Recently received a new C-50 frameset and Star fork from well respected shop in UK. Was impressed with construction and finish of frameset. Wish I could say the same for the accompanying fork’s carbon steerer tube. The attached photos show the areas I’m most concerned with. A flat spot on the front of the steerer tube is centered 2.5 inches above the crown race (base plate was installed by shop frame and fork was purchased from). Flat spot measures roughly 2 inches long by 3/8 inch wide. Particularly disturbing is a spot just to the top right of flat spot in which small voids in the carbon mesh are present (ink pin points to this area in one of the photos). This area looks particularly nasty when viewed with a 10X magnifying glass. Another area of concern is along a seam on the back of steerer tube. A series of small voids in carbon mesh is present (worst area of which is depicted in one of the photos).

Noticed the Colnago Star fork pictured on the Competitive Cyclist website (http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=BUY_PRODUCT_STANDARD&PRODUCT.ID=249&CATEGORY.ID=211&MODE=h) has a flat spot in the same general area with a decal (S/N I suppose) applied there. No decal is applied to my fork's steerer tube in this area. Even with seeing this on the CC web-site, I’m still very concerned about the appearance of the carbon mesh (voids) to the right of the flat spot and along the seam in back of steerer tube.

Needless to say, I was totally surprised to see this upon first examination of this new fork. I’ve sent photos to the shop in which frame and fork was purchased and I’m awaiting a reply. Curious if anyone out there has seen anything similar on there Colnago Star forks?

Unfortunately, I’ve not been able to post photos for some reason. Keep getting the following notice after attempted upload: "The page cannot be displayed". Will try again later with the photos.

Link doesn't work and there is no picture.

No, photos, so I can't see for sure, but the 2 inch long space is nothing to worry about. I 've got 2 colnagos w/force forks and that slot is a space put in so they can apply a serial number to the fork. It doesn't effect the integrity of the fork. the other issues may just be the fact that they don't finish off the carbon fibre steerer like they do a frame because it is hidden within the head tube and stem. Structurally, not an issue, aesthetically, it doesn't look nice.

Particularly disturbing is a spot just to the top right of flat spot in which small voids in the carbon mesh are present (ink pin points to this area in one of the photos). This area looks particularly nasty when viewed with a 10X magnifying glass. Another area of concern is along a seam on the back of steerer tube. A series of small voids in carbon mesh is present (worst area of which is depicted in one of the photos).

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Without seeing it, I can't offer an opinion on the voids found. I will say this, voids in a carbon fiber lay-up are not a good thing. I would have thought a component like a steerer tube would have been fabricated from pre-preg which includes the proper amount of resin and rarely results in voids (IME using vacuum bagging method). OTOH, if the void is a small air pocket or bubble only in the outer layer of the mesh it may be insignificant. Even a tiny air bubble looks horrifying under 10X magnification. The outer layer of most lay-ups is designed to protect against nicks and abrasion more than anything else.

Make sure that your photo files aren't too large. If they are over a certain size (which I don't know off hand), you won't be able to upload them. You should be okay if they are under 100Kbytes.

Colnago forks have among the thickest steerer walls on the market.

Finish wise, it's normal for manufacturers to cut corners on un-exposed (when installed) parts of a component.

Link has been corrected in original post above. Unfortunately, I’m unable to post the photos sent to shop due to their high resolution and resulting size.

Good news is that after seeing the photos, the shop is going to send me another fork.