Hi y'all. Last July, I crashed my bike and broke my elbow. It's spring now and my bones are healing, so I tried going out for a ride. I felt too nervous to go far and had to turn around. I know I'll have to get over the mental block to go biking again. But besides that, do you have any suggestions for changes to my bike setup that would make it safer?
For reference, I'm a 6'4" 250lb man biking on city streets and bike paths in Minneapolis, USA. When I bought the bike 5 years ago, I was told it was a Russian titanium frame from the 90s. I admittedly don't know a lot about bike repair. The most I've done on it is a flat repair. But I love this bike and it has sentimental value to me. At this point, it has been with me through multiple cross country moves! Pics attached.
by jesuisFLUB
13 Comments
I had a two-bolt stem beak a bolt once. I would get a more modern four bolt stem.
That is an amazing bike! And you live in the most bikeable city in the states (screw you, portland!) Those would motivate me to get back on that thing and get out there for sure.
Stay on the paths around the lakes or the amazing rail trails all around you, eventually your confidence will return.
I grew up in the twin cities and bring my bike every time i visit. make the most of what you have and get out there, you will be glad you did.
What a wonderful looking bike! As far as building confidence, time in the saddle does it for me. When you aren’t on a bike path, concentrate on being smooth and predictable.
Get a new fork! That thing is toast
Edit: new tires too. Those things look pretty old, greater risk of crashing due to losing traction or flats
Edit 2: new brake pads, adjust your brakes properly (the lever is in the “open” position which will give you less/no grip on the rims)
Honestly, take it to a bike shop and have someone look it over to make sure there’s no structural damage from the crash
This is where having a shop check every nut and bolt is the way to go, since knowing a shop that stands behind their work will put your mind at ease.
Make sure brakes are well adjusted and tight. Then get comfortable practicing stopping on a dime using both brakes and shifting your weight rearward so you don’t go over the bars. Even practice stopping so quickly that your rear wheel lifts up. This gets you comfortable with your bike’s brakes too.
Your brakes are only as strong as your tires. Quality appropriate tires for your riding surfaces, and as wide as your bike can fit.
Ensure stem bolts are appropriate torque, QR skewers.
And then make sure you’re sitting as upright as you want so you can comfortably see ahead of you and around you.
Nice bike. Bigger gravel style tires could help, or so ive heard from big people that accidently hit curbs n stuff. Slower but less broken spokes.
Flat bars or bull horns make it easier to have your head up, again slightly slower but its easier to see whats going on around you.
The frame looks really nice and quite unique, I’d have a shop check if the carbon fork is damaged tho. Personally I’d put new, wider tyres on it, I’d also likely replace those pedals and the seat but could understand if you like them and don’t feel the same, it’s preference.
If money were no object I’d probably try to modernise the bike in a general sense, the handlebar/stem setup looks ancient too.
I’ve recovered from a few bike crashes. Honestly, it is just time in the saddle. Best of luck!
First: if that fork has been damaged as badly as it looks, that fork could literally kill you when, not if, it breaks. Do not ride that bike AT ALL until the fork is inspected and probably replaced.
The brake in one of those photos is in the “open” position. It needs to be closed to work correctly.
Skinny tires! Can you fit something a little wider in there? You might be extremely limited.
Rewrap the bar tape, obviously.
This bike may have sentimental value to you, but I think you should put serious thought into something new. The high rise stem and comfort saddle are hints you need a more appropriate fit, possibly something with wider tires, slacker geometry and more comfortable bars and shifters. Nothing about that bike looks fun to ride to me (longtime roadie who now rocks 700x38s and hydraulic disc brakes).
Fork is toast, I’d add the largest tires you can fit that are high quality.
Consider a different bike. A gravel bike will be more stable, and inspire more confidence than a skinny tired road bike.
Put the widest, highest quality tires you can on the bike. Typically a rim brake road bike like this can do 25mm. Try a continental gp 5000.
Put new brake pads in. I recommend salmon Kool stops.
Make sure the travel for your brake calipers is the absolute minimum, just barely wide enough to clear the rim. This will give you the maximum brake force.
Check every bolt, put the relevant grease or thread locker everywhere, and use a torque wrench to tighten everything perfectly. Run new cable if you see any fraying or rust at all.
Get lights for the front and rear.
Wear a good helmet. Check the [Virginia Tech Helmet Database ](https://www.helmet.beam.vt.edu/bicycle-helmet-ratings.html), they have literally hundreds of recommended helmets.
Or just take it to a good bike shop and ask them to get you sorted.
Ride safe out there!