37
votes
Why should little kids not have back mirrors on their bicycles?
Literally, TMI [too much information].
Kids shouldn't have to deal with what's behind them. When learning to ride, they have the dual challenge of learning bike-control and balancing as well as not ...
- 120k
32
votes
Accepted
How can I offer a test ride while selling a bike?
The simplest answers are ask for their ID, or for their car keys if they arrive by car. There are plenty of other options on various forums like
https://www.bikeforums.net/general-cycling-discussion/...
- 2,265
27
votes
Accepted
How can I prevent my next bike from being stolen?
That sucks. I'm sorry that your bike was stolen.
If thieves are willing to break into a locked garage, break into a locked and fully enclosed mesh bike parking area then cut two bike locks using ...
- 75.3k
24
votes
Why should little kids not have back mirrors on their bicycles?
I would think about a few reasons, the short version is that using mirrors correctly requires skills that little kids haven't developed yet, and they shouldn't be in a situation where they need one:
...
- 16.1k
23
votes
My bike got stolen a second time (in Amsterdam) - what should I do?
Buy more secure lock(s) for your bike - I have a Kryptonite New York Standard and a Kryptoflex cable that I leave in work for my commute. I also have a New York Fahgettaboudit Mini for using about ...
- 686
23
votes
My bike got stolen a second time (in Amsterdam) - what should I do?
A cheap ring lock like the one pictured below can be defeated in less than one minute with a screwdriver. Furthermore, even a good ring lock (one that that isn't easily broken and might take a few ...
- 28.9k
17
votes
My bike got stolen a second time (in Amsterdam) - what should I do?
I know you said 'I'm not going to find my bike', but it is definitely very helpful to figure out the spots where bike thieves try to sell your bike on. I have retrieved more than one stolen bike that ...
- 171
17
votes
Accepted
Properly locking on a floor mount rack with a U-lock
In a situation like this, I usually don't fit any of the wheels in the support; instead I park the bike over the rack and just to the left or right of a loop, so that the lowest part of the frame is ...
- 460
14
votes
How important is the MIPS safety system for a bicycle helmet?
All bicycle helmets are subject to the same standardized set of impact tests during the certification process. If the helmet product passes, it meets the minimum criteria for protection, regardless of ...
- 14.2k
14
votes
If you can only secure one wheel when locking bike which wheel is better
I would lock the rear wheel.
The problem of locking the front wheel with U lock is that there's no way to lock it easily (or at least I can't imagine one). The front wheel is attached to the fork, but ...
- 17.7k
13
votes
How can I offer a test ride while selling a bike?
Cash in hand. They give you the purchase price, in cash, and it sits in your pocket while they do the test ride.
- 1,505
13
votes
If you can only secure one wheel when locking bike which wheel is better
The most important thing is that the frame is securely locked to a solid object.
If you can also lock one or both wheels it’s nice but I wouldn’t worry too much. The rear wheel is more expensive but ...
- 25.8k
12
votes
Properly locking on a floor mount rack with a U-lock
You definitely do not want to bend or misalign your derailleur, so you are right not to park your bike with the rear wheel in the rack.
Your only option is to use a long, thick cable or chain to ...
- 75.3k
11
votes
Accepted
Biking to the airport / leaving a bike for a week
This isn't uncommon in our neck of the woods. If you're a light packer, taking your bike the the airport can be a huge money saver.
If your airport doesn't have a bike locker, bring two trusty u-...
- 6,186
11
votes
How can I prevent my next bike from being stolen?
There's nothing you can do if the storage area is not under constant surveillance.
It can take as little as 2 minutes to grind a U-Lock.
The only real solution is to keep your bike in your apartment....
- 1,661
11
votes
How can I prevent my next bike from being stolen?
I lost a few bikes to theft when I was in university. It stunk.
I took to buying used bikes (probably from bike thieves).
I wrapped the frame tubes of my (otherwise nice) bike in peelable masking ...
- 281
11
votes
If you can only secure one wheel when locking bike which wheel is better
Bottom Line:
Nothing is perfect. You need to develop a strategy based on what parts you are willing to replace.
I use a U lock and a steel cable similar to the pictures below and I take my quick ...
- 19.9k
11
votes
Is my bike safer when parked in crowded places?
The question is about crowds of people, but I'll answer from another perspective, dealing with crowds of bikes. I'd say you're better off locking your bike up in a location that has many other bikes ...
- 599
10
votes
My bike got stolen a second time (in Amsterdam) - what should I do?
Get folding handlebars so you can carry the bike up the steps into your apartment. Make room for it inside (just get rid of something else you don't really need such as an old chair, an old bookcase, ...
- 808
10
votes
Accepted
Commuting daily with an Expensive Bike, tips?
I think that picking up a second bike is definitely a good approach. Not only does it allow you to not risk your more expensive bike getting stolen, but it allows you to have a bike more suitable to ...
- 21.6k
10
votes
How can I prevent my next bike from being stolen?
Funny enough, the parking garage may actually be less safe than a well-exposed outside location. When I was commuting between the cities of Hamburg and Berlin I locked my (500/1000$) bikes at the ...
- 1,601
10
votes
Properly locking on a floor mount rack with a U-lock
For the longer term, ask your employer to provide proper bike parking.
The device you picture is completely unsuited to parking bikes.
As you've observed, it's impossible to securely lock your bike ...
- 16.9k
9
votes
How important is the MIPS safety system for a bicycle helmet?
MIPS has become common in at least mid-to-high end mountain biking helmets in the US over the last decade. The https://mipsprotection.com/ web site has some descriptions, but my general understanding ...
- 2,825
9
votes
If you can only secure one wheel when locking bike which wheel is better
Interestingly, just locking the back wheel can also secure the frame if you do it in the right position, as shown in this post on pinterest:
You can remove neither wheel nor frame because the wheel ...
- 1,601
9
votes
Enclosed external bicycle storage for house with up to 10 bicycles
If it needs to be fully enclosed you wind up with a small building of some kind.
Here are some ideas.
Bike lockers
Each flat could have it's own two bike locker or clustered in a group. I don't know ...
- 19.9k
8
votes
How important is the MIPS safety system for a bicycle helmet?
This study is the most scientific resource I was able to find. It compares several rotation damping systems to a standard helmet without any additional safety measures.
I made a quick overview with ...
- 844
8
votes
Is my bike safer when parked in crowded places?
A well locked bike is relatively* safer in a crowded place.
According to markelinsurance.com in "Bicycle Theft in the U.S."
In the section "6 easy ways to help prevent bicycle theft&...
- 19.9k
8
votes
Accepted
Enclosed external bicycle storage for house with up to 10 bicycles
I'm going to assume you've only got to deal with ordinary single-rider diamond frames (despite owning a tandem myself and heavily supporting the use of cargo bikes).
I'll assume the bikes are all ...
- 55.8k
7
votes
Accepted
Attaching a Kryptoflex cable (Kryptonite) to the frame
So, if understand correctly, the lock is mounted on the down tube as sketched below?
If so, you could try placing the "U" part of the D-lock in the frame mount, hold one loop of the cable on one end ...
- 1,381
7
votes
Biking to the airport / leaving a bike for a week
I left my bike at the airport for a week and would do it again. It seemed to be the safest place in the whole city, safer than my home.
It depends on where the bike racks are; here in Edinburgh they ...
- 2,172
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible