See below the bike outcome of a mate riding head-on into the back of a truck during a club time trial.

Outcome for mate - dislocated collar bone and extensive bruising.

Explanation from mate - didn't see white truck against low sun angle.

Wheel build Mavic CXP 33 with 32 db spokes, radial on ultegra hub - very slight deformation of rim.

Sometimes when you hit things dead on, the wheel will come off better than the bike. My son did the same thing. Ran into the back of a parked car. Bent the downtube and fork, but the wheel was still true.

Let's not forget that direct loads are exactly what bike wheels are designed to take. I bet the outcome would have been drastically different had he hit the truck at even a slight angle. He'd be replacing a front wheel instead of a frameset.

I would like to hear the story the pickup driver is telling his friends about the roadie.

Too bad about the frame, looks nice but is toast. I hope your friend is not sued by the pickup driver for whiplash.

I would like to hear the story the pickup driver is telling his friends about the roadie.

Too bad about the frame, looks nice but is toast. I hope your friend is not sued by the pickup driver for whiplash.


The truck driver was out of the vehicle repairing the road surface at the time - he saw the funny side of things and so no lawyer fest to follow.