My first off - thanks tram tracks

[BSA]

I have been commuting since October 08 with no problems. Today I had my first fall thanks to some tram tracks! (and bad riding)

Just pulling back into primary after filtering down the middle of a dual carriage way, no problem. At this point the tram tacks cross the road but not at 90 degrees like normal they curve across. Got my angle wrong wheel in tram track and bang! A quick roll and a thanks to the HGV driver who stopped before diving off road to inspect the damage.

I appear ok left shoulder aches a little, works laptop appears undamaged, not so sure about the bike. Had to straighten the drops and put the chain back on. I managed to cycle slowly to work but the wheel appears buckled!

Question - can i ride home with a buckled wheel if I go slow (its all up hill anyway) or could I damage the bike further...

Im off to lick my wounds...

 

[janm399]

Sorry to hear about your off! Tracks are dangerous even in the best summer weather; you'd be best to cross them at the right angle, slowly and with no power to the pedals.
Check how much buckled the wheel is. I think the biggest danger is the wheel rubbing against the frame, that can do *a lot* of damage.
In any case, get well soon.

 

[Rhythm Thief]

I did much the same years ago on the tram tracks near Wolverhampton. I was trying to cut across the tracks (doing about 20mph), but I couldn't take a sharp enough angle because of the kerb. The daft thing was, I remember thinking before trying to cross the tracks: "Hmmm. This is all going to go wrong, and I'm going to hurt myself. Oh well ... here goes!" I went straight over the bars and bent the pedestrian railings with my helmet (which I picked up off the road in two pieces) and my shoulder, which is still scarred.
Comiserations, BSA ... I know what it's like! Apart from anything else, it's embarrassing. At least you're ok.

 

[hackbike 666]

Can you check or tighten the spokes?
Only really good if you know what how to do it and I am no expert myself but i do dabble.

 

[magnatom]

Ouch! I've heard that trams tracks can be a real menace. Luckily there are none on my commute.

Not sure about the wheel. I suppose it depends on how bad the buckle is and how far you have to cycle. Get it to an LBS as soon as possible.

 

[BSA]

Annoying thing is I dont normally use that route. I opted for it because of the ice on the housing estate I normally cut through. I tried to take the safer option, but i forgot about the tram tracks!

I will have a look at the wheel at work lucklily a friend has his spoke key.

 

[nilling]

We have train tracks around the docks at Preston. One morning too busy daydreaming I forgot about them until it was too late. I crossed them at too shallow an angle. It was one of those hope-and-pray moments. Front wheel cleared ok but the back dropped into the track and snatched the bike from under me. I went off into a shoulder roll, into the road. Fortunately it was the weekend and there was no traffic.

Tracks are also like ice when wet - treat tracks with respect

 

[Paulus]

Annoying thing is I dont normally use that route. I opted for it because of the ice on the housing estate I normally cut through. I tried to take the safer option, but i forgot about the tram tracks!

I will have a look at the wheel at work lucklily a friend has his spoke key.

If the wheel has been buckled in the tracks it may not be salvagable. If it is only slightly out it may be worth a try, otherwise a trip to your LBS may be in order.

 

[HLaB]

My sympathies BSA. I never came off with the Tram lines in Dublin when I lived there but there weren't many and I didn't cross them often and when I did the road neccessitated I cross them at 90 deg. There coming to Edinburgh and if Phase 1b is ever built they'll be right outside my door.

 

[MePower]

Did that this summer in Grenoble, just done Croix de Fer, all hyped up with adrenaline, blasting back to the apartment which was just outside the tram station, back wheel in the rail and i high-sided. Bent bars, cracked rim, and broken saddle nose. Me, chipped kneecap and a big flap of flesh off my jaw. Good job it was the last day of riding! You`re gunna be aching in the morning BSA

 

[Rhythm Thief]

Did that this summer in Grenoble, just done Croix de Fer, all hyped up with adrenaline, blasting back to the apartment which was just outside the tram station, back wheel in the rail and i high-sided. Bent bars, cracked rim, and broken saddle nose. Me, chipped kneecap and a big flap of flesh off my jaw. Good job it was the last day of riding! You`re gunna be aching in the morning BSA

I was lucky ... the bike (even the rather fragile B&M dynamo front light) was completely undamaged. I actually picked it up off the road and rode it (rather shakily and - gasp - on the pavement for a bit) to the bike shop in Wolverhampton to buy myself a new helmet. All the while leaking blood from my shoulder in quite a big way ... I suspect I was in mild shock.

 

[chewa]

My wife went down outside Central Station in Amsterdam after hitting tram tracks. Luckily her panniers protected her hip but her handlebar hit her left boob!

She was lifting up her t shirt to examine the damage - v painful - and I was trying to pull it back down as she hadn't noticed a large bus queue looking on with interest.

Was waiting for applause as we rode away!

 

[tdr1nka]

Zoiks!
I did the same in Croydon in the wet, not paying enough attention and crossing the tracks at too shallow an angle.
Felt the front slip, tried to correct the steering, the wheel jammed in the track and I flew, much to the amusement of passers by. Grrr.

Take good care if you decide to ride with the rear wheel buckled and hope the damage isn't too bad.

 

[BSA]

My front wheel was buckled but I managed to adjust it with a spoke key at work and actualy got it quite true. Straightened the brake lever and a quick once over everything seems ok.

I managed to cycle home without a problem. My left shoulder is a little stiff this morning but apart from that I appear fine.

I decided against telling my wife, is that wrong?

 

[bonj2]

nasty. always cross them as perpendicular to them as possible.
norton ave. near gleadless>?