# New to carbon (and aluminum)
**URL:** https://fixed.org.au/t/new-to-carbon-and-aluminum/58710
**Category:** Fixed Street
**Created:** [September 20, 2012, 5:56pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/new-to-carbon-and-aluminum/58710 "2012-09-20T17:56:33Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Rono](https://fixed.org.au/u/Rono)
#### Post date: [September 20, 2012, 5:56pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/new-to-carbon-and-aluminum/58710/1 "2012-09-20T17:56:33Z")
So, I have just got to Brisbane from London and have sorted myself out a ride; a 2010 Hilbrick pista.
Not usually a fan of such things (alu frame carbon forks), old steel is more my taste but this was cheap and I am being converted by it’s uncompromised rigidity.
My issues are 2:
1. I am used to riding with a front brake, has anyone drilled out these forks before? looks like there is a metal crown as there is facing for a brake mount (I think thats what it’s for) even seems to have a little dimple at the back…
2. I like to hop over pot holes and over the top of bumps, more for a bit of fun than anything else, steel takes this pretty well, carbon forks and alu frames are a few little hops away from catastrophe, am I right? and pot holes? and ridges in the road? sorry if this is a stupid question, I am slightly mystified by carbon.
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### Author:  [@Rono](https://fixed.org.au/u/Rono)
#### Post date: [September 20, 2012, 5:59pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/new-to-carbon-and-aluminum/58710/2 "2012-09-20T17:59:52Z")
I haven’t yet worked out photo uploads, any help would be appreciated there too.
Thanks
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### Author:  [@Rooster](https://fixed.org.au/u/Rooster)
#### Post date: [September 20, 2012, 6:04pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/new-to-carbon-and-aluminum/58710/3 "2012-09-20T18:04:50Z")
![]()
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### Author:  [@Rono](https://fixed.org.au/u/Rono)
#### Post date: [September 20, 2012, 6:11pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/new-to-carbon-and-aluminum/58710/4 "2012-09-20T18:11:17Z")
The photos are on my computer, I can’t find relavent photos online. I have tried the simple uploader but it doesn;t seem to accept any of my photos.
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### Author:  [@Rooster](https://fixed.org.au/u/Rooster)
#### Post date: [September 20, 2012, 6:13pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/new-to-carbon-and-aluminum/58710/5 "2012-09-20T18:13:08Z")
Have you tried [cyclebucket](http://cyclebucket.com/)? It’s pretty much just choose file and upload and then will even give you the option of just copying a forum-ready [img] link.
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### Author:  [@heavymetal](https://fixed.org.au/u/heavymetal)
#### Post date: [September 20, 2012, 6:15pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/new-to-carbon-and-aluminum/58710/6 "2012-09-20T18:15:55Z")
yr in brisbane: go talk to Gear in West End. They might be able to sort out drilling, but i have no idea about drilling crabon froks. Alternatively, get cheap drilled crabon road frok off ebay, take to Gear, get them to fit. You’re not gonna break a hillbrick frame too quick, they’re pretty solidly built for an alloy track frame.
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### Author:  [@jaseyjase](https://fixed.org.au/u/jaseyjase)
#### Post date: [September 20, 2012, 6:17pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/new-to-carbon-and-aluminum/58710/7 "2012-09-20T18:17:54Z")
dont forget to resize, most sites wont be happy if your trying to upload huge mb pics
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### Author:  [@Rono](https://fixed.org.au/u/Rono)
#### Post date: [September 20, 2012, 6:20pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/new-to-carbon-and-aluminum/58710/8 "2012-09-20T18:20:35Z")
[Photo on 21-09-2012 at 10.53 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!](http://www.flickr.com/photos/87480088@N06/8007815971/in/photostream)
There we go, uploads sorted.
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### Author:  [@Rono](https://fixed.org.au/u/Rono)
#### Post date: [September 20, 2012, 6:23pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/new-to-carbon-and-aluminum/58710/9 "2012-09-20T18:23:26Z")
Thanks, I have checked in Gear, they where pretty vague, I am tossing up between drilling or replacing. I’m pretty sure if you drill through any aspect that is actually carbon you cut across the weave and it becomes junk. Glad to hear Hillbricks are toughies, I won’t hold back too much.
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### Author:  [@HLC](https://fixed.org.au/u/HLC)
#### Post date: [September 20, 2012, 6:26pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/new-to-carbon-and-aluminum/58710/10 "2012-09-20T18:26:13Z")
Did you call them or take the bike to the shop?
I would suggest you take the bike there, they will understand the issue and rectify it quick smart. Nothing vague about it. They also can supply Forks that will be pre-drilled for brakes as well. Maybe a quick swap is in order.
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### Author:  [@Rono](https://fixed.org.au/u/Rono)
#### Post date: [September 20, 2012, 6:26pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/new-to-carbon-and-aluminum/58710/11 "2012-09-20T18:26:40Z")
I’vebeen terrified of carbon ever since I saw this:
[Tandem crash.avi - YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ngv7Iu3y1o0)
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### Author:  [@HLC](https://fixed.org.au/u/HLC)
#### Post date: [September 20, 2012, 6:26pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/new-to-carbon-and-aluminum/58710/12 "2012-09-20T18:26:59Z")
or you could just do this.
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### Author:  [@Rono](https://fixed.org.au/u/Rono)
#### Post date: [September 20, 2012, 6:28pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/new-to-carbon-and-aluminum/58710/13 "2012-09-20T18:28:26Z")
I walked in and spoke to them, I had a sudden need for a chain whip/ lockring tool and as such couldn’t ride in. I get the idea that Marty is the man for the job.
thanks everyone
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### Author:  [@Rono](https://fixed.org.au/u/Rono)
#### Post date: [September 20, 2012, 6:29pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/new-to-carbon-and-aluminum/58710/14 "2012-09-20T18:29:10Z")
to HLC; at the cost of all of my pride and more than all of my cash
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### Author:  [@The\_JAMS](https://fixed.org.au/u/The_JAMS)
#### Post date: [September 20, 2012, 6:35pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/new-to-carbon-and-aluminum/58710/15 "2012-09-20T18:35:47Z")
> [@Rono](#):
>
> carbon forks and alu frames are a few little hops away from catastrophe, am I right?
no
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### Author:  [@red](https://fixed.org.au/u/red)
#### Post date: [September 20, 2012, 6:40pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/new-to-carbon-and-aluminum/58710/16 "2012-09-20T18:40:16Z")
> [@Rono](#):
>
> 1. I like to hop over pot holes and over the top of bumps, more for a bit of fun than anything else, steel takes this pretty well,
i used to like hopping over potholes and gutters and shit untill…
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### Author:  [@Rono](https://fixed.org.au/u/Rono)
#### Post date: [September 20, 2012, 6:40pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/new-to-carbon-and-aluminum/58710/17 "2012-09-20T18:40:45Z")
Good news, so I’ll thrashing my ride as usual.
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### Author:  [@Rono](https://fixed.org.au/u/Rono)
#### Post date: [September 20, 2012, 6:41pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/new-to-carbon-and-aluminum/58710/18 "2012-09-20T18:41:30Z")
Oh, I spoke too soon! your face looks alright considering?!
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### Author:  [@whatever\_really](https://fixed.org.au/u/whatever_really)
#### Post date: [September 20, 2012, 6:49pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/new-to-carbon-and-aluminum/58710/19 "2012-09-20T18:49:52Z")
That face looks far from all right.
Yeah speak to Marty hell be in on Sunday.
Track bikes are not designed for any jumping.
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### Author:  [@red](https://fixed.org.au/u/red)
#### Post date: [September 20, 2012, 6:52pm UTC](https://fixed.org.au/t/new-to-carbon-and-aluminum/58710/20 "2012-09-20T18:52:26Z")
thats my “herp wtf face”…
EDIT: to be fair, i was not gentle on that thing. and it is a cheep bike. and the forks lasted 2 years 🙂
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