Fifty Plus (50+) - Hope I'm not the only one that does this

I use a roof rack and yesterday, for the third time, I couldn't stop at the first intersection on my ride because I neglected to retension the front brake after putting the wheel on.

This is a stupid little thing that is going to lead to no good at some point.

I am the only one this senile?

My old LBS always forgot to retension the wheel brakes. I had to double check. My new LBS guy always remembers. I almost always remember.

Well, at least you had your rear brake.

I wonder if your brake's barrel adjustment is slack. Even with my calipers "relaxed" I can engage the rim with stopping force just longer travel.

Nevertheless, I'm glad you were lucky with the cross traffic.

Roof racks can be quite an adjustment. I have had friends forget about their load and scrape their bikes off (and damage their vehicle) on low overhangs.

I have done it after fixing a flat on the road. I have however never had a problem stopping because of it, I use both brakes. It has startled me though.:eek:

bykemike, Yeah, not a good realization when the brake lever travel has doubled! Not yet guilty of this, but have had to tell a rider or two that they haven't tightened the quick release.

Brad

Bykemike,

I drove truck for 30 years. The place I retired from was 26 of those years, so it was the same thing over and over. Before leaving I'd do things in the "same order" and then do a check in the "same order" to make sure everything was right. If something came up and I had to stop checking, I'd "start over checking" again in the "same order." (When I got lazy, minor things were forgotten sometimes.) Force yourself to do that and chances are you will always readjust those brakes, along with bringing water, not locking your keys in the car :) , etc. You can also make a check-list and follow it as written.

Mr Gnome

ABCQuick-----Everytime you get on the bike at the start of a ride.

Air
Brakes
Chain
Quick release skewers

I think of it as a pre-flight checklist. Old habits die hard.

I usually catch it when I have to stop and flip the wheel because my computer magnet is on the wrong side. :)

Look down at the front brake before you start riding, it's right in front of you. I'm sure Ive done it a time or two.
A long time ago, I forgot to tighten the axle nuts on my newly created "chopper". After the first wheelie I remember seeing the front wheel bouncing down the street before the lights went out.

Sunday I drove two hours from my house for a bike ride, and when I arrived I was really upset to discover I had forgotten my gloves. I hate doing long ride without gloves. Then, on the way to the top of the big climb I was doing, my helmet kept bothering me -- it was too tight, and I couldn't do anything to make it feel right.

When I got to the top, I took my helmet off to take a break, and found my gloves. In the helmet.

I use a roof rack and yesterday, for the third time, I couldn't stop at the first intersection on my ride because I neglected to retension the front brake after putting the wheel on.?
Re-tension??? You mean you don't just flip the lever?
http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/619/dsc00673r.jpg

ABCQuick-----Everytime you get on the bike at the start of a ride.

Air
Brakes
Chain
Quick release skewers

I think of it as a pre-flight checklist. Old habits die hard.

Yep...this is my thing too.

Road bikes and it is not a problem. Unless the brakes really needed a cable adjustment before- then you will still have some brake. Try it on "V" brakes where you have no brake at all and the first time you apply the brakes is at the end of the fast downhill.

ABCQuick...whoa..I can remember that!

and, Yes, I am forgetting to flip the lever

Thanks!

I am the only one this senile?
No, you're not. And I used to do it when I was a whippersnapper, too.

My habit is that whenever I get on the bike and start rolling I test both brakes, first the rear then the front. Always.

Retension? Why?

I've carried my bike that way twice and both times I just put the wheel back on and rode. Didn't have any brake problems. Didn't flip or flop any levers. Just rode.

Retension? Why?




OP means 're-set'... the quick release. ;)

If you're forgetting to adjust the brakes, I'd be more concerned about forgetting that you have the bike on the roof when pulling into garages.

OP means 're-set'... the quick release. ;)

Oh.

I do 5 touches twice

BIKE-
1-tires, 2-brakes, 3-shift cables, 4-Garmin and 5-Hyration pack with tools, 1st aid and tube

ME
1-Cell phone 2-Garage door opener 3-wallet 4-HR Monitor and 5-glasses(dark and clear-I need clear if I flat or need to repair)

Sunday I drove two hours from my house for a bike ride, and when I arrived I was really upset to discover I had forgotten my gloves. I hate doing long ride without gloves. Then, on the way to the top of the big climb I was doing, my helmet kept bothering me -- it was too tight, and I couldn't do anything to make it feel right.

When I got to the top, I took my helmet off to take a break, and found my gloves. In the helmet.
I think we might have a winner here, folks! :thumb:

Sunday I drove two hours from my house for a bike ride, and when I arrived I was really upset to discover I had forgotten my gloves. I hate doing long ride without gloves. Then, on the way to the top of the big climb I was doing, my helmet kept bothering me -- it was too tight, and I couldn't do anything to make it feel right.

When I got to the top, I took my helmet off to take a break, and found my gloves. In the helmet.


Thank you.

Best laugh I've had in a couple of weeks.

Priceless.

Yes, I've done that twice in the last few months already! Something even more disconcerting - I thought I hadn't properly tightened the front fork skewer when I cornered and the rim drug along the brakes and wobbled a bit. After the second time, I realized both times were after a trip to the store. I hate to think this, but I'm pretty sure now someone has loosened the quick release on my front wheel when I go into the nearest Wal-mart late at night. There are a lot of kids that hang out in the parking lot there. Gee, isn't that a million laughs! I do check the bike thoroughly every time I get on it now. I've found the front wheel loose 4 times total, every time in the Wal-Mart parking lot.

Sunday I drove two hours from my house for a bike ride, and when I arrived I was really upset to discover I had forgotten my gloves. I hate doing long ride without gloves. Then, on the way to the top of the big climb I was doing, my helmet kept bothering me -- it was too tight, and I couldn't do anything to make it feel right.

When I got to the top, I took my helmet off to take a break, and found my gloves. In the helmet.


^^^^^:lol::lol::lol:

Anytime I pop a wheel off and on again, I always give it a spin and squeeze the brake lever. You know instantly if you didn't adjust the brake's quick release. It an old habit from working in a bike shop pre "lawyer tab" days. It's a good way to make sure the wheel is centered properly.