What's the Dumbest Thing You've Ever Done
#51
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Cambridge UK
Posts: 852
Bikes: 1903 24 spd Sunbeam, 1927 Humber, 3 1930 Raleighs, 2 1940s Sunbeams, 2 1940s Raleighs, Rudge, 1950s Robin Hood, 1958 Claud Butler, 2 1973 Colnago Supers, Eddie Merckx, 2 1980 Holdsworth, EG Bates funny TT bike, another 6 or so 1990s bikes
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 331 Post(s)
Liked 331 Times
in
185 Posts
Spent most of the day trying to get a 70mm Italian BB into a 68 mm British frame.
Destroyed a brand new 700c 622mm Conti 4 seasons clincher trying to get it on an old British sprint rim (630mm).
Cut a brand new 1 inch carbon fork steerer too short for a brand new Reynolds 853 track frame
Destroyed a brand new 700c 622mm Conti 4 seasons clincher trying to get it on an old British sprint rim (630mm).
Cut a brand new 1 inch carbon fork steerer too short for a brand new Reynolds 853 track frame
#52
Senior Member
My pedal tap is slightly oversized for whatever reason. Add in a rare, expensive crank and you can figure out the rest.
#53
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: LF, APMAT
Posts: 2,749
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 623 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 393 Times
in
224 Posts
Not vintage, but on my '07 Roubaix, when replacing the chain, I mis-routed it outside the little tab on the front of the cage. It only made noises in certain gears, depending on how far the cage rotated. After I did a 50 mile Solvang ride in the rain, later checking the bike over, I found out what the "intermittent" noise was. Blamed the "intermittent" mechanic, me. Second time I've done this, also on my old Allez. I guess I'm an "intermittant" learner too.
#54
Veteran, Pacifist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 13,295
Bikes: Bikes??? Thought this was social media?!?
Mentioned: 284 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3873 Post(s)
Liked 4,767 Times
in
2,200 Posts
__________________
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
#55
...addicted...
#57
Full Member
2 that really stick out:
I built an upside down bike using a 1960s Schwinn single speed with a wide saddle. Popped a wheelie and flipped over backwards. No helmet (1970ish). Due the wide seat I could not get off the back of the seat to land on my feet. I stuck my elbows out to lessen the impact when I landed on my back. Smashed both elbows on the concrete and got whiplash. i guess that was better than crushing my skull.
A tree in the back yard had a broken branch that needed trimming. I leaned a bike against the trunk so I could climb the tree. I was hand sawing the broken branch when it fell on a 40,000 volt power line. Since I was half way up the tree I didn't get the full shock but enough to convince me to get out of there asap. Dropped the saw and jumped out of the tree. The branch caught fire and burned itself off the power lines before the power company could get there.
I built an upside down bike using a 1960s Schwinn single speed with a wide saddle. Popped a wheelie and flipped over backwards. No helmet (1970ish). Due the wide seat I could not get off the back of the seat to land on my feet. I stuck my elbows out to lessen the impact when I landed on my back. Smashed both elbows on the concrete and got whiplash. i guess that was better than crushing my skull.
A tree in the back yard had a broken branch that needed trimming. I leaned a bike against the trunk so I could climb the tree. I was hand sawing the broken branch when it fell on a 40,000 volt power line. Since I was half way up the tree I didn't get the full shock but enough to convince me to get out of there asap. Dropped the saw and jumped out of the tree. The branch caught fire and burned itself off the power lines before the power company could get there.
#58
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,501
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5216 Post(s)
Liked 3,555 Times
in
2,325 Posts
re: What's the Dumbest Thing You've Ever Done
gave up my dream job for the girl of my dreams
gave up my dream job for the girl of my dreams
#59
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Jose (Willow Glen) Ca
Posts: 9,831
Bikes: Kirk Custom JK Special, '84 Team Miyata,(dura ace old school) 80?? SR Semi-Pro 600 Arabesque
Mentioned: 104 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2296 Post(s)
Liked 2,710 Times
in
1,483 Posts
Don't know it these will work but think indexed bar ends on these.... at handle bar reach
I saw these mounted on some bull horrns...didn't ride by tested the cockpit and seemed like there were not terrible
Velo orange shifter mounts https://velo-orange.com/collections/...unts-22-2-23-8
__________________
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)
#61
No one cares
Thread Starter
thats just a new innovative way to avoid pedal strike.
__________________
I prefer emails to private messages - holiday76@gmail.com
Jack Taylor Super Tourer Tandem (FOR SALE), Jack Taylor Tour of Britain, Px-10, Carlton Flyer, Fuji The Finest, Salsa Fargo, Santa Cruz Tallboy, Carver All-Road .
I prefer emails to private messages - holiday76@gmail.com
Jack Taylor Super Tourer Tandem (FOR SALE), Jack Taylor Tour of Britain, Px-10, Carlton Flyer, Fuji The Finest, Salsa Fargo, Santa Cruz Tallboy, Carver All-Road .
#62
Banned.
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 27,297
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 378 Post(s)
Liked 1,407 Times
in
908 Posts
A tree in the back yard had a broken branch that needed trimming. I leaned a bike against the trunk so I could climb the tree. I was hand sawing the broken branch when it fell on a 40,000 volt power line. Since I was half way up the tree I didn't get the full shock but enough to convince me to get out of there asap. Dropped the saw and jumped out of the tree. The branch caught fire and burned itself off the power lines before the power company could get there.
#63
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Madison, WI USA
Posts: 6,858
Mentioned: 50 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2347 Post(s)
Liked 1,713 Times
in
1,170 Posts
Drove into my stepmother's garage with a bike ('82 Trek 613, nearly new at the time, stolen before it became C&V) on the roof rack. Bent up the rack, dented the roof of the car, mangled the siding above the garage door, no damage to the bike.
#64
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Cambridge UK
Posts: 852
Bikes: 1903 24 spd Sunbeam, 1927 Humber, 3 1930 Raleighs, 2 1940s Sunbeams, 2 1940s Raleighs, Rudge, 1950s Robin Hood, 1958 Claud Butler, 2 1973 Colnago Supers, Eddie Merckx, 2 1980 Holdsworth, EG Bates funny TT bike, another 6 or so 1990s bikes
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 331 Post(s)
Liked 331 Times
in
185 Posts
I got a small stick caught between my front wheel and fender, down just below the fender stay attachment point. The stick was too small to pose any danger of locking up my front wheel, but it was making an awfully loud racket.
I tried to dislodge it with my foot and ended up dislodging myself from the bike, up and over the handlebars.
I tried to dislodge it with my foot and ended up dislodging myself from the bike, up and over the handlebars.
#65
I never finish anyth
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Western KY
Posts: 1,122
Bikes: 2008 Merckx LXM, 2003 Giant XTC mtb, 2001 Lemond Alpe d'Huez, 1997 Lemond Zurich, 1989 Cannondale ST, 1988 Masi Nuovo Strada, 1983 Pinarello Turismo
Mentioned: 63 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 294 Post(s)
Liked 137 Times
in
86 Posts
#66
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Greenville SC
Posts: 4,176
Bikes: 1975 Motobecane Grand Jubile, 2020 Holdsworth Competition, 2022 Giant Trance 29 3
Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3316 Post(s)
Liked 3,515 Times
in
1,218 Posts
#67
Ride, Wrench, Swap, Race
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Northern California
Posts: 9,167
Bikes: Cheltenham-Pedersen racer, Boulder F/S Paris-Roubaix, Varsity racer, '52 Christophe, '62 Continental, '92 Merckx, '75 Limongi, '76 Presto, '72 Gitane SC, '71 Schwinn SS, etc.
Mentioned: 132 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1552 Post(s)
Liked 1,268 Times
in
843 Posts
When I was still living in an apartment ten years ago, and with a packed garage, I once spent the evening building a nice wheelset in my living room, so when finished I took the wheels out to my garage behind the apartment.
I got distracted after hanging the wheels in the garage, and did some tinkering before heading back up to my apartment. On the way out, by now half-asleep, I decided that too many old/crusty/useless wheelsets had accumulated in my crowded garage, so (after having turned out the light) I grabbed what I thought was just an old, bent and rusted wheelset, and took it out to the dumpster.
...yeah.
I got distracted after hanging the wheels in the garage, and did some tinkering before heading back up to my apartment. On the way out, by now half-asleep, I decided that too many old/crusty/useless wheelsets had accumulated in my crowded garage, so (after having turned out the light) I grabbed what I thought was just an old, bent and rusted wheelset, and took it out to the dumpster.
...yeah.
#68
Senior Member
Cycling related:
My first "real" bike. I bought a new Guerciotti frame set in 1983. I had a friend who always told me I over-torqued my bolts. So, building it up, I eased back (no torque wrench for me back then). On my test ride, I came out of the first turn and I was going straight, but the bars were turned 45 degrees. At least I didn't crash.
Left a Chorus derailleur in "biodegradable" degreaser over night. It came out with no logo.
Track stand on wet cobbles. Minimal damage.
Track stand with front wheel on a worn and wet manhole cover. Fractured my greater trochanter. 8 weeks no riding. But on the bright side, 8 weeks not having to work the above job
Just yesterday, I build a wheel and did the final tension. Threw it on my truing stand and realized the label was reading from the left. Yes, I tore it apart and got it right.
Last edited by gearbasher; 08-08-18 at 01:02 PM.
#69
The Huffmeister
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: The Le Grande HQ
Posts: 2,659
Bikes: '79 Trek 938, '86 Jim Merz Allez SE, '90 Miyata 1000, '68 PX-10, '80 PXN-10, '73 Super Course, '87 Guerciotti, '83 Trek 600, '80 Huffy Le Grande
Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1183 Post(s)
Liked 3,376 Times
in
1,338 Posts
Was pleasantly surprised to read the above and realize it was missing the "drove my car into the garage where my wrenches were. Bike still on top." line.
#71
Full Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: ETX/ SNH
Posts: 232
Bikes: 2011 Handsome/ Twin Six Speedy Devil, 2006 Soma Groove, 1991 Haro Impulse Comp, 1987 KHS Montana Pro, 1986 Ross Mount Hood, 1986 Mongoose ATB, 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker I, 1973 World Voyageur, 1941 Schwinn DX "Klunker"
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 83 Post(s)
Liked 96 Times
in
45 Posts
A friend bought a brand new bike and a month or so later let someone borrow it. It was returned with the chain hopelessly wedged between the spokes and the cassette. I (correctly) suspected a bent derailleur hanger and offered to fix it for her. I grabbed a tool to fit the splines and went to work removing it. After spending an hour struggling with a very tight cassette and breaking a chain wrench, I realized I was dealing with a freewheel.
New bike with a freewheel? Never occurred to me.
New bike with a freewheel? Never occurred to me.
#72
Veteran, Pacifist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 13,295
Bikes: Bikes??? Thought this was social media?!?
Mentioned: 284 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3873 Post(s)
Liked 4,767 Times
in
2,200 Posts
Only for those who want to go left faster!!!
__________________
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Last edited by Wildwood; 08-08-18 at 05:43 PM.
#73
Sunshine
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,506
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
Mentioned: 123 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10873 Post(s)
Liked 7,354 Times
in
4,125 Posts
I had just refurbished an '80 Schwinn Voyageur into a 3x7 touring bike with SunTour components when i needed to remove a crank arm for some reason. I worked so hard to remove that crank arm that i started sweating!
Took all my strength but i finally loosened it!...oh no, i just stripped the threads because the bolt was still attached!!! NOOO!!!!!
Took all my strength but i finally loosened it!...oh no, i just stripped the threads because the bolt was still attached!!! NOOO!!!!!
#74
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Port Angeles, WA
Posts: 8,016
Bikes: A green one, "Ragleigh," or something.
Mentioned: 194 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1627 Post(s)
Liked 629 Times
in
355 Posts
- Hat tip to Charlie Daniels, (back when he was cool, ca. 1973)
__________________
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●