Bike Crash

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ttuna

2013-02-25 7:15 PM

Subject: Bike Crash

Had my first bike crash yesterday afternoon. Kind of banged my shoulder pretty good, but no real damage. I landed in grass luckily.

I was going 10-12 mph up a hill and when I started turning to the right I realized my tire was going flat. The next thing I new I was on the ground. When I started making the turn my wheel kind of went over the tire, and my handle bars jerked to the right, and down I went.

Playing this over and over in my head i cant see why the flat caused my front tire to turn so sharply to the right. I went back to the scene today and noticed a small indentation in the pavement (maybe a foot in diameter and 1" deep) and Im wondering if my front tire went in this and caused the jerk to the right.

All of this brings me to my question. Whats the best way to keep from getting flat tires? It seems like getting gator skins tires is the best way?

spearit

2013-02-25 7:43 PM

in reply to: #4636844

Extreme Veteran

643

, Guam

Subject: RE: Bike Crash

I use the Continental GatorHardShell. If is FAR from being the best race tire, but I have NEVER had a flat training or racing. I put on a new pair a little before my A race in January then train and race on that same pair almost every other day here in Miami till the next Jan. I pump both tires all the way up before each ride no matter how hard they feel and inspect each wheel before and after each ride. I also am VERY attentive to not run over anything that I can avoid and wipe my tires if I do run over any glass, etc. (Wiping down a spinning back tire at 20+mph is the main reason I'll not ride without riding gloves).

Hope this helps

Edited by spearit 2013-02-25 7:48 PM

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Shaggy101

2013-02-25 8:07 PM

in reply to: #4636844

Member

Subject: RE: Bike Crash

This may be a "duh" to you, but thought I'd throw it out there. When I first started I failed to realize how important it was to properly inflate your tires EVERY TIME you ride. My first ride on my bike with my training partner, his first ride as well, he had a flat due to an underinflated tire. So, that may be old news to you but could be your problem.

colinphillips

2013-02-25 8:17 PM

in reply to: #4636844

Master

2563

University Park, MD

Subject: RE: Bike Crash

The two ways that I avoid flats are:

(i) Gatorskins for training (not for races)
(ii) almost always ride on the trainer (... probably not what you were looking for, I know)

My Race Log

ttuna

2013-02-25 8:24 PM

in reply to: #4636844

Subject: RE: Bike Crash

Thanks for the tire suggestion, Im going to get a set of something similar to those. I do always check the tires before riding and add air if needed. This happened near the end of an hour long ride and Im guessing I ran over something a bit before it happened.

It definately shakes you up when you hit the ground. This time yesterday I was ready to get rid of the road bike and get a beach cruiser.

spearit

2013-02-26 7:01 AM

in reply to: #4636923

Extreme Veteran

643

, Guam

Subject: RE: Bike Crash

IMO---do not let one little spill on the grass ruin your riding carrier. Many of use here have healed broken collar bones (both sides), road rash, scar tissue, post trauma aches and pains, etc from many falls from many years. If you ride you will eventually fall. So suck it up and ride it like you stole it.

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chenny

2013-02-26 8:41 AM

in reply to: #4636844

New user

433

Subject: RE: Bike Crash

I heard of a saying "In biking it is not if but when you will crash." I didn't believe this until I crashed at IMKY, back wheel locked up (perform got in back breaks, hot day, break pads were like glue on the tire). I ate pavement going 15mph going up hill, broke face bones, cracked rips. If I didn't have the helmet, I would be biking in the heavens now.

You can watch your gear, tires, tubes, etc, to help avoid crashes. Also, sometimes accidents just happen, taking a curve to tight, running into gravel, having a stupid car stop right in front of you while at a stop light and clipped in because stupid car didn't see other car and stopped short...my fault..should have had one leg out.

ttuna

2013-05-05 12:51 PM

in reply to: #4636844

96	Subject: RE: Bike Crash A belated thankyou for the good advice on the Gator Hardshells. Ive been on 15 or so rides since getting them and no flats.

wolfador

2013-05-05 5:32 PM

in reply to: #4636915

Veteran

437

Pittsburgh, PA

Subject: RE: Bike Crash

colinphillips - 2013-02-25 9:17 PM

The two ways that I avoid flats are:

(i) Gatorskins for training (not for races)
(ii) almost always ride on the trainer (... probably not what you were looking for, I know)

I've had two flats on the trainer and only one out on the road.

(Trainer flats were my own fault, twisted the valve and it ripped a hole into it right there)

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Evergreen

2013-05-05 5:47 PM

in reply to: #4637287

Veteran

622

Roll Tide!!

Subject: RE: Bike Crash

chenny - 2013-02-26 8:41 AM

Broke face bones? OUCH!!!

must remember for when I do: Suck it up! Suck it up!

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TMAC83

2013-05-05 5:49 PM

in reply to: #4636844

Extreme Veteran

502

Washington

Subject: RE: Bike Crash

I crash all the time on my mountain bike. I should mountain bike less..

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1_Mad_Madone

2013-05-05 8:36 PM

in reply to: #4636844

Veteran

335

Subject: RE: Bike Crash

Gatorskins... Only flat in two years was yesterday after the 40 mile event (Bike on the rack)... No puncture bad tube thin spot near fill valve... hole was on the rim side of the tube at the junction of the valve. Lasted about 150 miles.

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sebaf74

2013-05-06 1:22 PM

in reply to: #4636923