Crashnalysis

[Deleted member 1258]

P.S. I have Zaffiro Pro, not on bike at moment I’ve got something more puncture proof, for now, but they are fine in the wet.

I fitted the Vittoria Zaffiro IV to the fixed at the start of the winter and I've not been impressed with them, they don't feel secure at all. Monday on a descent just after a quarry that was covered in thin mud they were feeling very twitchy and I was having to lean back on the fixed wheel and curb my speed, on my other bike thats fitted with Rubino's I'd have just ridden down it, the Vittoria's will be ditched at the end of this winter.

​

 

[gzoom]

It's an 8% slope down............

................Coming into the flat bit I was at 30mph, but had taken it down to about 21mph for the second slope and remained at that until I hit the ground........

...... What could I have done differently?

8% slope, 20mph, current road conditions, I don't think you need to do any more analysis than that.

I fell off doing 15mph on a 4% slope a few weeks ago, I've still not fully got my confidence back yet.

The roads are very slippery, I think its as simple as that. I'm in the car today, its amazing how much more grip there is in a 2ton+ metal box on 4 wheels versus a pedal bike currently, and that's before needing to think about things like stopping .

 

[Twilkes]

I fell off doing 15mph on a 4% slope a few weeks ago, I've still not fully got my confidence back yet.

I've had a string of aborted rides due to sickness, a bike nicked and then this so yesterday I was about ready to throw the bike in the bin, but a couple of days getting the bike right again (all of the front mudguard bolts came off!) and a spin down my normal flat route and I'll probably be okay. I'm 44 so getting into the realm where I'm not going to bounce as well as I used to, but I've still got my tuck-and-roll according to the passing pedestrian.

 

[the snail]

If you locked up the back wheel, then you were probably using too much back brake. When you brake, your weight shifts forward, less weight on the back means the wheel will lock up easier. If you're descending, that shifts your weight forward too. IME, on bikes and motorbikes, the rear brake isn't nearly as effective as the front, and if you rely on the rear brake, you are likely to lock up the rear.

 

[CXRAndy]

Too much analysis. You were going too fast in wet/damp conditions. The rear wheel broke grip from braking, ending a 'tank slapper' motion, ditching you onto the deck.

 

[MichaelW2]

Contrary to much cycling advice, I am always wary of the back brake in difficult road conditions. Hard braking can unweight the rear wheel leaving it free to lock up.
Exploring your " braking envelope" as a test pilot would is a useful exercise. New tyres have mould release agent which needs to be removed by braking before hitting any wet roads.

 

[matticus]

Rainfall is low of late which allows a lot of roads to get slick. Then when it does rain the slickness is released. Needs some so.I’d days of rain to wash the lubricants off the roads.

... and add in 3'c air temperature, which hugely reduces grip.

I don't know the exact reasons, but the cycling internet has thrown up 4 different people in as many days sliding off on apparently dry roads. Including 1 video on twitter.

So I'd blame the road conditions, and aim to take care until Spring.

 

[Twilkes]

Yep, all valid - ironically if I'd realised what was happening and let off the brake I could probably have leaned a little and freewheeled around the corner, but once the skid started my instinct was to come to a stop. Which, I guess, in a way, I did. I'll deal with it better next time though.

 

[C R]

Yep, all valid - ironically if I'd realised what was happening and let off the brake I could probably have leaned a little and freewheeled around the corner, but once the skid started my instinct was to come to a stop. Which, I guess, in a way, I did. I'll deal with it better next time though.

The best thing to do when the rear stars locking and sliding is to let go of the lever, but it is really hard to have the presence of mind to do that when you are just a second or so from hitting the deck.

 

[Solocle]

I had a bit of a nasty off on Sunday too. Roundabout, 35 kph - one moment I'm in a steady lean, and then it just went. Possibly a pothole that's got an exisiting report...

 

[Twilkes]

I had a bit of a nasty off on Sunday too. Roundabout, 35 kph - one moment I'm in a steady lean, and then it just went. Possibly a pothole that's got an exisiting report...
View attachment 628432

Would have been interesting to see a heart rate chart as well!

 

[si_c]

Would have been interesting to see a heart rate chart as well!

Pants chart might be more revealing.

 

[iluvmybike]

The rear wouldn't have locked up all on its own (unless freewheel suddenly seized up) - perhaps you were braking a bit harder than you thought or, when the wheel started to slide (asthey all can on agreasy road), you then grabbed a handful of brake without realising it - it's a natural reaction. It then would have swung left and right as it temporaily gripped on a drier bit then lost it again. Brand new tyres can take a few rides to run them in to get maximum grip but this time of the year it is just how the roads are - caution required. Hope yuo are not too sore anyway

 

[gzoom]

I had a bit of a nasty off on Sunday too. Roundabout, 35 kph - one moment I'm in a steady lean, and then it just went.

I was back out on the bike earlier this week the lack of grip on the roads is pretty evident. Falling off in the middle of no where is fine, but hitting the deck on a round about with traffic around is whole different matter.

Am sticking 100% to driving the next few weeks. Still doing plenty of riding, but in a nicer/safer setting .

 

[Solocle]

I was back out on the bike earlier this week the lack of grip on the roads is pretty evident. Falling off in the middle of no where is fine, but hitting the deck on a round about with traffic around is whole different matter.

Am sticking 100% to driving the next few weeks. Still doing plenty of riding, but in a nicer/safer setting .

View attachment 628521

Oh, it was night, so it's not like I came off and was dodging cars, although I certainly didn't want to stay there for very long.

Turned out a chap driving behind was an off duty firearms officer. 😳 But he offered to drive me home, rather than down the station!