I realize that this message is not an exact match for the purpose of
this group, but since it is a group I have followed for a while, and
have contributed to, I would appreciate the advice of fellow members.

I have been riding casually for a couple of years, mainly for fitness
to get into shape. Mostly neighborhood rides and trails close to the
inland empire. I am a 43 year old male, about 6'2 275.

Last year, as I was enjoying cycling very much, I decided to buy a new
bike. I purchased a Diamondback Edgewood 19" from Sport Chalet. Apx
$300, this was a hybrid bike that should have been well suited for the
type of riding I was doing. In speaking to the salesman, he assured me
that this was a properly sized bike for me. I had the pre-delivery
checkout of the bike and started riding it last summer and fall. I
have put about 500 miles on it.

A couple of weeks ago, as the weather was warming up and getting nice,
I decided to take a ride. I checked the bike, put air in the tires,
made sure all was well and set out. I rode about 10 miles, and then
headed about a mile up a moderate hill, and turned around to come
down. On the way down, at about 22 mph, I suddenly lost control and
went flying over the handlebars. Ended up with lots of road rash,
cuts, scrapes, and a broken clavicle (one of the few that required an
operation). I am recovering and will be okay and want to ride again.

My problem is that I don't know what happened. My front wheel is bent
about 30% in a smooth curve for 1/2 of the wheel, with the spokes all
mangled. I don't think I hit anything like debris or a pothole. I am
thinking that the wheel collapsed and that is what caused the accident
(as opposed to the accident causing the wheel to collapse). But I am
really not sure. The people in the car behind me saw me, and said that
I just suddenly went flying...nothing else was observed.

The questions that are in my head:

1. Was I too big of a guy for this bike?
2. Could the wheel have been defective?
3. Do wheels sometimes just collapse without warning?
4. Is this perhaps a poor quality bike in the first place?
5. Is there any recourse with the manufacturer?

I know I am lucky I wasn't hurt worse, but it is important for me to
understand why/how this happened (if not for any other reason, to
avoid recurrence).

I would really appreciate any advice or comments from other members.

Thank you in advance.

Eric