Excellent product for my security
08-01-15, 11:07 AM
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Excellent product for my security
Hello all,
There isn't many times I post up on the virtues of any product, but when I do, I figured I'd post it up like it's some spam
After getting two seatposts and seats taken in less than 2 months while parked somewhere. Once in front of REI Huntington Beach and the other time at my local 99cent store at 9am in the morning. I figured it was time to bump up my game. I looked at my bike and to me, it would be pretty f-ing easy to get a good chunk of good bike parts by taking two bolts off and cut 4 cables. One could EASILY get a nice handlebar, nice wrap and a set of nice 10sp shifters doing this. So that is where I focused first. Soon after that was the seatpost/seat.
What I decided to pursue was this anti-thief kit from Specialized. My biggest concern was where this came from. If it was made in China, chances are that this was crap with bad metal and the lock not fitting right. When examining the package, I noticed that it was made in Taiwan. So that was a good start. After installing it and playing with it a little, I've been COMPLETELY happy with my purchase.
Let me get some pics posted here;
M6 x 20mm, M5 x 22mm
Here's the bolts being replaced
The bolts are a little long on the handlebar stem, but nothing that doesn't look ok. The other ones were right on. I still have some bolts left over, but I'm thinking about getting some more for backup and other bikes. The product was designed and finished properly!
And no, I don't have some kind of share invested in Specialized.
There isn't many times I post up on the virtues of any product, but when I do, I figured I'd post it up like it's some spam
After getting two seatposts and seats taken in less than 2 months while parked somewhere. Once in front of REI Huntington Beach and the other time at my local 99cent store at 9am in the morning. I figured it was time to bump up my game. I looked at my bike and to me, it would be pretty f-ing easy to get a good chunk of good bike parts by taking two bolts off and cut 4 cables. One could EASILY get a nice handlebar, nice wrap and a set of nice 10sp shifters doing this. So that is where I focused first. Soon after that was the seatpost/seat.
What I decided to pursue was this anti-thief kit from Specialized. My biggest concern was where this came from. If it was made in China, chances are that this was crap with bad metal and the lock not fitting right. When examining the package, I noticed that it was made in Taiwan. So that was a good start. After installing it and playing with it a little, I've been COMPLETELY happy with my purchase.
Let me get some pics posted here;
M6 x 20mm, M5 x 22mm
Here's the bolts being replaced
The bolts are a little long on the handlebar stem, but nothing that doesn't look ok. The other ones were right on. I still have some bolts left over, but I'm thinking about getting some more for backup and other bikes. The product was designed and finished properly!
And no, I don't have some kind of share invested in Specialized.
08-01-15, 11:12 AM
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You do realize that Taiwan is part of China right? China builds to the specs requested. Your high end items are made there as well as your low end items.
08-01-15, 11:16 AM
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But the Chinese products can certainly be top notch quality (but like anything else are not always).
08-01-15, 11:18 AM
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China and Taiwans relationship is way different than North and South Korea.
08-01-15, 11:18 AM
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Hello all,
There isn't many times I post up on the virtues of any product, but when I do, I figured I'd post it up like it's some spam
After getting two seatposts and seats taken in less than 2 months while parked somewhere. Once in front of REI Huntington Beach and the other time at my local 99cent store at 9am in the morning. I figured it was time to bump up my game. I looked at my bike and to me, it would be pretty f-ing easy to get a good chunk of good bike parts by taking two bolts off and cut 4 cables. One could EASILY get a nice handlebar, nice wrap and a set of nice 10sp shifters doing this. So that is where I focused first. Soon after that was the seatpost/seat.
What I decided to pursue was this anti-thief kit from Specialized. My biggest concern was where this came from. If it was made in China, chances are that this was crap with bad metal and the lock not fitting right. When examining the package, I noticed that it was made in Taiwan. So that was a good start. After installing it and playing with it a little, I've been COMPLETELY happy with my purchase.
Let me get some pics posted here;
M6 x 20mm, M5 x 22mm
Here's the bolts being replaced
The bolts are a little long on the handlebar stem, but nothing that doesn't look ok. The other ones were right on. I still have some bolts left over, but I'm thinking about getting some more for backup and other bikes. The product was designed and finished properly!
And no, I don't have some kind of share invested in Specialized.
There isn't many times I post up on the virtues of any product, but when I do, I figured I'd post it up like it's some spam
After getting two seatposts and seats taken in less than 2 months while parked somewhere. Once in front of REI Huntington Beach and the other time at my local 99cent store at 9am in the morning. I figured it was time to bump up my game. I looked at my bike and to me, it would be pretty f-ing easy to get a good chunk of good bike parts by taking two bolts off and cut 4 cables. One could EASILY get a nice handlebar, nice wrap and a set of nice 10sp shifters doing this. So that is where I focused first. Soon after that was the seatpost/seat.
What I decided to pursue was this anti-thief kit from Specialized. My biggest concern was where this came from. If it was made in China, chances are that this was crap with bad metal and the lock not fitting right. When examining the package, I noticed that it was made in Taiwan. So that was a good start. After installing it and playing with it a little, I've been COMPLETELY happy with my purchase.
Let me get some pics posted here;
M6 x 20mm, M5 x 22mm
Here's the bolts being replaced
The bolts are a little long on the handlebar stem, but nothing that doesn't look ok. The other ones were right on. I still have some bolts left over, but I'm thinking about getting some more for backup and other bikes. The product was designed and finished properly!
And no, I don't have some kind of share invested in Specialized.
It can be annoying if you want to make an adjustment on the road because obviously the last thing you should do is carry the security key with on the bike itself, and unless I'm commuting I don't carry a backpack and don't want to have the thin metal key drop through a hole in a pocket, so I always leave it at home.
08-01-15, 11:19 AM
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While P.R. China considers Tiawan to be a province of China, Tiawan maintains total political independence from China. In reality, unless you are a mainlander, it is a different country.
08-01-15, 11:20 AM
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08-01-15, 11:27 AM
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There are a number of similar devices out there, I use the Fortified brand.
It can be annoying if you want to make an adjustment on the road because obviously the last thing you should do is carry the security key with on the bike itself, and unless I'm commuting I don't carry a backpack and don't want to have the thin metal key drop through a hole in a pocket, so I always leave it at home.
It can be annoying if you want to make an adjustment on the road because obviously the last thing you should do is carry the security key with on the bike itself, and unless I'm commuting I don't carry a backpack and don't want to have the thin metal key drop through a hole in a pocket, so I always leave it at home.
08-01-15, 11:31 AM
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From my experience, stuff made in China is pooh, and stuff made in Taiwan has some resemblance in quality. That's basically all I was referring to. Yeah I have had to accept stuff that is made in China, never really excites me.
08-01-15, 11:34 AM
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08-01-15, 11:37 AM
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I have their security lights right now, not the seat post device yet.
08-01-15, 07:51 PM
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Fortified Bicycle | Bike Lights
I have their security lights right now, not the seat post device yet.
I have their security lights right now, not the seat post device yet.
08-01-15, 08:38 PM
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I'm assuming it will be the same tool as for the lights, if so it's basically a security bolt system with a specially shaped allen key. Quality seems at least on par with Home Depot/Lowe's hardware.
08-02-15, 10:31 AM
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08-02-15, 10:36 AM
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08-03-15, 08:04 AM
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08-03-15, 08:25 AM
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If a contract manufacturer pays $2.00 for a component they are selling at $20.00, it will be similar quality whether it is manufactured in China or Taiwan. If that same contract manufacturer, pays $1.20 for that $20 component, and has it manufactured in China, vs. paying $2 to have it manufactured in Taiwan (or China, for that matter) it will be of lesser quality. Duh.
Don't blame the Chinese; blame US contract manufacturers and the race to zero offshore manufacturing bid game. Remember when some kids toys came through with lead paint? It wasn't China's fault, it was Mattel USA for inadvertently spec'ing lead paint in a quest for ever lower costs...
08-03-15, 08:53 AM
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08-03-15, 10:10 AM
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Now they'll need a $5 security bit set from harbor Freight to take them.
Security bits are so cheap I don't even bother carrying non security bits anymore. The hole in the middle doesn't keep it from being used on non-security screws.
Security bits are so cheap I don't even bother carrying non security bits anymore. The hole in the middle doesn't keep it from being used on non-security screws.
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Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
08-03-15, 11:44 AM
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Just about all the items you mentioned I make a continuous effort to not buy Chinese stuff. Can I find something in my home that's from China? Sure! It'd take some time but I'm sure I could!
08-03-15, 11:47 AM
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You get what the manufacturer -- not necessarily their offshore manufacturing plant -- is willing to pay for to get it to you at a particular price point.
If a contract manufacturer pays $2.00 for a component they are selling at $20.00, it will be similar quality whether it is manufactured in China or Taiwan. If that same contract manufacturer, pays $1.20 for that $20 component, and has it manufactured in China, vs. paying $2 to have it manufactured in Taiwan (or China, for that matter) it will be of lesser quality. Duh.
Don't blame the Chinese; blame US contract manufacturers and the race to zero offshore manufacturing bid game. Remember when some kids toys came through with lead paint? It wasn't China's fault, it was Mattel USA for inadvertently spec'ing lead paint in a quest for ever lower costs...
If a contract manufacturer pays $2.00 for a component they are selling at $20.00, it will be similar quality whether it is manufactured in China or Taiwan. If that same contract manufacturer, pays $1.20 for that $20 component, and has it manufactured in China, vs. paying $2 to have it manufactured in Taiwan (or China, for that matter) it will be of lesser quality. Duh.
Don't blame the Chinese; blame US contract manufacturers and the race to zero offshore manufacturing bid game. Remember when some kids toys came through with lead paint? It wasn't China's fault, it was Mattel USA for inadvertently spec'ing lead paint in a quest for ever lower costs...
08-03-15, 11:49 AM
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PS: Thanks for getting this back to the conversation of replacement bolts for bicycles.
08-03-15, 11:52 AM
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Wait, what?!?!?!? What hole are you referring to?