What's the Dumbest Thing You've Ever Done
#126
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Went nuts trying to diagnose a click that only happened when walking the bike. Points to anyone who guessed it was the multitool in my pocket clinking when I walked.
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#128
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Either buying a used Roadbastard for my wife (before knowing anything about bikes) or bedding my married boss (long ago). Good times on the last one but very stupid!!!
#129
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I was transporting my daughter's bike to her school, holding it by the stem while I rode my vintage Cilo. I went around a double-parked car, the bikes drifted apart, and instead of dropping her bike, I decided to put my foot down on the ground. Next thing I know...

Complete break of both the tibia and fibula..titanium rod & screws...long rehab. For the not so squeamish: photo of injured leg.

Complete break of both the tibia and fibula..titanium rod & screws...long rehab. For the not so squeamish: photo of injured leg.
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#130
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Once I had a squeak in my pedal or crank. It turned out to be the sole of my sneaker rubbing the crank as it turned.
#131
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+1, I've caught myself "troubleshooting" such a noise on more than one occasion. That, and tracing a once-per-crank-rev "tink" noise to the aglet of a shoelace hitting the frame.
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#132
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#133
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SurferRosa Well, it’s never going to be 100%. This happened 3 years ago last month. Cycling much easier than extended running and jumping. I’d say I’m 100% back to 90%, which is okay.
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#134
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I've done many of the things already mentioned, but the all-time stupid was closing a workstand clamp too tightly on the top tube of a nice cannondale aluminum frame. Put a good crimp in it.
#136
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Installed cottered cranks on the wrong side
Once, when I was about 15yrs old, Installed the cottered cranks on the wrong side of my Peugeot UO8. Thought I was doing it all correct, only to finish and go, Oops! After realizing that there was no way to switch the whole drove train to the left side, i put it back correctly
jw
jw
#137
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I read and contributed to the "Seller won't open the box thread" a few times....I am very bored these days. 
Best, Ben

Best, Ben
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#138
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Dumbest things I have ever done. Let me think...
1) Buying our first house in 1973, we wanted to be home owners before we understood what that actually meant.
2) Buying a 1974 Fiat.
3) Buying a beat-up VW van around 1978.
4) Buying a beat-up VW Beetle around 1980.
5) Buying our second house in 1982 @ a 9% mortgage rate.
6) Buying our third house in 1987 @ a 13% mortgage rate.
7) Working for a company that had no ethical compass.
1) Buying our first house in 1973, we wanted to be home owners before we understood what that actually meant.
2) Buying a 1974 Fiat.
3) Buying a beat-up VW van around 1978.
4) Buying a beat-up VW Beetle around 1980.
5) Buying our second house in 1982 @ a 9% mortgage rate.
6) Buying our third house in 1987 @ a 13% mortgage rate.
7) Working for a company that had no ethical compass.
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I hope...that all mankind will at length…have reason and sense enough to settle their differences without cutting throats. Ben Franklin
I hope...that all mankind will at length…have reason and sense enough to settle their differences without cutting throats. Ben Franklin
#140
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Well I’ve done many stupid things but the latest is 2 days ago. Getting ready to go for a ride around the hood with my son. We take the bikes off the side porch. There’s a steepish slope down to the street. My son says betcha can’t ride down the hill to the street. I say “ wouldn’t be that hard except for the little ditch between the yard and the street”. I look at it a couple of seconds and decide to try anyway.
I managed to do one of those running downhill dismounts and leap across the ditch. Strained my hip a little, so I got off easy.
I managed to do one of those running downhill dismounts and leap across the ditch. Strained my hip a little, so I got off easy.
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N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '82 Colnago Super, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, '84 Basso Gap, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, '84 Paletti Super Prestige, Heron Randonneur
#141
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I tried to turn onto the sidewalk in the rain via a driveway ramp going probably 20km/h. I took it at too small of an angle and the tire sidewall grabbed it and threw me over. I scratched up the nice gipiemme levers and my brand new brake hoods and pretty sure I put a ding in the front rim. Thankfully my goretex jacket didn't rip. I had a similar experience with nobody caring. I completed the errand I was on and dealt with the road rash when I got home.
The worst part is I did it again a couple months later but luckily at lower speed and managed to jump off and control the bike's momentum with my arms.
The worst part is I did it again a couple months later but luckily at lower speed and managed to jump off and control the bike's momentum with my arms.