The Lock
In anticipation of using my road bike for commuting, we bought a supersonic (not really) Kryptonite lock.
The bike store recommended getting a lock worth 10% of your bike $$.
(Courtesy - Kryptonite)
So, I have this very safe lock but it's intense. I reckon it could be a murder weapon on CSI.
As it's quite heavy, we decided to try and mount it on my bike frame. After trying the seat tube first (there wasn't enough room to get the lock out of the mount and it was too clunky sticking out the side), and then the top tube (it was rubbing against the brake cables), we ended up attaching it to top of the down tube.
How to lock your bike properly
Some pages I came across:
- Lifehacker tip page
- Totally awesome video of New York bike mechanic rating people's locks - Hal Ruzal Grades Your Bike Locking (3 of 3)
Summary:
- Check the object you're locking your bike against is secure
- Take with you anything easy to steal (lights, bottles)
- Lock the back wheel & frame - can just lock the back wheel inside the triangle.
- Lock the front wheel.
Lights
As I am quite small, (bike size extra small!) it means all my bike posts are tiny and don't have much room to attach things to.
(Courtesy - Gran Prix Bicycles)
I bought a red rear light to mount on my bike but to get it on somewhere that it could be seen (above the tyre but below the seat), I had to remove the mini saddle bag that was underneath my seat. (It holds my tyre change kit).
This means I have to choose either or, but that should be ok. Worse out of worse, if I flat, I can lock up my bike and go back for it later.
Oh, and
On the way back up to the apartment, my husband turned and said, "oh, and when you decide to get a bottle cage, we'll have to work out what to do with the bike lock again. Or, perhaps it will be time for the second bike."
All bike thinking comes down to buying another bike! N + 1 right?
All bike thinking comes down to buying another bike! N + 1 right?
