Fork about to fail?

Colonel Panic

I had a run in with a car today clipped the back of it slightly with my wheel as the driver tried to overtake me an hook left into a carpark. No major injuries and bike seemed okay but I was looking at it more closely this evening.

I noticed what looks like a scratch on my fork and was wondering if this is the beginnings of metal fatigue and fork failure. The left hand side's got a scratch where you'd never really get a scratch and the right hand side's got a line in the same spot as if it's some sort of join.

I've attached some pictures of the issue.

I'm thinking I shouldn't cycle this and get to my LBS asap. Any thoughts?

Hunterbiker

If I was in collision with anoher vehicle and noticed that I'd get the LBS's opinion on it.

better safe than sorry

denbatt

Looks to me that the forks must have bent enough to crack the paint. As said take it to a bike shop.

Pinch Flat

It's an alloy fork, right? Any doubts, get to the LBS to be sure.

Colonel Panic

Thanks all, I decided not to risk it, I'd rather deal with a fork that doesn't match than a faceplant at 35kph on the Long Mile Road.

Yes, it's an alloy fork btw, the bike's a Specialized Sirrus with a few years on it. New bike?

Pinch Flat

Colonel Panic wrote: »

New bike?

Now you're talking

Hunterbiker

Without derailing the thread do you have the drivers details in order to recoup your potential loss?

Colonel Panic

I got the car registration, but my initial inspection of the bike and lack of physical injury coupled with the adrenaline meant I didn't get anything else. Stupid of me, but I should be able to chase it up.

cdaly_

Colonel Panic wrote: »

I should be able to chase it up.

Yah, but not until you fit the new fork...