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Folding bike failures and what to look out for

Small wheeled folding bikes and e-bikes, a very useful and convenient accessory but with a significant risk of folding inconveniently and potentially painfully while in use.

The problem is the usual balance of weight against durability: we’re speaking here of the frames manufactured of light alloy which is clearly desirable in terms of portability and easy stowing.

Frames have been failing without warning adjacent to the central hinge located on the main tube. There’s very little can be done to check, save an x-ray of the weld although a very close and careful inspection of the area behind the hinge plate where it is welded to the rear part of the main tube might give some warning of imminent failure if there are any almost microscopic hairline flaws in the paint.

Analysis of failed units during the course of our investigations, has identified a process called fatigue crack nucleation which is caused by poorly controlled welds. A crack may initiate adjacent to one of the beads of weld particularly if the bead is sitting on, rather than in, the parent metal. This is known as poor penetration.

In addition to the stresses concentrated at this point, the regular movement ancillary to folding and clamping will hasten the process. The crack will creep around the circumference of the tube until a critical point is reached when there’s a final catastrophic failure. Instant two-part bike and immediate dismount.

Welding a thick plate to a thin tube is a difficult process because if sufficient heat is applied to penetrate the thicker parent metal the thinner one may simply collapse. Given the excellent conductivity of aluminium the heat may be leaving as fast as it’s entering. There are many variables in the welding process, so if these are not optimized a poorly penetrating weld (which is prone to failure) may result. That’s exactly what has occurred in the examples below, belonging to a client. The parent metal can be seen to be barely touched by the beads of weld which sit on it but have barely penetrated.

Clamp plate.
Clamp plate
Tube.
Tube
Clamp plate and tube.
Clamp plate and tube
The moral of the story is to consider a limited life expectancy of the machine, depending on level and type of use and the rider’s physical characteristics. Regular cleaning and inspection of the likely areas are essential. If there’s any doubt, return the bike to the dealer for a check. The rider /purchaser has redress under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Consumer Protection Act 1987, the former for financial loss and injury, the latter for injury and consequences of that injury. If the worst has happened, do not part with the remains until taken informed advice. As most of these bikes are imports, the ultimate compensator will be the importer into the EU or UK. While the IBD is likely to be sympathetic he will pass the buck up the chain to wholesaler and importer rather than getting out his chequebook. The usual defences include excessive and unsuitable use, poor maintenance and lack of service from the supplying dealer, therefore it’s not a good idea to present the failed article as if its just completed a muddy cyclocross. We represent clients that have been injured as a result of many different failures and have a wealth of information available to you should you find yourself in need of a specialist solicitor. You can read more and visit our gallery of failed components here or call our 24/7 freephone helpline on 0808 100 9995 should you need our advice and assistance.

Written By:

Emily Pheysey

Litigation Executive

Emily has over 7 years of experience in the legal sector, handling road traffic accident claims to recover compensation and support her clients. Her focus is to ensure all clients feel comfortable and at ease with the claims process so that they can focus on their recovery.

Emily considers rapport to be an essential part of the role and strives to always provide excellent client care.

Away from work, Emily enjoys spending time with her family and friends and travelling as much possible.

Diane Holderness

Litigation Executive

Diane is a Ministry of Justice (TOJ) Team Leader within our Cycle Department. She has 11 years’ experience managing road traffic accident claims, and 6 years’ experience managing MOJ claims.

Diane enjoys a challenge and always strives for the very best results for her customers; something that is clear in the way her team continually adapts its strategies in order to secure the most desired outcome. Diane has worked her way through the legal ranks here, and is proud to now have a strong, specialist team that is committed to customer satisfaction.

Diane believes that happy clients make a happy working environment, and it is this that ensures a productive and efficient workforce.

Nina Haddock

Chartered Legal Executive

Nina has over 30 years’ experience in the legal sector. She specialises in recovering compensation for injury claimants as a result of road traffic accidents. Her focus for each and every claim is to help her clients secure the funding that they need to pay for ongoing treatment and support.

Nina became a CILEX Fellow in 2006 and now helps her clients and their families at a time when they have been through a traumatic experience, and everything they hold dear to them appears to be changing.

One case Nina is particularly proud of is supporting a client who had successfully sought asylum in the UK, following a road traffic accident. The claim was successfully pursued through the MIB and the client was left with significant injuries. Her client was able to use the compensation to aid family members with their applications to seek asylum in the UK.

Julian Fox

Cycling Accident Solicitor

Julian qualified as a Solicitor in 2005 and has worked in all areas of personal injury since 2000. Julian has a well-rounded understanding of personal injury law, having represented both claimants and defendants.

Julian always aims for maximum damages to meet his clients’ needs for injury and rehabilitation expenses, and can often secure interim payments to help meet clients’ financial needs. Julian is highly proactive in ensuring cases are progressed, ensuring a timely conclusion.

When not at the office, Julian is a keen cyclist, both on roads and virtually -he will often do an hour of ‘Zwifting’ in the mornings before starting work.

Richard Atherton

Cycling Accident Solicitor

Richard has 12 years of legal experience and qualified as a Solicitor in February 2014. He has been a Team Manager with us since 2019. Throughout his career, Richard has specialised in personal injury, handling an array of Road Traffic Accident cases, in addition to employer and public liability.

Richard prides himself on his very strong strategic and planning skills, which come into their own in complex injury cases where more technical arguments are involved. On every case, he is committed to ensuring that his clients receive full compensation for their injuries.

Away from work, Richard enjoys sport; he is a season ticket holder at St Helens Rugby Club and a Liverpool FC fan. Not only a spectator, Richard also likes going to play golf as often as he can.

Dave Gardner

Litigation Executive

Dave has over 20 years of experience in the legal sector. His specialism is personal injury and he has dealt with hundreds of cycling injury claims during his career. Excellent client care and communication is paramount to Dave. He prides himself on being accessible and available, attending court hearings where damages are in dispute to ensure the best outcome for his clients. One case Dave is particularly proud of is when he supported an elderly client who suffered serious injuries following a road traffic incident. The police had not taken any action against the defendant, so Dave had to be proactive and act within a 24-hour window. The case proceeded and the client was in receipt of £30,000 in damages, which he would not have been entitled to had the client not approached Dave. He is also an avid supporter of Glasgow Rangers and travelled abroad on many occasions to see them play in European competitions.

Gerard Horton

Partner

Gerard is a Senior Solicitor at Cycle SOS. In his 13 years of experience, Gerard has built a national reputation in the catastrophic injury sector, dealing with high value and complex cases. Alongside his legal role, Gerard supports several charities including Headway Central Lancashire, Northwest Regional Spinal Injuries Centre and spinal injury charity, Back Up.

Julia Eyton

Partner

Julia brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Cycle SOS team.

Specialising in representing those who have had life changing injuries, Julia handles some of the most serious and complex personal injury cases both within Cycle SOS and nationally.

She often works on high value claims and is skilled in winning complex liability cases.

NADIA KERR

Partner

Nadia has over 30 years of legal expertise and has represented hundreds of vulnerable road users. With a focus on ensuring timely rehabilitation, speedy repair or replacement of bikes and kit, and securing fair compensation, Nadia is committed to advocating for justice and client rights. Alongside her legal career, Nadia actively participates in national campaigns to benefit vulnerable road users and acts as a Trustee/Director for the national cycling charity, Cycling UK. Nadia was named in Cycling UK’s ‘100 women’ and was a founding member, now running a women’s cycling group, TeamGlow in South Manchester. Among her many achievements, Nadia takes pride in her spot on BBC Breakfast, where she provided expert commentary on long term government funding for pothole repairs.

Caroline Morris

DIRECTOR OF SERIOUS INJURY

Caroline has specialised in personal injury for over 25 years, recovering more than £56 million in damages during that time, to help clients rebuild their lives after injury.

Caroline is committed to achieving rehabilitation options early, meaning her clients benefits from the best care and treatment at the earliest stage possible.