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

[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."