[MrEWorm]

I can't believe it. I had the CrossCheck out on one of my favorite nature trails yesterday. The weather was overcast, windy and 42. I just wanted to freeze my lungs.
As I was passing a fine young pedestrian, a vicious twig lunged at my bike and lodged itself between the rear derailleur and the spokes. I came to an embarrasing halt. I did manage to get my shoes out of the pedals without crashing. I was still straddling the frame, grateful that I hadn't fallen, when the hiker said "Oh theres a stick" and yanked it out. I think she pulled it the wrong way.
When I turned the bike over, I saw the wheel was popped fully out of its lugs. One of the dropouts was bent and the rear derailleur was twisted and pushed into the spokes.
Not ridable (or pushable) I carried it home. Now I know why there are weight weenies. The Performance bike shop guys say that they can straigten out the frame. They said that the rear wheel is slightly out of true and that I'll probably need a new rear derailleur. I did have all 105 on this bike. They said there is a special on the Ultegra, so I'll probably upgrade.

Is it logical to go to Ultegra or should I go with more of a mountain bike setup?
Is there anything, besides an old fashioned chain guard, that would keep those sticks out in the future or is this why we wear helmets?

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[jfmckenna]

When you say lugs do you mead 'drop outs', where the hub is fastened to the frame with the quick release?

If it's drop outs your lbs can easily realign them.

105 or Ultegra I doubt you'll notice the difference but if they got the special going why not up it. So it destroyed your RD then?

Cross becomes a very expensive sport b/c there is really nothing you can do about situations like that. Last month I was negotiating a switch back on a mountain trail and I have no idea what happened but comming around just rite my front rim tacoed. I have a heavy bike too and it was a hell of a walk :(

[MrEWorm]

Yes, I meant dropouts.

[bentbaggerlen]

Not much you can do to keep sticks and things out of the wheels. We had the same thing happen to the off road tandem not to long ago, took out the derailleur and 12 spokes. Nothing like a nice 7 mile walk in the woods :)