Where do you get your gear?

rickyjb

Recently picked up a road bike with the intention of cycling to work so I need shorts/gloves/lock etc.

Where's the best place to get this kind of stuff? Online or anywhere in the Dublin area.

The last time I had a decent bike it was robbed after 6 weeks, is it worth spending money on a decent lock or is it just a case of not leaving it anywhere where it can be stolen i.e. if someone has the right tools is it irrelevant what kind of lock you have?

CramCycle

rickyjb wrote: »

The last time I had a decent bike it was robbed after 6 weeks, is it worth spending money on a decent lock or is it just a case of not leaving it anywhere where it can be stolen i.e. if someone has the right tools is it irrelevant what kind of lock you have?

A decent lock will reduce the chances of it being stolen, in fact it is the most important purchase you will make. Without a decent lock, you really can't bring it anywhere IMO. Have a quick search through the forum for lock threads for an idea what you should get. I would recommend two.

Darkglasses

Absolutely 100% get a top quality lock, if you intend to leave it anywhere in Dublin County or CC. Even better, get both a top quality U-Lock and back it up with a good quality cable to lock both wheels to the frame as well as the anchor point.

I think it's basically a personal choice whether you buy in a bricks and mortar shop or an online site like CRC or Wiggle. Personally, if you think you will be making multiple purchases over time, I think it's worth sticking with a single local bike shop, whichever one is of best quality and nearest to you. In my limited experience, you will receive better discounts and invaluable advice at a good LBS far easier than if you only visited online stores. However I'd say that may not be the case for everyone, particularly if their LBS is in Dublin CC.

Canis Lupus

CRC and Wiggle for me.

Lock would be an Evolution d lock by Kryptonite. They can be pricey feckers but worth it. Ignore cable locks except as a secondary for securing quick release wheels.

Run_to_da_hills

Canis Lupus wrote: »

CRC and Wiggle for me.

Lock would be an Evolution d lock by Kryptonite. They can be pricey feckers but worth it. Ignore cable locks except as a secondary for securing quick release wheels.

Pending on the value of the bike and if it is covered by household insurance, the Yellow Kryptonite (New York range) locks are a far better security investment than the orange ones. (Evolution.)

Level 10 as opposed to Level 8

16mm or 18mm shackle as opposed to 14mm.

I bought a New York standard last week in town for €97.

http://www.kryptonitelock.com/Pages/ProductDetails.aspx?cat=BicycleSecurity&mod=By%20Category

Canis Lupus

What's the weight difference? Those NY locks are freaking huge

Run_to_da_hills

Canis Lupus wrote: »

What's the weight difference? Those NY locks are freaking huge

Same size but chunkier.

Standard comes with a frame mount bracket, Fagetaboutit you need to carry it or have it dangle on the handlebars.

My niece uses both the New York standard and Evolution for her bike in Trinity, It may be over kill but at least she never has to worry about it. Bike is worth about €500.

Zyzz

Lance Armstrong.







..oh not that gear, my bad.

Darkglasses

Or leave the big lock locked to wherever you lock the bike.

rickyjb

I was passing cycle superstore in tallaght shortly after I picked up the bike and dropped in but was shocked at how expensive shorts/gloves etc. were. Online it is so.

So coil locks are useless then, U-lock or nothing? 100 quid is a bit out of my budget seeing as the bike was less than 400 but I'll have a look around, thanks.

beardybrewer

http://sheldonbrown.com/lock-strategy.html

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kryptonite-York-Standard-Flexframe-Bracket/dp/B005YPK9SY/ref=sr_1_1?m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1360592595&sr=1-1

rickyjb

Anybody have any experience of this one? Would it be so small as to make it impractical for locking to lamposts/fences etc?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kryptonite-Evolution-Mini-Unisex-Bicycle/dp/B005YPK9VQ/ref=dp_ob_title_sports

Lumen

rickyjb wrote: »

Anybody have any experience of this one? Would it be so small as to make it impractical for locking to lamposts/fences etc?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kryptonite-Evolution-Mini-Unisex-Bicycle/dp/B005YPK9VQ/ref=dp_ob_title_sports

Good lock but yes, it does somewhat restrict the range of locking places. Lots of couriers use them.

rickyjb

This one offers the same level of security as the mini but it's a bit bigger right? http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kryptonite-Evolution-Standard-EZMount-Bracket/dp/B000LPG3D2/ref=sr_1_7?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1360617504&sr=1-7

Actually forget that, postage is 30 pounds!

Can these be bought anywhere in Ireland?

Darkglasses

rickyjb wrote: »

Anybody have any experience of this one? Would it be so small as to make it impractical for locking to lamposts/fences etc?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kryptonite-Evolution-Mini-Unisex-Bicycle/dp/B005YPK9VQ/ref=dp_ob_title_sports

You may have to spend a short while longer than most looking around for the right place to lock your bike. If your bike has thick tubing though, it may be very very impractical. Couriers' bikes generally have very narrow tubing, and might only just lock the wheel to the frame with no anchor point at all.

Run_to_da_hills

The locks would be worth about five times the value of the bike.

Darkglasses

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

The locks would be worth about five times the value of the bike.

Need to lock the wheels though!

Run_to_da_hills

Darkglasses wrote: »

Need to lock the wheels though!

I don't think anyone would bother, except for the Marathons.

2011abc

Of course they would ,there are a lot of sick barstewards out there!

rickyjb

Darkglasses wrote: »

You may have to spend a short while longer than most looking around for the right place to lock your bike. If your bike has thick tubing though, it may be very very impractical. Couriers' bikes generally have very narrow tubing, and might only just lock the wheel to the frame with no anchor point at all.

Standard tubing so I think I'll go with the mini as it comes with a free extender cable (4'). Delivery is only 4 pounds with parcel motel so not bad for 35 euros delivered. Could have gotten the standard lock with a separate 7' cable for just over 50 euros but hopefully the mini will do fine.

rickyjb

Darkglasses wrote: »

Need to lock the wheels though!

Hilarious. Out of interest are those mini or standard size locks?

Run_to_da_hills

rickyjb wrote: »

Hilarious. Out of interest are those mini or standard size locks?

Standard and Fahgettaboudit

2011abc

To be honest Id be a nervous wreck if parking a bike up in Dublin city for more than a few minutes .Sure you cant lock EVERYTHING !(A lad with an allen key set could take hundreds of euro of parts in seconds)And then theres the really malicious sort who will bend your wheels for the heck of it !Arent there any bikeparts any more ....God , Im thinking back to Hardings of Bachelors Walk days !!!

Darkglasses

rickyjb wrote: »

Hilarious. Out of interest are those mini or standard size locks?

I wasn't trying to be funny? Seriously, if it can be robbed it will be robbed if you don't lock it up.

@Runtodahills - Walking around Dublin you'll see every kind of bike with wheels stolen off them. Thieves will take anything off a bike given the chance. I **** you not, my friend's bike had the kickstand robbed off it.

AltAccount

rickyjb wrote: »

This one offers the same level of security as the mini but it's a bit bigger right? http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kryptonite-Evolution-Standard-EZMount-Bracket/dp/B000LPG3D2/ref=sr_1_7?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1360617504&sr=1-7

Actually forget that, postage is 30 pounds!

Can these be bought anywhere in Ireland?

Parcelmotel.com

Run_to_da_hills

2011abc wrote: »

To be honest Id be a nervous wreck if parking a bike up in Dublin city for more than a few minutes .Sure you cant lock EVERYTHING !(A lad with an allen key set could take hundreds of euro of parts in seconds)And then theres the really malicious sort who will bend your wheels for the heck of it !Arent there any bikeparts any more ....God , Im thinking back to Hardings of Bachelors Walk days !!!

This is why you need a hack bike or the city or going out to the pub.

You can also get anti theft screws to stop people swiping bits, Dublin Bikes are fitted with them

2011abc

Those security TORX head screwdrivers/sockets arent THAT hard to come by ...I have a set !(Bizarrely it was once stolen from my shed and scattered around the back yard by the thief!He must have been disturbed!)

rickyjb

AltAccount wrote: »

Parcelmotel.com

Yeah I'd forgotten about them, that's what I did in the end. 4 pounds per item shipping to the UK vs 15 per item to Ireland.