Trek Madone 6 forks breaking!
Last night while working, I received a couple of calls. It seems that a couple of my customers had seen a report where there was a problem with Trek Madone 6 series forks breaking and wondered if I had the ability to warn potential people. I thoroughly checked their reports both online, and through a couple of friends who are owners of a TRek shop. Unfortunately, it is true and there now are several reports online.( check out Velonews.com)
According to many different sources, it seems that the carbon forks on the Madone 6 series have been breaking. Trek recommends that ONLY the stems that came with the bike are recommended, although the original stem/forks are also breaking. Trek seems to think that it is incorrect installation that may be the problem... improper torque ratings ?? They also suggest that the problem exists with many brands, although again, Trek is also the only one reported. They are currently working with the Consumer Safety Protection.
If this is the case, I wonder why the fork broke on George Hincapies bike several years ago? Not only was his bike serviced and assembled by a professional; it definitely has more care than most people. :confused:
Trek MAdone 6 forks breaking
I did realize the difference in Geroge Hincapies fork and the current ones... my point was that something is definitely wrong. As for the new forks, "you're right about some of them coming with Bontrager stems. The other issue here is that the same Bontager stem has a cutout inside the stem where Trek is recommending that consumers stay away from. Seems to be a huge contradiction there.
I have spoken to owners of three Trek shops,and all very good shops and with great mechanics... and very good at working with recalls and issues such as these new forks. One shop did receive the service bulletins from Trek and all mechanics were aware of the problem... the other two shops did NOT receive any of the service bulletins. So this is another issue as well.
The reality is this: as long as we have carbon frames, forks and accessories we will continue to have problems. Now that isn't to say that we shouldn't use this material, it does mean however that the bike owners and the manufacturers need to take responsibility.
Seems to me that this is another example like the Mavic situation last year, where the manufacturer blames everyone else and perhaps they should also be looking at their part in this as well.
At any rate, I hope that this situation is taken care of properly and that no one gets hurt!
trek Madone 6 forks breaking
Absolute, you're right any fame material can break. After 18 years in the industry, I've seen aluminum, steel and carbon crack. Although as Zen mentioned, when carbon breaks there is NO warning, at least with most of the other materials there is generally some sort of warning upfront before something happens. I'm sure that M:Dargo from Luna can attest to that.
The important thing here is that people take care of their bikes, have them serviced often and do visual checks frequently... if there's a question have a shop check it out. Always, air on the side of safety above and beyond everything else.:D
Trek Madone 6 forks breaking
Generally when aluminum or steel has a problem you may see a dent, crack, paint cracking etc... Although a frame breaking at the weld is another story in itself. As for answering your question, I have worked in shops for many years and have seen many frames crack... but not more than with carbon. You mention situations on the racing front, and as you know, many maunfacturers even exclude their warranty for racing. I don't agree with that, but it isn't my call. However most reputable companies will help a consumer in those situations, and again, it's their call.
As for seat tubes cracking etc... perhaps that's a wake up call for shops/home mechanics to make sure they use torque wrenches.
And to answer your question about taking off the fork?? If I owned a carbon bike, I would definitely inspect it OFTEN! there is NO doubt in my mind about that. Then again, I encourage all of my customers to inspect their bikes often regardless of frame material and have for many years.
No one here is bad mouthing carbon, simply stating facts. The whole point to this conversation was to make light of it and how it is handled by various companies and to caution people to take care of your bike. At some point, when another frame material is being used in the future... we will have this conversation again. We certainly have had it in the past with aluminim and steel.
Trek Madone 6 forks breaking
I haven't heard of any problems with the 5.1, but it might not be a bad idea to have your LBS check it out. At least that way, you can be sure of what is happening. You also might ask them about the stem that you just installed. I know Trek is recommending only to use their stems, and ones without a inside cut out... but I also know that some of their stems still have a cut out. More than likley, the forks on the two different models are different but again, always good to check. :)
Trek Madone 6 forks breaking
I'm assuming that you used a torque wrench when you installed it? If not, you might have the shop check that as well.;)
