Commuting - Almost had to ride the bus!

Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.



PDA

View Full Version : Almost had to ride the bus!

idontgetit
07-12-06, 09:19 PM
I went to put my bike in the garage tonight when I noticed the rear rim was rubbing on the brake. Actually, the rim was way out of wack. That's weird I thought. Then I noticed the broken spoke. No problem I think, I likely have a spare in the garage. Then I notice that the broke spoke is on drive train side and it will be impossible to replace the spoke without removing the freewheel. I don't have the tool to remove it! The starter is shot on the car, it's 6:00pm, the LBS closes at 8:00pm, my wife is out shopping and I'm looking after our three kids. I start to panic at the thought of riding the bus to work in the morning.

I grab the phone to call the LBS. They say they can replace the spoke but won't have time to true the wheel. I grab a hammer and throw the kids in the car. I smack the starter a few times with the hammer, and off we go. Leaving the car running, the kids and I run into the LBS. They removed the freewheel, threaded a new spoke, replaced the freewheel and trued the wheel in a matter of 15 minutes. They charged me all of 12 bucks.

Now that's service!

I've ony been bike commuting about 5 weeks now, but the thought of not being able to ride to work was scary!

wahoonc
07-13-06, 05:57 PM
Sounds like you need a couple more bikes;) :D

Aaron:)
CB HI
07-14-06, 05:29 PM
Either buy the tools to do the job or buy a couple of spare wheels. Better yet, have both on hand.

MediaCreations
07-14-06, 05:37 PM
You're addicted already. :)
xB_Nutt
07-14-06, 07:19 PM
...I grab a hammer and throw the kids in the car. I smack the starter a few times with the hammer, and off we go. Leaving the car running, the kids and I run into the LBS...
This part had me in stitches!! I don't mean to find amusment in your troubles, but I have been there, done that with the car starter not working thing. Guess it isn't a stick shift, huh? I used to park mine on hills so that I could bump start it by rolling down the hill and popping the clutch with the car in gear.
yes
07-15-06, 09:21 PM
I had the reverse problem. When my starter went south, I rode the bike to the autoparts store to pick up a new one. The tapping method never worked for me.
idontgetit
07-16-06, 12:03 AM
More bikes. More tools. These are ideas I can work with.

As for the starter, this is number 5 in two years. For some
reason my car kills starters.

At least the bike always starts.