Linked to an insurance advice post in the chat forum.
Hit head on by car. Front wheel pringled, carbon fork cracked on one of the prongs. Steel frame looks completely fine, headset nice and smooth when turning handlebars.
Is there any way the frame will be ok if I wap a new fork in or is an impact that kills a wheel and a carbon fork assumed to be enough to kill a steel frame also?
FWIW:
Wheel was a handbuilt DT R460 on Hope RS Mono
Fork was a carbon kinesis thing I think off a canti crosslight
Frames an All City Macho Man
Thanks in advance for any advice
Get a frame builder to check alignment. If it was within its elastic limit, it will be fine. If it went plastic, the frame alignment will be out.
Maybe one of the best features of steel.
As above if it's straight then it should be fine. Steel is good like that.
You might even be able to get the fork repaired but I'd understand not wanting that
I lost my steel hardtail off the roof of my car at 60mph on the A417, it cartwheeled down the road and I've been riding it ever since (3 years). I reckon your frame is likely fine.
Just check the welds for any signs of cracks and check the alignment.
Are you claiming off their insurance. I'd not take any risk and get a the whole thing replaced if you can.
The wheel and fork likely absorbed the impact. It would be the head tube that would have deformed so you can check alignment and welds as others have said.
Can you use some wire to measure the distance from the front of the head tube to the dropouts?
If it's the same on both sides, it's probably fine. If it's different it will be OK if you only ever want to go in circles.
"Can you use some wire to measure the distance from the front of the head tube to the dropouts?
If it’s the same on both sides, it’s probably fine."
Many a year ago that's what my LBS did on mine. Measurement was the same and carried on riding it for years after fixing it up.
From insurance purposes I’d say yes, especially if it’s the driver’s insurance. But if it seems straight I’d still ride it.