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Failed Fork - what to do ?

  • 30-11-2012 12:25pm
    #1
    youtheman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,311 ✭✭✭


    Folks, a relation of mine had a serious incident (accident actually) caused by the failure of a carbon fork. I haven't examined the bike myself, so I don't have the full details. But I was wondering if he is best advised to take it back to the LBS and let them deal with it, or should he first contact the manufacturer in case there are product liability issues. I suppose my concern is that the LBS will 'fob him off' and the issue will just end there. My inclination is to contact the manufacturer and somehow 'put them on notice'. What would you recommend?.


Comments

  • #2
    07Lapierre
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,309 ✭✭✭07Lapierre


    Contact both manufacturer and your LBS


  • #3
    shaka
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,085 ✭✭✭shaka


    Document everything with manufacturer and LBS just in case but your LBS will be able to deal with this .


  • #4
    tippgod
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 225 ✭✭tippgod


    shaka wrote: »
    Document everything with manufacturer and LBS just in case but your LBS will be able to deal with this .


    i second this. Have first hand experence with this and its up to your LBS to get in contact with the companys sales rep. If you read the fine print though, a carbon fork must be changed quite often i think


  • #5
    route66
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,012 ✭✭✭route66


    tippgod wrote: »
    i second this. Have first hand experence with this and its up to your LBS to get in contact with the companys sales rep. If you read the fine print though, a carbon fork must be changed quite often i think

    Eh? :confused:


  • #6
    tippgod
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 225 ✭✭tippgod


    route66 wrote: »
    Eh? :confused:
    ya when i looked into it, Trek offer lifetime warranty on carbon frames but only two years on Forks.


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  • #7
    Al Wright
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 168 ✭✭Al Wright


    Also check the bicycle manufacturers website for information. Last year Specialized recalled bikes fitted with carbon forks manufactured by Advanced Group (the problem there was suspect front brake mounting pivot)


  • #8
    youtheman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,311 ✭✭✭youtheman


    I had a look at the bike. The carbon fork has an aluminium tube that is swaged into a short section of carbon tube just above the fork. The aluminium tube broke clean across at the swage point, so it would be just above the bottom bearing in the head tube. I have some photos but won't be able to post until after the weekend. Can't understand how it can fail within the head tube. Would seem to rule out any crash damage as the rest of the bike is unmarked.


  • #9
    youtheman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,311 ✭✭✭youtheman


    I had a look at the bike. The carbon fork has an aluminium tube that is swaged into a short section of carbon tube just above the fork. The aluminium tube broke clean across at the swage point, so it would be just above the bottom bearing in the head tube. I have some photos but won't be able to post until after the weekend. Can't understand how it can fail within the head tube. Would seem to rule out any crash damage as the rest of the bike is unmarked.


  • #10
    bcmf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,679 ✭✭✭bcmf


    Was there not a recall on some Giant forks a while back?
    Sure I posted something on it. will have to search!


  • #11
    bcmf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,679 ✭✭✭bcmf


    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=76837206

    That didnt take long.
    OP I hope this may be of help to you and your friend.


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  • #12
    CillianL
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 138 ✭✭CillianL


    youtheman wrote: »
    I had a look at the bike. The carbon fork has an aluminium tube that is swaged into a short section of carbon tube just above the fork. The aluminium tube broke clean across at the swage point, so it would be just above the bottom bearing in the head tube. I have some photos but won't be able to post until after the weekend. Can't understand how it can fail within the head tube. Would seem to rule out any crash damage as the rest of the bike is unmarked.

    Seems like there was a crack/fault in the fork at that point, and the shear stresses on the fork would have concentrated there causing the fork to fail by brittle failure. If the bike shop staff have any brains they'll realise that's not an ordinary failure due to overloading or fatigue, so you should get a replacement


  • #13
    Run_to_da_hills
    Closed Accounts Posts: 20,009 ✭✭✭✭Run_to_da_hills


    The first thing he should do is find a good solicitor and seek advice about claiming damages.

    I wouldn't hand anything back to anyone particularly if PI was involved.

    The forks may be needed for evidence against a personal injury claim.

    The LBS may hand the forks back to the manufacture and he may not see them again with just a replacement set of forks handed to your mate to shut him up for all his troubles.

    He should at the least make a claim for a brand new bicycle out of it.


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