Man, yesterday I took the bike out and went down the California Incline which takes you from Santa Monica to PCH, and forgetting to stop at the first bridge, like an idiot I take the bike all the way down the incline. Mind you, I have a Diamondback and it's a pretty chill bike. Anyway, as I go down I hit a little slide of dirt on the ground and lose some control of the bike. I don't fall, thank god, so then I just walk and make my way back up to the bridge that takes you to the beach. So, as I take the bike path to Malibu, I'm just cruising along PCH when all of a sudden I get to the Getty Villa and there is a little area that has no sidewalk at all, and the land just protrudes out. You know, right next to that production studio place. Anyway, I lose control of the bike, but don't fall yet again. But now the back tire is acting sluggish. When I walked it, I saw that is was moving a little odd. Like wobbling from side to side.So, I turn back and then just coast it back to Santa Monica. I guess my question is, 1.) What would be the best place to take my bike: Helen's Cycles, Active, Bicycle Ambulance and 2.) What do you think is wrong with it? Is the axle messed up?

Thanks.

"Cool story bro" - Everyone on BF

Question 1: I dunno
Question 2: with that whole story you still didn't give us enough info to diagnose.


For the love of god, indentations please.

You're asking a specific So Cal question and there's a specific forum for that if you have any more So Cal questions. Helens is good. If Performance is closer (5th and Broadway), try them.

If you don't mind an opinion, you sound like you may be a bit of a wobbly rider. I suggest you avoid PCH at all costs because it's extremely dangerous. I realize you have no choice but to ride through that one narrowed location you described, but it's not like there's zero room there. Also, if you're going southbound, there's tons of cars parked and often times there's no room at all. Weekend drivers are among the worst along PCH, so why risk dealing with their distracted (girls) sun blinded beer fog vision? Stick to the beach bike path, where the dangers are less.

^^Ditto ... ditto ... ditto^^

Moved to the SoCal forum.

Hey, it could be worse. At least he used periods and caps in all the right places and there t'weren't no speeling eyores..

1. Dunno
2. Broken spokes, bent rim, loose spokes, bearing failure, broken axle, loose quick release, loose axle nuts, user error. Take your pick.

I'm guessing it's ****.

One star is for Ef. Guess the others.

Probably a broken spoke or two, or the quick release didn't have enough tension and the wheel slipped in the dropout.

I'd get a new bike. Either a CAAD10 or a Cervelo R3.

What he said.

Question 1: Helens has the best customer service I have seen(At least the Arcadia store does)
2: Wheel could be bent.

BTW this is the least helpful forum I have been on..... and that's why I am here.

1) Bike Ambulance
2) Ask Bike Ambulance

Least Helpful? That's a bit of a stretch although the Road Bike sub-forum comes close.

But...

You want helpful, call your local Honda dealer.

1. I like Helen's.
2. Axle? Probably not.

Okay, now I just need to figure out how much it costs to get a full body job for the bike over there. Should be reasonable.

Because my goal was to get to Malibu and the beach bike path stops midway.

Take it to the closest shop. Won't matter which. Depending on where you are in SM, Veloworx and/or Bike Attack are other excellent shops.

Go ahead and ride PCH, all sorts of people do. Hold your line as much as possible, especially in the tight/narrow spots. Don't be a squirrel. You'll probably be fine.

Personally, I won't ride that section of PCH from the pier to Temescal unless it's 6am or so- use the bike path instead. PCH north of temescal is very rideable, IMO.

Thanks for the tip, dude! Well, I ended up taking it to Helen's Cycles earlier today for an ultra repair. It's going to cost $95.