Hey guys,

All the specifications I can find say that my 1999 Schwinn Paramount Ti came with a carbon Time Club fork.

On my bike, the paint seems to tell me the fork is original and there is quite a few deep gashes in it.

I'm no expert, but it looks to be some kind of metal. It is nonmagnetic and has a grey sheen similar to other parts of the exposed titanium, no rust and there is no carbon weave or threads visible in even the deepest damage.

Could you experts please give me your opinion on what material this fork is?











I can put up higher res images if it would help.

Thank you so much!

It's probably an alloy crown with carbon legs bonded on. Looks like carbon in first pic if the shiny thing is the dropout.

The shiny thing is the dropout. Is that really carbon?

I'm sure that chip passed all the paint, but there doesn't appear to be any weave or flaking, it looks smooth like metal. Same thing with the second gash, too.

+1 Probably carbon legs, aluminum crown and dropouts. Time is known for making carbon forks (at least that was the first thought that came into my mind) and the 1999 catalog picture confirms: https://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn_1...0/1999_48.html

Very beautiful bike by the way that I'd love to have in my collection!

So it is carbon.

My next question is, are marks like those on carbon legs worrisome?


It is a beautiful bike, I picked it up for a steal too. I just hope I can ride it without worrying about the fork.

Need a different angle on that gash in the second pic. The one in the first pic looks okay, but this one might be a worry if it's at all deep.

Might be easier to see what's going on in sunlight, too

It's not a 'new to you' carbon fork, so you don't know the previous crash history,
+ the visible damage,
those combine to recommend buying a new fork..
A safe or sorry choice..

Just my luck, it is overcast today.









They do go past all of the paint, but they don't seem to interrupt the carbon. I can't see any loose fibers or such, the carbon seems to look pretty smooth. But, I do suppose with damage like that it would be a good idea to replace it.

Do you have any advice on new 1" forks? Threaded? Threadless?

I'll make a thread in the Classics forum about replacing it. Thanks again guys.

most of them just look like paint chips, but the big gash from the first post looks like it recesses in atleast a millimeter

id have a professional/your LBS look at it. but my assumption is that the integrity is effected and probably should not be ridden.