dpr

The accident:
I had a green light, was in the correct filter lane (for going straight) but a car violated my right of way (the learner driver didn't even look) and took me out from the side while making a turn. I managed to get unclipped and kinda hop and stumble off of the bike, but was pushed with it under the front bumper.

The damage, myself:
Pulled a muscle in my chest some how and my left knee hurts. Will see a physio. Was in minor shock for a while but coming to terms with it now. It would appear I got off VERY lightly but I hope there is no lasting damage to my knee.

And the bike:

The frame is slightly bent, the right hand seat stay having been pushed out of shape. Its a write off. Also my front wheel was badly bent, my left brifter scratched / torn up pretty bad from being pushed along the tarmac and my 4 day old bar tape was ruined.

The driver stopped and her front seat passenger husband got out, asked if I was ok and was generally very decent about it. We exchanged details and I will be forwarding to him the damage report I have asked my bike shop to prepare. I dont think he's going to be difficult about it but I will be seeking legal advice. He might change his mind when he realises its not a department store bike he wrote off and sees the price.

Complications
Im pretty gutted right now. The prospect of many weeks with no cycling whilst I wait for my replacement bike is going to be hard. Ive been working so hard on dropping weight and getting fitter; all in preperation for next years race season. To make matters worse, in a check up at A&E after the accident I was told that the twinge in my knee is probably due to a bruised ligament. As said above, I'll be seeing a physio for a detailed analysis.

With the prospect of 4-6 weeks of no cycling, how many weeks worth of cycling might I expect to require afterwards to regain my lost fitness?

If I can't get a white Bianchi again...
For around $2000-2400 (USD) / £1000-1300; what bikes might I consider if I cant get a Via Nirone again in white? The 2008 models are either all Celeste or all silver. As much as I love it, all Celeste is just OTT for me and I really dont like Silver bikes.

To give some idea of what I want:

Components: It should have 105/Ultegra though I would consider similar Campagnolo / SRAM offerings. I had an FSA 53/39 crank with 105 12-25 cassette.

Wheels: Open Pros with 105 hubs is what I did have and I would happily have them again. I weigh 175 pounds at 5'10. This was dropping fairly fast but might go up again. Immediate priority is durable training wheels that can survive some pretty bad roads, but have light clincher rims. Some what race ready is a plus, but with this setback, I might just defer that to 2009 and spend a year or so doing sportives, audax and perhaps some time trails in order to enjoy myself.

For the pricepoint, I want something that will not have a highly aggressive geometry. I liked my Via Nirone for its long distance comfort and responsiveness. Put it this way, I want to be comfortable doing 150 mile rides, but I also would like some stiffness and equal if not better responsiveness for racing.

I like the Italian bikes mostly. Pinnerello and Cinnelli are the only two I can think of off-hand. Something with a bit of character but subtle. Aluminium with carbon forks. Carbon seat stays for comfort unless the aluminium frame is designed well enough to offer comparable comfort.

Its been a pretty sucky day.


She was a good'un.

Treefox

Well you should be able to get away with a new frame and front wheel, yes? Maybe new shifters if you're picky.

So you could build up something quite nice with the salvage from your Bianchi.

ridethecliche

Check out some cannondales. The six13 and system six are in your price range.

Sorry about the bike man, hopefully things will work out.

grossi

Sorry to hear about the bike.

If you're interested in Italian brands you may want to consider Wilier Triestina. I'm on one and I love it.

klages

i hope everything works out for the best.

you maybe should have gotten a police report and contacted insurance companies right away. this smells light it could turn real sour once these people find out how much your bike is worth.

marengo

You should try to rent something for a few weeks and charge the dude for it.

dpr

Ive been looking around and the only thing bikes that inspire me that I can perhaps afford are a Orbea or BMC. I am however massively drawn to the Bianchi 928 Carbon T- CUBE, in white. I like your idea Treefox of salvaging what I can from the old bike.

I'll be asking my LBS how much they can get just a 928 frame in for and have it built up from there.

operator

Insurance company typically pays for a new bike. Not parts of a bike. If they aren't, you should push for it. Get a lawyer.

Ih8lucky13

Not in the U.K.

Wow sorry about your loss, Have you looked at Storck?

dpr

I dont much like Cannondales Im afraid to say and I checked out Storck but wasn't swayed. Thanks anyway. Im looking closely at BMC, Look and the Bianchi model I mentioned.

MONGO!

Didn't you get that recently?

Damn shame.

As for replacements, the Cinelli Unica has caught my eye.

dpr

Yup, only had it about 9 weeks. I suppose a clean break now is better than a harder one months/years down the line when the love had grown much much stronger.

That Unica is quite nice. I think I'll look into that further also.

dpr

Here's a few pictures.



I don't have a picture to show the frames slight bend in the main triangle or the slight seperation of the join between the aluminium and the carbon seat stays at the seat tube end.

Namenda

No problem, we'll take your word for it. That sucks.

AlexTaylor

How bloody annoying! What a shame, glad you weren't too badly hurt mate, sorry about the sweet bike..

Hope you get one as nice....

WRT the accident - You are legally required to report the accident to the police asap because you were injured. They will make an official report which will assist with the insurance claim. If you don't then it may well cause problems with the insurance company.

You will be able to claim for the injuries, physio, bike rental, new bike....

I'm a serving officer in the UK btw so I'm not making it up

waterrockets 

Aside from renting, you might go to an LBS to see about demoing a replacement. Maybe they'll work with you and apply rental money toward a new purchase when you settle. I have a couple friends who came into town for Livestrong this weekend, and they were able to demo $3000-$5000 bikes (top-end Tarmac and Lemond) with full knowledge there was zero chance they'd buy anything before leaving town.

dpr

Thanks all for the support and answers to my questions. I registered the incident with police that evening and went to the police station the following morning to fill out the form. The police woman who assisted me was very helpful and sympathetic. Hats off to all the police, you do a terriffic job under difficult circumstances. It is appreciated!

Thats a pleasing possibility though my knee is still injured. It aches constantly, occasionally I get minorly sharp shooting pains around the knee cap and if I place my palm on it and bend it; its crunches and clicks a little. Ive seen the doctor and received some pain killers. Im also awaiting refferal to a NHS physio. I haven't received the appointment date yet. I guess I am on the waiting list for the waiting list.
The inactivity is really getting to me. I haven't raised my heart rate appreciably for nearly 3 weeks now. Im going to be so unfit!

dpr

Haha thanks.
I do have a few pictures of each trouble spot, but they're so poor you can't really see anything.


Maybe. Nearer to the time when I might safely be able to get back in the saddle, I'll be looking into such options.

AlexTaylor

This may sound daft, but to get the heart rate going, try shadow boxing (taking the footwork easy obviously), I found that this was a great way to keep the heart going when I had injuries (nearly 20yrs of martial arts gave me quite a few...)) Just stick on some good upbeat tunes and box away, doing it in rounds of up to 3 mins...
If you can get to a gym then just try doing lots of reps using light weights, again, just to keep the metabolism going.

Hope it heals soon.

Treefox

Plenty there to salvage... Even if you get insurance to buy a new bike, you'll have plenty of parts on hand.

Gromit

Dude, nice floor!!!! What year was your house built?

Soloist Assassin

I've recently been hit too. I had a partial MCL tear, and it took me a about 8 weeks to fully recover. I was back on the bike in 3 weeks, with a knee brace. It really didn't take too much from my training. It was actually a decent rest, and now I am stronger than ever, and it has been 3 months since it happened.

LIUser22

damn, at least you're good, i would've been pissed as **** at the kid, would've made his parents buy me a whole new bike within reason as well.

damn shame, get it taken care of and hope for the best.

dpr

Well the house is late Victorian. The latter part of the 1890's we believe... Can't be more sure than that. Thats based on a little research into a major amount of house building that took place in my town by a local building firm during the 1890's. I believe that firm still exists today and is managed by the original families descendants, albeit owned by some floated corporation. The floor boards are the original pine boards from the houses construction. Sanded and treated twice with Danish oil, they came up a treat. Thanks for commenting.

I had to look up what an MCL tear is. Looks and sounds nasty. Did it give you much pain?

It was a woman in her late twenties/early thirties (judging by appearence). I am pretty pissed, but its just one of those things. It was incompetent and dangerous. If the police want to press for driving with out due care and attention; ill support them in that fully (not least because I am legally obliged too anyway).
But... it was an honest mistake. A big one but a mistake. **** happens. That day it was my turn and all in all I came out of it pretty lucky. Thats how I perceive it.