Saudiq

Do you guys use smart trainers? I have a power meter and cyclops fluid trainer. How does the racing work if it's not a smart trainer? Do you have to focus on wattage when going 'uphill'?

I had some good Samaritan come to my aid when I snapped my chain. Was that you? If so, then thank you!

Self declared idiot/Neanderthal:) I've certainly learnt from you guys. Some lessons are costly but lessons nonetheless. To quote my Dad, "Dis skool geld"

Damn! I was with santam before and now the words of my previous brokers has come back to haunt me! The overall outcome of this discussion then is I'm an idiot because: 1. For thinking a cheap insurance would be worth giving it a shot. I guess the age old saying 'If it sounds to good to be true, then it probably is' applies here 2. For changing to small blade under heavy load

Not taking it personally man

Guys, I'm not entirely sure what the relevance of whether I saw it or not is? To answer the question though, I know it looks fairly easy from the bottom and one pic with the crank off but when you're looking from the side the hole is hidden by the crank. Also, please bear in mind: 1. I've not said my insurance is wrong, I didn't come out blasting them for crappy service which is why I've purposefully left out details of the company. I've asked a question from fellow cyclist so that I can decide if this would've happened with an big/well established insurance company which means that whether I'm paying R1 or R300 the outcome would've been the same. Also, if there is any grounds for me to challenge this? 2. I'm not trying to rip off my insurance and if they back this up this decision with logic, then I'll do what I need to do to get going again.

Pic of actual hole in the carbon

Pic of the frame damage

Will take some pics of the drive train this evening and post

I've been doing certain training to try and simulate certain conditions. As previously mentioned, this may not been my brightest move, also considering I have a compact chain ring which I've now read is prone to chain suck 'Over Shifting and Chain Suck – Outside of rub, the most common shifting issues we have seen with compact crank designs is a greater tendency for the chain to over shift and the chain getting sucked against the frame more frequently. While proper set-up and maintenance is paramount to minimizing the likelihood of these events occurring, even a well set up bike can be prone to throwing the chain and chain suck. For riders that are prone to these issues, there are inexpensive devices like the 3rd Eye ChainWatcher and anti-chain suck plates that can be installed on the frame to keep the chain cooperative. These chain watchers are not always compatible with aero tubing or non-traditional designs, so check with a well informed mechanic to find out what will work for you' http://fitwerx.com/compact-cranks/ Host of reasons why this could occur but insurance went straight to wear and tear http://fagan.co.za/Bikes/Csuck/

Question then is if this is the feedback from the bike shop, how do I change the assessment to be more specific? I actually thought a stone hit the bottom of the frame when I saw the hole but bike shop says they doubt it was a stone.

definitely not trying to commit insurance fraud, hence why I've left the insurer name out of the post and why I'm asking the question. If this is valid for them to dispute then fair enough, I'll leave it as is

Not entirely sure (I may be somewhat mechanically capable) however to give context, I'm 88kg and I was jump standing big gear intervals and I was doing around 800 - 900 watts, then switched to small blade when chain drop and basically got jammed in between frame and crank. Took substantial force to get the crank loose. This may have been what caused the damage

I've purposefully been avoiding this note

Assessment was done and comments were 'Damage May have been caused by chain suck' No definitive answer, no comments that this was as a result of wear and tear.

2 happened at some point, I was cleaning the bike and then 1 happened. It's in an inconspicuous spot so I would not have noticed it immediately. Some sport drink spilled over the weekend ride and while cleaning it off I noticed the hole. That still reads confusing but hope it makes sense? Chain suck was mentioned in the assessment

Not sure I understand your analogy. Are you saying if my side-shaft broke which resulted in me loosing control of the car and smashed it then my claim shouldn't be entertained because I didn't have it serviced or maintained?

Frame was purchased new about 4 years ago. Is this however relevant? My MTB I bought second hand, should I now be worried because I didn't buy it new?

I've double checked my policy and nothing here says anything about an event? The event here was I dropped my chain under load (even if this is not ideal practice) which then resulted in the damage.

T's&C's "Special conditions and disclosures You have given us the following information regarding the above-mentioned portable possessions, listed on your XXXXX policy, which we used to calculate your super cheap monthly premium. Should any of the details below change whilst you are covered by the XXXX, please let us know, as soon as you can, so that we can update your policy schedule accordingly. Failure to do so may influence the validity of your claim. Remember, incorrect details = incorrect cover. The XXXXX endorsements Valuation certificates should be supplied for all jewellery items which are valued at R 15,000.00 or more. It's super important that you send us the relevant serial/IMEI numbers for your specified portable possessions, before any claim is registered, otherwise you won't be covered for the theft or loss of these items." That's it? I've removed the name and I don't want to be giving the guys a bad wrap if what they are saying is valid.

Yup, noticed about a week ago and then took bike to LBS to check the frame. I'll post pics when I get a chance. My question though is, even if they weren't/aren't in a good state, if there is nothing in my T's & C's that specifically states that claims will only be considered if damages are caused by mechanical parts that are in a sound state then can the claim be denied?

I don't necessarily take my bike to LBS for all servicing because I'm fairly capable of doing this myself. My question though is, if there is nothing in my policy schedule which instructs me to have my bike serviced then can my claim be denied because it was not serviced by a LBS?

Hi All, I have a question regarding bike insurance and whether what my insurance company has told me is valid or are they looking for an excuse not to pay. I recently noticed a fairly big hole at the bottom of my frame, close to the BB. I took it to my lbs and was told that the hole was caused by chain suck and that carbon frame has a crack in it. I've submitted my claim to my insurance and have been told that it's because 'my chain rings are worn' and if my bike was regularly serviced then this would have been avoidable and therefore they can't cover the claim. Now no assessment was done to actually validate whether my chain rings are worn (it sounds like the assessor went and checked on google what chain suck means) and I fairly recently had my cables replaced, front derailleur set, new chain so there is no mechanical fault as far as I'm concerned. I dropped the chain because of the type of intervals that I was doing which requires me to rapidly switch between big blade and small blade to simulate rapid changes in cadence when racing or on the mountain. I also don't see it specified anywhere in my terms and conditions that in order for a claim to be valid on my bicycle I need to take it for regular services or that my chain rings have to be mechanically functional???? This is new insurance company that has offered unbelievable value which is why I switched, so the question now is, have I been suckered into paying for cheap insurance or is what they are saying valid? That I have no leg to stand on and no insurance company will cover this??

RIP Andrew! terribly sad news! So infuriating when earlier this week I was reading a thread about some idiot that posted a blog on New24, referring to cyclist needing to have their bikes licensed and how drivers shouldn't be prosecuted for killing a cyclist?? And this is the true reality of what cyclists and now our families have to go through! Just this week I was nearly knocked down on 3 different days and all 3 times I was in a cycle lane... I hope they find these b@stards and hope that the judge residing over the case decides to make an examples of these f**kers!

I'd do hill intervals where you keep cadence at 55-60 to build muscular endurance and then in races climb at 70-80 cadence