When to Replace a Carbon Fork?
 

I posted this question in the Weight Weenies forum as well, but this is probably the more appropriate posting location.

I currently have a Time Equipe Pro Featherlite Carbon 1" fork. It's perfectly fine (no crashes, etc.) but it's 8-9 years old. I'm upgrading components from 7700 series Dura-ace to 2010 SRAM Red and I'm wondering if I should replace the fork too? If I do I'm considering either the Easton EC90 SL or Alpha Q GS10. I can get a good price on both forks for the component upgrade (sub $200). Do carbon forks wear out? I'm I wasting my money with a fork upgrade? I weight 170 lbs, but expect to drop to at least 160 lbs. in the next month or two. The Time has a carbon steerer tube and is stated to weigh 395g. The newer forks weigh about 330-350g.

Ancillary to this decision, should I upgrade my seatpost. I currently have a Thomson Elite AL.

i think a new fork is warranted after that many years of good service, especially one with a carbon steerer tube. at the very least i would remove it and inspect that steerer tube verrrrry closely for cracks. for under $200 if you're upgrading the component set, it seems like a no brainer to do the fork too though.

oh - keep the seatpost.

hmm 8-9 years, id probably change the bike.
Seriously tho I would change the fork too, my spesh fork recommends replacement after 3 years and carbon from 8-9 years ago wasn't quite the material it is now due to manufacturing techniques etc.

Id probably change the post too if its that old, just because its al doesnt mean it wont break. Years of scratches and the odd big hit can cause fatigue, if you have the money i'd be on the safe side.

Having said that its a question of odds, and its likely that if tested, both parts would prove to be good. Its just that you dont want to be the test dummy

The bike is a custom Ti. I'm hoping to keep it through the life of another group set. However, the frame is made to use a 1" steerer tube, not a 1.125". Another fork or two and it will be hard to find replacement forks for the frame.

It sounds like replacing the fork is a good idea. So, which fork is preferred? As for the post, I'm still on the fence. Unlike the potential of the fork, complete failure won't likely occur since the post is Al.

3t Funda

the thomson is never going to fail, keep it, those things are built to outlast any frame. both of those forks are highly regarded, either should be fine if the rake is the same.

i also own a ti frame that uses a 1" fork. since carbon steerer tubes scare me more than excess weight i went with a fork with a steel steerer tube. its really very heavy, but well made and should easily last a decade barring any abnormal abuse.

My bike guy (the one who is selling my component upgrades) says he inspected my fork and says that it's fine and doesn't need replacing - that's it's still a high end fork with good carbon technology (only surpassed by the new Easton fork). So, I might as well wait on the fork upgrade.

My bike, '99 Merlin Ti standard, uses a 1" fork as well. It has an 11 year old Time carbon fork with aluminum steerer tube and is just fine.

"carbon from 8-9 years ago wasn't quite the material it is now due to manufacturing techniques etc."

I quote Spartacus... “It’s so stupid I’m speechless.”

My Aegis carbon rides the same as it did 14 years ago. Carbon has no fatigue life. Manufacturing processes have changed how? Kestrel built the first carbon fork in 87 or 88.

Your fork is structurally sound. You will see no improvement over a Time fork.

What difference would 8-9, or 20 years make if it's still in good working order, unless someone just wants a change? Changing something because your tired of it is rational - changing because your scared of it, is irrational.

If it ain't broke, don't....

+1 your fork is fine. It's not a wear item.

Well, unless it explodes I guess, but that can happen at any time with carbon. amirite?

I'm keeping the fork.

my alpha-q carbon fork manual states that the fork is a wear item and should be replaced periodically depending on the usage.

I am going to play the devil's advocate here. While carbon fiber doesn't have a fatigue life in the traditional meaning of the term, it is very possible for there to be micro-cracks in the structure that are not immediately visible to the naked eye, especially in a high-stress application such as forks. So it is a bit irrational to assume that your fork is structurally sound without putting it under a X-ray machine to check for possible structural damage. And when carbon fiber components let go, they unfortunately tend to do so in a sudden, catastrophic fashion.

With this said, I ride a carbon fork myself understanding the nature of the material. A brand new carbon fork could fail before a 10 year one does under the right circumstances. But I personally would rather be safe than sorry in this case.

Certainly food for thought. Hmmm.

I also just realized that the post where I made a reference to the devil was my 666th post. Weird :D

Interesting.

In the same document, they say both and So, their dealers don't know wtf the rules are, but you're supposed to get their advice about this nebulous replacement interval.

At any rate, carbon fatigue life for a given part is greater than steel, AL, and Ti. There are some pretty old forks running around made out of steel.

I guess for peace of mind, and if the budget supports it, no harm in replacing the fork. I would destroy the old one though -- if you don't trust it, no sense letting someone else trust it.

Your fork should be fine. They don't have a fatigue life.

I'd just inspect it for cracks or dents. I doubt it'll have any if you've been good to your bike.

Right now the decision is a toss-up and I'll be ordering in the next 1/2 hour. I suppose I could get a new fork next year.

Don't order a Trek fork....

Sweet!

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Your seat post is definitely fine. I'd replace the fork especially if it will give you peace of mind on those 50mph descents.

I bought the Easton fork. The decision boiled down to wanting a 1/2 to an 1" higher handlebars and buying either a new stem or new fork. Since my stem is about a year old whereas the fork is 8-9 years old, I figure I can buy a new fork and sell my used old fork for less money than buying a new stem - that and I'll now have a newer fork.

I wanted one also, but they don't offer a 1" steerer size. The only company I've seen that sells a fork with a 1" steerer is Easton..