Question for Bianchi Eros Donna riders

[jillm]

Hi all,

http://www.hooeybatiks.com/images/best%20show/bianchi.jpg

I have a question for Eros Donna owners. Could you take a look at your bike from the back and tell me if (sorry I don't know my bike frame terms) the derailleur side of the "back fork" (the rear triangle part) should curve in a little or should it be straight?

I just got hit a little by a van. (shook up, gonna be sore and bruised, love my helmet...did I mention shook up? Plan to switch from hi-vis orange to hideous hi-vis yellow/green...which will clash horribly with the bleached celeste bianchi...btw -- 4 way stop, my turn, he didn't see me) Anyway, the rear derailleur is a bit messed up, boyfriend says the back wheel will probably need true-ing (sp), and then the back frame where van hit bike is bent. Or is it supposed to be that way? It seems to ride fine.

Now this might be a stupid question, I'm asking it anyway. Does the Eros Donna come with a slight curve like that, or is my bike damaged? It's going to the LBS later on today and they'll probably know the answer. But I'd appreciate your input.

Thanks!
Jillm

[mimitabby]

gee, i'm sorry you were hit! Your frame looks okay. the right side has to bend like that to fit in all those gears.
Since you're taking it to a bike shop to fix the derailleur, have them look at the frame too.

I'm glad you werent hurt worse!

[jillm]

ahhhh...good!

Thanks mimitabby! That's what I was hoping but I really didn't know for sure.

I'm lucky it was just a little hit at a 4-way stop. The what ifs are freaking me out right now.

We'll get the whole bike checked out at lbs the afternoon.

Thanks,
Jill

[Bad JuJu]

Whoa--glad to hear you weren't hurt any worse! Do take some time to take care of yourself though.

I ride a Bianchi Veloce, so different model, but a very small frame with similar geometry (though not exactly the same). I just went and looked at the frame from behind, and while my seat stays do seem to curve slightly, the curve is bilaterally symmetrical and not as pronounced as the curve in your righthand seat stay seems to be. Anyway, as Mimi suggested, couldn't hurt to have your LBS take a look at the frame.

And you do intend to get a new helmet, right?

[jillm]

New helmet? Heck Yes! I think getting hit by a van merits all sorts of consolation prizes. New helmet, new jersey, nice bottle of wine... good long soak in the tub...

We'll see how much real damage has been done before I go on a shopping spree, but yes, for sure, on the new helmet.

[Eden]

Have a shop check the bike over carefully - I bent a steel frame once.... it was coming down off of a curb at a fairly high speed (no it was not on purpose!). Everything seemed OK at first - no readily apparant damage, but a couple miles down the road the rear wheel tacoed, and about a week later, after chewing through my jockey wheels on the real derailleur, I took it into a shop only to discover that the frame was a bit bent! Since it was steel they could bend it back and everything was OK in the end.

[jillm]

Well, I've left the bike at LBS. Scott the Bike Guy will let me know Tuesday HOW BENT the frame is--booo... He's got some sort of alignment tool...

Thanks for the input.

jill

[Velobambina]

I checked my Eros Donna. From what I can tell, your frame looks a bit damaged back there. The frame is steel, so they should be able to repair it for you.

Glad to hear that you're OK.