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Chinese Carbon Road Bikes => Road Bike Frames, Wheels & Components => Topic started by: 1Sigma on July 28, 2022, 06:44:43 AM

Title: Rate the inside of this fork:
Post by: 1Sigma on July 28, 2022, 06:44:43 AM
So this is my fork, at the bottom. Where the steerer is joined to the rest of the fork.
Visually it’s always bothered me, but it hasn’t caused any problems, or shown symptoms of weakness (like creaking or flexing).

I personally think it’s fine, but a sloppy job.  Interested to hear what you all think - if it is a cause for concern, or if this is perfectly normal.
Title: Re: Rate the inside of this fork:
Post by: eucalyptus on July 28, 2022, 07:36:45 AM
Bot !reminde me in 365 days

I have no comment about your steerer tube, I just wanna check in next year to see if you are still alive.
Title: Re: Rate the inside of this fork:
Post by: bamboo_mountain on July 28, 2022, 08:01:19 AM
That is pretty rough, none of my forks look close to that (including my VB 168). Even if it is okay, if a more serious crack were to develop you wouldn't be able to see it through the loose carbon.
Title: Re: Rate the inside of this fork:
Post by: 1Sigma on July 28, 2022, 08:14:33 AM
Bot !reminde me in 365 days

I have no comment about your steerer tube, I just wanna check in next year to see if you are still alive.

Well…if you don’t hear from me in a year…
Title: Re: Rate the inside of this fork:
Post by: RDY on July 28, 2022, 04:31:28 PM
A forest of unattached fibers is not a good look (I'm sure this is not mold bag) ... what frame is this from?
Title: Re: Rate the inside of this fork:
Post by: 1Sigma on July 28, 2022, 05:28:15 PM
A forest of unattached fibers is not a good look (I'm sure this is not mold bag) ... what frame is this from?

Edit: I didn’t actually answer your question.  It’s from my 168

So, past the forest of fibres there is a mould bag, but it doesn’t really show in the pics, but I can tell as it is clearly plastic.

But yea, not the best look.

On the other hand, my replacement HB010 came in and the insides are much cleaner than the original one I got.  Came in matte black, instead of the chameleon purple I had, but it doesn’t really clash.

Here is the old handlebar after removal, and the finished replacement job (tapeless handlebar taping FTW)
Title: Re: Rate the inside of this fork:
Post by: hazzer19 on July 31, 2022, 01:35:41 AM
Nice wrap job!
Title: Re: Rate the inside of this fork:
Post by: Pedaldancer on July 31, 2022, 09:11:09 AM
Maybe I didn't see it. What is the company of the fork?

From my side: if they are not able to make a good carbon binding in the fork, basically a straight rod ..I would not have a good feeling for the more complex frame shapes
Title: Re: Rate the inside of this fork:
Post by: Irideslowly on July 31, 2022, 09:47:56 AM
Maybe I didn't see it. What is the company of the fork?

From my side: if they are not able to make a good carbon binding in the fork, basically a straight rod ..I would not have a good feeling for the more complex frame shapes

Its the velobuild vbr 168.
Title: Re: Rate the inside of this fork:
Post by: RDY on August 01, 2022, 12:51:16 PM
It's difficult to know what to say other than this should never have left the factory.  I don't really understand how what we're looking at is either possible, or what has happened.  Guessing you didn't initially notice and now have.  Have you contacted VB about a replacement fork?  If you intend to keep riding it, maybe take it to a carbon repair place with ultrasound equipment / endoscope so you know what's actually going on and if it is safe to ride.
Title: Re: Rate the inside of this fork:
Post by: Velovelo on August 01, 2022, 06:48:44 PM
So this is my fork, at the bottom. Where the steerer is joined to the rest of the fork.
Visually it’s always bothered me, but it hasn’t caused any problems, or shown symptoms of weakness (like creaking or flexing).

I personally think it’s fine, but a sloppy job.  Interested to hear what you all think - if it is a cause for concern, or if this is perfectly normal.


Reminds me of this youtube video "HIS CHINESE CARBON BIKE BROKE IN HALF!" at timestamp: 7:06.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcPXET5IYPY



Title: Re: Rate the inside of this fork:
Post by: 1Sigma on August 02, 2022, 01:38:43 PM

Reminds me of this youtube video "HIS CHINESE CARBON BIKE BROKE IN HALF!" at timestamp: 7:06.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcPXET5IYPY

Ha! I hope not!  I may not have abused it as much as this guy, but I have put a lot more kms on less than ideal roads than him.

2 things that make me think this fork is probably ok.
After several thousand Km, there is no sign of any sort of weakness, and the carbon fibre forest still  looks as bad today as it did on day 1 (suggesting nothing has gotten worse)
Title: Re: Rate the inside of this fork:
Post by: Queen of Skulls on August 29, 2022, 02:18:43 PM
Edit: I didn’t actually answer your question.  It’s from my 168

So, past the forest of fibres there is a mould bag, but it doesn’t really show in the pics, but I can tell as it is clearly plastic.

But yea, not the best look.

On the other hand, my replacement HB010 came in and the insides are much cleaner than the original one I got.  Came in matte black, instead of the chameleon purple I had, but it doesn’t really clash.

Here is the old handlebar after removal, and the finished replacement job (tapeless handlebar taping FTW)


BTW love the unicorns and purple.
Title: Re: Rate the inside of this fork:
Post by: BalticSea on August 29, 2022, 04:15:18 PM
I rate it yikes out of 10.
Title: Re: Rate the inside of this fork:
Post by: 1Sigma on August 31, 2022, 06:26:44 AM

BTW love the unicorns and purple.

Thanks, I reckon they add 2 watts each