So It Looks Like I've Been Rubbed Up The Wrong Way....

[Escape Goat]

Always use protection. I did, and it wore through that too.

How many of you would be bothered about this?

[ScotRoutes]

It's only through 9 layers of carbon.

[sean_iow]

It's worrying me and it's not my fork. That's about the worst location for that damage

[Escape Goat]

ffs.

[redefined_cycles]

Always use protection. I did, and it wore through that too.

How many of you would be bothered about this?

Is it a Sonder

[Escape Goat]

Whisky No9 mate....

[sean_iow]

You could ask a carbon repair specialist what they think as I'm obviously just basing my advice on a picture I'm viewing on my phone, but it does look bad

[redefined_cycles]

Whisky No9 mate....

Sorry to hear it Allan... If it's any consolation, I'd ride it. I have the Bertoletti fork. Full carbon roadie thing. About 2mm grooves cut into the inside by skimming wheel (last owner, idiot who got angry when I enquired as to why he never mentioned it in the ebay ad). It's an overengineered thing and weighs about 750g (Canyon full carbon equivalent about 400g and the Reynolds is 360g). I've ridden it and off roaded it without any probs so far.

If it was me (apart from taking it easy and not trying to DH it) I'd whack some good nail varnish all over that area and then keep an eye. Also check the weights.. If it's less than 800g I'd proceed with caution but if it's a full carbon steerer and fork and over that 800g mark then you'd like to think there's alot of real estate going on there...

Lastly... you idiot, why not take a look earlier let me know if you decide to sell it on for peanuts... Though Whisky might be nice and do some crash repalcement sort of thing

[redefined_cycles]

NB. I do agree with Sean that it does look bad but after (trying to) smash(ing) my Sonder to bits. I reckon I'm in a good position to specualte that the area where you're see the groove cut in, I bet its some thick layering of carbon there or even a big chunk as the beidge between the steerer and the fork legs.

Reason for the nail varnish is, cos if the carbon does start giving way you'll see the nail varnish crack first (at which point I'd rethink things a bit and reinvestigate). Opinions based on alot of reading Rouleur carbon specialists advice, my (crappy) Sonder and I think the Privateer mag. Carbon really isn't (road bikes I can't speak for) as weak as everyone makes out Allen

[Escape Goat]

Ah man. I wouldn't sell them like, they'll probably end up on my single speed

Yep. I agree, I'm an idiot for not checking. Lesson learned eh.

[ScotRoutes]

Whisky No9 mate....

Oof!

I'd get in touch with the manufacturers and see what they say about the amount of carbon in that area.

[fatbikephil]

I'd fathom how deep it is - 9 layers isn't much as they are very thin. Then see if you can work out the total section depth at that point. Then work out the percentage loss and remember there will be a factor of safety of at least 2, based on max load. Probably will be fine just tape over it

[Escape Goat]

Yep yep, I'll email Ison tomorrow. This 100% is all my doing, nothing to do with manufacture, so it will cost me, which I'm fine with to be fair, once I've saved up again! I don't expect anything and don't really want anything from them, but would be good for them to say, bin them, or use em.

[MuddyPete]

X-ray it for thickness?
Ultrasonic test for cracks?
Can dye penetration tests be used on carbon?


Or just upcycle ( ) it as a carbon fibre croquet hoop .

[FLV]

Bin em

[jameso]

I've seen carbon forks cut as a cross section that are practically solid carbon at the crown area. Don't know how that fork is constructed exactly but if similar to others with a carbon steerer bonded to a carbon lower, it may be the same. Tap it, if it sounds thick/solid I wouldn't worry about it. I would keep an eye on it, just no worry. Same damage mid leg and I'd scrap it.

[Alpinum]

I'd send the photo to my friend Mäse (Marcel), who runs Bieri Bike Care and fixes carbon professionally.
...
I just sent him your photo with a few questions, like can it still be ridden, if it can be fixed (which I believe) or needs to be exchanged.
I also asked what you could do besides knocking on the crown at the rubbed area and the intact area right next to it, listening if there's a change in sound and applying pressure on it (with eg a plastic tyre lever) and see if it flexed or makes any sound.

Once I get his response I'll post it here.

I'd probably still use it, but get it fixed by a carbon specialist asap, if it doesn't sound different and doesn't give in.

I'm riding with rubbed X01 and XX1 cranks (last summer I finally found a protective sticker that lasts after using the cranks for 7 and 3.5 years), I've not counted, but must be 5 - 10 layers gone in a large area. Also they are heavily chipped from rock strikes.
In some spots my frames have bad scratches, deep and long. Also from rocks.
All good.
The bike that's in worse shape has just been through a large overhaul by the manufacturer and whilst I got a funny look when they saw the damage, they didn't have any concerns at all.

Still... tricky.

I know how you feel and am sorry for you.
I hope you can get it fixed easily and soon.
If you have a different bike, use that for a while. Can even be fun.

[ScotRoutes]

I've seen carbon forks cut as a cross section that are practically solid carbon at the crown area.

That's what I'm hoping

[In Reverse]

Bin em

This would be my choice too tbh Allen. All very well someone online saying "fcuk it, they'll be fine", but the consequences of it going bad are potentially grim.

[redefined_cycles]

Bin em

This would be my choice too tbh Allen. All very well someone online saying "fcuk it, they'll be fine", but the consequences of it going bad are potentially grim.

Or send em to me.. I'll dremel em through and use a couple of carbon blades. You'll know for next time (whether bin was the right way to go)...

[jameso]

All very well someone online saying "fcuk it, they'll be fine", but the consequences of it going bad are potentially grim.

You're right and I'm generally far more wary of carbon forks than I should be for that reason. In this case, personally I would be wary but it may not make me think they were for the bin. Compromised layers should ring alarm bells for sure - what I'm not sure of is how structural those layers there are. And I should be clear and say it's what I'd think/do, I'm not saying someone else should Alpinum's also right, get an expert to look at it.

[Escape Goat]

I've contacted whisky to see if they advise me to stop riding them.

Its quite noticeable to the feel. I'll certainly be checking for this type of thing more often now. I just rode and forgot about them.

Tut tut

[jameso]

I've contacted whisky to see if they advise me to stop riding them.

I expect they will, as a product manager I 100% would as they'll never take the liability risk of saying otherwise. They won't hand out construction details either.
If there's enough value in the fork, Alpinum's contact or similar carbon fixer in the UK might be a good bet and they may well have seen inside some QBP forks. They'll be made by a large manufacturer who produces for a lot of brands so may be a known layout.

I've been looking for some pics I had of cross-sections of a few forks but can't find them right now. Not that they're sure to be the same, just as an indication of how they can be in that area compared to the blades or steerer.

[lune ranger]

I've contacted whisky to see if they advise me to stop riding them.

Its quite noticeable to the feel. I'll certainly be checking for this type of thing more often now. I just rode and forgot about them.

Tut tut

I’d be surprised if the company said anything other than to stop using them, whether that’s the right answer or not. I reckon risk aversion and fear of litigation would certainly trump a reasoned response - more so as they are American.

Edit- beaten by quicker fingers

[FLV]

Sorry, my comment probably wasn't super helpful.

Depends on how deep it's gone really. In the picture, it looks quite deep.

Jameso is right, it could be very thick there and likely is but you have no idea how deep the structural layers actually are before it's essentially just filler. Though I do also agree mid leg would be worse for sure.

You may be lucky enough to get a knowledgeable opinion from Gian's contact which will be worth having for sure.

It may depend on how 'refined' the design was in the first place. Safety factors, boundary's pushed to get the ride just so etc..

Personally, by the time you pay to ship it, get it assessed, repair it etc it could be quite pricy.
For me, I'd look to replace it instead of putting money into repairing it. Its crap, but if it's quite deep that's what I'd do.