Author Topic: removing tabs on fork  (Read 19123 times)

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Offline awbikes

removing tabs on fork
« on: January 29, 2012, 08:18:21 pm »
I frequently remove my front wheel for transport and would like to make the job less of a hassle by removing the little tabs or nubs at the lower end of the fork. I seem to have heard they are unnecessary and are only there to reduce the manufactures liability.  I had several bikes from the 1980-90's that did not have them.

Offline whittierider

Re: removing tabs on fork
« Reply #1 on: January 29, 2012, 08:22:54 pm »
The tabs are a relatively recent thing.  If you operate the skewer correctly and don't have a disc brake, the wheel will never come out while you're riding.  I file them off, since they defeat the purpose of having a quick-release.

Offline johnsondasw

Re: removing tabs on fork
« Reply #2 on: January 29, 2012, 09:13:19 pm »
They are nicknamed "lawyer tabs" for a reason.  If you inow how to mount a tire, you don't need em.
May the wind be at your back!

Offline Pat Lamb

Re: removing tabs on fork
« Reply #3 on: January 29, 2012, 09:47:43 pm »
As wr notes, don't mess with them if you've got disk brakes. 

I got frustrated enough to go buy a Dremel with cut-off disks to remove lawyer lips on one bike, although I haven't messed with them on a newer bike.  It's as good an excuse to buy new tools as any, and I've got my money's worth out of the Dremel since then.

Offline jrswenberger

Re: removing tabs on fork
« Reply #4 on: January 29, 2012, 10:20:15 pm »
They are nicknamed "lawyer tabs" for a reason.  If you inow how to mount a tire, you don't need em.

I perfer "lawyer lips" myself....  ;)
ACA Life Member 368

Offline BrianW

Re: removing tabs on fork
« Reply #5 on: January 30, 2012, 08:52:54 am »
I file them off on all my bikes. A Dremel makes it faster, but I usually just use an old-school flat file.

Offline DaveB

Re: removing tabs on fork
« Reply #6 on: January 30, 2012, 08:57:03 am »
Some manufactures will refuse to warranty a fork that has had the tabs removed.  Kestrel was very explicit that filing them off would void their warranty.  Other than that (and the disc brake constraint), they serve no useful purpose for riders who know how to use a qr properly. 

Also, I believe there are qr skewers that open wide enough to clear the tabs and that may be another way around them w/o resorting to tools.

Offline paddleboy17

Re: removing tabs on fork
« Reply #7 on: January 30, 2012, 01:05:14 pm »
I removed from a road fork and was disappointed with the results.  The fork tines were slightly sprung, so even with the nobs filed off,you still had to over loosen  the skewer to get the wheel back on.

When I had my Waterford built up, I requested no lawyer tabs, and they actually built the fork that way! 
Danno

Offline Mag in NH

Re: removing tabs on fork
« Reply #8 on: January 31, 2012, 04:47:54 am »
Mine were filed off years ago. The only problem is that I can't load it on a roof rack securely. No matter how tightly I batten down the fork, it pulls out of the rack at high speeds.

Offline waynemyer

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Re: removing tabs on fork
« Reply #9 on: January 31, 2012, 09:10:06 am »
Mine were filed off years ago. The only problem is that I can't load it on a roof rack securely. No matter how tightly I batten down the fork, it pulls out of the rack at high speeds.
I've experienced this too. It's not the linear speed that does it, but rather lateral acceleration. The carrier was so tight that I had to use a rubber mallet to tap the latch closed. Even taking it easy, my friend's Peugeot slipped out of the fork carrier and creased the dropout. Ugh.
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Offline bogiesan

Re: removing tabs on fork
« Reply #10 on: January 31, 2012, 01:46:02 pm »
Mine were filed off years ago. The only problem is that I can't load it on a roof rack securely. No matter how tightly I batten down the fork, it pulls out of the rack at high speeds.

If the bike ends up in the windshield of someone behind you, that will be a new reason to call the Lawyers' Lips. Are you going to get a different rack system, add a hold-down bar, or replace your fork?
I play go. I use Macintosh. Of course I ride a recumbent

Offline waynemyer

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Re: removing tabs on fork
« Reply #11 on: January 31, 2012, 01:48:22 pm »
If the bike ends up in the windshield of someone behind you, that will be a new reason to call the Lawyers' Lips. Are you going to get a different rack system, add a hold-down bar, or replace your fork?
The rear wheel strap would assure that the bike only flails the bejeezus out of the carrying automobile.
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Offline staehpj1

Re: removing tabs on fork
« Reply #12 on: January 31, 2012, 01:53:02 pm »
If the bike ends up in the windshield of someone behind you, that will be a new reason to call the Lawyers' Lips. Are you going to get a different rack system, add a hold-down bar, or replace your fork?
The rear wheel strap would assure that the bike only flails the bejeezus out of the carrying automobile.
+1, but in many years of hauling bikes quite a few of which were made before lawyer lips were used, and some with them filed off, I have never had a problem with a fork coming loose from the rack.

Offline BrianW

Re: removing tabs on fork
« Reply #13 on: February 01, 2012, 09:26:42 am »
For Mag in NH: simply turn your rooftop bike mount around so that the front of the bike faces backward. That way there won't be so much air pressure pulling up on the handlebars/fork.

But, I will say that in 25+ years of rooftopping bikes on Yakima racks, most if not all without the Lips, I've never had this problem. I suspect there is something wrong with your bike mount fork holder.

Offline Mag in NH

Re: removing tabs on fork
« Reply #14 on: February 01, 2012, 05:38:21 pm »
Thanks, briwasson, I might try that. These days, I just use my husband's truck. Much quicker.