A close escape !

[Psycolist]

I believe in maintenance being done in little and often sessions. Every week, regardless of mileage done I go over both my bikes checking brakes, tyre pressures, lubrication and dirt. As a rule it only takes about 10 mins, unless I've been out in the wilderness on my MTB, but then I would have spent the time to clean up and check over the bike after that ride anyway. Anyhoo, getting back to the point, I was going over my hybrid today, the first time for 3 weeks, because I have been re-spraying and re-building my MTB. So, about 3 times longer than the usual check up, and probably twice the usual weekly mileage over that period because of the MTB being out of commission, to find that one of the rim brake blocks on the front wheel was so loose, it had taken up a vertical position instead of the normal horizontal If I had ridden the bike like that and used that front brake, and had the pad would pressed against the tyre, and if it was a 'hard ' stop it could well have locked up the front wheel and sent me over the handlebars. I think its quite possible that the block had been moved into this position while I was wiping the dirt and grime away from the forks and brake, but it would have had to be loose enough for a cloth to move it. I had not noticed anything different or had any concerns that the brakes were not working just as they should. As my daily commute includes several steep hills, all be it very short steep hills, I think I am very lucky to have noticed this issue when I did. Its a puzzle to me how the pad was left this loose, or how long it had been like it. The last time I can remember having to re-seat the pad was before Christmas. But a close escape, and am I pleased that I do things in my little and often way. Any one out there had any similar close shaves ? in respect of mechanicals, rather than other drivers or road conditions, especially on a bike that you look after and service yourself.

 

[gbb]

Had a similar incident to yours actually...and it probably was my fault.
I'd been cleaning I think, had the calipers and pads off , put it back together and forgot about it.
Next ride, several miles in I heard and felt something ting against the frame, looked, saw nothing, assumed it was a pebble or similar.
Rode on...to the next slightly downhill approach to a roundabout.....eeeek, no brake.

So that was what fell off....
I wouldn't mind, but spanners is my work, I'm usually so careful to make sure I tighten as I go.

 

[Smokin Joe]

Back when indexing, clipless pedals and all the rest were not even a germ in designers eye. Rode an early season 25 TT called the Croydon Hardriders, being of a non-flat nature. On a bike I'd put together a couple of days before and barely ridden I was grinding up a steep hill when I felt something tinkle against the spokes on the front wheel. No indication of a problem so I crested the top and tucked in for a fast decent, and approaching a slight bend at warp speed I applied the front brake to find the said tinkle was one of the brake blocks parting company with the caliper. I just about made the bend with the back wheel locked and sliding Moto GP style, my heart in my mouth, my then short life flashing before me and my arse on the verge of depositing both my breakfast and the previous days dinner over the saddle.

Motto since then: Properly test a new build before you ride it seriously.