Carbon Fork Damage - should I be worried?
04-10-15, 07:58 AM
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Carbon Fork Damage - should I be worried?
hi all,
I just bought a new 2014 cannondale CAAD8 sora.
I opened the box and there's a chip at the top of the carbon fork.
I took photos of it and sent it to the bike shop. They said it won't affect the performance but I'm looking for a second opinion.
Photos here:
https://https://s1.postimg.org/lqyu6cqr3/IMG_8783.jpg
https://https://s30.postimg.org/6isllrysh/IMG_8790.jpg
Unfortunately, it's a 2014 model and the bike shop has run out of stock (so no exchange), so only option is to return for full refund.
Normally I'd take up the refund, but I got the bike for a great price - £485 where everyone else is charging £600 so if it's not structural, I think I'll live with it.
Any help will be appreciated.
Cheers
Kent
I just bought a new 2014 cannondale CAAD8 sora.
I opened the box and there's a chip at the top of the carbon fork.
I took photos of it and sent it to the bike shop. They said it won't affect the performance but I'm looking for a second opinion.
Photos here:
https://https://s1.postimg.org/lqyu6cqr3/IMG_8783.jpg
https://https://s30.postimg.org/6isllrysh/IMG_8790.jpg
Unfortunately, it's a 2014 model and the bike shop has run out of stock (so no exchange), so only option is to return for full refund.
Normally I'd take up the refund, but I got the bike for a great price - £485 where everyone else is charging £600 so if it's not structural, I think I'll live with it.
Any help will be appreciated.
Cheers
Kent
04-10-15, 09:10 AM
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And that won't be the last blemish either. Go to the auto parts store and match the paint with some touch up in a brush-dispenser. You're good to go.
By the way, you can post photos full size by double clicking on them and using the photo editing screen that pops up. Sometimes it works before the first posting, but sometimes if freezes up on me. It always works as an after-posting edit.
By the way, you can post photos full size by double clicking on them and using the photo editing screen that pops up. Sometimes it works before the first posting, but sometimes if freezes up on me. It always works as an after-posting edit.
04-10-15, 09:12 AM
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I wouldn't worry about that one, just bumped up against something.
04-10-15, 09:55 AM
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Sure, it'll likely be fine, but because the ramifications of sudden fork failure are so dire, I prefer to not ride a CF unit... especially one with known damage. To each their own.
04-10-15, 12:03 PM
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04-10-15, 04:50 PM
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What am I seeing? In addition to the little blip on the fork, it looks like there's damage to the frame and the top inside part of the fork (or even the steerer tube)? The little ding on the fork I wouldn't worry about- but if those other surfaces are indeed damaged, back it goes! You're risking catastrophic failure with no warning, to the most vital area of the bike.
04-10-15, 05:29 PM
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And that won't be the last blemish either. Go to the auto parts store and match the paint with some touch up in a brush-dispenser. You're good to go.
By the way, you can post photos full size by double clicking on them and using the photo editing screen that pops up. Sometimes it works before the first posting, but sometimes if freezes up on me. It always works as an after-posting edit.
By the way, you can post photos full size by double clicking on them and using the photo editing screen that pops up. Sometimes it works before the first posting, but sometimes if freezes up on me. It always works as an after-posting edit.
What he said.
04-10-15, 06:12 PM
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It's probably an alloy fork crown anyway. No carbon anywhere near that chip. On forks with alloy steerer tubes, the carbon starts in the blades.
04-10-15, 06:43 PM
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what is that stuff? in a close-up it resembles sheet-rock. 
ok, maybe it's a chipped aluminum crown casting.
ok, maybe it's a chipped aluminum crown casting.
Last edited by hueyhoolihan; 04-10-15 at 09:09 PM.
04-10-15, 06:56 PM
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That's not damage, it's a blemish.
04-10-15, 07:49 PM
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That thing is so not a problem it's not even worth getting touched-up. If you/wife/girlfriend have some black nailpolish and topcoat, you could touch it up if it makes you feel better. DOn't even half worry about the "damage." Carbon is a lot more rugged than paint.
A LOT of people on here don't trust composite bike materials for the same reasons they don't trust vaccines. Don't worry about it. This video helped me understand and feel better. It's mountain bikes, but the same principles apply.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xreZdUBqpJs
A LOT of people on here don't trust composite bike materials for the same reasons they don't trust vaccines. Don't worry about it. This video helped me understand and feel better. It's mountain bikes, but the same principles apply.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xreZdUBqpJs
04-10-15, 08:32 PM
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I don't reckon - from the photo - that you have anything to be concerned about there.
cheers
cheers
04-10-15, 08:52 PM
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You bought it in the box sight unseen?
How did you manage to do that? Here in the States, I don't think Cannondale Dealers are allowed to sell bikes Online or by Mail. The Buyer has to come into the shop and pick up the assembled (and out of the box) bike.
I would have been if you could have seen the bike before you bought it, and it may not have even had the blemishes that another Poster pointed out (I can't see your linked photos).
If it was damaged by a delivery company, that company owes you some cash for the damage to the bike and/or owes you so you can get the blemishes touched up or repaired.
How did you manage to do that? Here in the States, I don't think Cannondale Dealers are allowed to sell bikes Online or by Mail. The Buyer has to come into the shop and pick up the assembled (and out of the box) bike.
I would have been if you could have seen the bike before you bought it, and it may not have even had the blemishes that another Poster pointed out (I can't see your linked photos).
If it was damaged by a delivery company, that company owes you some cash for the damage to the bike and/or owes you so you can get the blemishes touched up or repaired.
04-10-15, 09:45 PM
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As others have said, it's just a paint chip. Some touch up paint will make it better but all bikes get several dings like that just riding.
04-10-15, 10:11 PM
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Just looks like a paint issue to me. I wouldn't worry about it at all. Black is the easiest paint to touch up.
