BikeHacks

U-Lock Hose Hack

Don't want to bang up your frame with a u-lock? Reader Jean-Marie from Portland sent along this easy and ingenious hack. His hack also reminded me of a similar tactic for chain locks employing corduroy.  Take it away Jean-Marie . . . .

Here's a simple hack to make your Kryptonite look better ! I used a piece of gardening hose to embellish my lock.

Simple and cheap. It looks good and protect your frame.

Kickstarter - Lock Fame or Fail

It seems that not a week passes without a bicycle related Kickstarter campaign hitting my in box.  Some of them I laugh off and others I can see becoming reality.  Recently an email promoting a new lock, called The InterLock, hit my in box. 

At first glance I dismissed it, but I ended up taking a second look a few days later and can see it actually playing a role in bike security - not a singular solution, but part of an overall strategy.  This short video introduces the concept.

 

My first thought was that the idea was a total fail because all you have to do is remove the seat and walk away with the bike. However, the inventor followed up with this video showing that the lock remains engaged even if the seat is removed.

 

There are two main reasons I can see this lock succeeding.  First, most riders I know who lock their bikes up outside for any period of time do not do so with a single lock. The most popular combo I see is a U-lock combined with a cable lock.  I do not see this lock as a "total" solution, mostly because based on looking at it a pair of bolt cutters would likely go through it like butter, but matched with another more substantial lock I think it would have a place. 

Second, many riders just want to lock their bike up for a few mintues while they run into a store to pick something up.  A lock like this would likely keep people honest and not allow someone to quickly walk away with the bike that is locked up for a short period of time.

I don't think there is a perfect lock and for a thief with the right tools and the time, any lock is not going to make a difference.  However, anything you can do to slow a thief down is wise to consider and another thing this lock has going for it is a reasonable price of only $39. Reader comments on the concept are welcome. 

 

 

U-Lock Storage Hack

Keeping your whip secure is important, but carrying a lock can sometimes be a challenge.  I came up with my own hack for carrying a heavy chain lock, and reader Nikos came up with a hack for carrying a U-lock, some of which suffer from flimsy mounts.  Nikos blogs over at Bicycle Obsession! Text and picture credit to Nikos. 

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I've heard a lot about this problem with the U-lock. Their mounts are verycheap plastic and they end up useless after some rides. So I came up with this solution for my girlfriend's bike (which has a very small triangle and the mount doesn't fit). It works brilliantly and its very easy to mount and dismount on your bike. It's actually just two bunjee cords holding the Lock from touching the rack and few pieces of inner tube to keep the hooks in place. You don't have to take the cords out everytime you dismount the lock, just hook them on the rack.

Bike Customization #8: Wheel Security

Most of the posts related to hacks on my bikes are solutions to what I view as problems. In the case of my new Globe, I have a problem and need a solution. Bike security is a huge issue for me as I live in a big city. I run errands on my way to and from work and have to leave my bike locked up for periods of time. I do have an OnGuard Beast chain that I have used for years to secure my frame and front wheel.

Some of you might remember that I also employ a caribiner hack to secure the chain around my waist whilst I ride. The chain is not long enough to secure my front wheel, frame, and back wheel and I have no desire to carry around another lock to employ each time I need to chain up, so on both my Cannondale and Peugeot I came up with a padlock hack.

Basically, the way that the quick release and frame are set up allows me to use a padlock to secure the back wheel. Below is an example of a padlock, combined with a bungee, that keeps someone from being able to undo the quick release: 

With my Globe however, the frame and quick release relationship is not really conducive to employing such a hack. Take a look for yourself:

The disc brake and frame configuration do not really make it possible for me to employ the same hack I have used in the past. Therefore I am putting out a call to hackers out there - what solution might I use to secure my back wheel at all times? I of course could carry around an extra cable lock or something, but it would be a major hassle to have to carry around and chain up each time I want to run an errand. At times I might just ride a few minutes and have to lock up again, and again, and again.  I would appreciate any suggestions you hackers out there might have.

Please comment but be patient if your comment does not show up right away, I approve comments due to SPAM issues and am on the move right now. 

Bike Customization #7: Seat Security

It would not be comfortable to ride without a seat, and the seat is one of the easiest things to steal on a bike.  I don't know why someone would actually want to steal a seat. I mean the sweaty waste orifices of the owner rub up against the seat for hours and hours - I don't know about the rest of you, but a used seat would not be that appealing to me.

Anyway . . . To keep people honest I do employ a seat lock. It certainly don't use the most burly lock, if someone really wants my seat that bad (I am told I do have a nice ass) they are going to get it, but they will have to work a bit for it. It's a simple cable with a combination lock.

I looped it through the arms that connect my rear rack to the frame and then through the rails underneath the seat. To keep it from banging around I connected the cables to the rails with zip ties. 

After riding for a bit with the lock like this I did choose to add a bit more style by adding another zip tie to bring the cables together. I simply cannot resist any opportunity to utilize another zip tie. 

Total zip tie count to date: 10.

Bike Tree!

Supa sweet bike rack that requires no locks and resists thieves (at least thieves without ladders). Use your smart card to bring down the rack, roll your bike up to the tree, hook your tire into the rack, and watch it float into the canopy. I love this. (via)

 

Bike Theft Deterrent - Number 8

According to traffic reports, one of our more popular posts is entitled Eight Solutions to Fight Bicycle Part Theft.  Numbers 1-7 are all practical and fairly easy to implement.  Number 8 on the list is certainly a bit of an anomaly, and truth be told, I never thought I would see it in action -

8.  Feces of choice:  I will leave a picture off of this one.  I ran across one post that featured the following advice: smear everything with human feces. Although someone else responded and stated that fox feces is a superior tactic because of a more pungent odor.

Well, I am not certain I have actually seen it action, but I may have witnessed a form of it when I recently passed this bike -

I am not sure if what is on the seat is real, or left by the rider, but I was not willing to find out.

Police Bike Lock Hack

I passed this police bike the other day and noticed a very practical hack.

It seems the handcuffs can serve a dual purpose.

 

BTB Sunglasses Giveaway Winner

As noted in the blog entry on April 18th, BTB Sunglasses is working with Bike Hacks to provide a free pair of glasses to a Bike Hacks reader to review.  Thank you to the 68 people that commented for their chance to receive the glasses. 

Random.org was used to select the winner, and in this case the lucky number was 9.  That means Gentry Seagraves is our winner.  Gentry, send us an email to claim your loot.  We will post Gentry's review sometime in the future.  

We are working with some other companies on contests/giveaways of other products so stay tuned for more opportunities to receive some free swag. 

Bike Projects on Kickstarter

Kickstarter is popular, and you know what’s popular on Kickstarter? Bike stuffs! Check out these projects…

Juggernaut The Juggernaut will be a jig for welding your own bicycle frame. How sweet is that?

Theft Resistant Bike Light This theft resistant bike light has had some good coverage, so it’s already fully funded but there are still 24 days to go.

Companion Bike Seat Here’s a nice looking back seat for your whip, that has a locking storage compartment. Pretty slick. These guys aren’t funded yet, but they’ve got 35 days to go.

Chalktrail With a name like Chalktrail you can probably guess what this project is all about. Looks super fun for kids! Underfunded with lots of time left to help out.

Foldable Bike Fenders I know summer’s on the way, but here in Oregon it’s always a good time for fenders. These fenders fold up and hopefully work as good as they look. Almost fully funded, but still 9 days to go.

Sutro Mission Bicycle Here’s a full-on city bike that uses a internal hub for 8 gears with a fixie aesthetic. Unsurprisingly they’re fully funded, but still have 18 days to go, so you can get on it if your tax return is burning a hole in your pocket.