Hit By a Car, Getting a Whole New Setup, Money Is No Object! Advice?

I have a feeling this might end up being a long post, sorry! Please bear with me.

Hello all, been reading a little bit here, but this is my first post. Here is the situation... On Friday around noon I was hit by a car in Central. It was in the bike lane at Gordon Square and Tavistock Road. (I'm sure some of you are familiar with the area, an occasional nightmare with cars and cabs turning and peds all over the place.) This woman in a little Vauxhall was going to turn left and was looking to the right the entire time, creeping over the bike lanes. I see her doing this and slow up a bit, but I'm still moving at a decent clip, and I know, just KNOW she has to look left and see me before she turns. Nope... she doesn't. She continues to look right and guns for an opening in traffic, just as I'm about to go by. Pretty nice collision. I'm up and over the bars glance off the bonnet and front-flip into the street. My hands, shoulder, head, and somehow right shin/ankle take the fall. Luckily I remembered to wear my helmet that day, could have been a lot worse. I get up right away, good people and fellow cyclists come up and five me their business cards, say they saw it all, they'd be witnesses.

The woman was great though too, she was clearly shaken up, said it was all her fault, she wasn't looking. She called an ambulance for me, gave me all her information. The cops came and took a report, the whole shebang. My back and neck are a little tweaked but nothing a couple visits to the osteopath and chiro can't sort out. But the bike is trashed, wheel and fork toasted, frame is cracked I think. It was an old steel Puegeot racing bike with some newer (decent) Shimano 27s that a friend donated to me. I probably haven't spent more than £10 on the three bikes I've had since living in London, but I have spent a lot of my time getting them working. I find frames in the trash and get parts from friends and setup my own things, pretty hodgepodge, but they get the job done. But after all this it looks like I'll be getting a brand new setup.

Some people are saying I should seek additional compensation, etc. But honestly the thought of suing somebody kind of makes me sick to my stomach. I'm from the 'States originally and it is disgusting how people sue each other over there. In the end I was basically able to walk way from the whole thing, and all I want is a new bike. At the same time I'm not ready to be reasonable about it, I want a nice bike. I'm pretty sure I deserve it. Plus she was being a really incompetent driver.

So that's where I'm ask for your- the communities -help. I haven't owned a new bike in over 12 years. And I'm excited to get on a fixed-wheel again. But there has been some changes with this popularity resurgence, and I'm a bit behind. I'm asking for your advice, what kind of dream setup would you suggest? I'm about 6'1", 160lbs, and mostly ride from northeast London to central and back, and around Stoke Newington and the east side on the weekends. I'm not too familiar with the brands and technology around here, so feel free to educate in your descriptions!

From my quick initial look around I'm definitely thinking I want a titanium frame. I'm kind of tired of my old heavier steel setups. I also thought a flip-flop hub sounded interesting, but maybe it's unnecessary. I'm open to anything, but I'd mostly just want something simple and clean. I've been to Condor on Gray's Inn Road a couple times and those guys seem decently nice, can anybody recommend them or anywhere else to do a complete setup?

Thanks in advance all.

If you're considering titanium, get on Google and search for Setavento and Burls (and Condor, though you've probably seen that one), or if you're into the idea of using an ENO eccentric hub, then have a look at Sunday Bicycles, Enigma, Van Nicholas, or even On-One...

You might also think about popping down to the top end of Brick Lane (North of Bethnal Green Rd) around 2ish on Sunday, and speaking to the throng of bike polo players who'll be happy to chat all day about fixed shit.

PS. Sorry to hear about the accident. There are previous threads on this forum where me and others discuss the dubious nature of the Bloomsbury cycle lane, and how we tend to ride in the road instead. It's an accident waiting to happen... that happened ;(

Glad to hear your ok. Never ride in that cycle lane, its evil.

Before you get a new bike get it into your head to never ever assume a motorist is going to see you. You ought to ride at all times as if you are completely invisible that no-one can see you then and only then you will learn to dodge traffic. I don't want to lecture you pc but also I don't want to see you break your frigging neck. I had exactly the same thing happen to me the other day except I slowed down enough to dodge the car and then after I stopped the lady at the lights and we had a little chat about not losing our cool in traffic and looking BOTH ways. All was cool she was kinda cute so I told her I was too beautiful a human being to be run over . Buddha

i'd say get a custom bob Jackson....ummm!

ok ok that cycle lane sucks.

BringMeMyFix If you're considering titanium, get on Google and search for Setavento and Burls (and Condor, though you've probably seen that one), or if you're into the idea of using an ENO eccentric hub, then have a look at Sunday Bicycles, Enigma, Van Nicholas, or even On-One...

All sound advice, but I believe Setavento have ceased trading now?

I've a titanium road bike and it's superb - 10 years old and still looks as new and it rides beautifully. If you can afford one then I'd recommend it.

titanium frame here:

Thanks for all the feedback so quick, much appreciated. I've gotten in touch with Hubjub, hopefully they will get back to be shortly, even though it says they are out until the 14th. The Burls Ti-Courier frame looks amazing. I know Hubjub aren't a storefront or anything, but could somebody tell me where they are 'located'?

Might stop down to Condor early this week to test ride some bikes to get the gear(s) in my head turning. I know it's not a titanium, but man on the Condor website that Paris Galibier re-issue looks really sexy.

they don't give out there address unless you buy something, though i can tell you they are somewhere in the uk (not london though)

papercrate I know Hubjub aren't a storefront or anything, but could somebody tell me where they are 'located'?

I believe they are just outside Winchester.

Hi Papercrate,

Firstly I'm glad to hear that you're okay. You say that you're not ready to be reasonable and before you decide what you do in respect of claiming against the driver's insurance you might be interested in my experience:

I've been knocked off twice in the past few years and had two bike's trashed. The first time I thought oh well, accidents happen, the driver appologised, and I simply made a claim for the bike against the driver's insurance and got the current value of the bike. The second time I employed a solicitor to claim on my behalf and got the replacement cost of the bike, helmet etc, compensation for the inconvenience of being without my bike, out of pocket expences for travel, a notional amount for the assistance required with day to day tasks due to the injury, and a fair and resonable ammount of compensation for the injury I sustained.

Now bearing in mind that you were not at fault and have been injured, and now have no bike because of some dozy cow's lack of concentration, I would strongly advise you to use a solicitor, or at least go to the Citizen's Advice Bureau. Otherwise it is unlikely that you'll get more than the few quid for the value of your bike. It is not about engaging in an unreasonable US style claims culture but about making sure that you are fairly compensated for all of the negative consequences of the driver's lack of attention. With either method of claiming it'll be some time before you receive any money and, if you're like me, in addition to having injuries the simple fact of not having a bike will really begin to piss you off... getting a nice new custom built bike at the end of it eventually makes it feel okay. Don't make light of the fact that you could easily have been killed!

Anyway, whatever you decide, good luck to ya.

If her insurance is picking up the bill it might be easiest to get the condor percorso because then it'll all come on one bill. I understand that they can change anything out for you so long as they can get it. Just get a maxed out percorso and send her the bill would be my initial thinking instead of having to get a mountain of receipts to her.

It's good that you're ok.

there is this guy his name is chris, he will build you a nice steel frame you can give him lots of dollars/euro/ pounds

Robin Mather. His frames seem to be the UK's answer to Vanilla.

andyp [quote]papercrate I know Hubjub aren't a storefront or anything, but could somebody tell me where they are 'located'?

I believe they are just outside Winchester.[/quote]

They are indeed, although Will doesn't give out the address unless you actually by something. He's brilliant via email, though.

Enigma frames look really nice. Maybe they would do one custom with track ends? so you wouldn't have to use an eno hub.

aidan i'd say get a custom bob Jackson....ummm!

yeah they're ridiculously nice. the more i see pictures of them online the more i'm tempted to save for one!

jonny cycles customed to fuck

http://www.jonnycycles.com/

papercrate
Some people are saying I should seek additional compensation, etc. But honestly the thought of suing somebody kind of makes me sick to my stomach. I'm from the 'States originally and it is disgusting how people sue each other over there. In the end I was basically able to walk way from the whole thing, and all I want is a new bike. At the same time I'm not ready to be reasonable about it, I want a nice bike. I'm pretty sure I deserve it. Plus she was being a really incompetent driver.

as a cyclist we all know that you WILL be hit by a car. as you said it was a not so flashy bike. personally i think you should claim what you are entitled for and not be greedy ask go all out.

this is what wrong with society if everyones trying to get something extra out of it.

dogsballs [quote]papercrate
Some people are saying I should seek additional compensation, etc. But honestly the thought of suing somebody kind of makes me sick to my stomach. I'm from the 'States originally and it is disgusting how people sue each other over there. In the end I was basically able to walk way from the whole thing, and all I want is a new bike. At the same time I'm not ready to be reasonable about it, I want a nice bike. I'm pretty sure I deserve it. Plus she was being a really incompetent driver.

as a cyclist we all know that you WILL be hit by a car. as you said it was a not so flashy bike. personally i think you should claim what you are entitled for and not be greedy ask go all out.

this is what wrong with society if everyones trying to get something extra out of it.[/quote]

I started couriering in 1986 and I have been riding constantly ever since

now I have cropper once or twice due to an excessive amount of drink

but I ain't never been hit by no car ..;)

glad you're not seriously injured.

the only time i ever came into major contact with a car it was my own stupid fault (back when i was 18). but that crash made me have to start doing my own bike mechanics due to a lack of money so in a way it was a silver lining, for me anyway. touch wood i haven't been hit in london, RTC's are a horrible thing, no matter how serious.

Hi Papercrate,
Glad you came out of scrape A-OK! Not been the greatest week for cyclists.
Here's my two pence worth:
The most affordable brand new one that I know of is Gene Spicer - he is a friendly bloke who tends to get back to you swiftly. He produces Ti frames in Aero track, road and tourer marques. He can also do something a little more customized if you require. NB to keep his prices down production is done in the Far East (I think it may be these guys (http://www.xacd.com.cn)
Do a little search on forums to get some idea of thoughts and feelings from others- pretty good from what I remember: Gene Spicer

I don't know whether you'd consider second hand. If so, I've seen a few lovely bitz on ebay:

First up the the Russian built Sibex Czar (I almost purchased one). The reserve hasn't been met, but is set at approx £300. Here is one review I found of it:sibex review
Though the version for auction is naked Ti: auction

Next up is the ultra trick Titus Vuelo Exogrid (carbon inners with a Ti outer!) Check the spiel and links:
TITUS

Being from the States I'm sure you've heard of Moots- One the the best Ti manufacturers in the world. Do a Moots search on ebay.com there are several examples now.
All the ebay examples will require a White Industries Eno hub for chain tensioning -Horizontal drop outs are very rare outside of custom builds let alone Ti track bikes. The bonus is you do have the option of running it fully geared if you ever choose.

Finally but not least you could look closer to home like Burls or Witcombs in Tanners Hill, Deptford- despite recent politics Barry (I think) still makes them- and good ones too. Not commonly known, they can produce Ti frames thus giving you a truly custom frame.
whitcombs

Sorry for the length of this. If I haven't hit the right spectrum or you have any other questions whisper and I can call you to chat further.
happy hunting!

Money is always an object to me, but if you get alot, do a deal with a frame/cycle builders and get 2 or 3, but have it as one on the receipt. No-one is accident free, so get a back up. Thats my 2 cents.

Drop a sick bike and get a new wardrobe at the same time.. that's what I would do anyways.

What sort of things have you got in place for injuries? Have you got any physio to do?

get a pinarello dogma FP, then sell it and buy heaps of other beautiful bikes.

actually, don't do that, it would be immoral.

How do you know how much money you will get? If they just give you the current value of the bike you were riding, that'll not be much will it?