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Drilling front fork.

snollup

Recently bought a Dolan Pre Cursa that I intend using as my commuter. The front fork, carbon with alu steerer is not drilled for a front break. I was talking to one of the lads in Eurocycles. He used to work for Dolan. He say's that it would be fine to drill the fork however there is a bolt running through the fork that would need to come out and he did say this can be a bit tricky. I'm wondering if anyone has experience doing this and if so how did they go about it?

Cheers.

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franer1970

The front fork... is not drilled for a front fork. Pardon my ignorance, but I don't understand that.

nak

franer1970 wrote: »

The front fork... is not drilled for a front fork. Pardon my ignorance, but I don't understand that.

Think that was meant to be brake.

See if you can find a bike shop that has done it before, or buy a replacement fork that is already drilled for a brake.

G rock

I got the fork drilled on a pompino last year by a local tradesman (i don't have any tools for the job).

Two minute job, although I didn't need it threaded.

Lumen did the same on One of his bikes iirc.

It was a steel fork however, so I'm sure that makes a difference

C3PO

There's no way I would drill a hole through a carbon fork! If it fails you could literally kill yourself - just not worth the risk in my opinion!

Idleater

OP, If it is any use to you, I have a drilled fork from a s/h langster that I replaced with one that could accommodate mudguards better. You are welcome to it depending on your location and logistics.

Lumen

G rock wrote: »

I got the fork drilled on a pompino last year by a local tradesman (i don't have any tools for the job).

Two minute job, although I didn't need it threaded.

Lumen did the same on One of his bikes iirc.

It was a steel fork however, so I'm sure that makes a difference

My advice on drilling steel forks with a hand-held drill is: don't. It takes a lot longer than two minutes and it's very difficult to get it straight.

lennymc

as lumen said, without a pillar drill, good drill bits and a vice I wouldn't risk it

CSteven88

I'd be very dubious of drilling through a carbon fork. Even with a vice and a pillar drill!! If I were you I'd look into the cost of a new fork.

cunavalos

There are mounting adapters that allow you fit a front brake to a non drilled fork.
Avoids the hassle of drilling and can be easily removed for track use of required.

I think the following adapters are only for use with compatible brake calipers

http://www.velodromeshop.net/index.php?p=product&id=1552

&

http://www.velodromeshop.net/index.php?p=product&id=2163

Personally think picking up a set of second hand forks for cheap or free may end up being cheaper in the long run

snollup

Thanks all for replies.
I have no intention of doing this myself! Wouldn't have the skills required.I was hoping to find someone who does.
Have looked at clamp on breaks but tbh they look shockingly ugly.
Might end up having to replace the fork but am reluctant to as really like the one on the bike & also doing my best to keep the costs down.

TychoCaine

Dude, replace the fork. Dolan sell this frame with a road fork option for a reason.

There's a lot more material in the crown of a carbon road fork than a track one to keep it in one piece while it has two holes in it and a brake putting extra forces & vibration through it. You're already pushing the fork beyond it's design specs by putting something designed to run on a smooth track onto the city streets. Poking holes in it is asking for trouble.

nak

The Alpina road fork is about £80 new, might get one cheaper on eBay.

Idleater

snollup wrote: »

...& also doing my best to keep the costs down.

I don't know if you missed my post above, but you are more than welcome to my spare fork.
At the very least, you can try it, and if you don't like it or get a better / nicer one you can pass it on, keep it or hand it back

dave_o_brien

Idleater wrote: »

I don't know if you missed my post above, but you are more than welcome to my spare fork.
At the very least, you can try it, and if you don't like it or get a better / nicer one you can pass it on, keep it or hand it back

Fair play for this.

Lumen

TychoCaine wrote: »

Dude, replace the fork. Dolan sell this frame with a road fork option for a reason.

There's a lot more material in the crown of a carbon road fork than a track one to keep it in one piece while it has two holes in it and a brake putting extra forces & vibration through it. You're already pushing the fork beyond it's design specs by putting something designed to run on a smooth track onto the city streets. Poking holes in it is asking for trouble.

The blades are carbon but the steerer is alloy.

I think I've read on this forum before that Dolan advise that you can drill the fork. This post seems to confirm it:

http://www.pedalroom.com/bike/dolan-pre-cursa-10845

I'd ask Dolan.

TychoCaine

The steerer in the current track-specific fork is carbon. The road one (i.e. with a hole already) is aluminium. Maybe the OP has a older model with a "drillable" aluminium crown/steerer, but I'd take up idleater's generous offer if I was in his shoes.

snollup

Idleater wrote: »

I don't know if you missed my post above, but you are more than welcome to my spare fork.
At the very least, you can try it, and if you don't like it or get a better / nicer one you can pass it on, keep it or hand it back

Sorry Idleater, I did miss that post. I would love to take you up on your generous, will pm you.

snollup

Lumen wrote: »

The blades are carbon but the steerer is alloy.

I think I've read on this forum before that Dolan advise that you can drill the fork. This post seems to confirm it:

http://www.pedalroom.com/bike/dolan-pre-cursa-10845

I'd ask Dolan.

Ya, the mechanic in Eurocycles used to work for Dolan and that what he was saying too.

snollup

TychoCaine wrote: »

The steerer in the current track-specific fork is carbon. The road one (i.e. with a hole already) is aluminium. Maybe the OP has a older model with a "drillable" aluminium crown/steerer, but I'd take up idleater's generous offer if I was in his shoes.

It's 2009 according to the label on the steerer.

kumate_champ07

if it was steel the fork crown is the toughest steel you'll come across, took me 30mins to widen a hole for a modern recessed nut style brake, Id imagine it would take hours to drill the actual hole! altho this was with a dremmel tool

kumate_champ07

the track forks that could bend from brake force used the 22mm round traditional track blades

Lumen

kumate_champ07 wrote: »

if it was steel the fork crown is the toughest steel you'll come across, took me 30mins to widen a hole for a modern recessed nut style brake, Id imagine it would take hours to drill the actual hole! altho this was with a dremmel tool

I made no progress until I snapped my last drill bit. The broken bit went through in no time.

Either I was doing it wrong or I should patent broken drill bits.

kumate_champ07

Lumen wrote: »

I made no progress until I snapped my last drill bit. The broken bit went through in no time.

Either I was doing it wrong or I should patent broken drill bits.

a lugged frame would have a cast fork crown so its like drilling thru 'tool steel'

tig welded steel forks would have extra thick chromoly

Lumen

kumate_champ07 wrote: »

if it was steel the fork crown is the toughest steel you'll come across, took me 30mins to widen a hole for a modern recessed nut style brake, Id imagine it would take hours to drill the actual hole! altho this was with a dremmel tool

I made no progress until I snapped my last drill bit. The broken bit went through in no time.

Either I was doing it wrong or I should patent broken drill bits.

randomstuff

Idleater wrote: »

OP, If it is any use to you, I have a drilled fork from a s/h langster that I replaced with one that could accommodate mudguards better. You are welcome to it depending on your location and logistics.

If snollup didn't take you up on our offer, would you mind if I did? Had a crash recently, and not sure if my carbon forks are still ok or not...

Idleater

randomstuff wrote: »

If snollup didn't take you up on our offer, would you mind if I did? Had a crash recently, and not sure if my carbon forks are still ok or not...

He did, but I've yet to arrange with him collection. Apologies.

randomstuff

Idleater wrote: »

He did, but I've yet to arrange with him collection. Apologies.

Alright, well if Snollup pulls out let me know. Thanks