Broken Cycling Kit

[JohnBarleycorn]

Ok......

Following on from another thread,

Which items of cycling kit have the super strong members of Vegan Fitness broken. And what brands ?

I have broken several frames. A Cougar in Reynolds 753 and a Peugeot in Reynolds 531

Two Shimano cranks
One Campag crank

One Miche hub, ripped in half

One ITM Millenium stem

One Look pedal

One carbon seat post

But thats in over 20 years.

[Big Good Wolf]

I did this on Tuesday.



I've ridden down the same trail hundreds of times on my way to work without realising there was a big stone hidden in the grass at the side. I was unlucky to find it just as the pedal was at the lowest point.

[the crazyest vegan]

i broke my chain once so far, the pedal came of my MTB a while ago but it was 2nd hand and the thread had worn out so i can't really take credit for that. but that's it so far, i've worn out one entire groupset that was on my first bike as well tho, busted the hub's by taking the bearings out and puting them back in the wrong way round which didnt sound great tbh, but the wheel's in general were busted, the chain ring's and the back cassette needed replacing.

[Mr. Cleetus]

hmmm, lets see if I can remember:

FSA cranks
Litespeed Frame
Fuso Frame (ok, that was only cuz I stacked it into the back of a car) (Columbus SL)
Hope front hub
Hügi rear hub
multiple rims
2xLook ergoposts
Colnago chrome fork (booo hooo) ok, that was my then girlfriends poor driving, but it was still sad.

...there must be more.... but like JBC that is in over 24 years of cycling.

good work on that pedal BGW!

[JohnBarleycorn]

Some strong bastards on this forum !

Just goes to prove that vegans are stronger than normal athletes !

[Big Good Wolf]

I'm surprised I haven't broken more chains considering how often it happens to people lighter than me.
I've only broken one in the past year, a SRAM PC1, at the connecting link after only 300km. I riveted a regular link in its place and it lasted until it wore out.
I think the Rohloff hub helps. The chain is always running in a straight line and as there is only one large outer chainring there is less torque than if I had a 24t inner ring.

[JohnBarleycorn]

Some people seem to have a knack of breaking chains. Others never do it.

I think those connecting pins are a bad idea. A weak link ! I prefer joining them properly. Especially for fixed.

[Big Good Wolf]

I don't use connecting links any more, I always rivet the chain.
I've tried a few different combinations and a Rohloff chain with Finish Line wet lube is the longest lasting I have found so far. The red sandstone mud round here is very abrasive on chains and brakes.

[Big Good Wolf]

Out of interest, where are you guys breaking your cranks, what type and is it on road or MTB?
My guess would be cracks radiating out from the corners on a square taper as that seems to be a weak point from an engineering point of view. I think that's why square taper are not generally used on better MTBs and definitely not recommended for jumping.

[cyclebot]

in my 26 years of existence I've had 14 bikes
I sincerely believe I have broken everything on a bike there is to break

my parents find that slightly less amusing than I do

[Man On Bike.]

It's a shame this forum doesn't allow you to set up multiple choice polls.

Other than worn out bearings and snapped cables (they don't count), I've broken seats, rims, a frame, cranks, pedals, and chains on my work bike.

On my mountain bike - headset cups, derailleur hanger, gear shifters, back wheel, handlebars

[JohnBarleycorn]

Yes, its a shame !

I should have said 'favourite or most impressive thing' you have broken !

[JohnBarleycorn]

Out of interest, where are you guys breaking your cranks, what type and is it on road or MTB?
My guess would be cracks radiating out from the corners on a square taper as that seems to be a weak point from an engineering point of view. I think that's why square taper are not generally used on better MTBs and definitely not recommended for jumping.

I have only ever broken road cranks.

As far as I remember, the Campag crank broke round the pedal insert, one Shimano cracked half way up the crank, and one where the axle bolt fits in.

Have seen an FSA carbon crank break by the steel pedal screw insert coming away from the carbon.

[helmut]

i haven't broken anything yet...

the bikes a bit scratched down the left side from some er... teething problems

[Mr. Cleetus]

Out of interest, where are you guys breaking your cranks, what type and is it on road or MTB?
My guess would be cracks radiating out from the corners on a square taper as that seems to be a weak point from an engineering point of view. I think that's why square taper are not generally used on better MTBs and definitely not recommended for jumping.

These were one of the original FSA carbon road cranks (yes, square taper), which broke where the insert was bonded into it where it goes on the spindle. So, not nearly as impressive as breaking alloy cranks!