Originally Posted by
daihard
I hear you guys. I don't like my bike to look cluttered, either. On the other hand, I want to avoid carrying a backpack or a pannier as much as possible. I do keep a U-lock at work, but I need to carry one when I go out on a leisurely ride on the weekend.
My tools and cellphone go in my under-the-saddle bag. My wallet and keys are in my pants pockets. All I need to worry about is my U-lock. If I can attach it to my rack, that will do. That's why I ordered the brackets the OP mentioned.
I have only used it since Tuesday, but have already fallen in love with the ease of use!
I agree with a bike looking "cluttered", but I would rather be safe & practical (sort of ...
) than sorry. I tend to carry a lot of stuff with me anyway (in my regular purse), so doing so on my bike is no big deal. I just added my Monkey Light M210's & am waiting for my ReeLight SL 770's to come in. Then, Lola should be all set (for now anyway). It will be nice to not have to keep taking my lights on & off & on & off my bike everytime I go somewhere.
So, yes looking at Lola right now (as I type this she is parked in my 230 sq ft studio apartment in front of my kitchen counter where it has sorta been designated her "spot") she is a bit "cluttered", but all with necessary things to keep me safe and happy as I pedal along, and she really doesn't look all that "bogged down", so she has still kept her Euro-flair, as I call it.