opal

Northeast? Car Free? General?

Anyway, my bike that I've had for two years was submerged in nasty flood waters from Hurricane Sandy. The LBS has said it's like with a crash - not worth it to repair, there could be undetected frame damage causing future safety issues, with flood water who knows what it's been contaminated with, etc. I'm not mechanically inclined at all, so I guess that's that unless anyone has other ideas.

I don't have insurance, am looking into disaster assistance funds, and have been asked about car damages. I've been saying no, I don't own a car, but it finally occurred to me that I should try to get the bike counted as the car-that-I-don't-own. I'll have to make up my own paperwork. Here's what I'm thinking of so far:

- The bicycle is my primary form of non-public transportation i.e. it's as "necessary" to me as a car is for some? many? people
- LBS will issue a generic statement about the value of the bike(s) and flood-damaged bikes being beyond repair
- I would cite the cost of the bike itself as well as "safety accessories" including helmet, lights*, horn
- I don't want to go unreasonably overboard with other types of accessories but I might try to include the rack and panniers, which are for carrying stuff that might otherwise be transported in a car

*I had saved my white headlights to use as flashlights so no need to replace them...yet

Has anyone done anything like this or have any suggestions?

009jim

There are two perspectives on this:- [1] For someone who is technically enthusiastic, the bike can be repaired at low cost over a number of weeks, however, [2] for someone who has no interest or knowledge of mechanical items you'd have to pay someone else and in that case the cost could exceed that of a new bike.

chriskmurray

I would think they are over-reacting as long as it was just submerged. If it was my bike I would just re-pack all the bearings and possibly a light oil inside the shifters if trigger shifters. Worst case you may need cables/housing as well but chances are you will be ok.

gerv 

Hmmm... is your frame steel or aluminium? I can't see what damage could happen if it was submerged for a brief period. No clue about carbon fiber though.

If the bike was submerged, I'd be thinking about replacing the bottom bracket, regreasing the hubs and the headset. I'd hang the bicycle so that any water could drain out... probably tilting it at several different angles.
[edit] chrismurray makes a good point about cable housing. I'd try getting some WD-40 down in those.

Smallwheels

BMX riders and Cyclocross riders submerge their bicycles all the time. Just open up the bottom bracket and let it dry. Put grease in there and reassemble the bicycle. It would take many years for rust to damage your frame enough to cause it to break. There are books and forums where you can learn what to do. It's not super difficult. It just takes a bit of knowledge and money for parts if they're needed.

lostforawhile

there is no reason that bike couldnt be fixed,

Mobile 155

Could it be because it was submerged in Salt water? A few days in salt water and another few days just sitting out exposed to air could bave been seriously corrosive if the bike was steel. Getting the salt out of the tubes could be a pain but submersing it in warm fresh water after it is taken apart should limit any further damage. However getting it replaced by FEMA through desaster relief would be a very long shot. Are you saying you didn't even have renters insurance or home owners insurance? And what kind of bike are you talking about?

I-Like-To-Bike

Sure there is. The bicycle shop that gave the OP the questionable advice preferred to sell her a new bike.

I-Like-To-Bike

I would guess the odds are about one in a gazillion, give or take a zillion or two.

chriskmurray

To be fair, there is a good chance the cost of labor to repack all bearings and get this bike back to its original condition could outweigh the value of the bike.

I-Like-To-Bike

To be fair, I'd say that is a possibility, rather than a good chance. If the value of the bike was low to start with, why the fuss about disaster fund reimbursement?

LesterOfPuppets

I'd probably charge about $100-200 to rehab a bike that had been submerged in saltwater about a week and a half ago.

opal

Specialized Vita (hybrid), aluminum, worth less than many of your bikes I'm sure

It was submerged overnight in salt and sewage water and left for a week-ish. Water ran out when I picked it out of the rest of the rubbish. The shop is saying the cost of labor and parts will approach if not exceed its value - definitely possible it COULD be repaired but definitely not by me. (I can also see their economic standpoint of not "wasting" time fixing everyone's nasty flood bikes!) Any interest I may have had in learning the skills for a side project is tempered by other pressing issues; the bike was stored indoors and I still have to deal with replacing/fixing almost everything else. I would consider a successful claim, FEMA or otherwise, as "anything helps" (and of course, a win on principle for car-free/car-light).

It sounds like I should make a bike savvy friend (kidding...) or I could try asking at other shops. I can fix a flat myself and that's about it. As for a claim, I guess I have "nothing to lose" but time on paperwork/bureaucracy - might as well see if it goes anywhere. I'm aware it's a long shot...but I'll report back if I get lucky.

lostforawhile

is there anyone near the OP who could help them with the labor to fix this bike?

chriskmurray

Because to some people $100 or so is A LOT of money. Especially when already hit with the financial burden something like Sandy would cause.

If you ever get some time to give it a go, the work that needs done is relatively simple. You may even be able to find a bicycle co-op that can help but I would guess they will be rather busy right now. Check out this site if you want to see what it takes to give this all a go yourself. https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help

gerv 

Sorry to hear about all these calamities in your life. However, if you could pull the seatpost out, spray a little water and tip the bike upside down to let everything drain out.

Hopefully it's not a total loss when you really get time to assess it.

busted knuckles

sounds like a good bike to practice your mechanical skills on. not sure about corrosion, though. start taking it apart and see how it looks.

SparkyGA

How is the rest of the bike? Can it be salvaged for parts? I can't see a reason you couldn't do that if the frame is unrepairable.... Why not just pick up another cheap Nashbar type frame and reuse as many parts as you can?

MichaelW

Vita is a nice bike, worth restoring. There really shouldnt be any fatal damage even after a week submerged.
You may want to ensure that all the sewerage water is flushed out of the frame, components and wheels.
The cartridge bottom bracket is a simple replacement.
The headset can probably be salvaged , cleaned and regreased.
The hubs may need new cartridge bearing units.
The pedals should be regreased. The shifters may need a squirt of GT85 and the cables probably need replacing.
The rest of the cleaning is just strip it, flush out with clean water and dry. Re-assemble.
Check out your local bike coop and do it yourself or lust have the main bearings done by the bike shop.

A bike is so useful in the aftermath that it is worth trying to protect it from disaster damage.

wahoonc

I agree!

Is there anybody nearby that could lend a hand? Unfortunately I am about 15 hours south

Aaron