Crash repair/ assessment advice?

A black cabbie drove the edge of his bumper hard into the side of my rear wheel/ back end of my frame this evening. The back wheel is clearly mashed, but not sure of the damage to my frame.

I'm worried about possible damage to the frame and want someone to check this out. Would taking it to any local shop [it's currently in Kensington where i work - so Cyclopedia on High St Ken] would be worth my while?

Do u reckon the mechanics would have the expertise to assess this or do I need to take it to a reputable frame builders to do this?

did you get the reg of the driver?

Just take it to them and see what they say. Ask them basically the same thing, should you go on to a frame builders or can they help you out.

sorry about that btw. hopefully you got his info.

Most shops should have a frame alignment guide. Measures the alignment of the frame from the head tube to the rear drop outs on one side and is then compared to the other side of the frame. Though most of the time the damage can be seen by eye.

Clean the frame as best as you can, and check for signs of stress around the seat tube and chain/seat stay junctions. Any paint that looks like it is starting to crack or any raised areas. If you want to get really involved.. you can remove the paint for a better look, though this isn't always needed.

Good luck, a lot of the time the frame can withstand a lot more than you may think.

Other give aways are that the wheel won't go back into the drop outs as well as it may have once done. Check the space either side of the tyre to the frame, top and bottom. It would be obviously over to one side if it is damaged.

There is a DIY method of checking frame alignment, i think it may be on Sheldon Brown or George French. From memory i think it involves string and pencils.

Thanks for all the advice. Took it in bastards charged me £25 for assessment. Happily only need new rear wheel.
Driver was excellent gave me all his details, admitted his fault straight away, even gave me a lift to work with my bike. Just need to find decent cheapish wheel builder or online where I can get spec wheels built for some quotes...

deluka, search for arup on this forum, has built many a wheel for the people and he's got a wheel build calculator on his website, which will show you how much it'd cost for him to build you up some good strong wheels..

deluka, that is not the best shop in that area, as you have now realised. better off just heading down earls court rd from high st ken and there is this tiny little shop on the right before you get to the cop shop. the american/canadian guy in there knows what he's doing.

glad there wasn't too much damage

deluka, that is not the best shop in that area, as you have now realised. better off just heading down earls court rd from high st ken and there is this tiny little shop on the right before you get to the cop shop. the american/canadian guy in there knows what he's doing.

glad there wasn't too much damage

Hey yeah thought as much but am working nights this week and needed shop that opened early. I've been to that little shop before on ECR, not had a great experience with the dude in there tbh, he always talks to me like i'm a plum ;)

deluka, search for arup on this forum, has built many a wheel for the people and he's got a wheel build calculator on his website, which will show you how much it'd cost for him to build you up some good strong wheels..

Thanks for advice, will do. Have already been on phone to bloke from Kiwibikes as the shop is fairly close to me.

Btw, Cyclopedia quoted £140 for new wheel, with open pro rim and Miche hub. That seems steep to me. Is it?

the same thing happened to me back in september, i managed to keep riding, was a bit like someone forced me into a whipped out skid. my bike was fine though, he just drove up next to me asked if i was alright then drove off in a hurry.

Btw, Cyclopedia quoted £140 for new wheel, with open pro rim and Miche hub. That seems steep to me. Is it?

open pro rim = 40
http://www.parker-international.co.uk/1847/Mavic-Open-Pro-Clincher-Rim.html?referrer=froogle
miche hub = 45
http://www.parker-international.co.uk/1820/Miche-Track-Hubs.html?referrer=froogle
spokes = 10ish
build max £25

so 140 is high. just get a whole wheel from kiwi he does them for 70-100 if not ebay has loads of shops selling open sport and miche for £70-80

the same thing happened to me back in september, i managed to keep riding, was a bit like someone forced me into a whipped out skid. my bike was fine though, he just drove up next to me asked if i was alright then drove off in a hurry.

This guy was going round the same blind corner as me except opposite direction and decided to carry straight on [not on round the corner] to a mini taxi rank outside a big hotel. Except I was in the way. I couldn't keep cycling cos the wheel was so buckled it jammed.

open pro rim = 40
http://www.parker-international.co.uk/1847/Mavic-Open-Pro-Clincher-Rim.html?referrer=froogle
miche hub = 45
http://www.parker-international.co.uk/1820/Miche-Track-Hubs.html?referrer=froogle
spokes = 10ish
build max £25

so 140 is high. just get a whole wheel from kiwi he does them for 70-100 if not ebay has loads of shops selling open sport and miche for £70-80

no way.
open pros are £32 max for the black and cheaper for the silver.
i got my PAIR of miche hubs for about 45 quid.
spokes are £10-ish.
get a decent build for £30-40. get arup to build it for cheap if he's not too busy.

140 can almost get you a wheelset if you get arup to build it for you.
you can get a pair of such wheels from the white haired guy called mike from jumbles for 130.

everything i mentioned are brand new stock not 2nd hand.

£25 for an full assessment is maybe a bit steep. But when you think that most shops have an hourly rate of about £50 - £60... it doesn't seem that bad if it is all done properly.

Bike shops don't operate as a voluntary based charity. People are trying to make a living from doing something they enjoy. If that makes them bastards, then why don't you just go out buy the tools and do it yourself?

£25 for an full assessment is maybe a bit steep. But when you think that most shops have an hourly rate of about £50 - £60... it doesn't seem that bad if it is all done properly.

Bike shops don't operate as a voluntary based charity. People are trying to make a living from doing something they enjoy. If that makes them bastards, then why don't you just go out buy the tools and do it yourself?

I agree that everyone needs to make a living, I wasn't dissing that. I just think it's a bit steep tbh... the wheel was clearly knackered. All they had to do was to check the frame was not bent.

I'm not an expert which is why i took it to a shop in the first place. I never quibble the cost of repairs as I have little knowledge and am not strong enough to repair my bike alone. Live and learn and I will be using other shops in future :)

no way.
open pros are £32 max for the black and cheaper for the silver.
i got my PAIR of miche hubs for about 45 quid.
spokes are £10-ish.
get a decent build for £30-40. get arup to build it for cheap if he's not too busy.

140 can almost get you a wheelset if you get arup to build it for you.
you can get a pair of such wheels from the white haired guy called mike from jumbles for 130.

everything i mentioned are brand new stock not 2nd hand.

the conclusion is the same. but i stand corrected. (although the end price is the same)....

Does anyone have any recommendations for bike shops that can do the assessment. Preferably central as would be keen to avoid making a trip out to Roberts etc and also with an understanding of the limitations of 853 (thin tubing - dents more dangerous...)