Cracked forks - what to do now?

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  • Bought a project that was in need of TLC with plans to tidy up and use on my trainer over winter,fully expecting to replace cables, bearings, pads and tyres.

    I've cleaned the bike as it was covered in grease, grime and hedge trimmings and can now see the forks look pretty cracked on both blades.

    I don't think the guy selling knew as the cracks were under grime but the front wheel is a replacement and non matching so I'm worried about crash damage.

    Should I be asking for the cost of some basic forks back from the seller or just use it on the trainer and hope for the best?


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  • If it was me, I'd just try to return it for a full refund. Life's too short.

  • I'd love to but can't see returning a second hand bike on eBay being possible

  • It is possible and is covered under the eBay Money Back Guarantee

    eBay Money Back Guarantee applies when:

    The buyer doesn't receive an item
    The item received by the buyer doesn't match the listing, for example:

    • The seller sent the wrong item, or
    • The item arrives broken, damaged, or faulty
  • It's faulty and not as described if the seller didn't mention it.
    You'd be guaranteed a refund

  • Does that still apply if I collected the item? I thought most of that protection was for receiving damaged goods from a seller via post.

  • Managing returns and item not received requests
    Returns for local collection listings should be treated the same as other delivery options. If the buyer returns an item because it's faulty or it isn't as described in the listing, they can return it to you even if your return policy states you don't accept returns.

    https://www.ebay.co.uk/help/selling/posting-items/setting-postage-options/local-collection

  • to be fair if it was sold as a project, it would imply it is not close to new and needs to be treated as a project. not to say that the guy knew it had faulty forks but if its far from being usable and is knowingly worn and needs parts replacing and sold as so, might just have to chalk it up as needing new forks along with the other bits.

    if he sold it as usable then would be different.

    the crack bit looks like a crack in the finish, where the carbon blades fit in to the aluminium part. maybe look a bit further it might be ok. I've had forks with cracks here but it was clear that it was the paint finish cracking and not structural.

  • Thanks, was struggling to find that for some reason. I'll message the seller.

  • That was my internal argument - where to draw the line with it needing TLC, not sure whether structural damage that could make the bike unsafe falls under that or not.

  • That is true ^ (Dogtemple)
    but in my opinion, a fork isn't a consumable part of the bike, the frame and fork are the basis on which the bike is built and if everything needs replacing, I would expect the frame and fork to be sound. You could chalk it up to experience, and replace the fork fairly cheaply. I just wouldn't bother myself.

  • yeah its not consumable, but its hard to say either way without knowing what the seller declared about the bike.

    the bike looks scabby, (no offence) the aluminium is corroded and I personally feel that is the likely cause of the crack line, its just the paint, there should be a fair bit of sound aluminium bonded to the blades of the fork. but its your call. I have some carbon forks you can have for cheap if youre not looking to take the risk.

  • I've messaged the seller hoping to sort something out, I don't like the idea of a forced return process through eBay as I have sold stuff before without noticing an issue and would rather just have had a chat with the buyer and reached an amicable solution.

  • Yeah it's tatty throughout, which I was fine with, just a bit scared of the fork failing as I'm not exactly built like a hill climber and have been known to break things.

  • I just wouldn't bother myself.

    Yep. Even if the fork is replaced, the frame could be weakened from that impact.
    That's how my first Kinesis cracked.

    Also, I'm pretty sure you can't sell dangerous stuff second hand, ie. if you crashed this because the fork snapped, the seller is still liable as he sold it to you with a faulty fork. Something like that, no?

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Cracked forks - what to do now?

Posted by Avatar for scotts @scotts

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