powpow

I'm thinking about getting a new frame that comes with a new Easton EC90 SLX fork. For whatever reason (logical or not), the carbon dropouts freak me out. Should I be concerned? Is any special care needed when tightening the quick release skewer? Thanks.

Sirrobinofcoxly

I wouldn't be too concerned. It's a really good fork. Just don't He-Man those skewers, and inspect regularly. If the wheel sits in the drop out properly, there is no reason why it should cause problems.

oilman_15106

Does not seem to freak out the pros that use BMC bikes! Can the usage get any tougher than that?

BHBiker

Then again pros probably get theirs replaced very often....thus this argument may not be accurate.

carpediemracing 

I'm somewhat paranoid about any front end component breaking (fork, stem, bar) but I started using a carbon dropout fork a little while ago. My little bit to satisfy my paranoia was to leave the lawyer tabs alone. I figure if I don't modify it, it'll be okay. They're also really beefy so that makes me feel better, even though it's not a logical thing.

What assures me more is the fact that a single paralysis from a failed dropout will result in a huge lawsuit, and most companies don't produce things in order to get sued. I have to believe that a lot of destructive type testing is done to assure that the product doesn't fail in most circumstances.

One of the fork nightmares I read about is Stu O'Grady losing some teeth or something after a face first crash while he raced for Credit Agricole. Apparently a mechanic or something "lightened" the fork by removing a lot of material. Ends up the fork would have had a hard time staying in one piece if you hit a little crack in the road, forget about a pothole or something. O'Grady hit something bigger than a crack and the fork failed. I decided no more fork modifying for me.

cdr

fogrider

I have this fork, and its been great for the last year. I won't trust carbon to a seatpost. but I do have a kestrel carbon handlebar...its the only one that has a life time warranty.

rollin

I used to be paranoid too. I recently bought a BMC with a full Easton EC90 finishing kit. All droupouts are carbon. Carbon seatpost (only metal is the bolt), carbon bars, carbon stem. 1000 miles. It all feels more resilient than I was expecting. I invested in a torque wrench but have found that if I hand tighten until there is no slip then I am usually well below the max torque.

To be fair 1000 miles is not a test and I am still nervous.

I've left the lawer tabs on too, not keen to file carbon, I'm sure that would lead to combustion

Surferbruce

i've got some months on a cf dropout fork with zero problems, but DO NOT file down the lawyer lips (or anything else carbon for that matter!)

giantcfr1

My forks on my old Giant are carbon and I rode the bike for 12 years with no problem, until that dark night back in October last year. Even then it was the alloy crown which snapped on impact.