United Kingdom - Inspecting Aluminum frame / Carbon forks for damage

Hello

First post I'm afraid.

Got knocked off my bike on Tuesday (Trek 1400). The front wheel is a write off however I'm wondering if the integrity of the frame and forks may have been compromised. Impact was from the side and I think the car drove over the front wheel. I haven't looked for signs of damage yet, but what are the tell tale signs I should be looking for?

Or should I just claim of the blokes insurance for a new one stating you can't conclusively tell whether its safe or not. It made a hell of a bang apparently (the incident)... The driver wasn't looking where he was going and hit me at around 18 to 20 mph.

Also, should I be looking for other signs of damage. The bike has a carbon stem and the handlebars have twisted round a fair bit..... Are there any issues with carbon becoming stressed if friction is applied (i.e. twisting the bars round)

Thanks in advance....

Welcome

I hope you're ok.

1. Get a lawyer
2. Get a lawyer
3. Get a lawyer

One of the better sources for information on post crash inspections and compensations is the CTC.

CTC Forum - http://forum.ctc.org.uk/

CTC Legal help - http://www.rjw.co.uk/ctc - 0844 736 8452

^^ +2

A good bike mechanic can easily tell if the frame is by bent taking certain measurements, and it's also the only way you can claim insurance damages on it. Cars go get appraised at a collision centre, bikes get appraised at a good bike shop.

If Carbon has taken an impact- do not use it. You may not see any damage externally but the lamination inside "MAY" have come apart. only way to check this is to get it X Rayed and it is cheaper to get new parts.

My LBS is a recognised accident repair estimator with most insurance companies. If they say a bike is a write off- a new bike is on the way. But it may not be severely damaged to write a bike off. New frame and forks and a new front wheel may not cost that much but labour to repair can often write a bike off.

And do not be fobbed off by the cars insurance company. They will delay- they will cut down repair costs and they do not like paying out.

This happened back in March and I'm still no nearer to getting a resolution. Initially I stopped using the bike and went back to my old steel beast. However that proved to be a bigger death trap than the Trek. So, reluctantly I started using it again. I had it inspected by a bike shop (the one I bought it from) and they effectively wrote it off, not even including the forks. However the thing that really riles me now is that the driver is denying all/any accountability saying I pulled out. I have a witness that says she saw the driver looking at her, not the road, yet that is somehow not being taken into account.

I have little/no faith in English law. My only advice for anyone else is to get a decent lawyer, or better still have your own insurance. If if you are in the right, it seems to matter little these days.

anyone know what this is? I have a brand new 2011 allez, no crashes, very few miles, but theres this notch in the rear drop out. As you can see, its painted over, meaning that it came from the specialized factory like that. Should I worry about this?194139