Here's the deal:

My bike was pretty much ran over by a van a few weeks ago. I had my LBS go over everything with a fine toothed comb, and their bottom line was that the frame was shifted a few millimeters to one side, and the wheelset was roasted, in addition to a slightly bent fork (which was straightened back out): so basically the bike was totaled out. Keep in mind this is a Kilo TT I only had for one month.

And to my question, will this frame track straight? Im not sure how much a few mm will make the bike pull. Is it worth putting a new wheelset on and rocking it as if nothing had happened? Im going crazy having no bike, and I cant order a new kilo because theyre going to be out of stock until WW3.

it was pretty much ran over by a van and is only shifted a few mm to one side. i doubt you would really notice the pull that the frame would have now, but i would still be very cautious riding the bike. dont really listen to me though i am riding an aluminum bike with a large dent.

why don't you just ride it and see if you feel a difference?

did you get the van's info? if so, i'm pretty sure the driver would be required to replace the bicycle.

I am willing to let you put some of my parts on to see how it feels if you are interested send me a PM im in the Dorms.

I'd give it a shot, if its bothersome, buy a new frame. As for the driver having to replace it, that really depends on the situation. If you are at fault for the incident, no dice.

Yeah I did, court coming up soon. Im not ambulance chasing I just want my bike back in some form.

out of curiosity, back story?

If the frame is going to pull, it will be from a bent fork - unless the rear triangle is horribly, horribly out of alignment. I'm not sure i'd ride with a fork that was bent back, even if it was steel.

a horrible ****ing intersection even in a car. I wouldnt want to ride my bike through there daily.

as for the bike, borrow some wheels and check it out. lbs should have a set to throw on.

if this wasn't your fault, or if it was "no-fault", claim the entire bike and get your money from the driver's insurance. you might end up saving your frame plus the claim.

after being in a couple accidents in the last few years, i've found insurance companies a lot more willing to shell out money after a doctor visit. not knowing what happened in this case, to everyone else that will get in one sooner or later, get to the hospital, don't trust what what the police write in their reports, take your own pictures immediately (on a cell phone if you have to) and get witnesses' info right away. take pictures of torn clothes, bags, broken cell phones. hopefully you had a helmet on, take a picture of you wearing it. worry about your bike later. call the police and get the officer's badge and name. write down whatever numbers that are on the officer's form(s). do all your own detective work right along with the police before you go to the hospital. write to your local bike advocacy group, they will help. i got ****ed because in s.f. after getting run over, don't let it happen to you.

sorry if this doesn't apply to this situation. i'm still so angry from getting the shaft after my last brush with a car i can't stand it.

My rear triangle is out of alignment by 7mm and I don't notice it at all. Tracks just fine riding no-handed.

I reset my back wheel and borrowed a wheel from Jenkinsal2... she flys nice'n'straight. Tracking isnt an issue now. Just need a new wheelset.

I've cold-set a rear end that was over 2" off on an old Bianchi using a 2x4 and some precision jumping on the frame and board. I did a few 30-40 mile rides on it with a 3-speed coaster, which is fun when laced to a road wheel

Insurance companies(here at least) would win the battle against me. If I get hit, I'm planning on just telling the person '200$ and its cool', even if I just have minor damages.

if the entire frame was shifted than you should see no difference

No they won't. As long as you weren't breaking any rules yourself while you got hit, you stand a very good chance for compensation.

Not really, I'm sure they'd bring in a bunch of stuff to make me look irresponsible. I don't wear a helmet, don't have lights. I like my technique better anyways.

Helmets is debatable and not required for 18+ in ontario. You probably deserve it if you're running without lights at night (H.T.A says lights are _mandatory_). Independent of what the law says, it's just a good idea to be seen by motorists.

Seriously.

I know. I bought some lights, but the attatchment system broke, and then a few weeks later I lost my back light. The front light I'm not really interested in running, its basically pointless if I don't have the back.

I was not wearing a helmet during my accident, however that would have made absolutely no difference since I hit my face and scraped my arms.