Metric Bolt Torque Specs

Technical FAQ: Pro bike 'choices,' carbon fork fatigue, and fitting tools

Eric with Cyfac here. Was just reading your article on Cipollini bikes and wanted to reach out regarding the posting where the rider asks about Cipollini frames and how the team goes about choosing the bikes that they’ll ride.

Would it be worthwhile to your readers to explain that the pro riders do not “choose” their bikes any more? As you know, it’s the sponsorship dollars that hold sway and really dictate what the team will ride. While the team may have a say over model choices here and there, they have no part in the brand decision; that’s a function of which bike company will offer the sweetest deal. Just look back 10+ years ago to see the vast variety of bike companies who were able to operate in the team sponsorship arena. Back then, it was rider or management choice, a handshake, and much lower sponsorship dollars (if any … sometimes, it was just the equipment alone). Since Cannondale entered the arena with the first $1M+ deal, the sponsorship field is open only to those companies with budgets on-hand to foot the bill for $1M+, 300+ bikes, etc…

Up until about 2002, just about every pro had a custom frame as well. Sadly, that’s no longer the case and it sets a false belief that standard works for everyone. Sure, as a custom company, this email to you has its own slant. However, the point above is valid (to me at least and, perhaps, to your readers).

— Eric Sakalowsky A buddy of mine and I were recently debating the merits of regularly replacing carbon forks as a preventive measure. My wife has a 2002 Bianchi Veloce. It has a decent steel frame, a 1-inch carbon fork (w/ a steel steerer), and parts that still work great. We met when I sold her the bike back in my shop days; consequently, the bike has some sentimental value. She continues to love riding the bike, too.

But I’m starting to wonder if the relatively generic fork should be replaced. It shows no outward signs of fatigue (chips, cracks, etc.), but the thought of her fork snapping on a descent is starting to keep me up at night and getting my brain spinning about getting a local builder to put together a nice, new steel fork. So, what’s your take? Is an apparently fine 10-year-old carbon fork a peril or am I just making up excuses to buy bike stuff? (If there’s no peril, believe me, I can think of other ways to buy stuff. This is a zero sum game for the bike industry.) I wouldn’t worry about it, as carbon has very good fatigue life if not damaged by an exceptionally high stress or impact.