New wheels, pot holes and space on the roads
Today I was riding along Railway Terrace South (easting east) in Goodwood when I was run off the road by a driver traveling in the opposite direction. He made to overtake a parked car on what is a fairly narrow road in extremely poor condition, but seemed to think that it would be a good idea to take the whole road, including the part that I was riding in. Obviously he had not seen me, the sun was probably in his eyes or something, or some other piss poor excuse that we have all heard a 100 times before. After all I was wearing my shirt of invisibility, the long sleeved fluro yellow variety, you know the kind, and its not like I am a small guy or anything. Guess that he did not see the shadow I was casting. I guess he also missed the large day-glow yellow and orange flag and rainbow windsock that was attached the the BOB trailer that was towing behind my touring bike! Anyway, being run off the road on Railway Terrace South is not such a big deal as there is no gutter to run into when heading east, just gravel. I think what really annoyed me though was that his actions caused me to hit one of the biggest pot holes that are on this section of road (there are heaps- this road is shit) - all three wheels went straight through it. Now, I have been contemplating getting a new wheel-set for my touring bike, something really nice like some 700c Velocity Cliffhangers with XT hubs. Have also been researching a dynamo front hub for lights and digital accessory charging duties. Was planning to hold off on this purchase though as it was not strictly necessary, but now, when I brake the 'blip, blip, blip...' of my front wheel would be seeming to indicate that this purchase will have to be made much sooner than intended.... bloody hell....did not really need this....
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Roger ... on -
I've got Mavic 719 rims laced to XT hubs on my 29er (32 spokes each) and am very happy although they go "click, click" too. From what I can gather although they are a welded rim, the locator pins that held the rim straight during manufacture have come loose when i possibly hit a pothole or something similar. The pins flop around deep inside the SUP welded rim joint. The noise drives me nuts although i only hear it on quiet mornings in the backstreets..
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Permalink Reply by Alexander Langman Hender on -
That sucks. You really couldn't have been higher viz until you were sitting on his bonnet.
Anyway, I'll have an XT or Deore rear hub for your shortly - I think that it's XT but I can't remember.
Since you want a dynamo front anyway you won't need the front hub ;-)
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Permalink Reply by Jeremy Miller on -
thanks for the offer Alex, but I recall that your wheels are 32 hole, as I am a big guy who likes to carry heavy loads, 36 spokes in a minimum for me!! ;-)
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Permalink Reply by Alexander Langman Hender on
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Fatty :-)
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Permalink Reply by Michael Warner on -
I can recommend Rigida deep alloy rims for carrying heavy loads around on a road bike. For years I've had a 32-spoke one on the back of my commuting/shopping bike, laced onto a lowly Sora hub, and it's been bulletproof. It's very heavy, but who cares?
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Permalink Reply by Jeremy Miller on
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Interesting, I'll follow up with Unley Council and see what they have to say!
Cheers
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Permalink Reply by Michael Warner on
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The feel of your brakes is very sensitive to dings or imperfect joins in the rim, but it's usually no big deal. You can probably bend the flange back into shape, ensure that the lip holding the tyre is smooth, and keep riding on it. Check carefully for cracking, though.
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Permalink Reply by Peter Hill on -
A few years ago a friend complained to the council (Torrens council) about how he came a cropper after hitting a pot hole on the road and mangled his front wheel in the process and the council paid for a new one!
Amazing! give it a go.
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Permalink Reply by heather on -
Some years ago part of King William Road was closed off when a trench was dug. A few days later I cycled through in the dark after the lane had been reopened. Did not realise until the thump that the trench had not been fully filled. Too common to fill with gravel and leave a shallow trench awaiting asphalt. My wheel was now out of round requiring small cost of $25. Thought that it might encourage better planning for cyclists if I asked to be reimbursed. ACC obliged, with a note saying that it did not indicate acceptance of liability.
Last year on a North Adelaide shared path there was more trenching that was not fully filled. Saw it in the daylight and told the workers who said they would fix that day. Did not. Emailed an ACC cycle planner who organised a fix.
Have you noticed how many times old trenches have not been adequately filled for cycling? Had trouble getting various authorities to remedy. Am now adding to my email reports "For a bicycle without suspension, this road depression is uncomfortable and distracting for road safety". Works with Charles Sturt Council. Will check if this has now prompted DTEI to act.
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Permalink Reply by heather on
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Jeremy, you may have legal right for bicycle repair reimbursement. Would appreciate any feedback on this.
Here is a link to articles on two councils that paid damages when cycle paths not meeting Austroads resulted in serious injury and death. http://www.bv.com.au/join-in/42075/
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Permalink Reply by GlenM on -
I commute along that street regularly and I have noticed that the pothole was been filled several days ago.
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Permalink Reply by Jeremy Miller on
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Yes, I noticed that coming home on the weekend via that route - meant to pot it earlier to the group - I had put in an email regarding the road surface to Unley Council - they are looking at budgets to resurface, but in the mean time will do remedial work. Better than nothing !
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