Bent CF Fork dropouts

[TsPoet]

I loaded my bike, with a carbon fiber fork, onto the new trailer, using a new fork mount bracket and... 5 min later I see the bike fall over! The skewer bent.
I checked out the fork, the dropout on one side is bent. This part of the fork is aluminum, below the CF fork. The fork appears to be sound.
Is it safe to bend the dropouts back, or is the fork toast?

[MartianDestiny]

I'd call it toast.

You can't re-bend aluminum (it's set and heat treated) even if it wasn't attached to (and possibly damaged) carbon-fiber.

I just lost an entire aluminum frame because the rear-end got bent out by 5-7mm (yes millimeters). If you can see the bend in the fork dropout I'd not trust it again. When those things fail it's UGLY!

Steel is about the only thing you have a chance of repairing once it's bent.

[TsPoet]

I'd call it toast.

You can't re-bend aluminum (it's set and heat treated) even if it wasn't attached to (and possibly damaged) carbon-fiber.

I just lost an entire aluminum frame because the rear-end got bent out by 5-7mm (yes millimeters). If you can see the bend in the fork dropout I'd not trust it again. When those things fail it's UGLY!


I can see it, and a the wheel/new skewer won't slide into it, it will have to be straightened before a wheel could even be put on it.
I think a new one is prudent, I was just hoping.
I'm also on the heavy side, so maybe don't want to push it.

[evangundy]

sorry to hear TS - have your local LBS take a look at it, but being Aluminum, I do think it is now toast.

[TsPoet]

sorry to hear TS - have your local LBS take a look at it, but being Aluminum, I do think it is now toast.

Ian took 2 pairs of plyers and twisted it back into position. He thinks its OK. but, I emailed Bacchetta to see what they think!

[ridebikeme]

I agree with everyone else, it's definitely something that is questionable. You truly need to have a LBS LOOK at it, simply calling a shop isn't really going to help...they need to SEE the fork. I realize now that someone has bent it back for you, but did you realize that even when aluminum is bent back that it is NOT as strong as it once was? And there's not a guarantee that it won't start to return to its orginal shape.(at least a little) Regardless, it is now compromised and is holding on a wheel... very scary in my opinion.

If indeed you want to save the fork, then why don't contact Calfee. Considering they work with carbon and fixing frames etc... it seems that they could give you an answer.

AS for your rack, I once had a truck rack do that with a couple of bikes... that was the LAST time that I ever ordered anything from Nashbar or Performance. I did get a good deal on the rack, but obviously the quallity was very poor and it costs me quite a bit to fix the bikes AND buy a new rack.

[tzvia]

Bending that aluminum over and bending it back is like bending your credit card over, and bending it back. it is now weaker and if then placed under constant bending stresses it will fail, probably all of the sudden without warning.

Sorry yea it sucks, but it sucks more to eat pavement so don't use that fork till it is properly repaired. As was already mentioned, contact Calfee. They can check out the carbon, and replace the dropouts I am sure.

[TsPoet]

I hate to admit it, but I think you are all right. Especially since I am at the weight limit for the bike anyway, maybe if I were a lightweight.
I'll order a new fork (since it's a bent its a specialized fork that will cost me $300!), but I'd rather be safe than sorry, to quote an oft used phrase.
Good thing I have a bike addiction, so I'm not without another bike. But, this is my "performance" bike, so I'll be racing my commuter in this week's TT.

[aicabsolut]

I've seen enough derailleur hangars fail after they've been bent out of line and then bent back in by hand that I would definitely not trust a fork dropout that had been bent. Fork failure is never ever going to end well, and it's relatively cheap to replace compared to the rest of the frame.