RadMini after-crash rebuild

[Altema]

I got to work last night on the rebuild/repairs after losing my front wheel while riding. Progress is slow due to the one handed situation, but at least some progress was made. I removed the front brake rotor and found the rim was damaged and spokes were bent. I bend some spokes back into shape by hand, but one was so bad I had to remove it and us a hammer and anvil to straighten it. The spoke hole in the rim was bent up, so that had to be hammered back as well. I have a new wheel on order, but have no idea how long it will take to get here. The new brake rotors are the "floating" type which center themselves, and the hub is anodized in red. I replaced the whole front fork assembly, and installed a solid axle on the wheel with nuts. Solid axles are a bit stiffer than quick releases, but I did it mostly to make it more difficult if someone decides to tamper with it again.

So far, the damage from this crash is as follows:

Front spokes and rim bent
Front hub damaged, but might be usable
Quick release skewer and nut missing
Front brake rake rotor severely bent
Front brake pads damaged
Front fork bent
Front fender support bent
Nitecore headlight gouged and scarred by asphalt, but still works!
Handlebar stem mounting bolt threads pulled out
Support stand under crank bent


The stem mounting bolt was a surprise, but when I pulled it out, the threads from the stem came out with it. It will require tapping out to a larger size, or replacing. I may try buying the Expand handlebars and stem, but am not sure if Rad will allow that. I'll keep you posted on progress, and let me know if you have any questions or suggestions!

[JimInPT]

I replaced the whole front fork assembly, and installed a solid axle on the wheel with nuts. Solid axles are a bit stiffer than quick releases, but I did it mostly to make it more difficult if someone decides to tamper with it again.

If you don't mind, can you link to a source for the correct solid axle?  I've been thinking of anti-thefting my MiniST2's front wheel as well - ditched the quick-release clamp on the seatpost, then replaced the new clamp's bolt with a tamper-resistant Torx, early on to protect my Redshift and Cloud 9 parts.

Thanks, and hope your recovery is proceeding quickly.  I'm sure I'm not the only one interested to hear how this all works out if somebody fiddled with your bike to cause the crash.

[Altema]

I replaced the whole front fork assembly, and installed a solid axle on the wheel with nuts. Solid axles are a bit stiffer than quick releases, but I did it mostly to make it more difficult if someone decides to tamper with it again.

If you don't mind, can you link to a source for the correct solid axle?  I've been thinking of anti-thefting my MiniST2's front wheel as well - ditched the quick-release clamp on the seatpost, then replaced the new clamp's bolt with a tamper-resistant Torx, early on to protect my Redshift and Cloud 9 parts.

Thanks, and hope your recovery is proceeding quickly.  I'm sure I'm not the only one interested to hear how this all works out if somebody fiddled with your bike to cause the crash.

A link is below for a 3/8 by 185mm solid axle, but remember to remove the spacer for our use. I tried a 175mm long axle, but it was slightly too short. Recovery is going well (thanks for asking), and although I'm black and blue and yellow from the bruises, the healing process is going ahead of schedule. I did some more digging, and although quick release axles are safe and failures are rare, they do happen on occasion. So it may have been tampering, or the skewer may have snapped or had a defect. Unless I find the skewer itself, it will be impossible to tell.

https://amzn.to/3OHr5ps

[JimInPT]

Thank you!  I'll order one up and put the install on my list of things to do.  Appreciate it.

[Altema]

I received the new front axle today and installed it. Fit with a 2mm steel spacer on the right side was just right, with the nuts threading all the way on with a few threads sticking out as they should. The spacer is there to center the wheel, and does the same job as the extra nut that Rad uses for the same purpose. This axle came with caged bearings, and since my Rad bearings had always been rough, I used the new once after packing them with grease. I replaced the stripped bolt on the stem and was able to torque it. The front brake caliper was changed back to the original Tektro mechanical calipers, and they are more responsive than the hydraulic calipers from Bolton that I tried. Still have not done my first test ride, but perhaps tomorrow....

Pics to follow in next post!

[Eric7]

Dear Altema,

First I want to say I am so glad you are getting better and good enough to start fixing your bike.

I was wondering if you have gotten a new folding stem (Expand type)? Is Rad willing to sell it? How much that costs you?  I want to reduce the height of my handlebar and I figure that is the way to go unless I want a standard stem with no height and no folding features.

Thank you for your info that is always helpful.

Eric7

[Altema]

Thanks for the well wishes Eric7! I plan on calling Rad today, been busy with doctors appointments and stuff at home. I'll post back when Rad give's an answer, hopefully today!

[Eric7]

I ordered a stem extender for the steering tube to replace the original folding stem.  <edited. No more technical issues.  Solved. I don't need a conical spacer.>

I will lose the ability to fold the stem but in 6 months of ownership, I've only folded the bike once - just to check out the folding capability.  I did not actually need to fold the bike.

But I am still interested in the Official Rad folding stem.

Eric7

[Altema]

Turns out the damage to me was a little worse than we thought. Saw the specialists and my right clavicle is fractured and I may have a brain stem injury. A bit more time off work, but I can't ride my bike either until they do further tests 😔

The handlebars appear to be bent so I have to measure them, and the threads got yanked out of one of the stem bolt holes. I was going to try and save the front wheel, but the bearing outer race (part of the wheel hub) are worn and cannot be adjusted. I can adjust the side-to-side play, but you can still move the axle up and down because the bearing race is worn out. I ordered a wheel from Rad, and they sent the complete wheel with tire, tube, brake rotor, and skewer! Only took a few days as well!

[Eric7]

Please take care of yourself!!!  Bikes come and go, get damaged, are thrown away and are of no importance compared to you.

Thank you for all your info.

Don't stress your body fixing things.  My best wishes for a short/quick/complete recovery.  Now is the time to binge-watch TV or something.  I truly feel for your health and hope you recover.

[Altema]

Dear Altema,

First I want to say I am so glad you are getting better and good enough to start fixing your bike.

I was wondering if you have gotten a new folding stem (Expand type)? Is Rad willing to sell it? How much that costs you?  I want to reduce the height of my handlebar and I figure that is the way to go unless I want a standard stem with no height and no folding features.

Thank you for your info that is always helpful.

Eric7

Sorry it took so long to get back. I called Rad and it took some serious persuasion for them to let me order the "wrong" part. However, the order was halted and given a "No", so I had to order the original style stem. It looks like my handlebars are bent as well, so I ordered those just to be safe.

[Altema]

I placed what I think is the last order for parts from Rad, and anything else will just be upgrades and enhancements. Full hydraulic brakes are planned, but it depends on how the new floating rotors work out. The biggest pain with the stock manual brakes is adjustment, and floating rotors will reduce the need for centering the calipers.

On the medical side, I can touch my left shoulder with my right hand for the first time, and it hurts but I can do it! I did get my EEG and brain stem tests, but won't get the results until next week, so I still can't ride. I already missed some great local group rides, and last week they explored what has been called best riverwalk in the world 😢

[Altema]

The recent tests came out good, and I should be clear to ride (carefully) after an MRI tomorrow, so that's good news. As far as the bike is concerned, I'm still waiting on the new stem and handlebars, but it looks like my existing handlebars are not bent like I thought. The stem position was rotated a bit in relation to the front wheel, so I corrected that, adjust the handlebars to line back up, and the seems all straight now. Still have to replace the stem because of the stripped bolt though.

[Altema]

Well, the bike is complete and tested, running better than ever 
And I'm... getting there, lol.