Lots of Specialized bikes recalled for bad forks

The CPSC just recalled a bunch of Specialized bikes with carbon fiber plastic forks: 2011 model year Sirrus Expert, Sirrus Comp, Sirrus Elite, Vita Expert, Vita Comp, Vita Elite, Vita Elite Step Thru, Tricross Sport, Tricross, and Tricross Comp. You get a new fork for free and maybe you can donate your old one to the Racketeers. Next time go for steel?

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Permalink Reply by S on September 25, 2011 at 1:43pm
Carbon fiber has been used for quite a bit of bike components and other components for a while now.  I think it's pretty well understood and unfortunately QC for companies occasionally screws up and lets defective designs or components out there.  There's been recalls on steel forks as well.  People screw up especially if they're trying to push the boundaries in terms of strength, weight and stiffness.
Permalink Reply by Anne on September 25, 2011 at 3:31pm
carbon fiber is a composite, not a plastic.
Permalink Reply by Juan 2-3 or more mi. on September 26, 2011 at 12:44pm
I have read even body parts are made out of this stuff.
Permalink Reply by Anne on September 26, 2011 at 2:28pm
LOL that was one of the better April Fools jokes...

Juan said:
I have read even body parts are made out of this stuff.
Permalink Reply by Steve Courtright on September 27, 2011 at 3:38am

Not that it matters really, but for accuracy, the forks are FRP, so Anne, you are partly correct:

 

Fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) (also fibre-reinforced polymer) is a composite material made of a polymer matrix reinforced with fibres. The fibres are usually fibreglass, carbon, or aramid, while the polymer is usually an epoxy, vinylester or polyester thermosetting plastic. FRPs are commonly used in the aerospace, automotive, marine, and construction industries

Permalink Reply by Anne on September 27, 2011 at 5:54am

thanks Steve - I was reacting to the OP's use of the word 'plastic' as a bias.

 

But still, seems to be a bit of an unusual failure. The photo supplied doesn't even match what was spec'd on the 2011 bikes, but for the stud to fail upon braking is bad.

Steve Courtright said:

Not that it matters really, but for accuracy, the forks are FRP, so Anne, you are partly correct:

 

Fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) (also fibre-reinforced polymer) is a composite material made of a polymer matrix reinforced with fibres. The fibres are usually fibreglass, carbon, or aramid, while the polymer is usually an epoxy, vinylester or polyester thermosetting plastic. FRPs are commonly used in the aerospace, automotive, marine, and construction industries

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