tjkwood

Some of you may remember my thread on my 1935 Raleigh Sports:



Now, fast forward to this past May and this happened:



You can guess the story: got my finger too close to the chain and it was mangled by the rear mech. Not a happy event, and the finger is still pretty useless. Anyway, I've not been able to look on the Sports the same ever since. Yes, I know it was my fault, but rationality isn't always possible. I find myself no longer enjoying the ride, and any maintenance is tinged with a bit of recurrent shock, if that makes any sense.

So, have you ever fallen out of love with a bike, how come, and what did you do about it? Seriously considering moving this on, as hard as that may seem!

holden west

Once a bike acquires a taste for blood it can no longer be trusted. Isolate it in a strong enclosure, far from children and small pets. Better yet, ship it to me, post paid.

Catnap 

A mechanic at our co-op almost had her thumb severed while teaching a class on bike maintenance. ironically, she was demonstrating the dangers of incorrect chain-lubing technique on a fixed gear, got distracted by a question, and her hand was sucked into the fixed cog. Afterwards she stopped teaching and has been a bit ***-shy about working on bikes.

personally, I've had a lot of small injuries while working on bikes. they've all served to help me better understand what not to do and to think through what could potentially happen if the tool i'm using slips under force. and i'm extra cautious when working with someone else, to make sure they don't slip and hurt me.

Sixty Fiver

Perhaps she was just trying to tell you that she liked things a little rougher... go for a nice ride and talk about it and mebbe you can re-kindle that romance.

SJX426 

I think we all respond differently. I have learned over the years of disappointments that I own them. After a serious accident at the age of 59, I got right back on the bike ASAP, which turned out to be a year. I have permanent impaired vision in one eye so like you, I will not recover completely. After 5 years the nerves are still growing back in my arm so feeling is coming back too. In my case it wasn't my doing, but the impact is nearly the same.

I do have scares from "my doing" and have accepted them as the experience of life. If I were injured to the point where I couldn't walk or ride a bike, that would be very tramatic. I am thankful for what I have and had and know that there are others who are far worse than me. I want to complain but just can't get past the blessings I have and had.

My suggestion is to put the bike aside and ride something different, if you have one. You may not need the exposure to the association between the bike and the painful memory until you are healed in every way.

EDIT: I like @Sixty Fiver response too!

Sixty Fiver

Remember when you said, "It's quite possibly the best riding bike I've had. The freewheel is quiet and smooth and the Lauterwassers give such a comfortable stance... couldn't be happier right now"

Velocivixen

I am so sorry to hear about what happened, and can relate to your feelings. You loved that bike at one time, but at this moment (and maybe for awhile) you've felt differently. Feelings can change and can be fleeting. Getting rid of that bike will be permanent. Time will give you a different perspective. I wouldn't make a permanent decision based on feelings you have now. Let things moderate, then make a more balanced decision. You'd hate to sell it then kick yourself later on - you'd just have another injury

tjkwood

Thanks for the kind words, I do guess it's not been long enough for trust to come back. My winter ride will be with me in a week, so the Sports will be retired for the time being anyway. Hopefully I'll forgive come the Spring

lostarchitect 

I have been hurt several times working on bikes or motorcycles, not seriously, thankfully. Almost all of the injuries could have been prevented by wearing gloves or being a little more patient with what I was doing.

rootboy 

Now…if it HAD had a rear mech on it? …..

does look painful. maybe you'll rekindle your relationship next Spring.

Delmarva

Haven't really ever fallen out of love with a bike. One time long ago I learned about weight transfer and front brake efficiency when stopping at the bottom of a step drive. Went over the handlebars with no helmet. I was sore, stiff and scraped up, but got back in the saddle within a week. Because it was operator error I liked the bike as much afterward as before the flip.

My recommendation would be to visit a physical therapist for that finger if you haven't and consider getting back on the bike. You put a lot of time and love into restoring that lovely vintage 2 wheeler and it really should be enjoyed for what it is. The forgiving should be for yourself and not the bike. You may find that your feelings about the event change a lot after some time spinning those pedals.

auchencrow

qft.

VarVintg

The way I see it, you have a finger on the other hand that looks just like that one, but you probably don't have another bike like that! (Just guessing here). May just be a little hiccup in the relationship is all. Cool bike.

coolkat

Well, maybe not the same, as I have never ridden it, but I was in love with my '62 Raleigh Carlton before teardown. Then I discovered the bent crank, ruined bearing races, and unusable wheels. Fortunately, I made money off the other bikes I bought with it, but it was/is still disappointing. I still don't know what to do with it.

Velocivixen

@auchencrow- what's "qft"?

Grillparzer

Small consolation as it may be, but that is a beautiful machine.

OTS 

qft

quoted for truth (used after repeating the text of a previous post one agrees with)

tjkwood

This is my dilemma! As loads of you have pointed out, it's a really beautiful bike, and the memory will fade with time I suppose. What my distrust has revealed, however, is that my love for its looks and heritage was masking a basic flaw in my reasoning: it's not particularly well-suited to my needs. I only use the bike for very short hops around town, and even then it's pretty uncomfortable and impractical. I have a town bike for shopping, and I'm building up a Viking as a tourer of sorts, so this one is filling a gap that doesn't really exist.

I'm swaying towards, come Spring, selling the Sports and buying a Moulton TSR of some sort (thanks to a hefty Pashley staff discount). I've always thought that I'd love to have a 'bike for life', one that is unwavering in its usability, and the Sports just isn't meeting the mark right now. I'd like to think a TSR would meet most of my needs (short town hops, longer day rides, a bit of towpath riding) with the town bike filling in for cargo needs. I knew something was up when I was reluctant to even perform the most basic of services on the Sports, instead resorting to my LBS. Anyone else experienced this moment of realisation?

cobrabyte

I've gone through that. Being really excited about a bike, pouring money and time into the build, only to realize it's time to sell it because it doesn't fit into my riding style or just isn't comfortable to ride. I do have a few bikes that I love and will not sell, but many have come and gone in the meantime.

You're getting over the lust you felt for this bike. It was never love.

Miele Man

Perhaps a butcher's chainlink glove is a good idea for when one is working on fixed gear, single speed or even derailler bikes? Example here:

Metal mesh gloves - SCHLACHTHAUSFREUND - Butcher equipment

Cheers from Miele Man

YouthxCrew

I fell out of love with my first bike a few months after I purchased it. I crashed in an accident involving a trolley track, a rainstorm, and riding past midnight. The left crank arm became unrideable, the front brake and lever were ruined, and slowly the other components began to shop their cheapness, especially the rear derailleur. By then, I had a newer bike that was nearly half the weight and had reliable components.

Velognome 

Don't be hasty, flesh heals.....for the most part and bad memories fade away. Sell her off now and in a year or two you will probably regret it.

bici_mania

I haven't really fallen out of love but have had my passion for a bike captured by another. Foolishly I have let them go thinking I didn't need or want them anymore.

I am not the sort of person who lives with regrets, I do what I do and own it, but in time I have regretted letting each of those bikes go. The bikes I have that begin to collect dust get put aside and covered with a sheet. In time I remember the joy of that specific ride and the appreciation is renewed. Each time I have done that I have thought how glad I was that I didn't get rid of the bike.

Edit:

I would like to add that if you must part ways your bike is always welcome in my garage. That is one fantastic Raleigh.

Fahrenheit531 

Remember: The bike does not know malice or spite. It appears to have been a pretty nasty little accident, but getting rid of a beautiful bike because you hold a grudge and/or a little bit of anxiety is something you'll regret later.

Somewhere down the road when both your psyche and your finger have healed, someone will compliment the sweet Raleigh you're riding. And you can make a joke about appearances and tell the story of how it's an actually an evil little beast that once bit off your finger and probably would have gone for your whole arm if you hadn't fought it off, and you'll both laugh and the bike will be just a little bit cooler for the slight air of menace.

It was an accident. Don't double the hurt by doing something you'll regret. Put it away for a while if you must, or break off a tooth on the chainwheel to even the score. But keep it.

tjkwood

This. I can't help but feel I'm all too susceptible to bike lust, but that's just not practical when you're talking about your sole form of transport (I don't have a car). The reason the TSR attracts is that it could be the basis for a whole host of uses i.e. could be upgraded for a tour.