Bike questions

[sonofabish.livejournal.com]

I have a couple of bike questions. I'm putting aside my fear of Boston drivers and want to do more biking, which is a big step because after spending time in Amsterdam where there are dedicated bike lanes with their own traffic signals and a very highly-evolved set of rule that are for the most part obeyed, I'm a little trepiditious. (But all is not paradise- they stupidly allow motorized scooters in the bike lanes as well and there is a lot of conflict between the people-powered and the engine-powered.)

1> I bought a new lock for my bike. It's a Bell that has a Kevlar-coated cable and a U-lock. Is this a decent lock set-up? I'm a little concerned about the U-lock, as the housing is made out of plastic. (I am assuming there is steel underneath) Are any of you screaming in horror or will I be pretty OK with it?

2> Do any of the local shops install the rear wheel locks that are permanently attached to the frame? In the Netherlands, most bikes have them and folks use a combination of them and cable/chain w/ U-locks. Even then, there are still thefts, if you can believe it.

3> I am looking for European-style wide curved handlebars. I currently have the straight mountain bike style and am looking to switch them out for the far more comfy wide bars.

TIA

Comments

[qwrrty.livejournal.com]

1. A U-lock plus a Kevlar cable should be more than sufficient.

2. I'm familiar with the rear-wheel locks that you're talking about only from looking at blogs of Dutch cyclists. :-) I've never seen them around here. It's conceivable that you could get such a thing but my guess is that you'd have to hunt around to find someone who understands what you're talking about.

3. Lots of bike shops around here should be able to help you swap out the handlebars. A friend of mine got her drop bars replaced with mustachio handlebars at Broadway Bicycle School (http://broadwaybicycleschool.com/). Closer to Davis you could try Ace Wheelworks (http://wheelworks.com/) on Elm St. - I've only used them for very minor repairs and gear but have heard good things about them. Either of these shops would be good places to ask about the rear wheel locks too.

Ditto the recommendation for bostoncycling.

[clevernonsense.livejournal.com]

Pretty much whole heartedly agree, especially #1. No security will deter a professional thief, you're really just looking for enough deterrant to keep junkies and kids away :p

Biking in Amsterdam is really obnoxious, imo. Everyone rides really slow and the lanes are congested in many places. It's also the bike-theft capital of the world.

[sonofabish.livejournal.com]

It tends to be obnoxious in the tourist-congested areas where the tourists have no idea of the rules- ride on the right, pass on the left, make way for faster bikes.

And yeah, they have a high theft rate, but then again, most people bike over there so bikes replace cars in those theft figures.

I know no system is totally safe, but yeah, I want to be sure I have something that will deter all but the most determined thieves and wanted to make sure the reaction to my lock wouldn't be "oh, god, no way in hell I would ever use that brand of lock on my bike."