Boom Separation and Collapse--My Own Dumb Fault

[Tophat Fiddle]

Boom Separation and Collapse--My Own Dumb Fault

Okay, so–there I was, riding my bike on the city streets that lead to the trail, when I said to myself, “Self, I seem to be having to scootch down in the seat to get full extension on the pedals, hmm. Well, it must be my imagination….”

Not 30 seconds later, the inner boom tube came out of the outer boom tube and the crank and front sprocket crashed to the ground! It happens at 0:16 in the clip.

It's my own dumb fault–I have neither been checking the boom clamp that holds the inner boom tube in, nor have I been looking at the scale number on the boom scale to ensure that it's where I set it at. I had my tools with me, it was easily fixed, and now I know that the boom scale is adjusted to and tightened at 20 on the scale and so if 21 starts to show, then it's slipping out.

Lessons Learned: (a) if I'm feeling like I have to scootch down in the seat to get full pedal, it's not my imagination, and (b) add a look at that scale number to my preflight check.

Mmm-hmm.

 

[Greg S]

Oh boy - that could have been bad! Good thing you weren't going fast and/or in the middle of traffic!

One thing I've learned (the hard way) over the years - if I hear a strange noise, something doesn't feel right, whatever: stop and investigate. Once I know what it is I know whether or not it's safe to ignore it. This has saved me from a few real disasters.

A related lesson: never leave a job in the middle. I was putting a bike back together after travel. I tightened everything a little more than finger tight then got interrupted. Several weeks later I jumped on and started riding. Didn't end well although not nearly so bad as it might have been.

Glad you're OK!

 

[Tophat Fiddle]

Oh boy - that could have been bad! Good thing you weren't going fast and/or in the middle of traffic!

One thing I've learned (the hard way) over the years - if I hear a strange noise, something doesn't feel right, whatever: stop and investigate. Once I know what it is I know whether or not it's safe to ignore it. This has saved me from a few real disasters.

A related lesson: never leave a job in the middle. I was putting a bike back together after travel. I tightened everything a little more than finger tight then got interrupted. Several weeks later I jumped on and started riding. Didn't end well although not nearly so bad as it might have been.

Glad you're OK!

Thanks!

 

[Always-Learnin]

Boom Separation and Collapse--My Own Dumb Fault

Okay, so–there I was, riding my bike on the city streets that lead to the trail, when I said to myself, “Self, I seem to be having to scootch down in the seat to get full extension on the pedals, hmm. Well, it must be my imagination….”

Not 30 seconds later, the inner boom tube came out of the outer boom tube and the crank and front sprocket crashed to the ground! It happens at 0:16 in the clip.

It's my own dumb fault–I have neither been checking the boom clamp that holds the inner boom tube in, nor have I been looking at the scale number on the boom scale to ensure that it's where I set it at. I had my tools with me, it was easily fixed, and now I know that the boom scale is adjusted to and tightened at 20 on the scale and so if 21 starts to show, then it's slipping out.

Lessons Learned: (a) if I'm feeling like I have to scootch down in the seat to get full pedal, it's not my imagination, and (b) add a look at that scale number to my preflight check.

Mmm-hmm.

The cycling gods were looking out for you my friend! Scary!!!

 

[pwolfrulz]

I had the same thing happen to me on an evening ride in October. I was feeling sorry for myself as I hadn’t yet purchased a multi tool for this bike yet. Then i realized I had the tools that came for assembly in my pannier and i was fortunate enough to be in a relatively well lit area. I was soon on my way again. Talk about an “oh, Hell!” moment, though!