Help - Taco'd the Front Wheel

[Sierra Cement]

I don't know if taco is really a term for a bent front rim, but it fits the bill to me...

The bike is a 2 1/2 month old stock Stumpjumper Pro (rims are Mavics). Incident happened on a pretty fast descent, when I made a hard, braking, right hand turn on a relatively smooth section of single track. It was a little bit of a borderline turn, like "will I pull this off or cartwheel off the trail?" But not all that bad, I've pulled off much worse hairball turns. So at the crux of the turn, I heard or felt (or both) a clunk on the front end and found myself tossed over the handle bars and onto my right shoulder. The pain of it all came when I got back up and noticed my front wheel looked like a taco. Well not that bad, but it was tweaked enough to where it wouldn't spin past the front shock. Shock and disc brakes appear to be O.K.

I had to push the thing on the back wheel for several miles until my wife could pick me up on a road. So it's going into the shop where I bought it tomorrow, but I thought a little insight from anyone in the know would be good to have going in.

Anyone have any knowledge or experience with this kind of thing? Do I have a warranty issue here?

[house]

not a warranty issue. youre fat.

just kidding, but youre just gonna hafta buy a new rim. and btw, you coulda just said "i tacoed a rim, who wants to touch me?"

[Kellie]

Maybe it's a stumpjumper thing . . . I had the same experience last summer, only my fall involved a tree as well

New rims aren't that spendy though . . . just an annoyance. And I agree: no warranty issue, unless the shop hooks you up.

[UTdave]

Don't start your explanation by saying "I was just riding along..." lots of jackass stories start that way and the shop guy will start to think . Don't expect a warranty repair but be appreciative if they offer it or look into it with Specialized/Mavic. If the hub and disc rotor are in good shape the new spokes, rim and build shouldn't be that expensive and in the end you'll have a new handbuilt wheel .

[CS]

Next time that happens, take the wheel off, beat it into the ground to retrue it. Then put it flat on the ground and standing with your feet on the part that's bent, jump on it and straighten it. If you have discs, it should be no big deal. Unless it's totally jacked, or you have v-brakes, you can ride it even if it has a little twitch. Just have the shop true it as much as possible and check the spokes every once in a while to make sure they're tensioned.

[altagirl]

Next time that happens, take the wheel off, beat it into the ground to retrue it. Then put it flat on the ground and standing with your feet on the part that's bent, jump on it and straighten it. If you have discs, it should be no big deal. Unless it's totally jacked, or you have v-brakes, you can ride it even if it has a little twitch. Just have the shop true it as much as possible and check the spokes every once in a while to make sure they're tensioned.

Weird. I could swear I posted something like this last night.

I prefer finding 2 trees or rocks to wedge it in and bend it, but it depends on what's around. I wouldn't be walking back unless it was cracked in half.

[Sierra Cement]

not a warranty issue. youre fat.

Dude, how did you know that over the internet??

Thanks for all the advice. Next time (well hopefully not a next time) I'll try the gorilla technique w/ the wheel so I can ride out of there. I thought about bending it back, but I was worried I might F-up the disc brake rotor or void a warranty (which isn't an issue) if I jumped on it - and it actually is pretty tweaked. I'll take the wheel in w/ my hat in hand today.

[CS]

Weird. I could swear I posted something like this last night.

I prefer finding 2 trees or rocks to wedge it in and bend it, but it depends on what's around. I wouldn't be walking back unless it was cracked in half.

Good point on the trees/rocks.

And yeah, unless that sucker is busted in half, I'm finding a way to ride.

And sierra, bending back the rim shouldn't have any effect on the rotor.

[zIPPY]

Words of advice: go and buy some downhill rims that wont bend, get rid of those clips, and grow a mustache! And it is time to ski for christ sakes, what is all this warm weather shit all about, now i know some of you are getting horny for snow and pretending they aren't. But those need to give in like a horny drunk sorority girl and welcome the snow!!! ITS TIME TO ROCK!!!

[mntlion]

sierra: had you checked to see if the spokes where tight OR loose anything before?
if they had gotten loose then that is why the wheel taco'd not your size, (but that will help)

check the R wheel too for tension, If the F backed off the R might too.

Hand build wheels are great, last way longer, way stronger. $100 or more for a nice rim, spokes, and build.

Mavic freeride rim is a good option for harder riders, bigger guys, non XC racers.

[Sierra Cement]

I'm headed towards a hand built wheel (as recommended by a few folks in this thread). Now that I understand the difference, there's no doubt it's the way to go over factory. I was also convinced to go with a tubeless Mavic rim, but I'll stick with the traditional tube in tire. Tubeless rims are only slightly heavier but have quite a bit more strength. Dudes at the shop were cool, and showed me the propa' way to restraighten a rim in the woods - Donkey Kong style.

Words of advice: go and buy some downhill rims that wont bend, get rid of those clips, and grow a mustache!

ITS TIME TO ROCK!!!

Alright college dude.....if you want me to grow a mustache then I better start by shaving my beard. You probably just saw the word taco in the title and thought "Gerald-ine". And what's wrong with a fat guy who prefers cross country?!? I'm ready for the winter too, but I need a bit more roof on this building first - ya know?

[zIPPY]

sure i got exited when i heard taco but not from a frosted tipped freak. well there isnt anything wrong with XC however most injuries seem to occur while clipped in, no, right onto the shoulder? Maybe im the pussy, but point is that a little more weight in your wheels wont take you out of first place. Yes... yes... roof shmoof, wrap the shit and get wet, just like my old man told me, about buildings ofcourse.

no excuses for the stache, if i cant grow one someone should, and the beard gets all icy and painfull when its frozen anyways