My new Madone - you will NOT believe what happened to me!

[laura*]

Oh my!

I sent that along with the receipt for the bike and computer today.

Make sure you find out the replacement cost. In other words, the cost of a new Madone today. The price may have gone up.

[arielmoon]

OMG! I am so glad you are ok. Sorry about the beautiful Madone!

[papaver]

bummer.

[lunacycles]

Carbon fiber. It absorbed the impact by breaking spectacularly. Goooooood bike! Extra love in that bike's direction!

Are you seriously suggesting that the frame breaking into 4 pieces is a sales point for carbon fiber? And are you suggesting that if it hadn't she would have been hurt?

It is a huge bummer, but good to hear there is insurance to cover it.

[Tri Girl]

HOLY SMOKES
I'm so glad you're ok, but it pains me to see your bike so torn up. Better the bike than you. I'm just soooooo sorry.

[KnottedYet]

Are you seriously suggesting that the frame breaking into 4 pieces is a sales point for carbon fiber? And are you suggesting that if it hadn't she would have been hurt?

It is a huge bummer, but good to hear there is insurance to cover it.

Nope. I'm saying that the breakage absorbs energy. She loved that bike, and I was putting the positive spin on the fact that the bike absorbed a lot of energy that her body didn't have to. Losing the bike is heartbreaking, but thinking of it as a positive self-sacrifice on the part of the bike (I anthropomorphise bikes) lessens the heartbreak.

From the physics standpoint, yes, the breakage was a plus for her body which hit after the frame already collapsed. (absorbed energy)

FWIW, all my bikes are steel. But I honor any bike that gives its life no matter what it's made of. So, I honor her bike. I wasn't being sarcastic.

Edit to Add: steel would bend, aluminum would crack, carbon fiber would break. In an accident like this, I see a frame as something meant to be replaced just like a helmet. Each material fails in its own way, but each has absorbed energy the body didn't have to. I work every day analyzing the effects of forces on the human body. The less trauma the body experiences the better, in my book. Bend, crack, or break; if I'm not having to teach an athlete how to use a wheelchair at the end of the day, it's all the same to me.

[Mr. SR500]

Glad you are ok! I would simply turn in the full price you paid, assuming the shop can get the same bike etc... If it cost more let insurance pay. I'm not going to debate pain and suffering, etc... but the bike should be right!

[Susan126]

First I'm happy to hear that you are okay but sad to see your bike got busted up on it's maiden ride. But like the cop said her insurance should buy you a new one! I wouldn't accept anything less then the full replacement cost for a brand new Madone from the insurance company!

[firenze11]

Wowee zowee. Those pics are incredible and terrifying all in one. I'm so glad you're ok. I think you and the police officer are right, you should be getting a new new Madone thanks to her insurance.

Hopefully that bike took on all the bad juju for a long long time and you have nothing but awesome rides on your new one.

[sundial]

I cannot believe that happened to you!! That's got to be a cyclist's worst nightmare--get a new bike and have some ding bat pull out and destroy it or the rider.