DoubleCycle.com

Why A Good Lock For Your Bicycle Is Important And How To Choose One

Countless accessories are manufactured for bicycles and bicycle riders. When thinking about such products we often think of helmets, lights, water bottles, specialized clothing, speedometers, and racks. One important accessory your bike should never be without is a good locking system. Just because you live in a relatively safe neighborhood doesn't mean you have no need for a lock.

Bicycle theft is a growing crime throughout the United States, and it doesn't matter where you live. Bicycles are relatively easy to steal and easy to sell or get rid of. They're an easy target for dedicated criminals, opportunists, and bored teenagers. Unless you never intend to leave your bike untended, you should invest in some sort of locking system. Even if you're just leaving it outside a convenience store for a couple minutes so you can go inside real quick, that's all the time a thief needs to make off with your ride. Don't think that thieves won't steal a cheap bike, either. They'll take whatever they can get their hands on, whether it's a rusted old girl's bike with faded streams dangling from the handlebar grips and a torn-up banana seat or a sleek high-dollar professional mountain bike with full front and rear suspension.

There are basically two options when it comes to locking systems for bikes. The most popular is the chain or cable lock with either a separate padlock or combination lock or with the lock integrated into the chain or cable. If this is the type of lock you're looking into, make sure that it's long enough to wrap around both wheels and the frame. With this style of locking system, the best choice is a chain that's as thick as you can comfortably carry.

If you'd prefer a cable lock, again, make sure you purchase the thickest one possible. The thicker the chain or cable, the more of a deterrent it'll be for thieves and scoundrels. The downside, of course, is weight. Cables tend to be lighter than chains, but they also tend to be easier to cut. You have to consider the importance of weight relative to your bicycling activity.

An avid racer is extremely concerned with weight, but such a competitor isn't going to be leaving his/her bike just lying around, either. In all likelihood, weight is not a serious issue to you. One advantage chain/cable locks have over other varieties of locks is their ability to encompass oddly shaped shaped objects such as trees, bushes, etc.

The other popular bicycle locking system is the U-lock. As the name implies, such locks have a big bend in them and are essentially big padlocks. Some are only big enough to go around the back wheel and the bike rack. Others are big enough to go around the frame as well. These sorts of locks are nice because they're quick to employ and come with clips to hook onto the bike frame without scratching it.

Whatever kind of bike riding you intend to do, unless it's solely competitive racing, you should invest in a good bike lock. You should get the heaviest one you can. An important feature to look for is some sort of guarantee by the manufacturer. Good locks come with assurances that if used correctly, and your bike is stolen, the manufacturer will reimburse you for the cost of your bike.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about this as well as cycling news at http://www.cyclinggearplus.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gregg_Hall

Bianchi Road Bike: Fixed Gear Off-Road Conversion

Bianchi Rekord 848 - 12V Road Bike: Fixed Gear Off-Road Conversion Images by Chris Kostman / AdventureCORPS.com, May 26, 2005

Read more...

Bianchi USA 2006: Road Steel

... all the different frame materials at our disposal, Bianchi still makes some of our road bikes out of steel. To us steel is both a traditional and thoroughly modern frame material, and no other bike ...

Read more...

"Surviving the holidays" — GriefShare seminars for people facing the holidays after a loved one’s death. 6 p.m. Dec. 2 at First Baptist Church of West Monroe and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13 at White’s Ferry Road Church of Christ. Free. Call…

The owner of a motocross track in Mountain Home plans to appeal Henderson County’s decision to revoke its permit to operate. Andy Bennett owns the 18-acre motocross track. He bought the property in 2001 and opened the Mountain Home Motor…

Broome County is going back to the drawing board with lower bids to turn the flood-ravaged Grippen Ice Rink into a BMX track. County officials received a second round of bids for the project Wednesday, with the lowest base bids totaling…