paigiebear

Soo I just rode home from work (it's only like a short 10 min ride) & as I opened my front door a giant spider fell in front of me so I put my bike down quickly to deal with the terrifying 8 legged monster. Well when I picked my bike back up to bring it back in my house where I keep it, I noticed the rear tire was a bit wiggly. I parked it in it's spot & fiddle farted around with it a tiny bit. Somehow the tire came off and the chain & everything is still attached... I guess I have a few questions, the first one being, (& yes this is a serious question!) could it be because I'm too fat for it? (I currently weigh 285lbs, although I've lost 134lbs!!!) 2nd question, do you think I could fix it myself? Or should I ask a friend who knows what they're doing, OR fork out a bunch more money & take it into a bike shop (the closest shop is a 100km drive) I don't know much at all about "bike mechanics" so PLEEEASE HELP thanks in advance!
Ohh and my bike is a nearly brand new kona shred if that helps... Thanks again

cycle_maven

The quick release probably came loose and the wheel fell out. You need to put the wheel back into its slots in the frame ("dropouts") and tighten the quick release- it's the lever at the end of the axle- it screws on to adjust, and the lever clamps the axle in the dropouts.

Anyway, if that's not the problem, a picture helps us mechanix types diagnose stuff much easier,

KenshiBiker

Congratulations on the weight loss. Keep it up.

If I were you I'd try to get a friend (or neighbor) to show you what to do. Sounds like the rear wheel just slipped out of the dropout. Perhaps the quick release wasn't tightened up. Certainly doesn't seem like it should require a 100km drive just to get it sorted out.

Good luck,

KB

bobotech

First of all, you aren't too big for the bike. I weigh a lot more than you and have no problem riding bikes. I don't choose specific types just because I'm fat.

Pictures of what is going on might be helpful but it does sound like a loose skewer.

Wilfred Laurier

i hope you and the spider are fully recovered from the trauma
did you scoot it outside or give it a big hug with the bottom of your foot?

i love spiders and am constantly rescuing them from the old building where i work before somone less enamoured
comes along and deals with them in a less kind way

anyhoo
yeah probably just a loose quick release
however

quick releases do not loosen themselves off when properly tightened*

often people use quick releases like a wingnut and simply twirl them tight until they cant twirl anymore
but this gets your wheel about 10 percent as secure as using the qr properly

there is a cam mechanism that operates by flipping the lever over

usually when the lever is curved in it is closed
and when it is curved out it is open

the correct way to tighten a quick release is
once the wheel is properly in the frame or forks
put the lever in the open position (curved out)
then tighten it like a nut until you feel a little bit of resistance
then flip the lever to closed (curved in)

you must be able to close the lever all the way so it is
running approximately paralell to the bike
if you cannot flip the lever al the way in because it gets too tight too soon
flip the lever back to open
and unscrew it a half turn and try again

a properly closed qr lever is all the way closed so it is approximately paralell with the bike
and it leaves a smal imprint in your hand for a few seconds when you push it in


if i just told you something you already know and i am wrong about why your wheel fell off
then good
i am an idiot for wasting my time but you are safe

if what i said makes no sense and you think you may not be tightening your quick release properly
then get someone with some experieice to show you how to do it
it is important

if what i said taught you how to properly close a quick release
then you are smarter than me because
i just reread what i wrote and it is quite confusing
this is a difficult thing to explain without any visual aids

best of luck and keep on riding


*the front qr on bikes with front disc brakes can sometimes loosen themselves off
but even this is quite rare if the qr is properly tightened and occaisionally checked

zonatandem

Congrats on riding and the weight loss.
All the above advice is good.
But next time do not be intimidated by a spider . . .

cny-bikeman

https://wn.com/quick_release_skewer - by the venerable Georgena Terry. Seems appropriate for a woman in distress to be helped by one who is famous and respected in the bike world.

FBinNY 

If you have a knowledgeable friend, he's (she's) your best bet. He can look at the whole problem, figure out what's needed, and advise accordingly. More important, he can teach you some basic bike repair, especially including how to fix a flat on the road, since this is a real possibility for everybody.

BTW- cograts on both the weight loss, and the ability to call your 10mile commute a short ride at your current weight. You weight is added strain on the bike, but not unreasonably so.