Came down hard... Next steps? :)

pmorgan1
pmorgan1 Posts: 173
edited October 2010 in Training, fitness and health
I guess this is an integral part of the whole experience.

Been on this road at least 50 times. Good stretch, however extremely bumpy, and at times like this, when the strong side wind comes in gusts in between tall buildings, previously felt very unsafe when the wheels were being pushed sideways by as much as a few inches.

Today was the time when I could not correct the sudden push, and came down, luckily in the absence of traffic at about 24. Miles. (Actually not sure about 'lucklily' as the traffic would have slowed me down :)

My Giro Ionos took most of the impact force, and I ended up with a few scratches and a light concussion watching my bike bouncing ahead from the impact.

Btw, anticipating the wind deflated my armadillos from 125 to 100 psi earlier today.

Ok, enough whinging. This was my first time coming down that hard on a carbon frame, so would appreciate any advice regarding the damage (last time I checked there was no team car behind me with a bunch of identical new bikes :)

Frame: no visible cracks, but I guess will need to see a specialist.
Both SRAM gear shifters look bad. Shame.
Wheels and crankset haven't checked yet.

The helmet: no visible cracks. To be binned?
Most of the outer wear - already binned :)

If the frame turns out to be OK (which I dont know yet) any other checks that I need to do at this stage?

Thanks in advance.

Comments

  • Tom Butcher
    Tom Butcher Posts: 3,830
    Unless the frame is visibly cracked I'd just carry on riding it - same goes for the rest of the kit and the helmet.
    it's a hard life if you don't weaken.
  • amaferanga
    amaferanga Posts: 6,789
    Why would reducing your tyre pressure change how the wind affected your bike? I'm intrigued and :?
    More problems but still living....
  • getonyourbike
    getonyourbike Posts: 2,648
    I don't know about the wind but if its like MTBing a bit less pressure can give a huge amount more grip.
  • thel33ter
    thel33ter Posts: 2,684
    amaferanga wrote:
    Why would reducing your tyre pressure change how the wind affected your bike? I'm intrigued and :?

    The tyres can deform more around bumps and stuff, as well as having more rubber touching the ground. Although the difference between 100psi and 125psi won't make much of a difference unless you are pretty heavy, as they are both pretty hard.
    And now you know, and knowing is half the battle
    05 Spesh Enduro Expert
    05 Trek 1000 Custom build
    Speedily Singular Thingy
  • freehub
    freehub Posts: 4,257
    No need to deflate tyres or do anything due to crosswind, just get used to it and learn to ride in it.
  • nottscobb
    nottscobb Posts: 147
    If you're saying that your helmet took most of the impact then it needs replacing. Cycle helmets are designed to absorb the impact but this will cause internal damage to the helmet and it will no longer be as strong as it was.
  • amaferanga
    amaferanga Posts: 6,789
    thel33ter wrote:
    amaferanga wrote:
    Why would reducing your tyre pressure change how the wind affected your bike? I'm intrigued and :?

    The tyres can deform more around bumps and stuff, as well as having more rubber touching the ground. Although the difference between 100psi and 125psi won't make much of a difference unless you are pretty heavy, as they are both pretty hard.

    Still don't see what that has to do with the wind.
    More problems but still living....

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