gbot

Crashed in a road race on the weekend. A guy went down in front of me and I had nowhere to go. Our bikes got tangled up and I snapped my CF fork and exploded my front wheel. Luckily, the CF fork was a temporary one off my commuter bike, on my race bike until an EC90 that I ordered last week arrives.

I looked over the frame (2008 tarmac expert) and the only frame damage I can see is a circular chip in the clear coat about 1/4" diameter, on the chainstay. Goes right through the clear coat but the CF fibers underneath look fine. No broken fibers even when I inspected it very closely with a flashlight.

There is also a rubber mark on the downtube from where the guy's wheel hit. Doesn't look like the paint was even damaged - although I haven't cleaned it off yet I'm 90% sure it will come right off and be fine.

Question is - what now? Put the new fork on, grab a wheel and get back racing? Epoxy the clear coat hole? Or assume the worst and send it back to Specialized for crash replacement?

enjoi07

it's your skin.

anyway, take it to a dealer and see what they say. i am betting they will say no go.

3kmi

I would take it to your LBS and have them examine it to get a second opinion

gbot

LBS (which I trust and have a great relationship with) said 'well with the usual caveats regarding carbon, ride it but keep an eye on it'. Which is what I'm leaning towards. My other option involves a local guy who does CF repairs but apparently his waiting list is quite long. He does show up to the local training crits so I'll probably ask him to have a look.