Still Alive
#1
24-Speed Machine
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Wash. Grove, MD
Posts: 6,058
Bikes: 2003 Specialized Allez 24-Speed Road Bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Still Alive
Yesterday I came down a slight hill and pressed the brakes. I stupidly didn't press hard enough.
Because I approached a red light at a four-way intersection and put my brakes on, I skidded over the crosswalk into oncoming cross-traffic. I had a very close call. I had the brake pads on the rear brake recently replaced. I had called the LBS about judging when I should have the front brake pads replaced, only five minutes or so, before it happened.
Because I approached a red light at a four-way intersection and put my brakes on, I skidded over the crosswalk into oncoming cross-traffic. I had a very close call. I had the brake pads on the rear brake recently replaced. I had called the LBS about judging when I should have the front brake pads replaced, only five minutes or so, before it happened.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 790
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I had a mechanic possibly save my life by noticing that the cables that connect across my very old cantilever brakes were turning to dust. When I went down the steepest hill in town the next day my gratitude for his good work was limitless. Yeah, those brake parts are somewhat important.
#5
24-Speed Machine
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Wash. Grove, MD
Posts: 6,058
Bikes: 2003 Specialized Allez 24-Speed Road Bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I had a mechanic possibly save my life by noticing that the cables that connect across my very old cantilever brakes were turning to dust. When I went down the steepest hill in town the next day my gratitude for his good work was limitless. Yeah, those brake parts are somewhat important.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Washington
Posts: 472
Bikes: Serotta Davis Phinney, 1992 Serotta T Max,1984 Specialized Allez, Olmo, 1974 Strawberry,Redline bmx, ect.,
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I am a mechanic that tells you that you bike is sick or fine. I am glad that most of you know when something is wrong and get it fixed, by yourself or someone else or ask LBS. You need to have your bike in top shape to compete with a 3-4000lb cars or trucks.
#7
Chainstay Brake Mafia
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: California
Posts: 6,007
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 11 Times
in
10 Posts
if you actually skidded then your brakes were working fine...
front brake is more important than rear brake.. and if you're even wondering if you should replace a brake pad, just replace it
front brake is more important than rear brake.. and if you're even wondering if you should replace a brake pad, just replace it
#9
24-Speed Machine
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Wash. Grove, MD
Posts: 6,058
Bikes: 2003 Specialized Allez 24-Speed Road Bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I had called the bike shop only minutes before and they told what to look for on my brake pads, as a sign they need to be changed.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Houston TX area
Posts: 816
Bikes: Trek 1420 triple, Mercier Corvus, Globe 1 700, Surly Disc Trucker, GT Avalanche, GT Grade, GT Helion, Mercier Corvus, Motobacane Boris X7 Fat Bikes,
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I still have steel rims on the Trek 1420. with 17 year old brake pads It reminds me of trying to stop the 1956 International 1 ton loaded (10,000lbs). And believe it or not it had power brakes.
The best brakes I have used were on a rental. A Giant Defy.
Better lucky than good? I am glad you told us about your event. It helps to get over possible life changing events.
The best brakes I have used were on a rental. A Giant Defy.
Better lucky than good? I am glad you told us about your event. It helps to get over possible life changing events.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: NE Ohio
Posts: 1,501
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
That was obviously not enough room to completely stop...at least you weren't wearing headphones sorry couldn't resist.
Glad you're OK. Now make sure that your equipment is in good working order and slow down a little earlier so you don't get hurt.
Glad you're OK. Now make sure that your equipment is in good working order and slow down a little earlier so you don't get hurt.
#13
Señior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Michigan
Posts: 13,749
Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 446 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
7 Posts
I'm very casual about maintenance, but I don't screw around with brakes. I replace the pads on both bike and car when they're down to about 10 or 20% left, because I know I may very well forget about it for long enough between maintenance sessions, and what the heck, even disc brake pads only cost $6 a set and last a year, why not just replace them?
__________________
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
#14
I Biked Today
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: My Place
Posts: 252
Bikes: 1998 Lemond Zurich, Redline Conquest Pro, Kilo TT
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Learn how to use your front brake....30 to 40 feet at 15 mph....is no problem unless it is wet.....and if the brakes fail turn with the cross traffic! Glad your OK though!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
BikingKitten
Bicycle Mechanics
6
09-20-17 08:41 AM