why did he crash?
09-29-23, 09:54 PM
#1
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why did he crash?
s Hello
I was riding with my son. I was in front of him , he was following me. He is 20y old. We have entry level road bikes. We were on a downhill in the city, on the bike lane, not trying to go fast, but still you take some speed, even without pedaling, but the cars were all passing us.
Suddenly I hear a crack, I turned around and saw my son on the ground. He was badly hurt, he ended up in hospital but luckily it was only an elbow fracture.
He can not remember exactly what happened as he lost consciousness for a few min. The only thing he remembers is he was not pedaling during the 200m or 300m downhill, and he was about to start pedaling at the bottom as it was followed by an uphill. Then he said he lost control of the bike. He fell on his right side. The front wheel was completely twisted and the chain was off the highest gear but not broken.
I am wondering if the chain fell off and caused him to loose balance or is it a case of bike wobble? Why would the front wheel be twisted ? Could the chain fall off during the fall and not be the cause?
Any thoughts?
Thanks
Suddenly I hear a crack, I turned around and saw my son on the ground.w months ago.
We were on a downhill in the city, on the bike lane, not trying to go fast, but still you take some speed, even without pedaling, but the cars were all passing us.
Suddenly I hear a crack, I turned around and saw my son on the ground. without pedaling, but the cars were all passing us.
Suddenly I hear a crack, I turned around and saw my son on the ground.
I was riding with my son. I was in front of him , he was following me. He is 20y old. We have entry level road bikes. We were on a downhill in the city, on the bike lane, not trying to go fast, but still you take some speed, even without pedaling, but the cars were all passing us.
Suddenly I hear a crack, I turned around and saw my son on the ground. He was badly hurt, he ended up in hospital but luckily it was only an elbow fracture.
He can not remember exactly what happened as he lost consciousness for a few min. The only thing he remembers is he was not pedaling during the 200m or 300m downhill, and he was about to start pedaling at the bottom as it was followed by an uphill. Then he said he lost control of the bike. He fell on his right side. The front wheel was completely twisted and the chain was off the highest gear but not broken.
I am wondering if the chain fell off and caused him to loose balance or is it a case of bike wobble? Why would the front wheel be twisted ? Could the chain fall off during the fall and not be the cause?
Any thoughts?
Thanks
Suddenly I hear a crack, I turned around and saw my son on the ground.w months ago.
We were on a downhill in the city, on the bike lane, not trying to go fast, but still you take some speed, even without pedaling, but the cars were all passing us.
Suddenly I hear a crack, I turned around and saw my son on the ground. without pedaling, but the cars were all passing us.
Suddenly I hear a crack, I turned around and saw my son on the ground.
Last edited by abou; 09-30-23 at 02:01 PM.
09-29-23, 10:10 PM
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Maybe he hit a dip or hole in the road causing the wheel collapse the bike crashing could knock the chain off
09-29-23, 10:15 PM
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RATS!!!
It could be anything. I have pitched even at low speed on level ground. I have even planted my face in my front yard when just starting a ride. Even the best riders some times just loose it. And its not just when your going fast. I saw a young guy crush his face and front teeth on a curb showing off the old, I don't have to take my feet off the pedals at red lights trick.Sure hope your son has a rapid recovery. Sounds like a bad spill. Also remember that even a little bit of road rash can get out of hand so take care of those scrapes over the next few weeks. Sure glad he didn't get run over.
As to the OP: Yes, dropping your chain after a fast spin and shift is common. If it gets jammed and locks you will spill to the right cause you are usually fiddling around with your shifter and have a loose grip on the right side of the bars.
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09-29-23, 10:35 PM
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Less than a good grip on the handlebars plus less than full attention on the road? (Maybe realizing he was in the wrong gear for the flat or upcoming hill?)
When I was 15, I approached a downhill intersection with no traffic controls at all. Hands on the hoods, fingers on the brakes to have my head as high as possible while looking for cars. I hit a rock I didn't see that knocked my hands off. I flew threw the intersection upright but my sternum on the stem and my hands down by the hubs. (Maybe your son needed my angel. My sternum hurt! but I was otherwise unharmed.)
Now not fashionable advice but my race club vets stressed riding in the drops anytime the going was in any way "iffy". The most rock-solid grip and best for bike control plus if you do hit something there is a very good chance the "crotch" between you index finger and thumb will keep you hands on the bars. I was told that I needed to set up all my bikes so I could go to the drops anytime for as long as I needed.
When I was 15, I approached a downhill intersection with no traffic controls at all. Hands on the hoods, fingers on the brakes to have my head as high as possible while looking for cars. I hit a rock I didn't see that knocked my hands off. I flew threw the intersection upright but my sternum on the stem and my hands down by the hubs. (Maybe your son needed my angel. My sternum hurt! but I was otherwise unharmed.)
Now not fashionable advice but my race club vets stressed riding in the drops anytime the going was in any way "iffy". The most rock-solid grip and best for bike control plus if you do hit something there is a very good chance the "crotch" between you index finger and thumb will keep you hands on the bars. I was told that I needed to set up all my bikes so I could go to the drops anytime for as long as I needed.
09-29-23, 11:01 PM
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Impossible to tell without pics of the bike before and after and the road. Was there a curb?
I've slid out several times with zero effects on the front wheel. If the bike zipps out really fast to a side, I usually land like a cat on all fours, bended knees and hand palms. Can't do that with shoe clips, that I will NEVER use.
I've slid out several times with zero effects on the front wheel. If the bike zipps out really fast to a side, I usually land like a cat on all fours, bended knees and hand palms. Can't do that with shoe clips, that I will NEVER use.
10-02-23, 10:26 AM
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Could be trammeling, the front wheel caught in a groove. Could be the front wheel bounced up on a stick or a rock and he brought it down not straight and he high sided. Could be a tank slapper. Could be the stem wasn’t tight and shifted. You are never going to know. Anyhow, front steering problems will put you on the ground.
I’m going to guess the chain came off due to violence. if it came off first it would block up the pedaling but not wreck the bike.
I’m going to guess the chain came off due to violence. if it came off first it would block up the pedaling but not wreck the bike.
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10-02-23, 09:19 PM
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I always keep a good grip of the handlebars going downhill. The smallest bump in the road can spell trouble, at any speed. Anything above ~45mph gets scary, particularly if around cars. Hope for a full recovery.
