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Cracked fork: analysis fodder for everyone!

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01 / Original postCracked fork: analysis fodder for everyone!Squid-In-Traini · 29 Dec 2003 02 / This pagePosts 1–11Page 1 of 1 · chronological order 03 / Latest replyPost #11French_Rider · 26 Jan 2004

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Cycling Equipment
Published
29 December 2003
Last activity
26 January 2004
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Squid-In-Traini
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  1. Original post
    Squid-In-Traini
    Archived post
    #1

    Last June, I noticed a problem with my forks being mad flexy (brakes rubbing
    in turns!):
    snipurl.com3koj

    There didn't seem to be a hubbub about it, so I kept riding.

    I read this 4 days ago (mtbr.com reviews of the fork): snipurl.com3koe

    I checked my bike later that night and didn't notice anything, but I probably just missed it. Today,
    after some serious tire/fork rubbing, I looked it over carefully and found this crack:

    /skarebcrack1.jpg"]http://plaza.ufl.edu/phillee/[censored]/skarebcrack1.jpg
    /skarebcrack2.jpg"]http://plaza.ufl.edu/phillee/[censored]/skarebcrack2.jpg
    /skarebcrack3.jpg"]http://plaza.ufl.edu/phillee/[censored]/skarebcrack3.jpg
    /skarebcrack4.jpg"]http://plaza.ufl.edu/phillee/[censored]/skarebcrack4.jpg
    /skarebcrack5.jpg"]http://plaza.ufl.edu/phillee/[censored]/skarebcrack5.jpg

    Looks like even 140lb me can dish out enough for this fork.

    --
    Phil, Squid-in-Training

    Report
  2. A Muzi
    Archived post
    #2
    Phil said:

    Last June, I noticed a problem with my forks being mad flexy (brakes rubbing in turns!):
    snipurl.com3koj

    There didn't seem to be a hubbub about it, so I kept riding.

    I read this 4 days ago (mtbr.com reviews of the fork): snipurl.com3koe

    I checked my bike later that night and didn't notice anything, but I probably just missed it.
    Today, after some serious tire/fork rubbing, I looked it over carefully and found this crack:

    /skarebcrack1.jpg"]http://plaza.ufl.edu/phillee/[censored]/skarebcrack1.jpg
    /skarebcrack2.jpg"]http://plaza.ufl.edu/phillee/[censored]/skarebcrack2.jpg
    /skarebcrack3.jpg"]http://plaza.ufl.edu/phillee/[censored]/skarebcrack3.jpg
    /skarebcrack4.jpg"]http://plaza.ufl.edu/phillee/[censored]/skarebcrack4.jpg
    /skarebcrack5.jpg"]http://plaza.ufl.edu/phillee/[censored]/skarebcrack5.jpg

    Looks like even 140lb me can dish out enough for this fork.

    Very nice links and photos! Did you check with Answer about the warranty? Or are you certain that
    the cause was abuse?

    --
    Andrew Muzi www.yellowjersey.org Open every day since 1 April, 1971

    Report
  3. Squid-In-Traini
    Archived post
    #3

    "A Muzi" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:
    Phil said:

    Last June, I noticed a problem with my forks being mad flexy (brakes


    rubbing

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    in turns!): snipurl.com3koj

    There didn't seem to be a hubbub about it, so I kept riding.

    I read this 4 days ago (mtbr.com reviews of the fork): snipurl.com3koe

    I checked my bike later that night and didn't notice anything, but I probably just missed it.
    Today, after some serious tire/fork rubbing, I looked it over carefully and found this crack:

    /skarebcrack1.jpg"]http://plaza.ufl.edu/phillee/[censored]/skarebcrack1.jpg
    /skarebcrack2.jpg"]http://plaza.ufl.edu/phillee/[censored]/skarebcrack2.jpg
    /skarebcrack3.jpg"]http://plaza.ufl.edu/phillee/[censored]/skarebcrack3.jpg
    /skarebcrack4.jpg"]http://plaza.ufl.edu/phillee/[censored]/skarebcrack4.jpg
    /skarebcrack5.jpg"]http://plaza.ufl.edu/phillee/[censored]/skarebcrack5.jpg

    Looks like even 140lb me can dish out enough for this fork.

    Very nice links and photos! Did you check with Answer about the warranty? Or are you certain that
    the cause was abuse?

    My front wheel has been misaligned for about 3 months now, which indicates that the fork had begun
    self-destruction early on (I've had the bike for 6 months). The misalignment has gotten much worse
    in the last few weeks, indicating perpetuation of the crack.

    Definitely not abuse... other riders on MTBReview have similar claims of problems with normal use.
    I'm 140lb and can't even bottom out the fork...

    --
    Phil, Squid-in-Training

    Report
  4. Jim Beam
    Archived post
    #4

    well, it's cracked at the point of maximum stress concentration, so in that respect, it's text-
    book. other forks have similar notchy profiles at the same point, but don't crack as readily.
    imo, the difference is that this fork appears to have much less "wrap around" where the arch
    meets the stansion. that will make a big difference in resolved local stress and lead to the
    cracking we see here.

    it could also be something to do with a material processing problem, but i doubt it and you'd not
    know until you cut it up and put the pieces under the microscope. and that would invalidate your
    warrantee rights.

    bottom line: fundametal design flaw. do not buy another of the same model and do not accept another
    of the same model as replacement. only accept a different model /if/ you can see it's been
    redesigned.

    if your lbs can't give satisfaction, see if you can get a cash refund from the manufacturer. if they
    don't do this politely, try taking the story one of your local consumer affairs t.v. shows.
    particularly if you can find others in your area with the same problem. if the t.v. folks pick it
    up, you'll see $$$'s coming your way p.d.q.

    Phil said:

    Last June, I noticed a problem with my forks being mad flexy (brakes rubbing in turns!):
    snipurl.com3koj

    There didn't seem to be a hubbub about it, so I kept riding.

    I read this 4 days ago (mtbr.com reviews of the fork): snipurl.com3koe

    I checked my bike later that night and didn't notice anything, but I probably just missed it.
    Today, after some serious tire/fork rubbing, I looked it over carefully and found this crack:

    /skarebcrack1.jpg"]http://plaza.ufl.edu/phillee/[censored]/skarebcrack1.jpg
    /skarebcrack2.jpg"]http://plaza.ufl.edu/phillee/[censored]/skarebcrack2.jpg
    /skarebcrack3.jpg"]http://plaza.ufl.edu/phillee/[censored]/skarebcrack3.jpg
    /skarebcrack4.jpg"]http://plaza.ufl.edu/phillee/[censored]/skarebcrack4.jpg
    /skarebcrack5.jpg"]http://plaza.ufl.edu/phillee/[censored]/skarebcrack5.jpg

    Looks like even 140lb me can dish out enough for this fork.

    Report
  5. Ryan Cousineau
    Archived post
    #5

    In article <[email hidden]>,

    Phil said:

    "A Muzi" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    Phil, Squid-in-Training wrote:

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    I read this 4 days ago (mtbr.com reviews of the fork): snipurl.com3koe

    I checked my bike later that night and didn't notice anything, but I probably just missed it.
    Today, after some serious tire/fork rubbing, I looked it over carefully and found this crack:

    /skarebcrack1.jpg"]http://plaza.ufl.edu/phillee/[censored]/skarebcrack1.jpg

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    Looks like even 140lb me can dish out enough for this fork.

    Very nice links and photos! Did you check with Answer about the warranty? Or are you certain
    that the cause was abuse?

    Quoted message said:

    Definitely not abuse... other riders on MTBReview have similar claims of problems with normal use.
    I'm 140lb and can't even bottom out the fork...

    More to the point, what qualifies as abuse for a freeride fork?

    That looks like a pretty likely warranty repair.

    --
    Ryan Cousineau, [email hidden] sfu.ca~rcousine President, Fabrizio Mazzoleni Fan Club

    Report
  6. Werehatrack
    Archived post
    #6

    On Sun, 28 Dec 2003 23:53:08 GMT, "Phil, Squid-in-Training"

    may have said:

    Last June, I noticed a problem with my forks being mad flexy (brakes rubbing in turns!):


    [snippage of the details]

    Quoted message said:

    Looks like even 140lb me can dish out enough for this fork.

    From what information was presented, that's true for both the originals and the replacements that
    Answer has been handing out. I think this one might be in need of a recall, have you contacted the
    folks at the FTC about it yet?

    --
    My email address is antispammed; pull WEEDS if replying via e-mail.
    Yes, I have a killfile. If I don't respond to something,
    it's also possible that I'm busy.
    Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.

    Report
  7. Squid-In-Traini
    Archived post
    #7
    Quoted message said:

    From what information was presented, that's true for both the originals and the replacements that
    Answer has been handing out. I think this one might be in need of a recall, have you contacted the
    folks at the FTC about it yet?

    Really? I feel a responsibility to do so, but I also would like to quietly get my replacement, hehe.

    I'll look into doing that after I get my replacement.

    --
    Phil, Squid-in-Training

    Report
  8. Squid-In-Traini
    Archived post
    #8
    Quoted message said:

    More to the point, what qualifies as abuse for a freeride fork?

    That looks like a pretty likely warranty repair.

    This is a pretty strictly XC fork (3.2 lbs advertised). But I wouldn't be surprised if 180lb riders
    were breaking them riding around on easy trails...

    --
    Phil, Squid-in-Training

    Report
  9. Squid-In-Traini
    Archived post
    #9
    Quoted message said:

    it could also be something to do with a material processing problem, but i doubt it and you'd not
    know until you cut it up and put the pieces under the microscope. and that would invalidate your
    warrantee rights.

    Others with cracked forks mentioned that it was shipping (!) the forks on OEM bikes that was the
    problem. One person claimed that Manitou told them this...

    Quoted message said:

    bottom line: fundametal design flaw. do not buy another of the same model and do not accept
    another of the same model as replacement. only accept a different model /if/ you can see it's been
    redesigned.

    Unlikely that they will not replace it with the same fork... I will try to trade it in and pay more
    for an upgrade to a Manitou Minute.

    Quoted message said:

    if your lbs can't give satisfaction, see if you can get a cash refund from the manufacturer. if
    they don't do this politely, try taking the story one of your local consumer affairs t.v. shows.
    particularly if you can find others in your area with the same problem. if the t.v. folks pick it
    up, you'll see $$$'s coming your way p.d.q.

    Ooh, scandalous! I like it. 😉

    --
    Phil, Squid-in-Training

    Report
  10. Jim Beam
    Archived post
    #10
    Phil said:
    Quoted message said:

    it could also be something to do with a material processing problem, but i doubt it and you'd not
    know until you cut it up and put the pieces under the microscope. and that would invalidate your
    warrantee rights.

    Others with cracked forks mentioned that it was shipping (!) the forks on OEM bikes that was the
    problem. One person claimed that Manitou told them this...

    it's hard to see how that could be an issue unless there's some kind of material problem. the
    sliders are cast, and castings can be brittle. magnesium alloys tend to be brittle too. normally,
    you'd be aware of these limitations & design accordingly, then test batches for both static &
    fatigue strength. if manitou failed this simple competency, and then neglected to correct them in
    the face of repeated failures, particularly when customers are getting injured, then it's time for
    the class action lawyers. if there's already an action under way, these lawyers often advertise for
    claimants to join them.

    remember: when a certain big name auto manufacturer got caught with a paper trail showing they
    balanced the cost of a recall against the cost of lawsuit settlements for killed/injured customers,
    they were hammered with massive punitive damages.

    Report
  11. French_Rider
    Archived post
    #11

    Hello, I can't read the photos
    Could you tell me how to do for that
    Thank you

    Quoted post said:

    Originally posted by Squid-In-Traini
    Last June, I noticed a problem with my forks being mad flexy (brakes rubbing
    in turns!):
    snipurl.com3koj

    There didn't seem to be a hubbub about it, so I kept riding.

    I read this 4 days ago (mtbr.com reviews of the fork): snipurl.com3koe

    I checked my bike later that night and didn't notice anything, but I probably just missed it. Today,
    after some serious tire/fork rubbing, I looked it over carefully and found this crack:

    /skarebcrack1.jpg"]http://plaza.ufl.edu/phillee/[censored]/skarebcrack1.jpg
    /skarebcrack2.jpg"]http://plaza.ufl.edu/phillee/[censored]/skarebcrack2.jpg
    /skarebcrack3.jpg"]http://plaza.ufl.edu/phillee/[censored]/skarebcrack3.jpg
    /skarebcrack4.jpg"]http://plaza.ufl.edu/phillee/[censored]/skarebcrack4.jpg
    /skarebcrack5.jpg"]http://plaza.ufl.edu/phillee/[censored]/skarebcrack5.jpg

    Looks like even 140lb me can dish out enough for this fork.

    --
    Phil, Squid-in-Training

    Report

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