Near miss with Giant TCR forks

gn3dr

Just thought I'd post this up here as an FYI and a caution to always check out weird sounds or knocks on your bike.

My summer bike is a TCR composite which I bought new waaaay back in 2003 I think. It hasn't huge miles done and is very well minded. Rarely sees rain unless I get caught out in a shower. Never been crashed bar one sideways slide on a hairpin - but my hip and knee took the impact from that - the bike only had a scratched pedal. Always kept in a dark shed when not in use so no excess exposure to UV for exnteded periods.

I was out yesterday and thought the front felt a bit flexy and when braking or pulling on the bars when climbing or taking off from junctions there was sometimes the odd clunk - like a loose headset - but the headset was fine.

So took out the forks today and had a look.

See video here https://youtube.com/shorts/Yk8Ipus0kgw?feature=share

A bit scary when I think of some of the descending I was doing recently down Moll's Gap and the likes. Seems like the original bonding from the aluminium bearing surface to the fork crown is failing. The fork is full carbon including steerer but has aluminium at the lower bearing area. The aluminium part does extend down through the crown and the front caliper bolt goes through it but I don't think it would have held it together if all the bonding failed.

Have been looking for replacement forks online - thinking of going with these Columbus ones https://www.bike24.com/p2275600.html

(I did briefly consider that it was a great justification for myself to go buy a new frame and forks 🙄)

Had a quick look at Giant's website to see what kind of warranty they have - probably pushing it a bit to expect 20 year cover. They direct you to bring the bike / parts to your local dealer for examination.

I borrowed the forks off my winter bike for now. It has a taller head tube than the Giant so excuse the stupid looking chimney stack over the stem

It does raise a point though - I had always been slow to consider buying a 2nd hand carbon bike due to hearing horror stories about forks etc. failing. This was a case where I know the history of the bike and it was treated like a baby all it's life but still failed. Grant it it owes me nothing when you look at how old it is. But it also makes me wonder if carbon frames and forks should be life'd?

magicbastarder

Worth bringing it to a specialist and having the bonding re- done?

gn3dr

I don't think I would trust any repair in that critical area.

2011abc

Sheesh ,that’s terrifying ! Have heard of the ‘ring of death ‘ where a circular cut is caused in carbon steerer tube due to rattling a-headset but never saw that before .Lucky escape ! ( glad now you didn’t decide to sell it !)

Mr. Cats

Maybe you’re aware but I think that TCR’s have a non standard steerer diameter? Something to check out for that fork you linked to.

gn3dr

Yeah thanks I know. That's the later TCR though. The earlier ones had a straight 1 1/8" steerer.

gn3dr

Actually my own hesitation on 2nd hand carbon frames (well mainly forks because frame failure isn't going to be as catastrophic) was on my mind when thinking about selling. Even though it is mint the age I suppose is always a factor.

531

FWIW, I had same bike, same year (or 2002) and same thing happened. Only noticed when I friend took a short sping on the bike and asked what was wrong with my forks. I had been in the Comeraghs the previous week! Got replacement from LBS (Giant dealer) but had to pay for it (about e400 iirc), they threw in a free headset!

gn3dr

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120927959#Comment_120927959

Sounds like the Columbus option I posted in the original post is better value than a replacement Giant fork so.

Actually I know I am maybe stuck in the golden era of cycling (i.e. rim brakes, short white socks, pre tubeless, pre dropped stays, etc. 😂) but it really struck me when googling today how there is a shortage of options now to get stuff like this. Back in the day there were numerous options for forks (are Easton or Reynolds even a thing anymore? - off to google that now)

fat bloke

Giant warranty is lifetime isn't it? Deffo worth bringing to a Giant dealer. CSS were very good for me a few years back with a TCR crash replacement.

gn3dr

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120931720#Comment_120931720

I dunno about lifetime. Feck it I just ordered the Columbus forks today anyway. I figured the time I spent messing around with the local shop being a middle man with Giant I'd waste weeks.

Just looking at their website it looks like 10 year warranty on fixed forks for bikes made from 2012 onwards. And for bike up to 2011 it says refer to the documentation that comes with the frame / bike so maybe they do offer lifetime prior to 2011? Will have to go digging and see if there is a slim chance I might have it thrown in the back of the toolbox.

gn3dr

Just to update on this - I decided that if there was a chance of warranty I might as well try it out. So I cancelled the Bike 24 order for the Columbus forks (that was a very easy process to do so - quick call and done - no problem - impressed with the customer service there)

Luckily I found the original receipt (Stg£799 from Bonthrone Bikes in Fulham back in Oct 2003 - which just for curiosity using an inflation calculator translates to £1356 today = €1567. TCR SL today lists at €2950 - but not available anyway)

Anyway brought the fork into local Giant shop. They told me contact Giant directly and said they doubted they would do anything for me given the frame is 20 yrs old.

Fired off an email to Giant UK anyway to see what happens. (Aside rant - Annoys me that companies are still using UK as a contact location post Brexit)

Dr.Tom

There was a story of a guy whos Specialized Tarmac SL4 was replaced under warranty recently enough.

Imagine his joy when he discovered he was being presented with a brand new replacement frame in disc brake format.

Still better than nothing I suppose.......

gn3dr

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120934797#Comment_120934797

Yeah that problem is real. In the shop today I priced frames and bikes. Only one rim braked frame listed and that was sold out and only one bike which had limited availability. In the shop they reckoned that next years range (being announced in Oct apparently) would have no rim braked TCR!

gn3dr

Well that was a waste of time- Giant got back to me and said 10 yr warranty on stuff from pre 2011. From 2012 onwards there is lifetime warranty on frames and 10 yrs on forks.

So I asked them for a discount on another fork or frameset as goodwill . Nothing forthcoming.