Joined: 01 Aug 2005Posts: 37Location: U-Districtish
Yea, you heard me. Just say no. Your two front teeth will thank you!
So the story goes:
I'm riding home from work, right along Monlake Blvd a few blocks after the bridge going right twoards the 76 station. Right before you cross the street accross the first highway on-ramp I passed this dude who was walking in the middle of the side walk, and I did cut it a little close, but I deffinitly wasn't in danger of hitting him (in danger of me swerving into the fence more than him) regardless, he starts to yell at me. "Get the fuck in the fucking street you fucking ass hole! You're a piece of shit! Stay the fuck off the side walk!" and the wierd thing is, dude's old. He looks exactly like Woody Allen, he even has the Giligan hat. I'm tempted to yell, but I don't. He keeps at it "Fuck you! Get the fuck off the sidewalk asshole!" So I look back and give him the one finger wave, he yells more. I had to stop and trackstand for a second before I could cross at the crosswalk, then I cross (using the wheelchair ramps), I look back and there's no one to hit me if I cross the second street onto the little island were the big bus stop is, so I drop the curb moutain bike style. The next thing I know I'm goin over my handlebars and then I'm on my face in the middle of a freeway entrance. I managed to unclip from my pedals on the ground and sit up enough to hold out my palm to tell the oncoming traffic to stop. This guy runs over from the bus stop and helps me pick myself up and runs over and grabs my front wheel, which was still rolling in circles 5 feet away. He gave me napkins and tried to get me to stay but I explained to him that a "crazy fuckin asshole" was after me and I wanted to jet. Luckily it was close enough to my house and my mom could come and pick me up (gimmee a break, I'm 15).
So, long story short, I'm home, with a cut up face, swollen lip, two very crooked (previously very straight) front teeth, a bent fork and some fucked up fingers. All thanks to quick releases. I did hear a loose sounding noise going up the previous curb, but mistook it for some wierd chain slap or some thing.
BUT!
The point is: my quick release worked itself loose! So my new plan is to (I need to wheels anyway, especially a front after that) build up wheels with hubs that accomodate the 13 mm axel with locknuts! I suggest you all do the same next time you're due for new hubs! Or at least let my story be a lesson to check your quick releases every time you get on your bike, because trust me, wheels DO fall off, at very inoppurtune times.
_________________ --Jordi
Torch
Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2005 9:59 pm
TerranceJoined: 24 Jul 2005Posts: 1637Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
ouch, man. glad that you made it through relatively OK. that could have been a lot worse. does this mean you're bikeless for a while, or do you have another one you can ride?
Jv wrote:
Or at least let my story be a lesson to check your quick releases every time you get on your bike...
that's key right there. i'm an absolute friggin' NAZI about checking my quick-release levers every time i get on my bike, even if its just been parked while i run inside 7-11 for 5 minutes. you never know when it's going to, as you say, work itself loose. Or worse, you never know when some bike-hating jackass is going to loosen it for you when you're not looking. Same kinda person who spreads tacks on the road during the STP.
_________________ "the only difference between me and a madman is that i am not mad."
One of the tricks to running a QR on the front axle is to put it in a spot that you can, at a glance, determine if it's been fucked with or not. I've never had nor heard of a QR working itself loose, but hey crazy shit happens. I guess it could have been worse. Luckily you didn't have the shit beat out of you by the "crazy fuckin asshole" to boot.
Side note: If you're running QR on the back axle of your fixed gear and you think it's a safe, sane, and logical way to go about it you deserved to be clubbed like a baby seal. Not saying that you did this, but you know while we're on the QR subject...
Way to tough it out! You're totally going to kick ass at the Tag Team Trifecta!
captainbrad
Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2005 10:27 pm
6ft TwentyJoined: 24 Jul 2005Posts: 293Location: Sea-Town, WA
I was apparently riding around for a long time with a loose front QR. Dean noticed it one night and tightened for me though...no problems since.
_________________ "Just cuz you put puppies in tha oven that don't make 'em biscuits"
~Sekou Sundiata
terrydean
Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2005 9:42 am
rocker boiJoined: 24 Jul 2005Posts: 1535Location: santa fe, i think
Oh man, that sucks! :[
While it's a bad idea, a QR, if adjusted properly, would be fine for a fixed rear wheel.. I would never EVER do it (I think QR's are freakin tarded), but I swear I read on SB's site somewhere that it's perfectly ok if you know what you're doing.
JV, QR's are perfectly safe, you just have to be sure you have it set up right, and ALWAYS run the lever so it's againts the fork.. never sticking out front or down or back, keep it as flat against the for as you can. And you have to check them.. I once knew this asshole who would go around loosining every QR he came across.
And one last thing, STAY OFF THE SIDEWALKS! haha
Seriously though, the street is where we belong.. it's illegal in a lot of places to even ride a bike on the side walk, but I think I heard someone say last week that it's not against the law here.. but still. If you hit a ped, you're pretty much screwed. :[
Last edited by terrydean on Thu Aug 11, 2005 9:51 am; edited 2 times in total
derrickito
Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2005 9:50 am
now with 50 percent more EVILJoined: 22 Jul 2005Posts: 10566
While it's a bad idea, a QR, if adjusted properly, would be fine for a fixed rear wheel.. I would never EVER do it (I think QR's are freakin tarded), but I swear I read on SB's site somewhere that it's perfectly ok if you know what you're doing.
You know, I totally disagree. I've tried to run a QR on the rear of both my singlespeed DH bike, and on my fixed gear. I tweaked and bent all of them. QRs simply cannot stand the pressure and stress of running them on a singlespeed or fixed gear bike's rear hub. I've had all these bike mechanics at all these different shops tell me that "clearly [I'm] not running a nice enough QR", or that [I've] set it up wrong, or whatever. Mostly they used it as an excuse to get me to buy additional shit from them. Every shop owner said that the other shop owners had sold me a junk QR and that they have the good QRs. It was all bullshit, they all bent and I got sick of wasting my money. Go solid axle on the rear or go home!
For the front though they have those cool bolt-on type QR skewers that require an allen key to tighten. Much more difficult for someone to fuck with, and a lot cleaner looking too.
elriche
Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2005 10:00 am
Joined: 29 Jul 2005Posts: 237Location: Lower QA
kingpenguin wrote:
I once knew this asshole who would go around loosining every QR he came across.
Some jackass on Cap Hill loosened my front QR about 7 or 8 years ago which caused me to drop my front wheel while popping over a curb. I would've been road-meat if I'd been going down the hill at high speed so I'm thankful I only took an easy tumble.
So far tho, no other quick release problems.
_________________ -Rich
If it's your first night at bike club... you have to bike.
terrydean
Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2005 10:08 am
rocker boiJoined: 24 Jul 2005Posts: 1535Location: santa fe, i think
j_ryde wrote:
You know, I totally disagree. Blah blah blah go home!
Yeah, I agree with you, I just like to throw Sheldon in when ever I can. I kinda hate that guy. Yeah, he knows a lot about bikes, but so does every other old man who's been around bikes most his life. There was this argument on the bikepirates LJ forum about weither or not running a front break only on a SS was safe or not. HUUUGE argument, no body was giving an inch, until someone mentioned SB said the front break all you really need and then everyone shut up. I think that's just silly.
Anyway, I hate QR's, but solid axles aren't my favorite either. Hollow axles are where it's at. Lighter AND harder to bend!
iro1751
Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2005 10:13 am
Joined: 25 Jul 2005Posts: 723
When I was in Baltimore I actually put cable ties around my fork and QR. It was a cheap, albeit not entirely effective, deterrent for people fucking with them, or stealing the wheels entirely. Anything to slow them down really.
lantius
Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2005 10:33 am
1337Joined: 22 Jul 2005Posts: 6705Location: right over
kingpenguin wrote:
Oh man, that sucks! :[
While it's a bad idea, a QR, if adjusted properly, would be fine for a fixed rear wheel.. I would never EVER do it (I think QR's are freakin tarded), but I swear I read on SB's site somewhere that it's perfectly ok if you know what you're doing.
sheldon does seem to think so. i'd like to point out that just about everything we are talking about tech-wise here and over on bikepirates has been discussed to death over on rec.bicycles.tech for the last decade, we are newbs compared to guys like sheldon and jobst.
anyhow, the only caveat i can think is that aluminum qr skewers weren't as prevalent back in 2001 perhaps, but that shouldn't matter, as i understand it the axle/skewer is not supposed to be load-bearing in the vertical direction on a properly tightened wheel. the load is held in friction between the hub and the nuts/quick-release. i don't know what is the source of you bending your skewers jake but i would be surprised if the stresses on the qr skewer of a singlespeed dh bike greatly exceeded those of a geared dh, particularly with vertical dropouts (i assume).
interestingly, front disc brakes do exceed specifications for quick releases, but apparently because the forces are asymmetric and parallel to the dropouts rather than perpendicular as in most forces.
i personally run solid axles on my fixie because i like carrying a 15mm box wrench around with me, but i don't have too many illusions that i am actually tightening it that much more than i could with a quick-release cam, those bastards get tight.
What I found was happening was that my axle was sliding forward in the dropouts when i rode, this caused undo stress on the QR skewer and bent it. Once I had the whole "you're just not getting it tight enough. Quick releases can get much tighter and most people think they will." I sat back and smiled as they had to break out the vice-grips to get more leverage to release the QR Cam. "Trust me", I told them. "That shit is tight."
I have yet to have any issues whatsoever with my axles once I switched them out to solid ones.
I wonder if sending so many QRs to the grave has anything to do with powering up Queen Anne hill day after day...
iro1751
Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2005 10:54 am
Joined: 25 Jul 2005Posts: 723
j_ryde wrote:
What I found was happening was that my axle was sliding forward in the dropouts when i rode, this caused undo stress on the QR skewer and bent it. Once I had the whole "you're just not getting it tight enough. Quick releases can get much tighter and most people think they will." I sat back and smiled as they had to break out the vice-grips to get more leverage to release the QR Cam. "Trust me", I told them. "That shit is tight."
I have yet to have any issues whatsoever with my axles once I switched them out to solid ones.
I wonder if sending so many QRs to the grave has anything to do with powering up Queen Anne hill day after day...
Stroke yourself all you want dude, but your use of undo is incorrect
derrickito
Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2005 11:00 am
now with 50 percent more EVILJoined: 22 Jul 2005Posts: 10566
i thought this thread was going to be about premature ejaculation
anyone wanna see a video with horses in it?
captainbrad
Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2005 11:09 am
6ft TwentyJoined: 24 Jul 2005Posts: 293Location: Sea-Town, WA
iro1751 wrote:
j_ryde wrote:
What I found was happening was that my axle was sliding forward in the dropouts when i rode, this caused undo stress on the QR skewer and bent it. Once I had the whole "you're just not getting it tight enough. Quick releases can get much tighter and most people think they will." I sat back and smiled as they had to break out the vice-grips to get more leverage to release the QR Cam. "Trust me", I told them. "That shit is tight."
I have yet to have any issues whatsoever with my axles once I switched them out to solid ones.
I wonder if sending so many QRs to the grave has anything to do with powering up Queen Anne hill day after day...
Stroke yourself all you want dude, but your use of undo is incorrect
Not completely incorrect. We wouldn't have known any better if he was saying it in person...just the wrong homonym.
_________________ "Just cuz you put puppies in tha oven that don't make 'em biscuits"
Crap, now I've totally forgotten what this thread was all about.
iro1751
Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2005 11:14 am
Joined: 25 Jul 2005Posts: 723
captainbrad wrote:
iro1751 wrote:
j_ryde wrote:
What I found was happening was that my axle was sliding forward in the dropouts when i rode, this caused undo stress on the QR skewer and bent it. Once I had the whole "you're just not getting it tight enough. Quick releases can get much tighter and most people think they will." I sat back and smiled as they had to break out the vice-grips to get more leverage to release the QR Cam. "Trust me", I told them. "That shit is tight."
I have yet to have any issues whatsoever with my axles once I switched them out to solid ones.
I wonder if sending so many QRs to the grave has anything to do with powering up Queen Anne hill day after day...
Stroke yourself all you want dude, but your use of undo is incorrect
Not completely incorrect. We wouldn't have known any better if he was saying it in person...just the wrong homonym.
True, true, but. . . as, I hope you can tell, he didn't say it in person. Just as rocker boi would "sound" correct with his stating how his "breaks work well" when we are all waiting patiently for Aaron to post that its correctly brakes, rather than breaks
"There was this argument on the bikepirates LJ forum about weither or not running a front break only on a SS was safe or not. HUUUGE argument, no body was giving an inch, until someone mentioned SB said the front break all you really need and then everyone shut up. I think that's just silly."
What makes it even more silly and insane is that SB has clearly said the exact opposite: that on a singlespeed bike you should use both front and rear brakes. I guess you don't even have to refer to what the guy actually says, just say his name or whatever and people magically shut up. Anyway I kind of like SB, I just don't like how people give him guru status. He's just some dude who knows a fuck of a lot about bikes and is vocal.
Aaron
Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2005 11:36 am
Joined: 25 Jul 2005Posts: 4645
Jv wrote:
The point is: my quick release worked itself loose!
THAT IS NOT POSSIBLE!
A quick release is a cam with an over center feature. That means that it takes force to open it if it is properly closed.
Your QR probably was not fully closed. QR mechanisms need lube regularly also.
A standard type QR (the internal kind like Shimano or Campagnolo) generate around 2000 pounds of compression. Stay away from the aluminum "Salsa" external type. Salsa Flip-offs are the best of that type but you would be far better off to use a standard Shimano (see pics below) . They have an external cam that must be lubed each use and the bearing surface of the cam can get scratched. That seriously hampers the fuction of the cam. They also require more force to close properly than the internal cam type.
Sorry for your pain. I have 3 fake front teeth from bike wrecks so I totally sympathize with you! Ouch! My QR has never come loose though. Being a mechanic, I have heard of and seen many people's QR's installed wrong or "come loose". It is ALWAYS because they are installed loosely or incorectly. The most common mistake is that people think the QR is a crank and just spin it until it is tight. It CAN come loose if it is installed in that manner.
BAD:
GOOD:
Hope this helps and get well soon.
Aaron
Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2005 11:37 am
Joined: 25 Jul 2005Posts: 4645
erin wrote:
kingpenguin said:
"There was this argument on the bikepirates LJ forum about weither or not running a front break only on a SS was safe or not. HUUUGE argument, no body was giving an inch, until someone mentioned SB said the front break all you really need and then everyone shut up. I think that's just silly."
What makes it even more silly and insane is that SB has clearly said the exact opposite: that on a singlespeed bike you should use both front and rear brakes. I guess you don't even have to refer to what the guy actually says, just say his name or whatever and people magically shut up. Anyway I kind of like SB, I just don't like how people give him guru status. He's just some dude who knows a fuck of a lot about bikes and is vocal.
i thought this thread was going to be about premature ejaculation
anyone wanna see a video with horses in it?
Derrick, Are you our go-to guy for such videos?
Do you know a lot about Horses?
derrickito
Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2005 11:49 am
now with 50 percent more EVILJoined: 22 Jul 2005Posts: 10566
BLASPHEMY!
captainbrad
Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2005 11:52 am
6ft TwentyJoined: 24 Jul 2005Posts: 293Location: Sea-Town, WA
j_ryde wrote:
derrickito wrote:
i thought this thread was going to be about premature ejaculation
anyone wanna see a video with horses in it?
Derrick, Are you our go-to guy for such videos?
Do you know a lot about Horses?
_________________ "Just cuz you put puppies in tha oven that don't make 'em biscuits"
~Sekou Sundiata
Jv
Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2005 12:06 pm
Joined: 01 Aug 2005Posts: 37Location: U-Districtish
Quote:
Jv wrote:
The point is: my quick release worked itself loose!
THAT IS NOT POSSIBLE!
Your QR probably was not fully closed.
That's always what I assumed, at one point, I hadn't tightened it down enough and it worked itself looser and looser from there. I still though advocate the solid axle though for people like me who would be dreaming if we said we would be able to remember to check our wheels before each ride. The advantage being when your locknut is loose, you know. You can hear it rattling around, especially if you have a washer in between the nut and the fork.
Maybe I'll just put a nice big post it note on my handle bars.
Also, what else should I check for on my bike. The fork and steertube are bent, but I THINK the headtube is OK.
_________________ --Jordi
Jv
Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2005 12:47 pm
Joined: 01 Aug 2005Posts: 37Location: U-Districtish
Yarrrr
The culprit! Just the way I found it, sitting there innocently all done up and everything. Jerk.
_________________ --Jordi
Aaron
Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2005 3:19 pm
Joined: 25 Jul 2005Posts: 4645
Your old QR may have been dry in need of lube or the cam may have been twisted inside. That sometimes happens on older ones. Again, a properly closed QR will not come loose and should not need to be checked every ride. I always glance at mine and make sure they are in the same position I put them, but I don't phsically check them each ride. The bike manufacturers lawyers say you should though!
I would be glad to help you fix your bike.
Bring it in and I can check it over.
MyNameIsJeff
Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2017 11:20 am
BOOSH!Joined: 17 Jul 2007Posts: 2042Location: Nearest bar.
What year is it
_________________ See you in Hell.
walker
Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2017 1:22 pm
Joined: 05 Aug 2015Posts: 1855Location: beastcake
Aaron wrote:
Stay away from the aluminum "Salsa" external type... They have an external cam that must be lubed each use
judging by this, i'm going with nineteenseventydoink
_________________ Girl I love that taste
Park your car right on my face
Baby pump those brakes
Just in case
ride bikes
Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2017 11:30 pm
Joined: 12 Oct 2012Posts: 1493Location: Pundercover
Been there, done that
Check your skewers before you ride
_________________ Littering and... getting arrested for child pornography.
MyNameIsJeff
Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2017 9:13 am
BOOSH!Joined: 17 Jul 2007Posts: 2042Location: Nearest bar.
ride bikes wrote:
Been there, done that
Check your skewers before you ride
Oh I definitely check my skewers every time I approach my bike. Just like I always to a walk around of my car to check the tires and get in, right after I take a peek under to make sure there's nothing under it. I also never insert q-tips into my ear.
_________________ See you in Hell.
ride bikes
Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2017 12:14 pm
Joined: 12 Oct 2012Posts: 1493Location: Pundercover
Jeez, Jerf. Who peed in your Taco Time? I always just give my wheels a bounce from 3-4" off the ground before I hop on my bike. Mostly because I didn't used to until I did this:
_________________ Littering and... getting arrested for child pornography.
caustic meatloaf
Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2017 2:52 pm
Joined: 06 Dec 2010Posts: 1235537Location: a hammy melange...
MyNameIsJeff wrote:
ride bikes wrote:
Been there, done that
Check your skewers before you ride
Oh I definitely check my skewers every time I approach my bike. Just like I always to a walk around of my car to check the tires and get in, right after I take a peek under to make sure there's nothing under it. I also never insert q-tips into my ear.
But obviously you've missed the government GPS tracking device under the gas tank!
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now with 50 percent more EVIL
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