Wish I still had a bike

[threefingerjoe]

Well, my trusty commuter was hit by a car, on Monday. I'm ok...just common "roadrash", but I'm going to pass on the opportunity to plug helmets, even though mine saved my knoggin from being cracked on the bricks. (I don't want to turn this into a helmet war).

I will say, that I'm grateful to the motorist who chased down the hit-and-run driver and convinced him to return. He also called the police and ambulance for me.

My main concern at this point, is that I'm without a bike, and wasting time and money, driving a car to work, and driving around shopping for a bike. I'm having a devil of a time trying to find what I consider to be a suitable replacement. I don't know how it is in your part of the world, but, over here, the bicycle companies put together some strange packages. High end bikes that won't accept racks or mudguards, or have disk brakes or carbon forks (which I don't want) ...or lower priced bikes with crappy componentry or unsuitable gear ratios or have suspension forks and seatpost (which I don't want, either).

I wish the unemployed, uninsured, unlicensed motorist who SMIDSY'd me (In spite of bright lights, reflective construction vest and reflective tape all over my bike) and admitted that his windscreen was fogged, had to suffer the aggravation that I'm going through.

 

[dudi]

Hope you're OK after your incident, sounds like a right pain in the arse arranging your bike - good luck and I hope you do get it sorted.

It seems like you're quite specific in what you want in a bike - therefore you might be best to build the bike yourself... get a frame you like and build it up with and bits that are OK from your old bike and new bits to fit your requirements. that's the only way to get a bike that's not "en vogue" I reckon...

Do you guys over the lake not charge drivers for leaving the scene of an accident? Likely he should be prosectured for driving without due care or some other charge.

 

[longers]

Bad luck Joe about the bike and good luck that you're not more seriously hurt.

so have a and a

Hope you get something sorted out soon, I've got a spare bike here you can borrow but I think it's a little bit too far away to be useful to you.

 

[Crackle]

Well I'm glad you're OK and well done to that driver for chasing the other guy down. Will he be prosecuted?

What was your bike, maybe we can all help find an equivalent manufactured in America or as Dudi says, time to build the one you want?

 

[HLaB]

Unlucky Joe. Most high end bikes over here do not take mud guards either my last bike however was a winter training bike (kinesis) it has good components and takes guards and a rack, its got carbon forks but with the other models I beleive its an extra. Do you have Kinesis over there ? Other bikes to consider are tourers (a bit heavier). Or like other have said by the frame and build the parts you want round it.

 

[BentMikey]

Shame Joe, sorry to hear about that. Glad you're OK, and glad that you have the chance to take out some sort of compensation from the driver.

 

[magnatom]

Sorry to hear about that Joe! I hope the road rash heals soon and you get a nice new bike that suits your needs.

 

[levad]

Sorry to hear that Joe. If it is any help, I run a Surly Crosscheck, http://www.surlybikes.com Nice steel frame, takes mudguards and rack when I need them, it can run up to 43mm tyres (I think) but I have run it with 28's and 25's. Made in the US too!

Big Shark Bicycle Co and Outside Outfitters are both dealers in St Louis.

 

[Bollo]

GWS Joe. Don't let the police walk away from this one.

 

[John the Monkey]

I was just about to suggest a Surly too - I built up a Long Haul Trucker recently, and I love it. You can buy them as a built bike, but I thought that involved too many compromises. The Surly LHT-CC group on Google Groups/Usenet has some stuff that might be useful to you.

https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=bsp&ver=1qygpcgurkovy

My Trucker (set up for commuting);

 

[hackbike 666]

I will say, that I'm grateful to the motorist who chased down the hit-and-run driver and convinced him to return. He also called the police and ambulance for me.


^^^^^
Fantastic.Good old moton.
I (hopefully) always have at least on spare bike.
Hope you are out ASAP.

 

[ttcycle]

Jo - sorry to hear the bike's been written off- hope you heal well and get a bike that's suited to what you need - I'd also recommend building up a bike and choosing your components if you have that option.

 

[BentMikey]

That's a lovely bike, John the Monkey!

 

[threefingerjoe]

Thanks to All, for all the support, and suggestions!

John the Monkey...GREAT-looking LHT! One of my friends has one, and loves it, and it was one of my considerations.

Well, some good news on 2 counts.
1. I ordered a bike last night: http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/street/coda/09_codacomp_spec.html

End of "the Season" price was $200 off of the listed price. I was willing to accept the carbon fork. Also, I ordered the bike without the suspension seatpost (don't like them) without a saddle (have a nicely broken-in Brooks) and without tyres (Have a new set of tyres, already).

2. My bike mechanic called today, and told me that he can save my bike that got wrecked. He really didn't know, earlier, without taking some measurements. The seat stay is bent, and he said it won't be perfect, but he thinks he can get it to the point that I probably won't even notice it while riding. Don't know how he plans to do it, (may have to move V-brake spacers to accomodate differences from side to side), but, it sounds to me like my old bike will be great for a Wintertime beater.

Yeah, I spent more money than I had planned on spending before this miserable week began, but, I'm glad to have the aggravation behind me! I spent HOURS this week, driving to bike shops after work, fighting rush-hour traffic, browsing the Internet for a bike, etc. Some people may enjoy shopping, but it's not my cup o' tea.

As for the motorist who hit me? I don't know. I guess I could pursue him in Small Claims Court, but, I'm not sure I want to go through the added stress, months of aggravation, and end up with very little restitution, in the end. We have the same problems with motorists here, that you have. A guy got killed in this city the other day, and the motorist got a traffic ticket. One fellow wrote on a local bike forum the other day, that he read the daily police docket, and found that 10 people went to jail that day for stealing less than $100. So there you have it. Steal a tankful of fuel or a pack of cigs, and you go to jail....kill someone with a car and you get a traffic ticket.

Again, thanks to all of you great people for the support!

Keep the rubber side down!
Joe

 

[thomas]

As for the motorist who hit me? I don't know. I guess I could pursue him in Small Claims Court, but, I'm not sure I want to go through the added stress, months of aggravation, and end up with very little restitution, in the end.

I think it would be worth doing if you think you'll actually get some money at the end...you said they were uninsured so would they actually have any money to pay out even if you won?