Well, that could have really sucked . . . .
07-09-23, 11:33 PM
#1
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Well, that could have really sucked . . . .
On my ride today, the front end started feeling . . . odd, and my front wheel started pulling to one side. Kind of like when you don't tighten down the rear skewer enough and you pull the rear wheel over into the left chain stay. Except there is no reason for a front ever to do that.
Or so I thought. I pulled over and looked things over. With the wheel in place, I spotted this.
Pulling front wheel left me with this.
So, scratch one c.1960 Cinelli fork. I am thanking my lucky stars because I had already bombed down two significant descents at speed, including one that is two miles long and twisty. Also, this is the bike (and fork) that I rode in Tourica this past April. As unhappy as I am about the fork, this could easily have been much, much worse. I am grateful it wasn't.
I'm not Catholic, but I suddenly have the urge to go light some candles at St. Mary Magdalen's up the street.
Or so I thought. I pulled over and looked things over. With the wheel in place, I spotted this.
Pulling front wheel left me with this.
So, scratch one c.1960 Cinelli fork. I am thanking my lucky stars because I had already bombed down two significant descents at speed, including one that is two miles long and twisty. Also, this is the bike (and fork) that I rode in Tourica this past April. As unhappy as I am about the fork, this could easily have been much, much worse. I am grateful it wasn't.
I'm not Catholic, but I suddenly have the urge to go light some candles at St. Mary Magdalen's up the street.
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07-09-23, 11:37 PM
#2
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Count your lucky stars, now down one.
buy a lottery ticket
at least it did not assplode.
buy a lottery ticket
at least it did not assplode.
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07-09-23, 11:38 PM
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Scary , Rich! Glad you’re ok man. Couldn’t have seen that one coming, the chrome looks too good. That must have been an inside out type of failure.
07-09-23, 11:38 PM
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H**Y CRAP!!!Glad you averted disaster.
07-09-23, 11:48 PM
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Yeesh, scary stuff...
Consider the new fork you purchase a severe discount compared to any medical bills that could have otherwise occured.
Consider the new fork you purchase a severe discount compared to any medical bills that could have otherwise occured.
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07-09-23, 11:54 PM
#6
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Trust me, I do. What I experienced was an inconvenience, and a pretty minor on at that in the grand scheme of things. It could easily have been a life-altering event, and not in a good way.
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07-10-23, 02:14 AM
#7
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Yikes!
07-10-23, 03:04 AM
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Please have the fork leg cut open lengthwise and take photos.
If you are throwng it away instead of repairing it cut and show us the other leg as well.
And yes, it could have been worse, steel fails best.
If you are throwng it away instead of repairing it cut and show us the other leg as well.
And yes, it could have been worse, steel fails best.
07-10-23, 03:43 AM
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Dodged a bullet there. Was it metal fatigue or do you know if the fork ever took a major hit or if it carried heavy touring bags?
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07-10-23, 03:46 AM
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It's a sheer testament to what we do here, very few things in life survive, let alone perform at the intended level anywhere near as long as our bikes, parts and piece's.
07-10-23, 03:53 AM
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I have nightmares about forks breaking. I’m glad this one ended without any injuries. I’ll be giving thanks at the Cinelli alter tonight.
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07-10-23, 04:16 AM
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Glad you're OK!
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07-10-23, 04:51 AM
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Yikes, Rich! Glad you avoided injury.
07-10-23, 05:48 AM
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Dang, so glad you're ok and caught that before something really bad happened. You must be living the good life.
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07-10-23, 05:56 AM
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Rich, that’s terrifying. Shame about the Cinelli fork, but glad you caught it before disaster struck. It looks like there’s a drainage hole on the opposite fork blade. Did the crack possibly propagate from the drainage hole?
What are your plans? It might be easier to pay someone like Ed Lutron to repair (replace fork blade?) versus finding an appropriate replacement.
07-10-23, 06:49 AM
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Oh, my!
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07-10-23, 06:58 AM
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No Good. Only good is that you are OK.
by the appearance of the dropout face- rechromed?
Either way could be hydrogen embrittlement.
Or, the chroming solution residue was never or at one point not fully rinsed out.
I have a noteworthy bike that had a chrome crown fork, I will not be having it rechromed even though it could use it.
by the appearance of the dropout face- rechromed?
Either way could be hydrogen embrittlement.
Or, the chroming solution residue was never or at one point not fully rinsed out.
I have a noteworthy bike that had a chrome crown fork, I will not be having it rechromed even though it could use it.
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07-10-23, 07:15 AM
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glad that it gave you a warning
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07-10-23, 07:22 AM
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Side note, when Brian Baylis sent out a fork for chrome, he drilled a second hole under the crown through the blade, usually in a reinforcement.
purpose was to provide for good rinsing of the solutions, even with that is required a syringe to get a decent amount of flush, much more time, and few really want to pay the chromer for the extra work and then they are on scout’s honor, and how many of them are Boy Scouts?
purpose was to provide for good rinsing of the solutions, even with that is required a syringe to get a decent amount of flush, much more time, and few really want to pay the chromer for the extra work and then they are on scout’s honor, and how many of them are Boy Scouts?
07-10-23, 07:26 AM
#21
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Sure glad you are ok. Sad ending for an old Cinelli fork. Amazing to consider what that fork has been through and the places it has been. I think my main roadie needs an inspection…
07-10-23, 08:00 AM
#22
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Glad you're OK! I'd never repair that fork - the right blade wouldn't let me sleep...
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07-10-23, 08:41 AM
#24
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No Good. Only good is that you are OK.
by the appearance of the dropout face- rechromed?
Either way could be hydrogen embrittlement.
Or, the chroming solution residue was never or at one point not fully rinsed out.
I have a noteworthy bike that had a chrome crown fork, I will not be having it rechromed even though it could use it.
by the appearance of the dropout face- rechromed?
Either way could be hydrogen embrittlement.
Or, the chroming solution residue was never or at one point not fully rinsed out.
I have a noteworthy bike that had a chrome crown fork, I will not be having it rechromed even though it could use it.
The plan is to have a new one made. I would very much prefer to keep the existing fork geometry, and that ain't happening off the shelf.
Rich, that’s terrifying. Shame about the Cinelli fork, but glad you caught it before disaster struck.It looks like there’s a drainage hole on the opposite fork blade. Did the crack possibly propagate from the drainage hole?
What are your plans? It might be easier to pay someone like Ed Lutron to repair (replace fork blade?) versus finding an appropriate replacement.
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07-10-23, 08:45 AM
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You're a lucky man Rich! Wow!