Mate just bought a 2ND hand carbon fork with star nut – is it absolutely necessary to replace with bung / head doctor ?

Nah, if the star nut is already in there, crack on and use it…….

is it a carbon steerer?

Don’t remove it as you will just cause more damage.

I wouldn’t have used one in the first place but now it’s in there I’d use it rather than attempt to remove it.

Yep, thinking the same- the issue is supposed to be damage caused when fitting not when using. Unless the steerer’s long enough to chop it?

I’d not be delighted tbh.

I’d be looking for a chance to get my money back.

I’d definitely be looking to get my money back unless, as above, it will be trimmed a decent way past the star nut.

How far down is it? I’d not be happy about that, but if its above the stem (ie theres room for few spacers above) then i’d maybe not be to bothered. If the steerer is long enough to cut it out then I have a carbon bung you can have for nowt if you want.

I’d be returning the fork as unsafe, the star nut scours the carbon weakening it, you then clamp the same area with the stem, bad combination.

Thanks for the responses folks – I guess that’s what you get for spending £50 off eBay – it’s an On One and it’s too far down to cut out ..

Would removing it reduce further wear or damage? If so ‘d drill it out if you can’t return. Not sure of the likelihood of it actually breaking, but it would always be on the back of my mind…

My golden rule is don’t have anything that is structurely compromised at the front of the bike…would take more of a chance if it as at the rear…thats why I avoid carbon bars…every time I crash I’d be fretting I’d done some hidden damage..and as a man with horric OCD it would spoil my enjoyment of the ride!

If it’s eBay, can you not send it back as it’s not as described i.e. technically it’s broken.

Or did the original description have “starnut fitted, cos i’m an idiot” in it.

FWIW Cannondale use star nuts in their carbon forks but they probably have a liner sleeve, so it’s not unknown. Whilst there is a small risk of damage, I’d simply carry on using them as it’s unlikely to be a sudden and catastrophic failure.

These: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/On-One-Carbon-29er-Forks-/322024344130?hash=item4afa258a42%3Ag%3AxMcAAOSwDuJW1aIV&nma=true&si=mLE3aE2CULRvYHePq%252B0638QIaoo%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

On on website:

http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FOOOSCF4709/on-one-monocoque-straight-steerer-carbon-fork

“Use with MK1 carbon bung PRODUCT CODE: FSPXFCENT”

I would say return if worried as it is potentially damaged due to incorrect installation. I remember a problem were the advised bung did not fit and you had to pick up a different one, maybe the seller had that problem and opted for a star nut.

in reality CF is pretty tough but it’s not my call.