Rigid fork ding

[moray42]

Hopefully I won't find many more issues after this. Anyway, happened to notice a ding on the inside of the left leg this morning on the Raleigh's fork. Overall the dent is probably a little smaller than a dime. It is on the lower half just about even with the top mount on the disc caliper. I had combed over the bike fairly well when I picked it up, so I'm not sure how I could have missed it. Hoping I didn't do it myself yesterday, but either way it is on me if I overlooked it. Could i have come down off a small dip too hard and done this? Basically looking to find out just how big of an issue I should be making of this? Doesn't look like it is about to shear off. In fact there isn't even a nick in the paint. Should I just keep an eye on it and try to avoid hitting small dip and obstacle too hard, or should I start looking for a new fork? Really hate to have to drop more $ into it already, but don't feel like landing on my face either. I have a pic on my phone that I'll try to get up later tonight when I get back to my computer. Any input would be appreciated.

 

[extremedave]

I'm presuming steel? Didn't break the paint. Odd. Is it uneven or regular in shape, something built in maybe, for caliper or rotor clearance? If you sight down the outside of the fork leg, does it look straight or curved/buckled?
Something could have got jammed in there and done it, but probably should have broken the paint at least. Unless it was touched up or painted. Hmm.

If it's steel, and it's a ding, it's probably fine. If it looks more like a buckle in the leg, that I'd worry about.

:worthless

 

[moray42]

It had crossed my mind that it was actually designed for rotor clearance, and it is in about where you would anticipate in relation to the rotor. Shape looked a little irregular, but I didn't have a lot of time to look as i was on my way out the door for work. Just happened to catch it while sitting the bike on the rack.

Yes it is steel. Outside looked to still be fairly straight, but definitely something I'll check again later. As for it having been touched up I really don't believe that to be the case. Looks like still factory paint. Btw Dave, I had the same issue matching up that red on the Raleigh with a touch up paint. Label looked right but dry it is noticeably different😡.

I'll get on those pics ASAP. Unfortunately left my laptop at home and can't get the phone to let me treat the picture as a file that can be attached.

 

[moray42]

Appears to be factory

Figured i'd update in the event anyone else ever happens upon the same thing. While looking for info on fork measurements today in the event i end up needing to replace it i happened upon a single mtbr thread on the same crease.
http://forums.mtbr.com/29er-bikes/crease-my-raleigh-xxix-fork-leg-758386.html
It is apparently a crimp to allow for rotor clearance. One reply in the thread only notes it as being on the 2008-2010 models, but one of the links shows a 2007 fork where it can be seen when zoomed in as well. Also seen on the Raleigh page for the 2008.

Attached are the pictures i took today.

 

[extremedave]

Cool. Glad to hear the sky isn't falling! 😀