My bike fell over!

[KnottedYet]

Oh, I'm such a doofus! I changed a tube with flying colors, washed my bike, lubed the chain, and then left her to dry the T-9 (lube) leaning against the wall on my concrete patio. She fell over ONTO the derailleur!

Gouged the Frog, deraileur, end of the bar, and my Brooks.

Ladies, don't be like me! Make sure your bike is firmly planted before you do any maintainence or walk away.

On the maintainence note: I don't think I actually broke anything when she fell.

[DebW]

Oo, sorry about that. If you're shifting has gotten wacky, take it to the LBS to have them check the derailleur alignment.

[withm]

Don't laugh. It's a simple rubber band - the kind they put on brocolli. Wrap it around your left handlebar a couple inches below the brake lever. Might need to do a double wrap. When propping the bike up against a tree, wall, whatever, stretch it around the brake lever to engage the front brake. Instant parking brake. The bike will not roll and fall down. Practically weightless, free, and easy to replace when it finally rots.

Martha

[Kalidurga]

Make sure your bike is firmly planted before you do any maintainence or walk away.
I love my dorky kickstand... ;)

Seriously, though, I know how you feel. The day I fell over, I was so concerned about my derailleur that I didn't even notice the blood running down my knee. Glad everything seems to be ok on your bike, beyond the cosmetic damage!

[KnottedYet]

Don't laugh. It's a simple rubber band - the kind they put on brocolli. Wrap it around your left handlebar a couple inches below the brake lever. Might need to do a double wrap. When propping the bike up against a tree, wall, whatever, stretch it around the brake lever to engage the front brake. Instant parking brake. The bike will not roll and fall down. Practically weightless, free, and easy to replace when it finally rots.

Martha

What a great idea! That'll help with parking it at work, too! Time to go buy some broccoli.....