darkside Q – are alu steerer forks stronger or weaker than carbon?

i see your point al. i was merely putting it out to the STW experts, as they undoubtedly have more knowledge than me on such matters.

Crikey some usual guff on here. Still as usual there will be lots of unused carbon bling going cheap 😀

Aye I think bombproof & light is a tough ask really.

Failures at the steerer are pretty rare though AFAIK, so I’d not be concerned…

…mind you I will now be checking mine 😉

Seems carbon forks are OK in most circumstances but need more care. Trek for example say stems must be installed using a torque wrench all the time and must have spacers, and that using third party stems can cause failure.

http://velonews.competitor.com/2010/06/news/carbon-steerer-breakages-statement-from-trek-bicycle_121417

As a 16 stone fatty I’d be concerned I’m at the upper end of design rider weight.

This CTC article about a aluminium steerer failure suggests any but light riders stick to steel or titanium steerers.

http://www.darlingtoncyclingclub.co.uk/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=28

Steerer failure may be a small risk but it is avoidable. I’d rather skip that risk and live with the extra weight.

using third party stems can cause failure

What a pile of crock! Trek are the worst!

Thing is if alloy/carbon steerers were weak, they’d be breaking, mfrs getting sued, and they’d be getting beefed up. Bt that’s not happening.