Doug Taylor wrote:

So, my question is: has anybody who actually rides mountain bike with
any frequency (such as the amb crowd) experienced this phenomenon or
heard of anybody loosing a wheel? If so, any serious injuries? Is
the sky really falling or can we get back on our bikes and ride?

This is my first post to this group, sorry it's a bit grim.
I saw a tv programme 3-4 years ago here in the uk, about a kid in the
west-country (SW England). His front wheel came loose and _somehow_
the forks ended up in the back of his skull. They showed the x-rays,
a few more millimetres and he would have been dead. Yes, he was fine,
after some medical attention. I think I've checked my quick release
every time I've got on my bike since I saw that...

Why would discs be more likely to release the wheel? This makes no
sense to me.

Alex