Argh!

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abo

abo

Well-Known Member
Location
Stockton on Tees
My wife wasn't overkeen on be getting a bike because 'they're dangerous' but since the kids are now wobbling round the park on their bikes she caved in.

Anyway... I've had mine just over a week and one of her relatives has just been hospitalised; He was going fast downhill, braked with both brakes, the rear failed and he went over the bars. Needs an operation but there is no-one in the hospital available to do it until Monday (worrying!!!)

So of course she is in 'bikes are dangerous' mode again :/
 
Cyclopathic

Cyclopathic

Veteran
Location
Leicester.
abo said:
My wife wasn't overkeen on be getting a bike because 'they're dangerous' but since the kids are now wobbling round the park on their bikes she caved in.

Anyway... I've had mine just over a week and one of her relatives has just been hospitalised; I was going fast downhill, braked with both brakes, the rear failed and he went over the bars. Needs an operation but there is no-one in the hospital available to do it until Monday (worrying!!!)

So of course she is in 'bikes are dangerous' mode again :/
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Are you saying that the rear brake failed on the new bike you had? If so you should be having a serious word with the shop who sold it to you. That's if you got it new from a shop. It could have been put together quiclky and things not tightened properly which is absolutely unforgivable and probably actionable...Kerching.

I may have read it wrong...It's your relative that got hurt. Still was his bike new?
 
OP
OP
abo

abo

Well-Known Member
Location
Stockton on Tees
Ah no I edited the post after I read it; it was my wife's relative who had the brake fail on his (to me, unknown age) bike. I don't know the full gen yet, might have been a part let go prematurely, or even poor or lack of maintenance but I'm not sure yet.
 
asterix

asterix

Comrade Member
Location
Limoges or York
Presumably she would not travel by car either? Death traps, as we all know.

Some bikes have very fierce brakes IME, quite hard to modulate. I had a go on a friends new hybrid once and was astonished how fierce the front was - I could have gone over the bars myself - V-brakes. I find my dual pivot caliper type very adequate but nothing like as fierce.
 
ian turner

ian turner

Guru
Location
Leicestershire
You could try the Calm down dear approach :thumbsup:

Though I'd go for the old enough to make your own decisions and be responsible line.

Just don't go down hill at speed and brake well in advance.
What caused the relative to apply the brakes rabidly ? Inconsiderate driver ?
 
B

Bicycle

Guest
I'm an ex-motorcyclist and haven't ridden an inch on a motorcycle since finding I was going to be a father some 18 years ago.

But... I ride almost everywhere on a bicycle and see that as a completely safe option.

Many, many friends (and my cycling GP) see my view as entirely mad.

Nonetheless, to me motorcycles are jolly dangerous and bicycles are (mostly) completely safe.

(Of course, I keep a mid-70s Italian motorcycle in case I ever have a change of heart).

I agree with the earlier post advising you to say you're getting a motorcycle... that'll scare the Hell out of your spouse.

Failing that, tell her you're going to chainsaw some firewood in trainers and shorts.... that does it for my beloved. (although I always wear sunglasses to avoid getting sawdust in my eyes).

After casual chainsawing, everything else looks safe and cosy.

I hope this post was helpful....
 
OP
OP
abo

abo

Well-Known Member
Location
Stockton on Tees
Ah no worries, I'll be keeping the bike :tongue:

Don't really know the circumstances around the crash BTW, I heard it third hand (mother-in-law to wife to me) and you know how info gets mangled as it passes down the line...

Actually, as an inexperienced rider I've got a question about braking, but I'll start a new thread, to show off my n00bishness!
 
funnymummy

funnymummy

A Dizzy M.A.B.I.L
Location
Lancing West Sussex
Bicycle said:
I'm an ex-motorcyclist and haven't ridden an inch on a motorcycle since finding I was going to be a father some 18 years ago.

But... I ride almost everywhere on a bicycle and see that as a completely safe option.

Many, many friends (and my cycling GP) see my view as entirely mad.

Nonetheless, to me motorcycles are jolly dangerous and bicycles are (mostly) completely safe.
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14 years ago I had a very narrow escape on my motorbike (Bandit 1200), I was begged by family to stop riding as I had a young son to think of... I have not been back on a M'bike since
But they think it fine for me to ride a motorless bike, towing children in a trailer.. Hmmm?
So how does #1 repay me? Buys a Vespa at 16 with inheritance, at 17 buys a 125 chopper, then last week passes his full test & is now selling both bikes to buy a 600... OMG I will never sleep again!!
 
germanicdogman

germanicdogman

Veteran
i find the my motorbike was safer no close passes or left hooks,
it was mainly T junctions and roundabouts that were a problem cars pulling out but you get that with the cycle more so.
 
N

Norm

Guest
HLaB said:
I've never ridden a motorbike so I cant say 100% but they seem perfectly safe to me, unfortunately its just the other muppets out there that make it dangerous and you have less time to react to them.
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I said almost exactly this as I was leaving work this evening.
Colleague: "Ooo, you ride a motorbike, they are so dangerous..."
Norm: "Nope, bikes are fine, it's the careless thoughtless murdering twats in cars that are dangerous... have a great weekend"


funnymummy said:
I was begged by family to stop riding as I had a young son to think of... I have not been back on a M'bike since
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I'll pick you up about half 9 tomorrow morning, don't forget your helmet. :biggrin:
 
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