broken oclv fork

I think its impossible for a Trek component to fail, after all its made in
america, and trek is the best. If it wasn't do you think Lance would ride
it?

Good luck on your lawsuit.

"steve wilson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

i was riding with a friend today and witnessed his fork "snap" halfway
between the dropout and crown. both sides. the terrain was flat and he
weighs about 220. has anyone ever seen this happen? the bike is a 2003
trek 2300 with an oclv fork. what legally can be done about it? is
this a common problem? he is currently in the hospital with a neck
injury and lots of road rash.

please dont try to respond to my email, it is no longer functional,
but reply in a post back to google.

thanks,

steve wilson

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wil-<< i was riding with a friend today and witnessed his fork "snap" halfway
between the dropout and crown. >><BR><BR>
<< what legally can be done about it? >><BR><BR>

Contact a personal injury lawyer and have them talk to them about possible
lawsuits,

Peter Chisholm
Vecchio's Bicicletteria
1833 Pearl St.
Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535
http://www.vecchios.com
"Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"

(steve wilson) said:

i was riding with a friend today and witnessed his fork "snap" halfway
between the dropout and crown. both sides.

Both legs? Halfway up, like right in the middle of the leg?

Sorry, I'm not buying it. Not that it isn't possible, it certainly is, just not
very likely.

If this is what actually happened then there was clearly a defect in the
manufacture of that fork that should still be apparent on examination.

Quoted message said:

the terrain was flat and he
weighs about 220. has anyone ever seen this happen? the bike is a 2003
trek 2300 with an oclv fork. what legally can be done about it? is
this a common problem? he is currently in the hospital with a neck
injury and lots of road rash.

Poor guy, first he ends up in the hospital, then he has to talk to lawyers. They
ain't all that bad when they're on your side. Still not easy to warm up to 'em.

Ron

Quoted message said:

please dont try to respond to my email, it is no longer functional,
but reply in a post back to google.

thanks,

steve wilson

Quoted message said:

what legally can be done about it?

great, all that paper work and signatures you already have to sign to buy a
bike isn't enough...

What is the failure rate for carbon forks? Any real data out there? Is it
higher for all carbon forks or carbon with alloy steer tubes? Is it higher
than the failure rate of steel forks? How much more?

"steve wilson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

i was riding with a friend today and witnessed his fork "snap" halfway
between the dropout and crown. both sides. the terrain was flat and he
weighs about 220. has anyone ever seen this happen? the bike is a 2003
trek 2300 with an oclv fork. what legally can be done about it? is
this a common problem? he is currently in the hospital with a neck
injury and lots of road rash.

please dont try to respond to my email, it is no longer functional,
but reply in a post back to google.

thanks,

steve wilson

RJ Peterson said:

What is the failure rate for carbon forks? Any real data out there? Is it
higher for all carbon forks or carbon with alloy steer tubes? Is it higher
than the failure rate of steel forks? How much more?

"steve wilson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

i was riding with a friend today and witnessed his fork "snap" halfway
between the dropout and crown. both sides. the terrain was flat and he
weighs about 220. has anyone ever seen this happen? the bike is a 2003
trek 2300 with an oclv fork. what legally can be done about it? is
this a common problem? he is currently in the hospital with a neck
injury and lots of road rash.

please dont try to respond to my email, it is no longer functional,
but reply in a post back to google.

thanks,

steve wilson

I have never had a steel fork break or a carbon one for that matter. I have to believe its very low of either. Thing about steel is it bends. I have had one twisted when a car hit it but it didn't break. I also think its less prone to spectacular breakage. Its usually slow and when frames went I was still able to make it home. Aluminum can appear fine and than break in half a second latter. This happend to me just three days ago. My stem went with no warning at all.

Yeah! Sue those guys! I am sure that they are 100% culpable since I have NO
DOUBT that your friend's bike maintenance habits and handling skills are
beyond reproach...

Come on, Steve. I have no doubt that it was a traumatic experience, and I
wish your friend well during his recovery. But the first reaction to sue is
IMO a reluctance to accept responsibility for what could just as easily be
your friend's negligence. There are all kinds of things that can happen to
bikes, including regular daily use, that can lead to unexpected component
failure at a later date. I know a great number of people with sweet high-end
rides, but I know a precious few who know the first thing about maintaining
and inspecting their bicycles and keeping them safe. Typically, the more
expensive the component, the more upkeep it requires.

Be safe, and remember to clean and check out your fork (and bars and stem
and everything else for that matter) every couple of weeks...

On 8/29/04 12:26 PM, in article [email hidden], "RJ

Peterson said:

What is the failure rate for carbon forks? Any real data out there? Is it
higher for all carbon forks or carbon with alloy steer tubes? Is it higher
than the failure rate of steel forks? How much more?

"steve wilson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

i was riding with a friend today and witnessed his fork "snap" halfway
between the dropout and crown. both sides. the terrain was flat and he
weighs about 220. has anyone ever seen this happen? the bike is a 2003
trek 2300 with an oclv fork. what legally can be done about it? is
this a common problem? he is currently in the hospital with a neck
injury and lots of road rash.

please dont try to respond to my email, it is no longer functional,
but reply in a post back to google.

thanks,

steve wilson

[email hidden] (steve wilson) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

i was riding with a friend today and witnessed his fork "snap" halfway
between the dropout and crown. both sides. the terrain was flat and he
weighs about 220. has anyone ever seen this happen? the bike is a 2003
trek 2300 with an oclv fork. what legally can be done about it? is
this a common problem? he is currently in the hospital with a neck
injury and lots of road rash.

please dont try to respond to my email, it is no longer functional,
but reply in a post back to google.

thanks,

steve wilson

Thanks to all that have replied. I have both halves of the bicycle in
my car now. Luckily,my friend escaped without major injury. Some of
you questioned the failure of the fork. There is not doubt that this
fork suffered sudden catastrophic failure. I'm sure the TREK lawyers
could find "other" reasons for the failure.The bike is less than a
year old. There are only 600 miles on the odometer. There was no prior
indication of failure(ie the bike is so new that most people wouldnt
check the fork for a hairline fracture).

I would hate to see or hear of this happening again, so please check
your equipment.

steve wilson

I urge the group to check their components regularly.

jordan-<< Come on, Steve. I have no doubt that it was a traumatic experience,
and I
wish your friend well during his recovery. But the first reaction to sue is
IMO a reluctance to accept responsibility for what could just as easily be
your friend's negligence. >><BR><BR>

My first reaction was to NOT sue after I got hit from behind while riding by a
woman asleep at the wheel of a pickup truck(1030 on a Saturday morning).
BUT the insurance company was obviously more interested in saving money than
helping me. A lawyer is a informed and educated counselor and this gent should
at least talk to one to protect his rights, if indeed this accident was NOT his
fault.
Talking to a lawyer does not a lawsuit make.
BTW, not inspecting the fork and not finding a defect does not make the rider
'respopnsible'.

Peter Chisholm
Vecchio's Bicicletteria
1833 Pearl St.
Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535
http://www.vecchios.com
"Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"

In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

There are all kinds of things that can happen to
bikes, including regular daily use, that can lead to unexpected component
failure at a later date. I know a great number of people with sweet high-end
rides, but I know a precious few who know the first thing about maintaining
and inspecting their bicycles and keeping them safe. Typically, the more
expensive the component, the more upkeep it requires.

If that is the case, the component should come with instructions on how
often it needs to be done. Who knows what caused the fork to break? It
could have been defective, or had some damage from a prior incident.
Maybe a small stick in the spokes? I would suggest have the parts inspected
by some who is familiar with CF failures and then decided if suing the
company is really what is needed.
---------------
Alex

"Alex Rodriguez" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden] says...

If that is the case, the component should come with instructions on how
often it needs to be done. Who knows what caused the fork to break? It
could have been defective, or had some damage from a prior incident.
Maybe a small stick in the spokes? I would suggest have the parts

inspected

Quoted message said:

by some who is familiar with CF failures and then decided if suing the
company is really what is needed.
---------------
Alex

Alex makes a good point... an engineer with expertise in carbon components
manufacturing or a good forensic engineer should be retained to inspect the
fork.

Not all problems are visible at the surface. However, everyone should check
their entire bike very carefully often.... I check mine whenever I perform
any maintenance - which is almost before or after every ride.

If the fork was defective, Trek might be willing to replace the fork, any
other damaged components, and any outstanding medical bills the guy paid for
out of his pocket.

From our experience, Trek conducts its business with good ethics and
customer service. One of our customers had a manufacturing defect issue with
his bike and Trek was very good about taking care of it to everyone's
satisfaction.

Stuart Winsor
Ground Zero Cycles
[email hidden]

In late June, I was walking thru the Ride the Rockies
secure bicycle storage area in Frisco, CO and saw an
OCLV fork that had snapped in half, both blades, about
mid-way between the dropouts and crown. It was on a
Trek 2300 (I think). There was no discernable damage
to the rim, which was still attached to the two blades.
Never saw the owner. Kind of scary.

Ken

steve wilson said:

i was riding with a friend today and witnessed his fork "snap" halfway
between the dropout and crown. both sides. the terrain was flat and he
weighs about 220. has anyone ever seen this happen? the bike is a 2003
trek 2300 with an oclv fork. what legally can be done about it? is
this a common problem? he is currently in the hospital with a neck
injury and lots of road rash.

please dont try to respond to my email, it is no longer functional,
but reply in a post back to google.

thanks,

steve wilson

[email hidden] (steve wilson) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

[email hidden] (steve wilson) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

i was riding with a friend today and witnessed his fork "snap" halfway
between the dropout and crown. both sides. the terrain was flat and he
weighs about 220. has anyone ever seen this happen? the bike is a 2003
trek 2300 with an oclv fork. what legally can be done about it? is
this a common problem? he is currently in the hospital with a neck
injury and lots of road rash.

please dont try to respond to my email, it is no longer functional,
but reply in a post back to google.

thanks,

steve wilson

Thanks to all that have replied. I have both halves of the bicycle in
my car now. Luckily,my friend escaped without major injury. Some of
you questioned the failure of the fork. There is not doubt that this
fork suffered sudden catastrophic failure. I'm sure the TREK lawyers
could find "other" reasons for the failure.The bike is less than a
year old. There are only 600 miles on the odometer. There was no prior
indication of failure(ie the bike is so new that most people wouldnt
check the fork for a hairline fracture).

I would hate to see or hear of this happening again, so please check
your equipment.

steve wilson

I urge the group to check their components regularly.

Hi Steve,

Thx for the cautionary warning. Just curious, can you somehow post a
pic (or a link to a pic) of that broken fork of yours, for us all to
see first hand what a snapped in 1/2, OCLV fork looks like?

regards,

Rick

On 28 Aug 2004 16:48:06 -0700, [email hidden] (steve wilson)

Quoted message said:

i was riding with a friend today and witnessed his fork "snap" halfway
between the dropout and crown. both sides.

I just don't believe this -- it's too improbable. But if you can
prove it, go ahead and get Trek to pay for the costs. If it did
really happen like that, they are responsible.

JT

****************************
Remove "remove" to reply
Visit http://www.jt10000.com
****************************

John Forrest Tomlinson said:

On 28 Aug 2004 16:48:06 -0700, [email hidden] (steve wilson)

Quoted message said:

i was riding with a friend today and witnessed his fork "snap" halfway
between the dropout and crown. both sides.

I just don't believe this -- it's too improbable. But if you can
prove it, go ahead and get Trek to pay for the costs. If it did
really happen like that, they are responsible.

The only fork I've seen that happen to was one that "ate" a large
squirrel (the little critter ran into the rider's front wheel, and
snapped the fork legs off just as you describe - in the middle). The
fork in that case was a Kestrel EMS - by all accounts a very overbuilt
fork (judging from the almost total lack of failures reported).

I'd guess that examination will show that "something" got into the
front wheel and caused the fracture of both legs. The direction of
the failure (which should be pretty obvious) will be "backwards" from
a JRA (Just Riding Along) failure mode if that's the case (and there
will probably be at least one bent spoke).

Or it could have been a manufacturing defect I suppose (though I'd
expect some period of time between the first leg fracturing and the
second following suit, during which the bike would have felt VERY
odd).

Mark Hickey
Habanero Cycles
http://www.habcycles.com
Home of the $695 ti frame

John Forrest Tomlinson said:

On 28 Aug 2004 16:48:06 -0700, [email hidden] (steve wilson)

Quoted message said:

i was riding with a friend today and witnessed his fork "snap" halfway
between the dropout and crown. both sides.

I just don't believe this -- it's too improbable. But if you can
prove it, go ahead and get Trek to pay for the costs. If it did
really happen like that, they are responsible.

The only fork I've seen that happen to was one that "ate" a large
squirrel (the little critter ran into the rider's front wheel, and
snapped the fork legs off just as you describe - in the middle). The
fork in that case was a Kestrel EMS - by all accounts a very overbuilt
fork (judging from the almost total lack of failures reported).

I'd guess that examination will show that "something" got into the
front wheel and caused the fracture of both legs. The direction of
the failure (which should be pretty obvious) will be "backwards" from
a JRA (Just Riding Along) failure mode if that's the case (and there
will probably be at least one bent spoke).

Or it could have been a manufacturing defect I suppose (though I'd
expect some period of time between the first leg fracturing and the
second following suit, during which the bike would have felt VERY
odd).

Mark Hickey
Habanero Cycles
http://www.habcycles.com
Home of the $695 ti frame

A friend of mine, while going down a steep hill flipped up a S hook that caught
a spoke and one of the fork legs (in this case a steel fork) and threw him over
the handlebars, breaking his collarbone. Both fork blades were bent back
almost to the downtube. The only reason we know this was that the S hook was
still wrapped around the fork blade. I would not have belived it if I didn't
see it with my own eyes. Strange things do happen.

Mark Hickey <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

John Forrest Tomlinson said:

On 28 Aug 2004 16:48:06 -0700, [email hidden] (steve wilson)

Quoted message said:

i was riding with a friend today and witnessed his fork "snap" halfway
between the dropout and crown. both sides.

I saw one do just the same thing in a hard corner in a crit. The
owner brought the fork into the local dealer when he noticed two small
chips in the front of the fork. The dealer said they were superficial
and to the paint only. Guess not...both legs sheared and the rider
ate pavement hard. I was outside of him at the time and was able to
avoid the washout. He still has the fork in his garage so if I make
it over, I'll post a picture.

-a