Straightening a steel fork

[perry]

Id use it lightly and infrequently if you must . I doubt you could restraighten it as its such a localised area , if it was a gradual bend over the length of the fork it would be better and pulling it back would be a possibility . Sounds like its had a sharp head on into something , is it still the same angle ? does the wheel look a little tucked under ?

As long as your not hammering roubaix or doing lots of fixed gear nose wheelies its not going to snap off . trying to pull it forward will do more damage than leaving it as it is . Make a note of the wheelbase and check it once in a while .

Not sure what you can do about the cracked paint , maybe clear nail polish to seal it ?

 

[Tad]

If it were me I'd be worried about the ripple in the steel, sure I'd take the expert's advice and ride it gently about town but it's a beautiful cross bike and asking to be ridden properly. If it were mine I'd replace the fork and ride without worrying about it. It will be possible to find a suitable one and, if you're determined enough, you'll find an original Colnago one. Just keep hold of the original.

You could have the genuine one repaired if you wanted to ride it. Look at Pete MCC's Yeti and the white Yo that had the seat tube replaced (sorry can't remember who it belonged to now) as examples of what can be done if you're determined to have something repaired properly. When the bikes were raced they'd have bits replaced bits as they wore out and broke. How many sets of brake blocks, chains, casettes, levers, wheels, tyres, tubes etc has it gone through in its life? It's a bit like the carpenter that's had the same hammer since he was an apprentice, only ever replaced 6 heads and 11 handles.

I think I shall start to record similar thoughts and musings in a little red book...

 

[dyna-ti]

Thanks guys but some conflicting advice so perhaps a bit more context will help.

The fork in question is not a cheap steel fork but a Colnago Prescia steel cross fork in Rabobank team colours so not really a disposable item (possible consequences notwithstanding) or one where I can easily get a replacement if at all.

The damage is visible via paint cracking just below the crown and you can feel the slightest undulation in the steel on the back of the fork. My instinct and the advice from a local frame builder (although sight unseen) says to leave it and ride lightly (as before I'm not rad or bad) but I don't want the Doubt Monkey to be sitting on my shoulder, whispering evil tidings.

Any further or new advice very gratefully received.

If not a cheap steel affair,then off to the frame builders would be the best solution

 

[barry2017]

Do you have a picture of this fork?

 

[Grannygrinder]

.

If it was a cheap fork, i'd use a piece of solid bar thats a nice snug fit in the bottom of the crown and give it a tug. But its not, I suggest getting them repaired by a frame/fork builder. Should make it a lot less flighty when fixed. Also it is a stunning bike and as such should be 'right'.

 

[andrewl]

The way the fork is bent now, you can really ride it as the handling won't be the best.

The simplest and probably the cheapest option would be to replace it with a common carbon cross fork which has the geometry as the unbent fork and then wait for the correct item to turn up - which it will.

 

[ededwards]

Thanks all, good stuff.

I took the bike to the local 753 approved framebuilder today and he's going to have a go at straightening the fork for me. I'll try to remember to take a photo once I've removed the fork and post here.

Oh, and I have ridden this offroad, steering was pretty nippy but I just figured that it was a skittish and highly strung race bike!