Evening all,
After a painful (literally) 4 year cycling hiatus forced by multiple surgeries, I've been able to get out on my Specailized Sequoia - until a POS took it from my car a few doors from the house. Insurance won't pay and I can't find a replacement I'm happy with (i.e. cheaper than ENVE, or from the manufacturer).
Short story - frame and form taken with wheels but wheels not attached. Frame and fork apparently found dumped and returned - my neighbour had it all over their social media and was contacted. The brake calipers where removed and somebody started to sand down the paint on the forks, until they hit helitape it seems. I'm reluctant to ride the full carbon forks as a) I can see black around the dropouts and caliper mount and b) damage to the saddle and frame indicate it's been thrown around, and with no wheel in the forks may have been battered.
The dilemma is, is it safe to get it repaired (I'd use target composites after some research and enquiries), as they can't GUARENTEE they are safe, or do I buy a new bike / fork when I can eventually find something in stock? Opinions will be appreciated please. I do have a mountain bike... a 2001 hardtail but it doesn't cut it for commuting or road riding, and the gravel bike is a better position for me.
I'll put £10 in the pot to buy you a new fork.
Thank you so much, that's very kind of you, but I couldn't accept it. Whilst it's bloody annoying to have to buy the bits they took off it I can at least afford to. I've got new wheels, rotors and tyres, but the availability and safety for the forks is my problem. There are some Radley forks due at Wiggle in August which are looking like my best option right now.
That’s crap, sorry OP. Have you tried ebay or posting wanted Ads on any forums?
I wouldn’t worry about the fork. I had a tcr that shed paint and I sanded it right back to the top carbon layer. You could see the alloy crown and bonding composite. I gave it four lacquer coats and some carefully applied trimmed white electrical tape to cover the join which masked the composite that had been exposed. Fork is still going and it’s about fifteen years old now.
Carbon is tough stuff and so is the composite bonding of the fork blades into the crown and drop outs into the blades (also exposed)
Thanks guys. I’ll try a wanted post tonight I think; I’ve not been able to find anything on ebay yet.
TiRed - part of me is of the same mind, but not knowing what’s happened to it with the wheel out for two weeks and seeing the other damage to the bike makes me think it would be silly to risk it.
I’m thinking that an ultrasound inspection by target composites may be the best option, but nothing is guaranteed.
These any good too you?
I've been eyeing them up as a replacement for my Kinesis tripster.
Hi, thanks - I’ll look into those 👍🏻🙂