Grant Fondo
Legendary Member
- Location
- Cheshire
Crikey, some fettling required! New blocks if uneven wear on those. Are both sides missing rim?
Had a crash this morning
- Thread starter plastic_cyclist
- Start date
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fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
There is nothing wrong with caliper brakes, even older single pivot. You just need to adjust properly. I'd say discs can be problematic if you aren't careful with oil, WD40 etc, get that near the discs....
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Rusty Nails
We remember
- Location
- Living in the slow lane
Indeed, think that’s Wales
There is a five mile "rule of thumb" for non-essential motoring, that can be further in rural areas.
No limit on distance for cyclists, but a recommendation it should be "within their ability level". Try policing that one!
BalkanExpress
Legendary Member
- Location
- Brussels
@plastic_cylclist you got out of jail on that one! But we probably all have an experience we can look back on and go “i got lucky there” 
What is important is that you learn the lesson, in this case how to adjust brakes, and go on to enjoy your riding...safely
What is important is that you learn the lesson, in this case how to adjust brakes, and go on to enjoy your riding...safely
YIIIIKES!
My guess is that they were probably just about impinging on the rims at the start if the descent then popped past under hard pressure half way down leading to total failure.
The pads are now worn very unevenly as a result of the poor set up.
You need new pads and to set up the brakes properly. The park tool guides posted up thread will show you the way.
These kind of jobs are much, much easier if you invest in a work stand, even a dirt cheap one.
[Edit: that looks like the front wheel? Make sure you do the rear too! ]
Ming the Merciless
There is no mercy
- Location
- Inside my skull
Yes if you turn left from right hand side of road or turn right from left hand side of road to reduce angle in wet. But I guess the op was panicking with white knuckle syndrome at this point.
I notice there is wide gate just to right of crash. If that was open I’d have aimed for that and the gravel beyond. A friend did that years ago when they failed to slow enough in the Lake District.
HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
Is that a result of the crash or were the brakes that baddly aligned to start with
I know the area around Kilspindie quite well from my youth
AndyRM
XOXO
- Location
- North Shields
As others have said @plastic_cylclist - your brakes really need adjusting, those are way off.
You want them like this:
You want them like this:
Cycleops
Legendary Member
- Location
- Accra, Ghana
Glad you’re okay, how did the wall come off 
Ming the Merciless
There is no mercy
- Location
- Inside my skull
Once adjusted, always pull the brake levers and check the blocks connect with the braking surface correctly. Make sure levers aren’t touching or close to bars when you pull with moderate force. Someone mentioned a park tools video so don’t forget to look at that.
I can also recommend the Zinn Art of Bike Maintenance books. Had the mtn bike one for years and it is great for handling with oily fingers without worrying about it.
I can also recommend the Zinn Art of Bike Maintenance books. Had the mtn bike one for years and it is great for handling with oily fingers without worrying about it.
BoldonLad
Not part of the Elite
- Location
- South Tyneside
When I was learning to ride a motorcycle, instructor always told us, "look where you intend to go, not at the obstacle". She (Instructor) always said this was something to do with centre of gravity. I have no idea why, but, it did work.
Rusty Nails
We remember
- Location
- Living in the slow lane
At least you managed to learn what could have been a very expensive lesson without too much damage. You will probably remember to check brakes more regularly in future. Bike maintenance is always worth spending time on.
And don't worry about the odd negative/dismissive comment you get about your bike or your riding. Those people are in a very small minority and you soon learn to ignore them. Most people like to help.
Brads
Senior Member
Glad you are ok, those are pretty badly set up brakes.
As an aside, am I the only one who hates when self righteous types dive on a thread and take every detail to the N'th degree to make out that a poster is a liar, or a fraud, or is just simply wrong, but they are right and you better know it !
Folk with no life in my opinion who would do better to stay away from the internet.
They guy made a mistake, and exaggerated cause he nearly shoot a brick crashing his bike.
Hardly worth giving him a hard time over eh?
As an aside, am I the only one who hates when self righteous types dive on a thread and take every detail to the N'th degree to make out that a poster is a liar, or a fraud, or is just simply wrong, but they are right and you better know it !
Folk with no life in my opinion who would do better to stay away from the internet.
They guy made a mistake, and exaggerated cause he nearly shoot a brick crashing his bike.
Hardly worth giving him a hard time over eh?
OP
OP
plastic_cyclist
Senior Member
- Location
- Angus
Cheers guys, sound advice, I think its high time I booked the vehicle in for a full MOT and service before my next outing, they can also supply and fit new brakes, plus anything else they pick up.
Learn the harsh way. The fact is, having been slightly unsure in my mind, I should have done some pre-work on them and checked them thoroughly.
Learn the harsh way. The fact is, having been slightly unsure in my mind, I should have done some pre-work on them and checked them thoroughly.
OP
OP
plastic_cyclist
Senior Member
- Location
- Angus
No, the other side is hugging the rim, but its right up close touching it.
