How to Splint a Broken Frame

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by kanga, Aug 18, 2008.

  1. kanga

    kanga Active Member

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    Last Friday we had a little incident up in the Sierras, a long way from anywhere.

    About five miles into a 26 mile ride down the Cannell Trail, one of our group jumped a small rock, and on landing from about a 1' air, broke his Santa Cruz chainstay and lower pivot:

    [​IMG]

    So faced with a 5 mile hike back followed by 35 miles of road to get back to the bottom, or a 20 mile hike out, we decided to splint it. One of our riders had a spare 12mm through axle, which was ideal for what we needed: a strong, stiff item to splint the broken chainstay. Yep, splint, as in first aid.

    Maybe this will do it:
    [​IMG]

    So we proceeded to hold it in place with surgical tape:
    [​IMG]

    Then duct tape and zip ties:
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]


    Then Athletic tape:
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    At first he rode pretty cautiously, walking rocky sections and anything challenging, but after a few miles, and successfully riding the Kidney Punch section of Cannell, he was a lot less cautious:

    [​IMG]

    Still holding up half way down:
    [​IMG]

    We didn't realize it at the time, but he'd also broken one of the pivots. Every time his suspension flexed or he applied the rear brake, the rear wheel would twist in the frame. Turning on the bike was difficult too... a left turn was hard to negotiate because the back wheel was completely out line with the front.

    By the time we were half way down the plunge, Joe was still avoiding any big hits, but he wasn't exactly babying the broken bike. He was only a few minutes behind the rest of the group at each re-group.

    What could have been a logistical disaster in trying to get out of there sans bike, worked out for the best with a little ingenuity, duct tape and zip ties.... and a 12mm through axle.

    BTW, who carries a spare through axle anyway? We were glad someone did, though a seatpost or even a mini-pump would have been the next best thing.

    Joe, Making it out the bottom, after 20 miles and 7000' of descent, 1600' of climbing, still rolling and still relatively intact:
    [​IMG]
     
  2. speckledtrout

    speckledtrout Active Member

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    Well you go, McGyver! Nice work! :clap:
     
  3. Blue Rat

    Blue Rat F.O.G.R.

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    Great job using ingenuity ... :clap:
     
  4. 1FG rider

    1FG rider The G is for Gear

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    Wow, that's impressive. Way to improvise
     
  5. DirtymikeTDB

    DirtymikeTDB Guest

    I gotta say, I am pretty damned impressed.
     
  6. Zippy

    Zippy Small, but Mighty

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    Improvise, adapt and overcome. Nicely done.

    Though who carries that much tape and that many zip-ties? :?:
     
  7. bvader

    bvader Long Live The Gorn!

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    Freaking A!

    Nice job boys!
     
  8. bigringrider101

    bigringrider101 Save the DRAMA fo ur MAMA

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    Just another use for duct tape.

    Good job! Steve
    That would've been a long hike out.
     
  9. evdog

    evdog Member

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    I do...

    Though fortunately I've never had to fix anything like that!

    Or go that much distance to get back.
     
  10. autoduel

    autoduel sandbagger

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    That pivot bolt could have broken due to the forces applied to it after splinting.
    Nice job though. Now to think what else I should carry in the camel back.
     
  11. Diamondback

    Diamondback Banned

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    nice work....someones gonna be boxing up a Nomad and shipping it to Santa Cruz in the near future
    ...a spare 12mm through axle? Yikes I only carry a spare tube and a pack of chewing gum
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 18, 2008
  12. kanga

    kanga Active Member

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    That's his second broken Santa Cruz frame... he's thinking about a brand switch. Both his sons ride Bionicons.

    One of the guys on the trip was carrying a spare rear shock! (and used it!). OK, he was testing one and wasn't sure he would like it so he was prepared... :)


    [​IMG]
     
  13. live_in_hilo@yahoo.com

    [email protected] hilo boi

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    does santa cruz warrant that?
     
  14. dstepper

    dstepper (R.I.P.) Over the hill

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    Of coarse they will. Frames break that is the nature of light aluminum frames. They will ship him out a new rear triangle probably little question asked. The better question is what do they have in stock and how long will his bike be down.

    Dean
     
  15. Drop D

    Drop D New Member

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  16. Pain Freak

    Pain Freak Dead or Alive

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    I do too. I have surgical and duct tape along with a dozen zipties. I've used all of it a number of times. In fact this post reminds me I need to restock and put new batteries in my flashlight.
     
  17. OldDogDan

    OldDogDan Member

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    flashlight...

    Hmm...sometimes I throw a small LED headlamp in for late in the day rides. But I bet a mini-Maglite would make a pretty good splint.
     
  18. dstepper

    dstepper (R.I.P.) Over the hill

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    Find a splint in the woods, not a problem. Finding one in the desert, possible problem. I wrap my tire pump in duct tape, used it more than once on the trail.

    Dean
     
  19. Tmac

    Tmac Lonewolf

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    Nice job. That is what I call being prepared. I guess I need to start rethinking what I carry on rides.
     
  20. BrewMaster

    BrewMaster Thirsty

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    A spare thru axle? Seriously? Nice job working through an otherwise tough situation and thanks for taking pictures to show us the handiwork.
     

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