The importance of maintenance

[biking_fox]

Drafting along at 20mph or so on a clear (cold but not icy) road this morning. The chap in front suddenly without any warning dives over the handlebars and faceplants in the road . I just about dodge the mess and go back to assist.

Whilst waiting for the paramedic we inspect the (nice) bike. It seems like the restraining bolt holding the brakes onto the frame had failed in some way, causing the brake mech to detach from the frame and stop and lock on the front wheel.

Whilst doing your regular chain cleaning etc it is very important to check all the nuts and bolts! Things have a way of working themselves loose at inconvenient times.

Take care out there.

 

[Tetedelacourse]

Drafting along at 20mph or so on a clear (cold but not icy) road this morning. The chap in front suddenly without any warning dives over the handlebars and faceplants in the road . I just about dodge the mess and go back to assist.

Whilst waiting for the paramedic we inspect the (nice) bike. It seems like the restraining bolt holding the brakes onto the frame had failed in some way, causing the brake mech to detach from the frame and stop and lock on the front wheel.

Whilst doing your regular chain cleaning etc it is very important to check all the nuts and bolts! Things have a way of working themselves loose at inconvenient times.

Take care out there.

 

[Rhythm Thief]

Ow. Good post Mr Fox.

 

[beanzontoast]

Couldn't agree more. At least if you check your bike regularly, you are removing one potential cause of mayhem!

We overtook a guy at the weekend whose back wheel was about as far out of true as I've ever seen. What it must have been like riding that bike at speed down a hill I shudder to think.

Accident. Happen. Waiting to.

 

[Tynan]

ouch

without knowing the cause you can't say routine maintainence would have caught that, the bolt/nut/whatever might have simply failed, perhaps following some sort of smash in the past