I’m considering using this as an attachment point for the fender. The fender has a series of holes along the top and one of these holes lines-up right under the steering tube. I could fill the hole and use a stainless sheet metal screw to attach the fender. This would stabilize the fender at this point and improve clearance by holding the fender against the arch of the fork crown.
Bad idea? What glue would be best? Should I use a valve cap like a plug and screw into that to secure the fender?

There is a vertical hole that is under the steering tube. The hole is pictured below and is exactly the size of a presta valve cover. I’m considering using this as an attachment point for the fender. The fender has a series of holes along the top and one of these holes lines-up right under the steering tube. I could fill the hole and use a stainless sheet metal screw to attach the fender. This would stabilize the fender at this point and improve clearance by holding the fender against the arch of the fork crown.
Bad idea? What glue would be best? Should I use a valve cap like a plug and screw into that to secure the fender?

__________________
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
Last edited by Barrettscv; 10-27-11 at 10:14 AM.
#2
Low car diet
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Corvallis, OR, USA
Bikes: 2006 Windsor Dover w/105, 2007 GT Avalanche w/XT, 1995 Trek 820 setup for touring, 201? Yeah single-speed folder, 199? Huffy tandem.
Speedez fenders attach with straps to the fork legs, nowhere else. I don't understand what you're trying to do.
#3
Thread Starter
Have bike, will travel
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 12,286
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From: Lake Geneva, WI
Bikes: Ridley Helium SLX, Canyon Endurance SL, De Rosa Professional, Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra, Schwinn Paramount (1 painted, 1 chrome), Peugeot PX10, Serotta Nova X, Simoncini Cyclocross Special, Raleigh Roker, Pedal Force CG2 and CX2
The fenders have straps for the blades of the fork, no problem there. But the fender would be better aligned and silent if I could attach it to the crown.
__________________
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
#4
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
I wouldn't plug that hole permanantly but you could use a plastic wall anchor or small Moly bolt to anchor the mounting bolt for the fender.
#5
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Joined: Jun 2010
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From: NW,Oregon Coast
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Or a rubber cork..
But,, you bought a race bike fork, then your needs changed,
why not just buy a replacement fork with the features you now desire?
Ridley is another jobbed out contract filled in China,
and they take over marketing and distribution
after it arrives in their warehouse. it's commonplace now, nothing new.
But,, you bought a race bike fork, then your needs changed,
why not just buy a replacement fork with the features you now desire?
Ridley is another jobbed out contract filled in China,
and they take over marketing and distribution
after it arrives in their warehouse. it's commonplace now, nothing new.
Last edited by fietsbob; 10-27-11 at 11:48 AM.
#6
Thread Starter
Have bike, will travel
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 12,286
Likes: 317
From: Lake Geneva, WI
Bikes: Ridley Helium SLX, Canyon Endurance SL, De Rosa Professional, Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra, Schwinn Paramount (1 painted, 1 chrome), Peugeot PX10, Serotta Nova X, Simoncini Cyclocross Special, Raleigh Roker, Pedal Force CG2 and CX2
I actually purchased a Surly CC fork that I plan to use for touring next year. It's a boat anchor compared to the Ridley fork.
__________________
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
#8
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Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Grid Reference, SK
Bikes: I never learned to ride a bike. It is my deepest shame.
I was thinking of a plastic drywall anchor like hillrider suggested... cheap, no risk of damaging the fork if you aren't stupid, and will hold a fender in place.
#9
Thread Starter
Have bike, will travel
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 12,286
Likes: 317
From: Lake Geneva, WI
Bikes: Ridley Helium SLX, Canyon Endurance SL, De Rosa Professional, Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra, Schwinn Paramount (1 painted, 1 chrome), Peugeot PX10, Serotta Nova X, Simoncini Cyclocross Special, Raleigh Roker, Pedal Force CG2 and CX2
Yes, I'm going to try this. I'll clean out the hole, use a little silicone to help hold the anchor in place, and let the screw expand the anchor a little. It should all be easy to remove if needed.
__________________
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
#11
Thread Starter
Have bike, will travel
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 12,286
Likes: 317
From: Lake Geneva, WI
Bikes: Ridley Helium SLX, Canyon Endurance SL, De Rosa Professional, Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra, Schwinn Paramount (1 painted, 1 chrome), Peugeot PX10, Serotta Nova X, Simoncini Cyclocross Special, Raleigh Roker, Pedal Force CG2 and CX2
__________________
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
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