Hey,

I haven't been around in a little while! Been quite busy. I finally (tonight) broke down, and bought a u-lock - the OnGuard Bulldog DT U-Lock w/ 4-inch Cinch Loop Cable. However, I am having trouble figuring out how to mount it to my Transit-TS1 Rear Rack. Any suggestions? I am not able to mount it to my Dutch-style frame, nor do I really want to. Perhaps, straps combined with the clamp that came with it?

Thanks.



On another note, broke down and bought the following light - CatEye HL-EL135. For my budget, it seems to suit my needs (I will find out tomorrow when I take my maiden voyage with it, and my first time riding at night period).

I do this...


It works better with my cheap no name u-lock with the key hole on the end of the lock bar than it does with my Kryptonite lock with the key hole on the bottom of the lock bar. A little awkward getting the Krypto locked and unlocked in this position. So I just leave the Krypto locked on the bike rack at work.

I run a bungie chord across the top of the rack and slip my kryptonite underneath it. The curved end wedges under the front loop of the rack. It is totally secure and rattle free with instant release and works with 2 panniers.

I usually put the flat part of the U-Lock on the top of the rack with the U part hanging down.

+1

Edit: I will try the bungie method tonight. On another note, I am returning the CatEye tomorrow, because today I broke down and purchased the Cygolite Pace 400 at Performance Bike as it was on sale, and with it being on sale in my price range. Although, it was more than I wanted to spend I hope it works out. I will find out tonight when I take my maiden night ride downtown (during the damn Michigan game of all night) to meet a friend for dinner.

Wish me luck!

The bungee method works well if done well, which is easiest to accomplish with adjustable bungee cord(s).

I hope you like the Cygolite; I kinda hate mine. Light is fine, but the switch actuation makes me nuts; it's vague and imprecise. I don't like the form, either, though I have the Expilion 700, which is a bit bigger than the Pace, I believe. The mount stinks, too, with no detents for side-to-side postions, so it's easy to bump out of place. Not a huge deal, but annoying to me.

Be careful out there tonight; those football fans are largely drunk and therefore idiots. I had two yell at me this afternoon as I rode by. One jumped to the curb, threw his hands in the air, and yelled, "look out!" The other one bellowed in my ear, "Hey Lance!" And this was at 1:40. They'll be totally rocked by nightfall...and angry if Notre Dame is winning.

DIY, inspired by commercial Abus mount

Tubus Locc rack offers a U lock, Abus, mount on the inside of the left leg ,
so you can remove, and re fit the lock even with panniers on the rack.

Abus UGH bracket:

I just stick mine in the panniers. If I didn't have them on the bike, I'd probably lock it to the rack and use bungees to keep it from banging around.

$35 on Amazon - seems pricey for three clips. Personally, I'd go with the bungee approach although admittedly this is a nice looking solution.

Hey chaadster,

I ended up walking, because I had a feeling it would be CRAZY, and I was right. Hope you kept your cool better than I would've in the jumping out in front of you situation. I had a similar (sort of) situation happen to me last summer when I first moved here. I was coming home from my first ride downtown with Lola, and was stopped at a crosswalk waiting to go, when some guy in a BMW rolls up, stops, and yells at me "You'd better go before I run you over." Then, he and his Prada-clad GF had a good laugh. I was embarrassed, but kept my cool, and rode on home. I still tell that story to this day, because it pisses me off! So, I make sure I am extra careful around cyclists due to being both a cyclist and a driver myself.

Hope you enjoyed the game and the win!

That does look nice.

On another note, are you going to (if you see this post by then - ) the Lite Bike event at the A2 Brewing Co.? I am so excited! Since I didn't go out on Lola on game night, this Sunday will be my very FIRST night ride ever. I am nervous, but excited, too!

Maybe see you there!

Yes, I'm going down with the wife and kids; look for the Monkey Lights and a multicolor LED flashing aero trailer. I'm guessing I'll have one of the most wild looking rigs there, so please do introduce yourself!

Make it quick, though: a 4mi ride?!? C'mon, what on Earth is up with that? That'll take like 3 minutes. So weak.

See you there!

I am in the same boat as you with the light. I recently started expanding my commute from 5miles to 20 miles 2-3 days a week. 1/3 of that 20 miles is on dark, paved, wooded trails. I had a cateye Jido which just didn't cut it. Returned it and upgraded to a cygolight Metro 350. It would be brighter, but it does a pretty good job at lighting up the trail.

chaadster,

I think it'll be a good ride. I think they are keeping it short, perhaps, due to the time of day, as well as it being a Sunday, so people have to get up early to work the next day.

I'll look for your Monkey Lights and LED on the trailer! I'll have my new rack on my Schwinn, as well as be wearing this jersey, and have my pink cheetah nutcase helmet, so I'll be kind of hard to miss.

See you there!

Wow! Twenty miles! I definitely commend you for doing that. I am trying to get back into shape, I am not fat or anything (okay about 10 ibs over my BMI weight), but I was a premi baby, so my lungs are a little underdeveloped, even at 27, so I need to build them up.

Anway, do you use any lining in your tires?

https://www.klickfix.de/images/downloads/bedtwin.pdf

https://letsgorideabike.com/2012/08/h...-lock-holster/

I love this. I've been hunting thrift shops for just the right belt to make this.

That's pretty clever!

For the record, there is also this Pletscher holder. At first glance it looks good but, in my experience, it is so-so in practice. Thus, in holding the U-lock, it relies on spring action. Unfortunately, when the bike jumps on some larger obstacle, the U-lock can jump out from that holder, causing havoc.

I finally got around to getting pictures. I can't remember the brand of the lock, but it's a Bontra*** (don't know how to spell it) rack:

Another view: