Catastrophic Front fork failure: Trek 5900
10-31-12, 11:57 AM
#51
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Contour HD has a replaceable (rechargeable) battery. You can get 6 hours out of two batteries fairly easily. The battery is small and light.
10-31-12, 11:59 AM
#52
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Glad the hear the OP is relatively OK. Scary stuff.
Since there is very little information (beyond anecdotes) about the spontaneous failure of carbon forks in general, I wonder if anyone has experience as far as where the breaks tend to occur (mid blade, steerer, steerer separating from the lower portion etc)? Might make a difference to people buying aftermarket forks or guys riding higher end bikes with carbon steerers.
Since there is very little information (beyond anecdotes) about the spontaneous failure of carbon forks in general, I wonder if anyone has experience as far as where the breaks tend to occur (mid blade, steerer, steerer separating from the lower portion etc)? Might make a difference to people buying aftermarket forks or guys riding higher end bikes with carbon steerers.
10-31-12, 12:07 PM
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Glad the hear the OP is relatively OK. Scary stuff.
Since there is very little information (beyond anecdotes) about the spontaneous failure of carbon forks in general, I wonder if anyone has experience as far as where the breaks tend to occur (mid blade, steerer, steerer separating from the lower portion etc)? Might make a difference to people buying aftermarket forks or guys riding higher end bikes with carbon steerers.
Since there is very little information (beyond anecdotes) about the spontaneous failure of carbon forks in general, I wonder if anyone has experience as far as where the breaks tend to occur (mid blade, steerer, steerer separating from the lower portion etc)? Might make a difference to people buying aftermarket forks or guys riding higher end bikes with carbon steerers.
10-31-12, 12:28 PM
#54
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Not surprising. Fork failure is fortunately very rare. My only point is CF doesn't have the market on failure cornered.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
10-31-12, 12:31 PM
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For carbon composite bikes? You wouldn't need AVIATION quality sensors, but something far less complex. (Aviation ultrasound sensors are designed to scan complex surfaces with complex loads, after all and are not mass produced, which would drive down prices.) It's hard to spot delamination, since it tends not to show when you look for "signs of wear", unless it's close to the surface. I'd think that some form of NDI testing could be subsidized by carbon component manufacturers, for liability reasons, if nothing else.
Does anyone have information on tap-testing of Carbon frames and forks?
Does anyone have information on tap-testing of Carbon frames and forks?
10-31-12, 02:31 PM
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Didn't read the whole thread so not sure if someone said this yet or not but do what ^^^ said and see if a Mod can get the thread deleted for you.
10-31-12, 07:05 PM
#59
Professional Fuss-Budget
10-31-12, 07:39 PM
#60
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What is the backstory here ... ?
Here is some more anecdote
https://www.bitrealm.com/misc/fork/p1000783.jpg
@David, read though this. It tends to refute that concern.
https://velonews.competitor.com/2002/...n-forks-2_3270
https://www.bitrealm.com/misc/fork/p1000783.jpg
@David, read though this. It tends to refute that concern.
https://velonews.competitor.com/2002/...n-forks-2_3270
Last edited by FlatSix911; 10-31-12 at 09:44 PM.
10-31-12, 09:11 PM
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All the broken carbon forks I have ever seen have broken on the fork leg, not the steerer, probably by design so that the most likely part to break is at least in a location that can be inspected.
FWIW I rode my Allez with carbon fork and steerer square into the side of a car at 22mph last year. The fork appeared completely undamaged but it tore the head tube off the alloy frame.
FWIW I rode my Allez with carbon fork and steerer square into the side of a car at 22mph last year. The fork appeared completely undamaged but it tore the head tube off the alloy frame.
10-31-12, 09:47 PM
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10-31-12, 10:35 PM
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I had an injury causing scarring due to a manufacturers defect with a Trek product. My LBS made an attempt to promptly replace the defective part. I did consult a lawyer for some advice and was told that the shotgun approach would be used and the shop would be involved. Not feeling good about involving my LBS, who was clearly not at fault and not wanting to layout the cash to get a lawyer, I asked my LBS to contact the TREK rep. Within a day or so, Trek got in contact with me. I explained to the rep about my dissatisfaction with the initial attempt to rectify the problem. I then told him how peeved I was that the defective part scarred my leg and that no consideration was made to my disfigurement. I also indicated that I did my homework as to why the part failed and that I did talk to a lawyer. Trek promptly replaced my complete drive train on my bike and asked me what they could do to make me happy again. I replied to them a wish list of parts retailing to several thousand dollars to which they promptly supplied to me. No lawyers got involved, no releases or agreements were signed, the defective part was returned back to me as promised and an apology was provided. I'm happy with the people with Trek and the way that they handled the situation.
10-31-12, 10:41 PM
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I had an injury causing scarring due to a manufacturers defect with a Trek product. My LBS made an attempt to promptly replace the defective part. I did consult a lawyer for some advice and was told that the shotgun approach would be used and the shop would be involved. Not feeling good about involving my LBS, who was clearly not at fault and not wanting to layout the cash to get a lawyer, I asked my LBS to contact the TREK rep. Within a day or so, Trek got in contact with me. I explained to the rep about my dissatisfaction with the initial attempt to rectify the problem. I then told him how peeved I was that the defective part scarred my leg and that no consideration was made to my disfigurement. I also indicated that I did my homework as to why the part failed and that I did talk to a lawyer. Trek promptly replaced my complete drive train on my bike and asked me what they could do to make me happy again. I replied to them a wish list of parts retailing to several thousand dollars to which they promptly supplied to me. No lawyers got involved, no releases or agreements were signed, the defective part was returned back to me as promised and an apology was provided. I'm happy with the people with Trek and the way that they handled the situation.
That is the way it should always be handled.
I hate the companies who take no responsibility
and i hate customers who immediately 'lawyer up'
In my naive mind I still think (and hope) cycling community, be it companies or customers, are a bit more old fashioned about solving their issues.
11-01-12, 09:09 AM
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[QUOTE=lazerzxr;14901665]All the broken carbon forks I have ever seen have broken on the fork leg, not the steerer, probably by design so that the most likely part to break is at least in a location that can be inspected.
Uh, they make them hopefully to not break anywhere. And, there is usually no visible evidence they are about to go, they just snap.
Uh, they make them hopefully to not break anywhere. And, there is usually no visible evidence they are about to go, they just snap.
11-01-12, 09:41 AM
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11-01-12, 09:45 AM
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I have a Wound-Up CF fork on our tandem. I developed some blisters and delamination in the clear coat and was advised by the manufacturer to have it re-coated. They indicated that the clear coat served to protect the CF from UV. Now, in reality, the fork is only exposed to UV during an actual ride and I could have self-treated the affected area. I did get the fork re-coated primarily for cosmetic reasons. I'm not suggesting this potential degradation mechanism had anything to do with the OP's fork failure, just passing the info on.
The Wound-up fork is tandem-specific and weighs a ton and I don't even have the disc-specific fork. Taking some hits on a tandem is almost inevitable since last second maneuverability has it's limit and bunny-hopping is a non-starter. I would hope that the fork is the component designed with the greatest safety factor; maybe someone in the bicycle industry in chime in an describe the design criteria for forks, CF and otherwise.
The Wound-up fork is tandem-specific and weighs a ton and I don't even have the disc-specific fork. Taking some hits on a tandem is almost inevitable since last second maneuverability has it's limit and bunny-hopping is a non-starter. I would hope that the fork is the component designed with the greatest safety factor; maybe someone in the bicycle industry in chime in an describe the design criteria for forks, CF and otherwise.
11-01-12, 10:51 AM
#75
Descends like a rock
crazy. snapped off pretty clean. No idea how that could happen. Glad you are OK.