All ye damsels ....

[sydney_b]

Know thy bike and carry tools lest thee be found in distress.



What a day. Started off with my cell phone dying, which I needed for two conference calls. New monday mission: have new cell operating with hands free by 11 am. Pedal to work to check in, pedal to the phone store, buy two new phones as this is the only opportunity to upgrade hubby's at the "special low price," pedal back to office. Phones activated, so hubby loses use of current cell.

Fast forward to end of day.

It's gorgeous! 69 degrees F. Take the long route home planned. Moving along at a happy speed, laptop and work clothes loaded on the surly rack, when all the sudden ..... a horrible noise, back wheel locks up, I come to a screeching stop.

The rack clamps had come loose and dropped the rack behind the back tire. This must have pushed the planet bike fender onto the tire where it got caught and got double-folded and shoved up under the seat-stay bridge. Wires bent everywhere. Dang.

Fortunately, I had my alien multi-tool. I removed the back wheel, the busted up fender, then examined the rack. Rack looked ok but it was missing pieces. Oh where could they be? They're so small and there are so many leaves all over the trail. What to do? Who will I call if I can't get the rack operational?

I phone home to tell the boys I'll be late and to have dad call me when he gets home. (Worst case, he can come fetch my bags with the car and I can ride home.) Of course, they the boys are at the park and no one listens to the messages. I call again later, and no one picks up. (Land-lines at our house are useless). I call the bike shop and let them know I need parts.

I begin to go through the leaves and amazingly find all the pieces. I call the bike shop again and let them know I found the parts, would they tell me how they fit together since I didn't watch the installation carefully. One of the mechanics says he's headed down that trail in about 15 minutes, so if I hold tight, he'll put it back.

While waiting I figure out how it goes and reassemble. Mechanic arrives, tightens the bolts and says they'll give me a new set of fenders. He also has an idea for preventing such an occurrence in the future, so I'll post it here when we get that figured out.

In short:

1. I'm glad I had my tools, grease rag, and my phone.
2. If you're using that Surly nice rack, check the set screw frequently as they can loosen and a heavy load can come loose.
3. No injuries sustained, laptop ok, but if this had happened when I was crossing an intersection.... yikes.
4. If you have a chance to either install your own stuff, or carefully observe someone else do it, take advantage. You never know when that will pay off.

Cheers and happy riding! (my phone has the camera thingy so you can see how the rack fell backwards and the folder folded up)

/sydney

[Grog]

One of the mechanics says he's headed down that trail in about 15 minutes, so if I hold tight, he'll put it back.

WOW! That's good service! lucky you!

Sorry about your incident, but frankly, it couldn't have turned out better!! I'm impressed.

[jobob]

Great story !

There's a product called LockTight (it may have a different spelling) which my husband often uses to keep screws from loosening. I don't know if it would be appropriate for your situation but maybe the mechanic could tell you.

[nuthatch]

I was going to guess loc-tite too! What a day! And you sound so organized and cool! I've got the tools on board but I'd probably still be freaking out about being late getting home! It's amazing that you found all those pieces on the trail.

[Nanci]

I was afraid you were going to say the rack went into the spokes and you had a huge crash...Isn't it the best feeling when you pull off an amazing repair all by yourself? I fixed part of the piping/gauge to the well last week- it was so cool to not have to call a plumber!

The Alien has saved me a number of times. I particularly like the little saw/knife. I used it two weeks ago to cut off a dangly bit of taillight attachment that I thought was tucked away, but sprang free into the spokes. The Saturday I used it to cut the headlamp off my helmet, that I had repositioned without test-riding, which was now in my field of view and driving me crazy. (Cable-tied on to prevent escape!)

Nanci

[sydney_b]

I was going to guess loc-tite too! What a day! And you sound so organized and cool! I've got the tools on board but I'd probably still be freaking out about being late getting home! It's amazing that you found all those pieces on the trail.

Thank you! The funniest part was actually feeling pleased that I finally got to use my tools. I haven't even got a flat this year. (knocking on desktop)

Finding the pieces was truly a surprise because they're tiny, smaller than a nickel. I think the leaves kept them from bouncing and the failure was immediate, so they weren't strewn further.

Loc-tite will be applied as well as some compression (?) rings to act as redundant security. The mechanic is also getting a new machine (I forget what it's called) but the rods that attach to the bike and are locked to the rack will be altered such that there is some friction area to prevent slipping. The rods are currently completely smooth.

/s

[Lise]

Great story, glad it had such a happy ending! I would've been baffled at first to look back and see my rack on the ground. Good job finding the parts. I can't find parts I've dropped on my basement floor! Yay once again for the LBS. Take care, L.

[MomOnBike]

Why am I not surprised that you had things so well together? Good job, BTW.

Which LBS? They need more of my business.

[SadieKate]

All these great minds thinking alike.

While we're on the subject of Loc-tite I'll post a public service announcement. Loc-tite your cleat screws for the same reasons.

[sydney_b]

Why am I not surprised that you had things so well together? Good job, BTW.

Which LBS? They need more of my business.

Monkey Wrench - 12th & P, Nate and Eric -- Two great guys

[nuthatch]

All these great minds thinking alike.

While we're on the subject of Loc-tite I'll post a public service announcement. Loc-tite your cleat screws for the same reasons.

Available at your local hardware store, "Loctite medium strength threadlocker - blue" for about $6.

[bikerchick68]

wow... wow... wow! Man, that could've been UGLY really glad to read the happy ending... and if I lived closer I'd take my business to that LBS as well... excellent service... good for them...

and yep, cleats have loc-tite and I check them too, about every three months just to verify all is well in the world... of course, I learned this the hard way... nothing like twisting your ankle to unclip and the cleats, which as loose, DON'T turn... leaving you locked in... yeah, OOPS!