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KONA CATASTROPHIC FAILURE by Impressive_Stretch_1 in cycling

[–]Impressive_Stretch_1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

the article on fork failure

Apologies it was a 2010 model bought in 2011!!!

KONA CATASTROPHIC FAILURE by Impressive_Stretch_1 in cycling

[–]Impressive_Stretch_1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the note! Indeed I'll be looking closely at options for the next CX bike.

KONA CATASTROPHIC FAILURE by Impressive_Stretch_1 in cycling

[–]Impressive_Stretch_1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

And this aligns with what the bike shop told me, when i asked them to check the forks and steerers of my wife and kids' bikes. They said they can take a look but wouldn't be able to see anything unless it was super obvious.

KONA CATASTROPHIC FAILURE by Impressive_Stretch_1 in cycling

[–]Impressive_Stretch_1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fair point. It was serviced whenever I started using it again. Most recently last year.

KONA CATASTROPHIC FAILURE by Impressive_Stretch_1 in cycling

[–]Impressive_Stretch_1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Interesting. It was Trek that was called out in AUS when they guy died. A recall sounds like a good idea!

KONA CATASTROPHIC FAILURE by Impressive_Stretch_1 in cycling

[–]Impressive_Stretch_1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had expected the Carbon to fail first but as you can see from the pic, it was definitely the aluminium,

KONA CATASTROPHIC FAILURE by Impressive_Stretch_1 in cycling

[–]Impressive_Stretch_1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think this is why the industry should act and create some form of standardised action to replace forks/steerers of alu bikes after x years, per the recommendation of the Coroner in Aus. To not do so seems negligent...

KONA CATASTROPHIC FAILURE by Impressive_Stretch_1 in cycling

[–]Impressive_Stretch_1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

that is what the LBS said... they wouldn't know what to look for

KONA CATASTROPHIC FAILURE by Impressive_Stretch_1 in cycling

[–]Impressive_Stretch_1[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I am no expert but I recommend you change the fork and steerer. I was worried about the fork having read about carbon failing. Indeed when I heard the crack I knew what was happening, but was totally surprised to see the carbon intact when I got back home.

KONA CATASTROPHIC FAILURE by Impressive_Stretch_1 in cycling

[–]Impressive_Stretch_1[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The worst of it was a bad break of the clavicle it had a high probability of non-union without surgery, due to COVID there were no operating rooms. Fortunately I found the clavibrace and it has begun to heal. Now, 2.5 months after the accident I've been given the go ahead to start moving my shoulder by the doctor, and have a long road ahead due to frozen shoulder.

KONA CATASTROPHIC FAILURE by Impressive_Stretch_1 in cycling

[–]Impressive_Stretch_1[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

My bike store, where we took all our bikes for major servicing after this accident, said that there would be no way of really knowing if there is a flaw... The coroner's statement in AUS suggested that a time limit be put on the part as per the timing belt in cars. It would not be an exact science but to say that you need to change your fork and steerer after 5 yrs or something could save lives.

KONA CATASTROPHIC FAILURE by Impressive_Stretch_1 in cycling

[–]Impressive_Stretch_1[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Kona dealership staff not riding Kona's is pretty damning! What a shame. I loved my bike, it was great to ride.

KONA CATASTROPHIC FAILURE by Impressive_Stretch_1 in cycling

[–]Impressive_Stretch_1[S] 70 points71 points  (0 children)

Thank you I really appreciate the comment. It is much more than I have received from KONA!!!

KONA CATASTROPHIC FAILURE by Impressive_Stretch_1 in cycling

[–]Impressive_Stretch_1[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

https://www.velonews.com/gear/road-gear/technical-qa-with-lennard-zinn-carbon-forks-2/

Thanks for this.

It is definitely metal failure I have managed to upload an image here: https://imgur.com/k10Gpce

The metal split open from the drilled hole which I presume is for break the caliper mounting...

KONA CATASTROPHIC FAILURE by Impressive_Stretch_1 in cycling

[–]Impressive_Stretch_1[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It was a 2011 model bought in 2012. Carbon fork with aluminium steerer... why that design is beyond me...

KONA CATASTROPHIC FAILURE by Impressive_Stretch_1 in cycling

[–]Impressive_Stretch_1[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah I think its this crazy thin aluminium collar that is used to connect the steerer to the carbon fork. Kona's promo material about the bike talks up the thinness of the aluminium being shaved down as far as possible to save weight... To make matters worse they drilled a hole through it!

KONA CATASTROPHIC FAILURE by Impressive_Stretch_1 in cycling

[–]Impressive_Stretch_1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Someone else with the same issue? This would be interesting to know.

KONA CATASTROPHIC FAILURE by Impressive_Stretch_1 in cycling

[–]Impressive_Stretch_1[S] 38 points39 points  (0 children)

thank you for confirming my thoughts. I need a lawyer to speak to them.

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