possible bike frame damage in accident?

[susan.wells]

OK T.E. Experts ... I have a question. On my return home yesterday from a pleasant 102 mile ride (Pumpkinvine Bike Ride) (http://www.pumpkinvine.org/html/2005_bike_ride1.html#topofpage), I had the very unpleasant experience of getting rear-ended at the last traffic signal on the route home. I wasn't injured. The car suffered some damage but the bad part is my bike! It was secured to my hitch rack. The rear wheel appears to have suffered the most damage. It is visibly warped with a broken hub and spokes. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I should do to insure that the frame integrity has not been comprised? I really don't have a clue but feel I should do something.

Thanks,
Susan

[DeniseGoldberg]

First and foremost - I'm glad that you're OK.

Is there a bike shop in your area that has good mechanics who have experience with frames? I would think that they would be able to check out the frame for you. Better yet would be a local framebuilder who builds in the material of your frame, but I don't know if there is one in your area.

Wish I could offer something more concrete, but I'd imagine that someone here will have a more complete answer!

--- Denise

[Trek420]

First off also I'm glad that you're ok! You're not alone. I ran my baby into the carport (roofrack, doh!) last year, and the rear end crash thing happens to the best of us.

Carefully visualy inspect the bike, look for cracks and variation in the paint like bubbles, crinkles, feel the frame for any bulgeing, ripples. That's what clued me in that my baby was hurt.

Your LBS will do this too and take *everything* off the bike to inspect inside the frame as much as possible. Once the bike is stripped your shop should simply turn the fork all the way round. Any resistance means your fork is damaged, it should turn smoothely.

What's your frame material? One of the things I like about steel is that when i crunched my baby they simply sent it to the village blacksmith (JK, sent to a builder authorized my Mondonico) and *poof* new downtube.

Anything other than steel or maybe Ti might not be fixable.

But don't ignore it because damage to the frame is a safety issue. My shop said that if the damage was slight he'd reccomend check it before any ride and if it changes THEN it's time to replace the frame. Because i have a lightweight frame we had to fix it before it failed and caused a crash.

By the way, that ride looks fabulous!

[Bike Goddess]

Susan- Be sure that you get good photos of your bike before anyone takes it apart as the insurance adjuster needs to see what it looked like at the time of impact. I also was hit on the way home with my bike from the AIDS ride. My front wheel is toast, but the rest of the bike checked out fine.

Keep everything as evidence. Insurance companies don't want to pay claims and they will not honor your word, believe me!

LBS best place to look at bike. They can be more objective than you can!!!!

Be sure you are all right- sometimes injuries don't show up right away especially if you were rear ended. Horrible feeling, isn't it! I was so angry and frustrated when the accident happened and I'll be you were too! How ironic, we cycle down the road just fine and then on the way home, bingo.....

Just goes to say you never know when the unexpected will occur.

Let us know what comes of all of this. We're all here for you! :D

Bike Goddess

[julbee]

Hi!

I am glad you seem to be okay! Wow!
I was very interestd in the question you had posed. After reading it, I was at my local bike shop and had posed the question. They gave the same answers you have been given.

Yes, do take pictures of the bike for the insurer!
Then, have it "gone over" by a "pro."

Please keep us updated on your condition and the bike's as well!

Thanks! ;)

[susan.wells]

Thanks ladies! I have taken photos as suggested and will be sending the bike back to the manufacturer for evaluation and estimate of damage. My insurance company says the guy is responsible for all damages to the bike since the accident was his fault. I did find 2 bruises today. I guess my inner knees hit the steering column upon impact. I'll keep you posted.

Thanks again,
Susan

[susan.wells]

Well... the saga is almost over. The guy's insurance has agreed to pay for both the vehicle and bike damage. I had ridden my Bike Friday that day and it was only my second ride on the bike (I had bought a pre-owned Air Glide from Bike Friday....Power Purple no less). I travel with work frequently and had purchased the bike so I could ride wherever I happened to be. I did have to press the insurance company concerning the bicycle repair. I had to fax the repair estimate then confirm. They would NOT accept an email of the estimate directly from Bike Friday nor me. Then I had to fax photos....again they would NOT accept an email of photos. They couldn't even read the header from the fax of the estimate so I'm sure the photos had little to offer either. I had to confirm the information via telephone. Oh well, soon the Bike Friday will be back and she can travel with me wherever that may be! Thanks for the support and feedback.

Susan

[RoadRaven]

Great that this has a happy ending, Susan... even though you seemed to have to do alot of work to get the happy ending

Happy trails, you'll be glad to have it sorted and be back on two wheels no matter where you are...