Front wheel suddenly stops
10-13-17, 01:06 PM
#1
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Front wheel suddenly stops
Hey guys,
I have crashed twice now, and am not sure what is going on.
The front wheel will come to a complete stop, IMMEDIATELY. And the back end of the bike flips up. It has resulted in two nasty crashes.
Afterwards, I can see nothing wrong with the bike, and it works perfectly.
What can be causing this?
I have crashed twice now, and am not sure what is going on.
The front wheel will come to a complete stop, IMMEDIATELY. And the back end of the bike flips up. It has resulted in two nasty crashes.
Afterwards, I can see nothing wrong with the bike, and it works perfectly.
What can be causing this?
10-13-17, 01:16 PM
#2
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The front brake.
Drink less coffee or ease up on the hand-strength exercises.
How about something about how fast you were going?
If something were going into the spokes I'd expect broken spokes or at least a "ping" when it ht.
If the tire is too tall it might buzz the crossbrace on the fork ... but unless it was also loose (or the whole headset was loose) it shouldn't wedge suddenly.
I assume you did the "Pick up the front end, spin and shake" test?
Maybe the guy you rode past jammed a pump in your spokes?
Drink less coffee or ease up on the hand-strength exercises.
How about something about how fast you were going?
If something were going into the spokes I'd expect broken spokes or at least a "ping" when it ht.
If the tire is too tall it might buzz the crossbrace on the fork ... but unless it was also loose (or the whole headset was loose) it shouldn't wedge suddenly.
I assume you did the "Pick up the front end, spin and shake" test?
Maybe the guy you rode past jammed a pump in your spokes?
Last edited by Maelochs; 10-13-17 at 01:20 PM.
10-13-17, 01:16 PM
#3
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With apologies if I'm wrong, but this has the smell of a troll or attorney looking for plausible causes of action for a suit.
So, I'll keep the answers very generic, and also ask you to clarify exactly what happened and what you were doing at the time.
IMO the only thinks that might cause a front wheel to lock and cause a crash, and not be locked afterward, is something jamming in the spokes and getting carried up behind the fork and stopping the wheel. You can search "squirrel in spokes" for examples. However, IME, this would leave evidence. Or, it could be operator, error overusing the front brake. This is more likely if the rim has an outward dent, like what may happen if hitting a deep pothole or jumping a curb. When the brake is applied fairly lightly, the wide spot comes around and jams. The only evidence would be the dent itself, since once the brake is released the wheel spins freely.
BTW- if you are an attorney, it's only fair that you compensate those who provide expert technical assistance. In something like this, compensation may not be practical, so please donate $100 to relief efforts in PR or California.
So, I'll keep the answers very generic, and also ask you to clarify exactly what happened and what you were doing at the time.
IMO the only thinks that might cause a front wheel to lock and cause a crash, and not be locked afterward, is something jamming in the spokes and getting carried up behind the fork and stopping the wheel. You can search "squirrel in spokes" for examples. However, IME, this would leave evidence. Or, it could be operator, error overusing the front brake. This is more likely if the rim has an outward dent, like what may happen if hitting a deep pothole or jumping a curb. When the brake is applied fairly lightly, the wide spot comes around and jams. The only evidence would be the dent itself, since once the brake is released the wheel spins freely.
BTW- if you are an attorney, it's only fair that you compensate those who provide expert technical assistance. In something like this, compensation may not be practical, so please donate $100 to relief efforts in PR or California.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
10-13-17, 01:43 PM
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10-13-17, 01:49 PM
#5
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Hey guys,
I have crashed twice now, and am not sure what is going on.
The front wheel will come to a complete stop, IMMEDIATELY. And the back end of the bike flips up. It has resulted in two nasty crashes.
Afterwards, I can see nothing wrong with the bike, and it works perfectly.
What can be causing this?
I have crashed twice now, and am not sure what is going on.
The front wheel will come to a complete stop, IMMEDIATELY. And the back end of the bike flips up. It has resulted in two nasty crashes.
Afterwards, I can see nothing wrong with the bike, and it works perfectly.
What can be causing this?
10-13-17, 01:50 PM
#6
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1. Good front brakes.
2. A tall curb.
3. Way too much alcohol (probably combined with 1 or 2).
2. A tall curb.
3. Way too much alcohol (probably combined with 1 or 2).
10-13-17, 02:21 PM
#7
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My older brother did this when he was about 8 or 9 years old. He got a brand new 3 speed for Christmas. It was the first bike he ever rode with hand brakes. Went down a steep hill, panic grabbed the front brake lever. Did a front wheel stand and, crashed. I was about 6 or 7 and laughed my ass off.
Come on, people.
10-13-17, 03:17 PM
#10
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For front brakes... look for some notes on braking technique. Type of bicycle?
There are lots of notes about keeping your weight back as far as possible when braking hard.
You get more stopping power with the front brake, and more skidding on the rear, but the rear brake won't throw you over the handlebars.
There are lots of notes about keeping your weight back as far as possible when braking hard.
You get more stopping power with the front brake, and more skidding on the rear, but the rear brake won't throw you over the handlebars.
10-13-17, 03:21 PM
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For front brakes... look for some notes on braking technique. Type of bicycle?
There are lots of notes about keeping your weight back as far as possible when braking hard.
You get more stopping power with the front brake, and more skidding on the rear, but the rear brake won't throw you over the handlebars.
There are lots of notes about keeping your weight back as far as possible when braking hard.
You get more stopping power with the front brake, and more skidding on the rear, but the rear brake won't throw you over the handlebars.
10-13-17, 03:22 PM
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I have a hard time believing that you crashed twice, apparently from the same cause, and still have no idea what it is.
Front wheel doesn't just suddenly seize, cause a crash and then mysteriously start to spin again. This thread smells like a troll to me, if ever there was one.
Front wheel doesn't just suddenly seize, cause a crash and then mysteriously start to spin again. This thread smells like a troll to me, if ever there was one.
10-13-17, 03:28 PM
#13
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The nose knows, from post no. 3
.......but this has the smell of a troll or attorney looking for plausible causes of action for a suit.
I don't know how forum rules apply, or if the mods will want to close this. But IMO we should stop feeding the troll until he comes out from under the bridge and comes clean with the rest of the story.
.......but this has the smell of a troll or attorney looking for plausible causes of action for a suit.
I don't know how forum rules apply, or if the mods will want to close this. But IMO we should stop feeding the troll until he comes out from under the bridge and comes clean with the rest of the story.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
10-13-17, 03:33 PM
#14
Senior Member
Oh, I thought of another thing that can cause the front wheel to stop....
Riding without hands.
If only bikes came with a warning label:
Riding without hands.
If only bikes came with a warning label:
It is perilous to ride bicycle without holding onto the handlebars
10-13-17, 03:36 PM
#15
Senior Member
I raised the bars on a bike not too long ago, and unbeknownst to me it effectively shortened the rear brake cable. When the wheel was straight, no problem and the back wheel turned freely. But when I turned hard right, the back wheel locked and I went down.
Once
Once
10-13-17, 04:56 PM
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It might be worse if the front wheel didn't stop--when the rest of the bike did.
10-13-17, 06:16 PM
#17
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My vote is for a squirrel. They usually get away undetected but occasionally...
Did you really need to post that? The poor squirrel!
10-13-17, 06:18 PM
#19
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Twice?
What are the odds. I doubt anyone would have this happen twice in a lifetime, even if they rode laps around Hyde Park 24/7/365
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
10-13-17, 06:29 PM
#20
don't try this at home.
The OP hasn't replied--just one post. Hope it's not lockup number three...
10-13-17, 06:46 PM
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I think I know who it is.
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10-13-17, 06:52 PM
#24
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I thought my reference to a lawyer covered that.
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FB
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
10-13-17, 07:08 PM
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Happened to me once. Center punching a 3 foot high 8 foot dia concrete landscaping planter definitely caused the front wheel to stop very suddenly.
