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Looking at running a dynamo light but there’s no fitting hole in the front of my carbon fork. Can this be done or bad idea?
I've never done it.
However I can see no good reason why a Carbon Fork is any better or worse than any other fork for this kind of 'modification'
I'd probably use a few different (but new and extremely sharp) drills - start smaller than you want and gradually enlarge the drill size until you reach the desired size.
Pick the hole location wisely and use new and extremely sharp drills and you run just the same risks as with a Steel or Aluminium fork.
I've done it to allow me to fit a front mudguard and then bonded a piece of carbon fibre tube to fit flush through the crown ensuring that the edges of the hole were fully 'wetted' with epoxy.
@cynic-al was on about doing this to a track fork for a brake last year.
something like this might be better?
From an old thread:
I did drill one, mudguard fitted only.
No brake cos I glued on a disc mount
I still am alive.
An observation if I may....
You've a habit of buying stuff and selling it on with little use. Just bear in mind that, even if you are happy with the results, any potential buyer may not be and they would then have no resale value.
I was doing recently, bought all the bits needed to mount a light as shown in this image, I ended up going down a different route so if they would be useful PM me.
However I can see no good reason why a Carbon Fork is any better or worse than any other fork for this kind of ‘modification’
A stress concentration in carbon fibre can't redistribute under static loading, as it isn't very ductile.
Aluminium with holes in might end up being worse for fatigue, but carbon with holes in might end up being worse for a single high load.
It's probably OK, but there is a difference in the consequences of the modification.
For what it's worth, you can get seat clamps designed to adapt for racks, and use one of the rack mount holes to mount your dynamo light to the bars with a bit of modification (take the lip off around the inside). It gives quite a neat installation of the light - better looking and sturdier than clamps I've previously bought that were for the purpose.
Or this actually which looks a bit nicer IMO:
Found a suitable bracket cheers
Drilled an Alpina fork for a front brake. Has an alloy fork crown and is designed for a brake. For a full carbon fork, I'd not be worried about a hole for a light. I have two monocoque after market forks, not to mention several bikes.
Hope the bracket works out, but i'd still be cautious.