Disaster, help please.

over-the-hill

I came off my brand new bike yesterday at over 30mph. The bike just locked up on a descent. I'm pretty sure it was caused by the pump somehow getting caught in the front wheel. The pump is a small one that is attached to the side of the bottle cage. Can anyone shed any light on what could have happened? The velcro strap that wraps round the pump is broken and there is a band of tyre wear around the middle of the barrel. The pump ended up 50 yards down the road along with the bottle and the Cat eye computer.

5 hours in A&E, covered in road burn and bandages, lacerated elbow. Shredded jersey and shorts and a broken helmet which may of saved my life.

I've yet the give the bike a good check over but on first glance the left lever/brake is knackered and the saddle ripped. I think I took most of the impact.

I'm now wondering about carrying on with this game and I've only just come back into it.

SteveR_100Milers

Hope you recover quickly, don't give up on cycling yet. You need to establish what caused the accident and make sure its prevented.

pedylan

Sounds both freakish and terrifying - 30mph crashes are a chilling prospect.

If the velcro gave way and the pump then worked loose from the down tube then it could well have made contact with the front wheel in the space between wheel and tube. That would have cause a jam as the pump was forced into the space and the wheel would have been braked by the pump - hence skid mark on pump. Then it would just be a matter of how quickly the front wheel was stopped - if it was instantly you'd have gone over the bars at speed, if slightly slower then a crash.

Either way, don't let a freak occurrence destroy your confidence, some of us come off because we make mistakes, doesn't sound like you did.

simbil1

Sounds like the top of the pump somehow came into contact with the front tyre and then the whole thing got sucked up and wedged on the back of the forks? Very strange - is it possible that the pump opened up - maybe after you took a drink?

I came off last year over the front and broke my collar bone. It has taken me a long time to rebuild my confidence - just ride well within your limits for a while so you can relax on the bike, then slowly build up the speed, later braking etc. I'm still more nervous than I was when group riding, but I reckon I'm nearly back to where I was. It will all come back if you want it to.

giant_man

Why would one crash put you off? The velcro strap obviously snapped whilst riding. One of those things, but if it were me, I would be looking at positioning your pump in a different location.

over-the-hill

I have now realised that the pump must have got jammed between the back tyre and the down tube, horizontally 90 degrees to the tyre. The pump is a Blackburn carbon and I feel is too big to go under the bottle cage because there is very little clearance between the crank and the pump. I may have even caught it with my foot. I should have bought a Topeak lipstick pump.

cougie

Poor you ! Certainly a freak accident - but put the pump somewhere else and you'll be fine.

feel

giant mancp wrote:

Why would one crash put you off? The velcro strap obviously snapped whilst riding. One of those things, but if it were me, I would be looking at positioning your pump in a different location.

"5 hours in A&E, covered in road burn and bandages, lacerated elbow. Shredded jersey and shorts and a broken helmet which may of saved my life."

:roll:


pull yourself together man the guillotine only gives you one cut

Monty Dog

Try a frame fit pump under the top tube - as far from the wheels as possible. It's one of those freak accidents due to an unforseen combination of events. Luckily your wounds and your confidence will heal with time - as harsh as it may seem, it could have been worse and try not to let the ocassional mishap put you off.

Not Another Hill

Just been out on the club run today with a young lad that had a terrible crash on the Kirklees Sportive a month ago. He went through a barrier on a bend at high speed whilst desending in the wet (in A & E). Came out today in torrentail rain. Nervous about descending in the wet (as you would) but credit due he did the ride just took it a bit slower down the hills.

Once you've recovered get out on an easy ride to get your confidence back.

giant_man

feel wrote:

giant mancp wrote:

Why would one crash put you off? The velcro strap obviously snapped whilst riding. One of those things, but if it were me, I would be looking at positioning your pump in a different location.

"5 hours in A&E, covered in road burn and bandages, lacerated elbow. Shredded jersey and shorts and a broken helmet which may of saved my life."

:roll:


pull yourself together man the guillotine only gives you one cut

Yes fair enough but the best thing is to get back on that bike, it's the only thing he can do to get his confidence back. Painful lesson yes but that's life.

SteveR_100Milers

I use an old toestrap to hold my pump under the bottom of the saddle bag.

meagain

Full size pumps are much easier in use and these

http://www.cycle-world.co.uk/products.p ... 46s46p1634

are really useful little things for carrying one on most frames - and swop between varied bikes!

I must get another set while still available!

over-the-hill

giant mancp wrote:

Why would one crash put you off? The velcro strap obviously snapped whilst riding. One of those things, but if it were me, I would be looking at positioning your pump in a different location.

It's the second, I got knocked off by a motorist on my MTB 2 years ago, went head first into the side of her car without a helmet.

zaynan

...or you could put it in your jersey pocket (if you have one).

biondino

I wonder what Meanwhile thinks about your accidents in terms of helmets?

SteveR_100Milers

zaynan wrote:

...or you could put it in your jersey pocket (if you have one).

Not a good idea if you come off and land on it awkwardly, I have heard of people damaging kidneys and spines from this.

musto_skiff

Sounds nasty; bad luck.

I had a fall on my second ride back after 20 years (not on your scale) ... not very nice but get back on and enjoy your riding as soon as you feel up to it ...

mike ives

I've got one of those small pumps and also had it positioned next to the water bottle cage on its plastic attachement. I noticed la rattle last week while out riding; it turned out to be the plastic loop which the velcro strap loops through had snapped. In view of your accident I think will either get a long frame pump or keep it in my jersey pocket. Both suggested here by others. Hope you are well soon.