Zipp 303 vs Single Track

Quigley sent me this photo of his Zipp 303 that failed while he was riding his cyclocross bike on single track. Riding 'cross bikes on mountain bike trails is fun, but I can't recommend doing it with your good wheels, especially if your trails are anything like the ones I ride on Vancouver Island.

Broken Bars

My friend Dave spotted these bars in the basement of Oak Bay Bikes.

Carbon Fork / Disc Brakes

Photo from Alan:

Salsa Las Cruces CX frame built up as touring bike with hydraulic discs. Braking force separated the aluminum dropout from carbon fork blade.

No Carbon Wednesday: BMX

I've haven't posted a BMX bike yet. Luckily Justin sent me a photo of one.

The company did end up warrantying it because the first batch they made did have a few issues. Sometimes even heattreated chromoly fails especially when doing 360's to flat from eight feet up. Came out unschated luckily.

And yes, you can get carbon fiber BMX frames.

Another Victim of Cyclocross

Craig sent me this photo of his bars.

They broke in my hands after a previous crash probably weakened them. Separated shoulder and a new love of aluminum bars. Easton sent me a new replacement bar no questions asked. They are for sale.

Mountain Bike vs Truck

Here is a crazy story from Jeremy. I have no idea how he is still alive. I've suffered some pretty serious accidents, and even I can't imagine how much this hurt.

This happend a long time ago. In may of 94 or 95 I was trying to hit 60 mph. I had hit 59 but couldnt break the 60 barrier so I got road tires and a bigger front chain ring. I was young and dumb and tried it at night with no lights. A truck made a left in front of me this is the aftermath. It took a year and seven surgeries (two bone graphs) to get me back on my feet. Obviously this is no fault of the carbon, but 15 yrs later I still have visible shards in my leg to remember my first mountain bike. Now 15 yrs later I am still a bicycle messenger, and I love it.

Army Spring Classic 2009

Thanks to Tony for some pictures of the carnage at the Army Spring Classic.

Descending the Guaramiranga

Leandro from Brazil sent me these photos of his friends bike. He crashed descending the Guaramiranga for the first time. Luckily he only received minor scuffs. His "Pinarello Style" bike however did not survive.

No Carbon Wednesday: Snapped Stem

Another photo from Rick from the 2002 Snake Alley Criterium in Burlington, Iowa.

The Army of the Lord did not help this stem.

Treck 5500 vs Parking Meter

Another great photo from Rick from the 2000 Snake Alley Criterium in Burlington, Iowa. Unfortunately the rider was seriously hurt and required hospitalization.

Special thanks to Rick for scanning the photos and sending them to me. Great to have some pictures from before the era of the digital camera.

Calfee vs Garage

Once again the garage wins. Thanks to Rick for another photo, this one is from the 1999 Quad Cities Criteirum in Rock Island, Illinois. Calfee repaired the bike, I wonder what that cost in 1999.

Spinergy Rev-X

Rick sent in this photo of Jerome from the 2000 Quad Cities Criterium in Rock Island, Illinois. Jerome appears to be giving the Rev-X a fairly negative review.

2010 Madone 6.9 Pro: Busted Chainstay

This one is from Jeff:

Was riding at 6mph up a smooth hill. Stopped to re-seat my computer on bars. Started up again and heard a bang and lurched as the wheel started rubbing. Thought it was a broken spoke. Nope, broken chainstay. Was in my 34/21.

Annoying, but warranty should cover it.

Brian vs Minivan

Looks like his Roubaix lost. Hope he was ok.

Busted BMC & Hip

Brian sent me these photos. I have a hard time looking at them, looks very painful. He says:

Guardrail 1. BMC/femur: 0

Healed fasted. Rode Alpe D'Huez 4 months to the day of the accident.

Wow, he's tougher than me.

Specialized Handle Bars

Ted just sent in these photos of his handle bars. No crashes, just out of the saddle cranking and they broke. Lame.

No Carbon Wednesday: Cyclocross Destruction

One common theme in cyclocross racing everywhere is destroying your bike. I'd like to see carbon fiber do this. Thanks to Eric for the photos.

Wind vs Bike

I was just alerted to a bizarre story on bikeforums.net. Mr Quadzilla says:

It's really windy here today in Silicon Valley. I was riding to work. Going 25 (according to Garmin). A gust lifted up my front end. Seriously, I got lift, and turned my front wheel a little. When my wheel touched the ground the fork snapped in half, broke...

However it was really windy, windy enough to snap a cable on the Bay Bridge.

Repaired Carbon

Shawn of Ruckus Components just sent me a link showing off his carbon repairs and custom creations. You'd have to be a braver man than me to ride repaired carbon.