Folding bikes - a warning

Surf-Matt

I have never ever heard of a non folding bikes handlebars failing in this way even on the cr4ppest of low rent kit.

So although a "generalisation" I'd say it's a problem common to folding bikes and no others.

A bit like saying motorbikes are more dangerous than cars then getting lambasted by those who thrive on pedantry and smart ar5ing everyone.

lost_in_thought

What exactly actually happened? I don't know how these bikes fold, so as if you're explaining it to a 4-year-old please!

And BJUK's handlebars failed pretty spectacularly quite recently...

jedster

I'd say it's a problem common to folding bikes

Let me get this right, you are asserting that on the basis of 2 incidents, this is a common problem for folding bikes...

Look I know lots of people struggle with statistics but that's just ridiculous....

jedster

By the way, can I suggest that nobody gets on a train tonight.

There was that crash at Paddington a few years ago. And that one at Hatfield.

Trains - I wouldn't trust them, personally.

Surf-Matt

Some funny comments on the MTB section about you lot.

I think some of you could learn a lot from actually realising how you come across to people, with your mind bendingly cringeworthy pedantry, your hostile manner and your delusion that some of you are witty.

Utterly beyond any help but do carry on thinking you are all always "right."

lost_in_thought

Awwww does this mean you're not going to tell me what happened?

stuaff

Surf-Matt wrote:

Some funny comments on the MTB section about you lot.

I think some of you could learn a lot from actually realising how you come across to people, with your mind bendingly cringeworthy pedantry, your hostile manner and your delusion that some of you are witty.

Utterly beyond any help but do carry on thinking you are all always "right."

So you justify one sweeping generalisation with another, offensive one? Who exactly is beyond help here? I for one was not being pedantic.Or hostile. Or even attempting to be witty. I have two folding bikes. I've had no real problem with either of them. Your friends' experiences are deeply unfortunate and I wouldn't trivialise them. But they cannot be taken as evidence of a fundamental problem with any folding bike maker's product.

Surf-Matt

Lost - you (and some others) are different!

He was doing around 4mph (!) up a hill and stomped on the pedals to get up a big hill.The handlebars simply collapsed and he somehow "fell" forwards. His feet stayed where they were, his leg didn't, it snapped the tib and fib and did horrible tendon damage.

I haven't seen the bike and I have no idea about any lawsuits being made but needless to say that a very experienced bike mechanic (he's done my bike several times) and cyclist is now probably going to limp for life due to a massive failure. He's quite a big bloke and probably stronger than many but a bike shouldn't collapse like that.

No I don't know exactly the model, frame number and date of manufacture but maybe it's worth a few commuters checking their handlebars to make sure they don't collapse too. It was AFAIK mechanical failure - the bars snapped and folded (the tubing) however I forgot to get hold of them and subject them to a full material engineering test. Very slack of me.

My mate who had the same happen just hurt himself but not seriously.

I have never heard of this happening to any other type of bike.

Apologies for passing on potentiallh useful information without launching a nationwide survey.

Mountainboy2465

Surf-Matt wrote:

Some funny comments on the MTB section about you lot.

Started to write a challenge to that one but can't be fussed to be honest.

I reckon one or two commuters on this forum might ride an MTB from time to time, commuting is not bike specific after all.

I would still be interested in reading how the things actually failed, I don't have a folder - just a general interest in most things bike.

(Update)
So I guess the force on the handlebars would be in an upward direction so I can see how a handlebar stem might fold if not secured properly, or if there was a failure. You can also imagine why that would cause him to fall forward, bit of a shocker really - hope his recovery is better than it seems right now.

scottgeniusltd2005

Surf-Matt wrote:

I have never ever heard of a non folding bikes handlebars failing in this way even on the cr4ppest of low rent kit.

So although a "generalisation" I'd say it's a problem common to folding bikes and no others.

A bit like saying motorbikes are more dangerous than cars then getting lambasted by those who thrive on pedantry and smart ar5ing everyone.

your full of shit, a quick youtube search fetched up at least 10 videos. only recently a bloke on the cyclechat forum had a set fail whilst his mate was behind him with a head cam. folding bikes are just to likely have bad workmanship / maintenance / metal fatigue as a non folder

Surf-Matt

alfablue

http://www.brompton.co.uk/bwc/2009/

Mickey Eye

Meh, as a MTBer and commuter, this whole thing is dumb. But Matt, your original post is terrible other than at being a troll. HTH

waddlie

Mickey Eye wrote:

Meh, as a MTBer and commuter, this whole thing is dumb. But Matt, your original post is terrible other than at being a troll. HTH

+Eleventy-One.

The OP was misguided. This particular forum can be a bit... over-attentive to life's finer details. And some members do prioritise being right over everything else to a rather ridiculous extent.

Time to lighten up, folks...

suzyb

Surf-Matt wrote:

Some funny comments on the MTB section about you lot.

I think some of you could learn a lot from actually realising how you come across to people, with your mind bendingly cringeworthy pedantry, your hostile manner and your delusion that some of you are witty.

Utterly beyond any help but do carry on thinking you are all always "right."

I was considering posting in the MTB section asking for advice but now I'm wondering whether I should bother if it is full of people like you. Yet we're the ones who are hostile.

bails87

suzyb wrote:

I was considering posting in the MTB section asking for advice but now I'm wondering whether I should bother if it is full of people like you.

It's not

lost_in_thought

Surf-Matt wrote:

Lost - you (and some others) are different!

He was doing around 4mph (!) up a hill and stomped on the pedals to get up a big hill.The handlebars simply collapsed and he somehow "fell" forwards. His feet stayed where they were, his leg didn't, it snapped the tib and fib and did horrible tendon damage.

I haven't seen the bike and I have no idea about any lawsuits being made but needless to say that a very experienced bike mechanic (he's done my bike several times) and cyclist is now probably going to limp for life due to a massive failure. He's quite a big bloke and probably stronger than many but a bike shouldn't collapse like that.

No I don't know exactly the model, frame number and date of manufacture but maybe it's worth a few commuters checking their handlebars to make sure they don't collapse too. It was AFAIK mechanical failure - the bars snapped and folded (the tubing) however I forgot to get hold of them and subject them to a full material engineering test. Very slack of me.

My mate who had the same happen just hurt himself but not seriously.

I have never heard of this happening to any other type of bike.

Apologies for passing on potentiallh useful information without launching a nationwide survey.

Blimey, so the tubing itself folded? The bars themselves or the stem thing? I'd presumed it was at the hinge or something... strewth!

Sounds v painful, I hope he can get himself sorted out. There's an excellent foot/ankle doc called Simon Moyes in St John's Wood... Wellington Hospital.

supersonic

Hmmmm.

Surf-Matt

Care to expand a little SS?!

supersonic

Ssssh, I am thinking!

Yep, will go to the pub on my folder!

jonginge

@everyone Strewth. Must be monday...

Matt, that crash sounds nasty. Wouldn't wish that on anyone
I guess it's a salutary lesson that components can, and do, fail catastrophically for a number of reasons. I'm fairly lax at checking over my bikes pre-ride so maybe I'll start...

FWIW I have an MTB and surf board (and, yeah, I was pretty crap at surfing)

Phonk7

Second big cheese, folding bikes = uber FAIL, can anyone tell me the point in them?

Mickey Eye

Good for taking down the pub apparently. Dunno really. Mate of mine used to take his on the train but I don't think you can even do that easily these days.

Mountainboy2465

Phonk7 wrote:

Second big cheese, folding bikes = uber FAIL, can anyone tell me the point in them?

I'd have a wild guess at their point being that they fold...

PBo

Surf-Matt wrote:

Some funny comments on the MTB section about you lot.

I think some of you could learn a lot from actually realising how you come across to people, with your mind bendingly cringeworthy pedantry, your hostile manner and your delusion that some of you are witty.

Utterly beyond any help but do carry on thinking you are all always "right."

Jesus - so you're tarring an entire forum community with the same brush, because you got a bit of response to using Daily Mail-esqe statistical analysis to write off an entire genre of bikes? FFS :roll:

and as for bitchy conversations in other forums.....the roadies think you are a bit of a kn0bhead as it goes....

nasahapley wrote:

CHRISNOIR wrote:

softlad wrote:

what about that well-known 'surfer' - he was pretty odd...

And him. In fact ignore my earlier post - this place is full of 'em innit? The 'Here's a picture of me surfing' thread was one of the funniest things I've ever read on here. Top respect to the bloke who subsequently posted a picture of Everest to 'prove' his mountaineering prowess.

Would anyone be able to provide a link to that thread? I've had a look back over some of S-M's contributions (and have convinced myself that he's the greatest man in the world), but haven't found that one. I know this makes me a bit of a stalker and probably a bit weird, but it's worth it as they're comedy gold!

here's the picture in question.


I can't surf Matt, before you throw that one in - yawn - but if this is best evidence you can provide of your surfing, forgive us if we don't buy into your "folders are sh1te" hypothesis.

Now run along back to your MTB mates and blub about the nasty commuters AND roadies....

Surf-Matt

Thanks for your "attempt" at knocking me down there - that was simply ONE pic of a barrel at Byron which only the wierdos on the roadie section have ever doubted is me in a "tube"

I have countless others where you can see me quite clearly - like my avatar. One of the two in question once lived in St Agnes and clearly never got any good at it so likes to try and mock at every opportunity. A bit like every roadie it would seem.

But if for some reason you yawnsome oddballs need "proof" then see what a lather you can get up over these. Muppets. I cannot BELIEVE that those total oddballs are still at it and clearly you are one of them.

Now run along and report your findings back to those total freaks on the roadie section.





In every barrel three of these four - but in case proof is needed, there's me clearly visible in one shot:

waddlie

PBo

wow, they were right - comedy gold....

Surf-Matt

Said the "man" from Sheffield. Known for it's epic surf.

Now try and smart ar5e someone about something you might know something about - try arguing over lycra pants or something.

The Northern Monkey

cue assos clothing.... whats all that about? is it any good or not?!