Seven miles out and wife derailer snaps off.. what would you have done?
12-02-16, 04:55 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: n.j.
Posts: 131
Bikes: Specialized Roubaix pro / Specialized Stumpjumper xtr
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Seven miles out and wife derailer snaps off.. what would you have done?
7 miles out on a bike ride with my wife and her derailer decides to break. I went back to my car to retrieve the bike.
I could remember years ago that this had happened to a rider a group ride and it was repairable so the rider was able to limp back to his vehicle .don't remember what they did. what would you guys have done in this situation?
I could remember years ago that this had happened to a rider a group ride and it was repairable so the rider was able to limp back to his vehicle .don't remember what they did. what would you guys have done in this situation?
Last edited by adamant; 12-02-16 at 05:10 PM.
12-02-16, 04:57 PM
#2
Occam's Rotor
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,248
Mentioned: 61 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2366 Post(s)
Liked 2,331 Times
in
1,164 Posts
If your "wife trailer" means "wife's derailer", and you went back to get the car to then retrieve the bike, I think I get it. In any case, if you have a chain tool, you can bypass the derailer and just pick a cog that would allow her to ride back. But since there were two of you, and you had both a car and a wife trailer, that was probably the simplest solution, other than a divorce or a better keyboard.
Last edited by Cyclist0108; 12-02-16 at 05:01 PM.
12-02-16, 05:03 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Pasadena, CA
Posts: 4,848
Bikes: Schwinn Varsity
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1931 Post(s)
Liked 742 Times
in
422 Posts
Bike trailer breaks... leave it behind.
Front Derailleur breaks... continue ride.
Rear Deraileur breaks... take out tool and take off the bike... get it in a gear with good chainline and try to ride it.
Walk back to car. Don't leave wife behind.
Front Derailleur breaks... continue ride.
Rear Deraileur breaks... take out tool and take off the bike... get it in a gear with good chainline and try to ride it.
Walk back to car. Don't leave wife behind.
12-02-16, 05:11 PM
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: n.j.
Posts: 131
Bikes: Specialized Roubaix pro / Specialized Stumpjumper xtr
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
[QQUOTE=wgscott;19228171]I've read the topic title and the first two sentences 8 times now and am still trying to figure out WTF this means.
If your "wife trailer" means "wife's derailer", and you went back to get the car to then retrieve the bike, I think I get it. In any case, if you have a chain tool, you can bypass the derailer and just pick a cog that would allow her to ride back. But since there were two of you, and you had both a car and a wife trailer, that was probably the simplest solution, other than a divorce or a better keyboard.[/QUOTE]
No reading glasses and don't rely on text to speak. Sorry about that
If your "wife trailer" means "wife's derailer", and you went back to get the car to then retrieve the bike, I think I get it. In any case, if you have a chain tool, you can bypass the derailer and just pick a cog that would allow her to ride back. But since there were two of you, and you had both a car and a wife trailer, that was probably the simplest solution, other than a divorce or a better keyboard.[/QUOTE]
No reading glasses and don't rely on text to speak. Sorry about that
12-02-16, 05:14 PM
#6
Occam's Rotor
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,248
Mentioned: 61 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2366 Post(s)
Liked 2,331 Times
in
1,164 Posts
I just assumed it was auto-correct...
12-02-16, 05:46 PM
#7
Family, Health, Cycling
12-02-16, 05:56 PM
#9
Advocatus Diaboli
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Wherever I am
Posts: 8,636
Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4733 Post(s)
Liked 1,532 Times
in
1,003 Posts
Uber and a see ya back at home.
12-02-16, 06:19 PM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Jose (Willow Glen) Ca
Posts: 9,846
Bikes: Kirk Custom JK Special, '84 Team Miyata,(dura ace old school) 80?? SR Semi-Pro 600 Arabesque
Mentioned: 106 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2338 Post(s)
Liked 2,822 Times
in
1,541 Posts
this does not always work with modern ramped cogs, the chain will self shift to smaller cogs. you pretty much have to use the smallest cog
__________________
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
12-02-16, 06:31 PM
#12
working on my sandal tan
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,629
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3871 Post(s)
Liked 2,568 Times
in
1,579 Posts
12-02-16, 06:34 PM
#13
Senior Member
If you have a chain tool, you can usually get some variety of single-speed operation. It depends on exactly what happened though.
Honestly, for 7 miles with wife, getting the car is the correct solution.
Consider the following scenarios:
1) Fix and ride out.
Spend 30min fighting with chain tool, selecting single-speed gear, etc. Then have her limp the bike 7 miles back to the car. Total elapsed time ~1 hr.
Then when you get back you have a chain that's too short, so now needs 2x quick links, etc.
And that's assuming that there was no other issues such as damaged wheel.
2) Get car.
Leave wife sitting at nearest coffee shop/restuarant to have a coffee. Ride quickly back to get car (20-30 min). Return with car (10 min).
Elapsed time <1 hr. Meanwhile the wife is comfortably drinking a coffee/tea. Fix bike at home in the comfort of your garage.
Anyone who thinks that the first option is preferable is borderline delusional. There are very good times for emergency trail repair, this doesn't seem like one of them.
Honestly, for 7 miles with wife, getting the car is the correct solution.
Consider the following scenarios:
1) Fix and ride out.
Spend 30min fighting with chain tool, selecting single-speed gear, etc. Then have her limp the bike 7 miles back to the car. Total elapsed time ~1 hr.
Then when you get back you have a chain that's too short, so now needs 2x quick links, etc.
And that's assuming that there was no other issues such as damaged wheel.
2) Get car.
Leave wife sitting at nearest coffee shop/restuarant to have a coffee. Ride quickly back to get car (20-30 min). Return with car (10 min).
Elapsed time <1 hr. Meanwhile the wife is comfortably drinking a coffee/tea. Fix bike at home in the comfort of your garage.
Anyone who thinks that the first option is preferable is borderline delusional. There are very good times for emergency trail repair, this doesn't seem like one of them.
12-02-16, 06:57 PM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Posts: 27,547
Mentioned: 217 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18376 Post(s)
Liked 4,511 Times
in
3,353 Posts
Anything less than 7 miles, and one can walk.
Over 7 miles... and perhaps repair the bike.
Road access vs 7 miles off the main road?
Not every street corner has a coffee shop. I've been 50 miles out with no coffee shop in sight.
Some things can be repaired... or perhaps are limpable as-is.
I was visiting my Brother over Thanksgiving and drug out Dad's old bike from his garage. Alas, the rear derailleur as just hanging there limp. I unscrewed the lower cage. Got the spring oriented right, and screwed it back together. 10 minutes later... and it was good as new (well... as good as it was 40 years ago
).Since I do a lot of solo riding, I try to bring enough tools with me that I can keep myself on the road for a variety of situations. Oh... and if something sticks (chain suck), stop pedalling before one breaks something.
12-02-16, 07:04 PM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Martinsburg WV Area
Posts: 1,704
Bikes: State 4130 Custom, Giant Trance 29
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 422 Post(s)
Liked 182 Times
in
123 Posts
Soooooo, leaving the Wifie on her own so you can complete the ride, is not a good idea? 
12-02-16, 07:42 PM
#16
Occam's Rotor
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,248
Mentioned: 61 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2366 Post(s)
Liked 2,331 Times
in
1,164 Posts
Just strap her to the wife-trailer.
12-02-16, 07:47 PM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NE Indiana
Posts: 8,687
Bikes: 2020 Masi Giramondo 700c; 2013 Lynskey Peloton; 1992 Giant Rincon; 1989 Dawes needs parts; 1985 Trek 660; 1985 Fuji Club; 1984 Schwinn Voyager; 1984 Miyata 612; 1977 Raleigh Competition GS
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1126 Post(s)
Liked 253 Times
in
204 Posts
Agreed; most importantly I would have never left my wife behind. There was a fixable solution that would have allowed her to ride back to the car howbeit in one gear but rideable. At the very worse a 2 hour walk assuming the wife is fit which she must have been if she was out riding.
12-02-16, 07:59 PM
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Posts: 27,547
Mentioned: 217 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18376 Post(s)
Liked 4,511 Times
in
3,353 Posts
Agreed; most importantly I would have never left my wife behind. There was a fixable solution that would have allowed her to ride back to the car howbeit in one gear but rideable. At the very worse a 2 hour walk assuming the wife is fit which she must have been if she was out riding.
I can't think of a single place I'd want to ride that I wouldn't want either person to walk alone.
12-02-16, 08:45 PM
#20
Banned.
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: downtown Bulverde, Texas
Posts: 2,717
Bikes: '74 Raleigh International utility; '98 Moser Forma road; '92 Viner Pro CX upright
Mentioned: 44 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 939 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
5 Posts
I think you should tell us about the derailleur, maybe show a photo of the break - inquiring minds want to know....
12-02-16, 08:51 PM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Posts: 4,811
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1591 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,018 Times
in
571 Posts
I'd ride home and get the truck. There are a lot of folks with pick ups here so depending on the road we were on there's a fair chance someone would offer her a ride before I got back.
I had to leave her by the roadside at night a month or so back when she discovered a couple of abandoned kittens. But fortunately it just inside of two miles so it didn't take too long. And the kittens behaved well the entire time I'm told.
I had to leave her by the roadside at night a month or so back when she discovered a couple of abandoned kittens. But fortunately it just inside of two miles so it didn't take too long. And the kittens behaved well the entire time I'm told.
12-02-16, 10:43 PM
#22
Senior Member
Seven miles out and wife derailer snaps off.. what would you have done?
Alternative 2: if you can't get the derailleur off the bike, try to remove the chain from the derailleur and tie the derailleur up out of the way of the spokes on the chain stay. Break the chain as above. If you can't, then just limp home with the chain dragging.
Alternative #3: Give your wife $20 bucks and ride her bike home. Call her on the cell phone to see if she could get a ride. If not, ride back out to her, ask for the $20 bucks back and use Alternative #1 above. Why? Because now you'll have the tools necessary to do the job that you should have taken in the first place.
Tongue-in-cheek folks......
-
Last edited by drlogik; 12-02-16 at 10:47 PM.
12-02-16, 11:27 PM
#23
- Soli Deo Gloria -
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Northwest Georgia
Posts: 14,779
Bikes: 2018 Rodriguez Custom Fixed Gear, 2017 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2015 Bianchi Pista, 2002 Fuji Robaix
Mentioned: 235 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6844 Post(s)
Liked 736 Times
in
469 Posts
If the OP has AAA then he could have given them a call for a pick up.
https://www.southernnewengland.aaa.c...ices?zip=02813
-Tim-
Everyone knows that AAA offers 24-hour roadside assistance for your vehicle, but now AAA Northeast covers your bicycle, too!
AAA Bicycle Service is free and available to all membership levels including INsiders! There is no sign up or enrollment. AAA Members automatically receive two bicycle calls per year.
If your bicycle breaks down while you’re out for a ride, simply call the road service number on your AAA card (1-800-AAA-HELP).
AAA Bicycle Service is free and available to all membership levels including INsiders! There is no sign up or enrollment. AAA Members automatically receive two bicycle calls per year.
If your bicycle breaks down while you’re out for a ride, simply call the road service number on your AAA card (1-800-AAA-HELP).
-Tim-
12-02-16, 11:32 PM
#24
Occam's Rotor
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,248
Mentioned: 61 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2366 Post(s)
Liked 2,331 Times
in
1,164 Posts
New Jersey ≠ Southern New England
