Hey,
Just wondering if anyone has any advice on drilling a carbon fork to fit a brake?
The bike I’m enquiring in regards to this matter is a Cinelli Vigorelli, perhaps carbon composite fork I’m not sure off the top of my head if it is 100% carbon.
Comment away
Thankyou
No advice on drilling but I’d buy a road fork and chuck it on rather than deflowering the track fork.
+1
I can’t see any good coming from drilling a carbon fork that may or may not be designed for a brake.
The Vigorelli has a carbon fork with an aluminium steerer. In fact the 2009 Vigorelli is now drilled for a brake.
I’m not exactly sure how far the aluminium extends to where the brake drill would need to go though.
I reckon if your track fork had a voice it would say something along the lines of “yeah buddy, go ahead and drill me (gently) and get me back on the track/road where I belong, please don’t replace me with my ugly cousin the “road fork” and please don’t put me back in that dusty cabinet of yours…it’s sooo boring in there…” 
I myself have to confess to the ultimate hipster crime of drilling a track fork recently. But since I neither intend to ever resell my bike nor to ever drive without a front brake, why would I compromise my beautiful matching pantographed and chromed columbus fork with a crappy standard road fork? My frame doesn’t deserve this! 
I’ve been reading about this topic before and people seem to take it really personal and worry about the fork’s soul etc. But what’s the point of preserving the fork’s soul/street cred if it’s never going to be used again?! :roll:
But to answer your question Slocococo…
You need to drill a 6mm hole in the centre front and a 8mm hole in the centre back if you use recessed mounting. It’s really quite easy. Just get someone to help you, remember to “measure twice, drill once” and take your time. To get the ball rolling and larger drill bits from slipping, you might want to start with a small drill bit first.
Just my 2c worth. To each their own. cheers
The weave of the Carbon Fibers probably wont like having their little network interrupted by a drill.
My $0.02 is that it will crack, most likely when you drill it or ride it.
Thankyou to everyone for your comments thus far- very much appreciated…
I have two further questions
Hjb1000
In terms of determining how far/to what point the aluminium steerer extends, am I best to try and contact someone close to the company, or is it something that any bike professional may be able to see?
Svensta
Did you drill a carbon fork or similar?
Sorry mate, I should have mentioned that I drilled a steel fork, NOT a carbon fork. So you better check with someone who has experience with Cinelli carbon components.
Sizes for drill bits still apply though.
Good luck!
+1 Those little fibres can suffer severe (catastrophic) seperation anxiety.
Email Cinelli and ask them directly, this is the only way to know for certain. Or since you’ve forked out for a vigorelli, get one of these, they are awesome.
A good guide is to look at a carbon road frame. None of the holes are drilled, they’re all cast in the mold to maintain continuous network of fibers.
It relies on the crystalline structure of fibers under high tension forming a weave and obviously breaking the weave adds a weak point.
Get an 09 vigorelli fork because its brake friendly already??
Having owned this frame before, I believe the fork crown brake mount area is made of Aluminium, not carbon:
You can see a square tab area which probably could be drilled, although I’m not 100% sure.
Otherwise get an NJS clamp-on brake and be done with it. Or a road frame- I hear these are designed for brakes. :roll:
From Cinelli:
It’s possible but it’s not easy to do straight and with the correct tolerances.
Regards
Fabrizio
Did you make that up- Fabrizio from Cinelli sounds a bit cliche, come on! :lol:
^ My thoughts exactly upon posting, but it’s kosher.
Happy to forward the email to any non-believers
The response I received was almost identical- it’s legit
Thankyou again to all