Post Crash Bike Checks

Not related to the potential bike damage, but to your broken arm. I broke my wrist in January and got back on the bike fairly quickly, which was great, only to develop carpal tunnel AND tennis elbow which took me back off the bike for a few more weeks. If you can, insist on physio from when the cast comes off. I didn't and now 8 months later, even though I'm back riding normally (if not better than before, even if I do say so myself) I'm still having to carry out the physio and massage to ease off tightness and numbness. It's likely to be some time before it improves completely. I ended up paying for some private physio as well as the NHS physio. Get everything you can to help even if it all seems 'ok'.

A simple way to test if anythings bent in the pedal / crank department is to go for a quick spin. If something is bent you should find your foot feel like it's 'wobbling' or turning slightly in either an up / down or side to side movement. It's difficult to describe the sensation but you should know if you feel it. If you're still not sure jump on a friends bike that you believe to be straight and swap back and forth between the two bikes. Have your friend do the same. If you don't feel any differences your pedals and cranks should be ok.

It will be quite obvious if the frame is damaged, check for cracking in the paint layer, also riding it, say up hill to put power through frame will expose any problems(you need to wait 6 six weeks!). Carbon is very tough and can take huge impacts, but will show up as fractures. Cant really repair easily, though my mate repairs carbon fishing poles and they never break in the same place after a repair. Personally I wouldnt want to trust a repair on something travelling downhill at 40mph, new frame for me or bike

Shit times... bad luck on the arm!

Reference bike checks, the important thing to do is look where there are marks on the bikes and work backwards from there.

A scratched pedal would mean I'd check the pedal axle for signs of obvious deformation.

You might want to check your cranks, but generally they are proper sturdy these days.

What about your handlebars? If they are scratched and aluminium, check for any bending of the bars and stem, but if they are straight, all cool. Following a recent experience of a team mate, if you have banged your bars on the way down, then I'd check your fork steerer for any signs of damage. Again, if its an alloy steerer, then nothing to worry about, but if carbon, it might be worth taking out of the bike and checking for any obvious signs of stress.

last two...

Saddle - check for any scuffs... if there are any, then check that the saddle rails have not been bent.

Rear mech... again, check if marked and look at the alignment of the jockey wheels... make sure you've not bent your hanger.