Riding home last night I discovered a new and interesting way to have a front end lock.

I was riding home through Queens on very familiar streets. At most lights there is a lot of room to filter to the front so I usually do.

As I applied the the brakes (I am my own linked brake system) I heard a loud scraping/screeching sound. Also felt the front stop compressing and all force go to the rear wheel.

Oh and the front end began to skate sideways, the way it always does when in a slide, but faster.

I let go of the front lever for a rotation or so and re-applied the front.

Crisis averted.

I got off the bike in the red light moment to look. It was a piece of sheetmetal flattened by truck traffic and textured just like the road. Picture a flattened coffee can but thicker metal.

Not wanting to leave it for the next biker I removed it.

Kinda similar to when I fell down in Chinatown when I put my foot down on a to go container and it slipped right out from under me.

Like I always say, the wolf is always at the door.

 

Yep man, that is NYC typical experience ;-) not to mention flattened water bottles, oil spots and other fun stuff...

 

I'm really glad that you were able to save it. Good job, too, getting the hazard off the street.

 

Holy crapsnacks! What a save!