GPLama vs Road

Was out riding home tonight just as it got dark, went to have a looksee at
the Yarra river levels on my mtb. As I turn onto Burke Rd I hear a 'crack'
and next thing I know I'm face down on the side of the road. No cars
around, I drag myself and the mtb off the road onto the grass. From first
looks it appeared the stem had come loose and sent the front wheel to the
right as I was out of the seat pushing down on the left.. On closer
inspection the right arm of the fork had 'popped' out from the top bracket,
leaving the front wheel swiveling on the left arm.. What theeee!!??
Scouting around for lost items and limb status, I had a very large headache
and my vision was a little substandard.

A big thanks to the guy in the little white car who pulled over and checked
that I was ok. Counting the costs the fork is a write off, I smashed my
head hard enough to crack my Limar 909 (grr!) and a few small scars to show
off. 6km walk home and the mild concussion has mostly gone.

I am so lucky that the fork broke where it did, and that my helmet took most
of the blow.. this could have been so much worse. Think I can ask Apollo to
refund me the cost of a decent helmet?

Headache is still lingering..

/stack story

GPL

"GPLama" wrote in message
...
Was out riding home tonight just as it got dark, went to have a looksee at
the Yarra river levels on my mtb. As I turn onto Burke Rd I hear a
'crack'
and next thing I know I'm face down on the side of the road. No cars
around, I drag myself and the mtb off the road onto the grass. From first
looks it appeared the stem had come loose and sent the front wheel to the
right as I was out of the seat pushing down on the left.. On closer
inspection the right arm of the fork had 'popped' out from the top
bracket,
leaving the front wheel swiveling on the left arm.. What theeee!!??
Scouting around for lost items and limb status, I had a very large
headache
and my vision was a little substandard.

A big thanks to the guy in the little white car who pulled over and
checked
that I was ok. Counting the costs the fork is a write off, I smashed my
head hard enough to crack my Limar 909 (grr!) and a few small scars to
show
off. 6km walk home and the mild concussion has mostly gone.

I am so lucky that the fork broke where it did, and that my helmet took
most
of the blow.. this could have been so much worse. Think I can ask Apollo
to
refund me the cost of a decent helmet?

Headache is still lingering..

/stack story

GPL

Ouchiness! That's not a good thing to have let go at all. Good to hear no
serious injuries and hope nothing crops up later.

"GPLama" wrote in message
...
On closer inspection the right arm of the fork had 'popped' out from the
top bracket, leaving the front wheel swiveling on the left arm.. What
theeee!!??

This happened recently (2-3 months ago?) in Perth to a teenager on a
Mongoose MTB, allegedly worth $900 or so. He was knocked out, lost a bunch
of teeth, and sustained bad burns from the bitumen before he was found some
time later. His brain damage was such that apaprently he now needs a
teachers aide in school.

As far as I can see, the idea of pressing fork blades into a crown, no
brazing or fixing at all, is a very poor solution, and I'm sure there are
many accidents that result from such crappy engineering.

As fo what to expect from the manufacturer, I'd suggest you demand that they
(not the LBS) refund you and so you can buy a better designed/made cycle. If
they won't play ball, I'd get a lawyer...

Cheers
David M

GPLama wrote:
On closer inspection the right arm of the fork had 'popped' out from the top bracket,

What sort of fork was it?

hippy

GPLama Wrote:
hippy wrote:
GPLama wrote:

On closer inspection the right arm of the fork had 'popped' ou
from
the top bracket,


What sort of fork was it?

hippy

Was a Mozo RM-200A.. Not sure if I'll get another fork, or a whol
new
bike... this Apollo 1.4 LSX has had almost everything that moves
replaced to keep it on the road.. If I 'fork out' for a new fork, I'd
have to cut it to fit that frame only? If thats the case I have a
'used' MTB for sale

head still thumping...

GPL

The 'Mozo RM-200A' is a fairly basic fork but it doesn't excuse i
breaking in normal use. You (or a previous owner) didn't use it fo
dirt jumping?
If you only use the bike for commuting just get a rigid fork. Cheap
light

--
Bikesoiler

Bikesoiler wrote:
The 'Mozo RM-200A' is a fairly basic fork but it doesn't excuse it
breaking in normal use. You (or a previous owner) didn't use it for
dirt jumping?
If you only use the bike for commuting just get a rigid fork. Cheap &
light.


I've had it since new.. Never used for any real heavy off roading,
mostly hard pack riding. It's done about 5000-6000kms, and I've kept it
well serviced. I've sent the pic to Apollo, on the off chance there was
a recall or something on that model. I'm sure its well out of any
warranty now.

Its a toss up to go either a new (lighter) MTB, or a new fork.. I'd want
a hardtail with a good fork, maybe even real a one this time

What model MBTs are the best value/quality for around the 2k mark?
Being a 'roadie', I've always wanted a faster MTB



cheers,
GPL

GPLama Wrote:
Was out riding home tonight just as it got dark, went to have a lookse
at
the Yarra river levels on my mtb. As I turn onto Burke Rd I hear
'crack'
and next thing I know I'm face down on the side of the road. No cars
around, I drag myself and the mtb off the road onto the grass. Fro
first
looks it appeared the stem had come loose and sent the front wheel t
the
right as I was out of the seat pushing down on the left.. On closer
inspection the right arm of the fork had 'popped' out from the to
bracket,
leaving the front wheel swiveling on the left arm.. What theeee!!??
Scouting around for lost items and limb status, I had a very larg
headache
and my vision was a little substandard.

A big thanks to the guy in the little white car who pulled over an
checked
that I was ok. Counting the costs the fork is a write off, I smashe
my
head hard enough to crack my Limar 909 (grr!) and a few small scars t
show
off. 6km walk home and the mild concussion has mostly gone.

I am so lucky that the fork broke where it did, and that my helmet too
most
of the blow.. this could have been so much worse. Think I can as
Apollo to
refund me the cost of a decent helmet?

Headache is still lingering..

/stack story

GPL

Sounds bad. Hope you recover quickly.
With all the uncertainty out on the road with potholes n crap on th
roads, maniac car drivers, torpid pedies and roaming dogs the one thin
we tend to have absolute faith in is the bike.

Cheers
Hug

--
HughMann

"GPLama" wrote in message . ..

What model MBTs are the best value/quality for around the 2k mark?
Being a 'roadie', I've always wanted a faster MTB


cheers,
GPL

2K will get you something quite nice and "ready to race" from all the usual suspects, Giant, Specialized, Kona etc. You could even
build up a nice SS from On One or Surly.

Parbs

Parbs wrote:
"GPLama" wrote in message . ..

What model MBTs are the best value/quality for around the 2k mark?
Being a 'roadie', I've always wanted a faster MTB


cheers,
GPL


2K will get you something quite nice and "ready to race" from all the usual suspects, Giant, Specialized, Kona etc. You could even
build up a nice SS from On One or Surly.

Parbs



or you could buy twenty Huffy's and just throw them out as they wear out.

DaveB

DaveB Wrote:
Parbs wrote
"GPLama" wrote in messag
. .

What model MBTs are the best value/quality for around the 2k mark
Being a 'roadie', I've always wanted a faster MTB :


cheers
GP


2K will get you something quite nice and "ready to race" from all th
usual suspects, Giant, Specialized, Kona etc. You could eve
build up a nice SS from On One or Surly

Parb



or you could buy twenty Huffy's and just throw them out as they wea
out

DaveB

or just buy 20 Huffys and throw them out straightaway

Steve

--
SteveA