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Old 04-10-17, 09:14 PM   #1
ophic
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Default Brakes failed!

Yup just had my front brakes completely fail in the middle of London rush hour traffic. The lever just went bang while braking behind a car and came all the way back to the bar. My guardian angel was clearly watching as I made it to a safe stop with only a small amount of swearing and a large amount of swerving. I'll probably still have nightmares.

Got my Mrs out to rescue me and bring my socket set. Looks like one of my pads disintegrated. They were getting low but I think perhaps more importantly, they were old, as in, bike not used for a few years.

By this time the traffic wasn't as heavy so I managed to make it home, escorted by the Mrs. Have you ever tried riding without touching your front brake? Fortunately this is a cruiser style bike and the rear brake is actually quite good, but it's still a weird experience. I knew that if I touched the lever, I'll knacker the disk.

Anyway there should be some lid cam footage of the brown trouser moment for your amusement shortly.
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Old 04-10-17, 10:41 PM   #2
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Default Re: Brakes failed!

https://youtu.be/th0s2ybHWi4

Excuse any garbled swearing. I really meant it.
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Old 05-10-17, 06:37 AM   #3
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Default Re: Brakes failed!

Time for a bit of soul searching then...
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Old 05-10-17, 07:11 AM   #4
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Default Re: Brakes failed!

Ooof, well done for avoiding 'target fixation' and having the presence of mind to take avoiding action.
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Old 05-10-17, 07:21 AM   #5
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Default Re: Brakes failed!

In my panic I just couldn't get my foot on the rear brake either.

It's my Mrs' bike. Do you realise how much trouble I'd be in if I bent it?
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Old 05-10-17, 07:47 AM   #6
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Default Re: Brakes failed!

Bet that got the pulse going! Well done indeed
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Old 05-10-17, 07:53 AM   #7
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Default Re: Brakes failed!

Bad news on the Brake failure but Kudos on the cool head and reactions and thankfully you weren't at great speed
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Old 05-10-17, 08:16 AM   #8
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Default Re: Brakes failed!

Not going fast is easy - it's a cruiser and it's terrifying. It does make swerving a bit more dramatic though as it's so flippin wide.

I have taken the wise investment of a month's train ticket while I wait for my butt cheeks to unclench themselves.
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Old 05-10-17, 08:38 AM   #9
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Default Re: Brakes failed!

I'd recommend getting right back on the bike, otherwise you risk that fear setting in. You swerved a bump, you did good!

I find it baffling that a knackered pad would cause this, I'm assuming there's two calipers on this bike or is there just the one? If it's two...the other caliper should have taken up the slack...it's not as if the pistons could have popped out and cause fluid to rush out (which would explain the lever-to-the-bar experience)
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Old 05-10-17, 08:46 AM   #10
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Default Re: Brakes failed!

Quote:
Originally Posted by R1ffR4ff View Post
Kudos on the cool head
Undeserved. I panicked and just happened to do the right thing. More luck than judgement. I can't even manage to swear intelligibly.

Looking through the footage to find it made me realise that if it had happened at any other point in the journey it would have been a lot worse. I'm filtering in traffic, I'm pulling up behind other bikers, etc etc - coulda taken out a whole lot of people.

The video doesn't look all that dramatic but it's not how I was feeling. That "oh holy cr4p I can't stop" moment is something I really don't wanna repeat.
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