Wheels.11 - Bicycles and other non-motorized wheels

{Wheels.11.29}: {michael33} Thu, 31 Mar 2005 21:37:13 CST (0 lines)
{erased by michael33 Mon, 02 Oct 2006 06:03:41 CDT}

Has anyone taken advantage of the Kryptonite lock exchange? (Background: a year or two (?) ago it was discovered that certain Kryptonite bike locks with tubular keys could be picked using a ball- point pen refill. The company started an exchange program for locks of that type, I think partly in response to a class-action suit.)

I got up to the stage of getting my shipping label, but haven't gone ahead because (a) I can't find my key to ship with it (blush), (b) I'm not sure I want to part with my lock anyway--dumb sentiment I guess, but I got it along with the bike, so have had it for 28 years, (c) I'm not clear on what grade of lock I'd get in return. If I did do the exchange, I'd want the "high-crime" lock--New York model?--since I live in Chicago. (I know, I could always ask them. Just haven't gotten to that yet.)

[Interlocutor: So what's yer point?]

[Mr. Bones:] Point? I'm supposed to have a point?

But if anybody has done this, or decided not to, or just has a thought, I'd be glad to hear it.

{Wheels.11.34}: {michael33} Mon, 11 Apr 2005 17:40:18 CDT (0 lines)
{erased by michael33 Mon, 02 Oct 2006 06:03:44 CDT}

The only Kryptonite U-lock I ever owned was sold with an old Linear recumbent cycle. I should recommend the new owner keep the lock as is, unless the shackle width is the same on the replacement. It slides through the frame and chainrings for use as a crank lock. I'm not sure how much wider the holes in the frame beam can safely be widened to accomodate any difference in size. To satisfy my curiosity, I have duplicated the trick with a friend's lock and the shaft of a pen. Once I got the hang of it, I was able to pick the lock not much more slowly than key entry. Still, it should provide a little extra deterrence if used as a redundant security feature (carried an extra cable lock with the old Linear). Though I haven't participated in their recall program, I haven't heard of any problems from Kryptonite beyond lack of inventory to meet initial demand. You shouldn't expect months-long shipping delays by now.

Last year, I got a bike after 12 years of bikelessness. I got a used Kona Jake the Snake cyclocross ride. Don't think I'll be at a competitive level anytime soon, but I am enjoying blowing people's minds as I ride my drop-handlebarred "roadbike" on muddy trails and rocky tracks. Very comfortable cycle for the street as well.

Cool, I actually contemplated that model when they were new. You see so few bicycles delivered from the factory in cyclocross trim. Then I remembered: I don't do cyclocross, ha ha. It's screaming orange, iirc, right?

I think they did make an orange model but mine is metallic silver with actual glow in the dark decals. I've yet to see them glow on a night ride but I imagine it's very graphic. I don't "do" cyclocross either but upon consideration of what I want from a bicycle, I think the cyclo geometry and the capacity for 37mm tires is a great choice. I love the concept of cyclocross and might, upon reaching some facsimile of fitness, take on some B class racing. I'm thinking Lance should take on the new challenge of cyclocross. He could probably dominate that realm as well.

{Wheels.11.39}: 92 SVX, 59 TBird, 68 F250 {fvehafric} Sun, 17 Apr 2005 10:41:30 CDT (1 line)

I ride one of the other non-motorized wheelers. It's a Xootr. I live in Brooklyn and do have public transportation. The scooter folds up in seconds and rides along even during rush hour, when they don't permit bikes on the trains. I was never great on a bike anyway. With the scooter I don't have all that metal between my legs and it's easy to jump off and on in dicy situations. Of course a bike is much better for long distances.

I ride a street longboard - a 56" Dregs Tsunami. When I go to the Y or the pool - about a half mile away in opposite directions of the house, I ride my board. In fact, any time it's not raining and I'm going somewhere under a mile and not hauling packages back (e.g., grocery), then I ride my board.

It's almost too fun

Some of the Xootr boards, especially the wooden model look a lot like skateboards, but they only have two wheels and they're much larger. I got my first one (with the wooden board) to transport my four-year-old. A four-year-old can take an hour to walk the length of a short city block. So being able to put her in front of me on the scooter, and then just zip to wherever I want to go, was like finally being somewhat back in charge of my time. I've gotten pretty good with it and I can tie a couple of canvas bags of groceries to the handlebars and haul them home that way - even in the rain. Breakables must go in a backpack though.

Incidentally I had my very first real accident. I've gone ove the handlebars a couple of times and once the scooter slid out from under me on black ice (no more scooting in sub-freezing). This was impact with an SUV. I do need to mention here that I also do karate and I'm in decent shape. Otherwise I doubt it would have turned out so well. What happened was that I was scooting across a four lane one-way avenue on the pedestrian crosswalk at an intersection with a cross street that had two lanes both ways. The pedestrian light was already blinking and I guess the guy wanted to make his left turn before he lost the light. That's probably why he didn't see me. Also - one just doesn't expect pedestrians to move so fast. I saw him though and realized that he wasn't going to stop and I was going to end up getting hit. So I slowed down as much as I could, ditched the scooter to the right, landed on my feet with this large gray thing just in front of me and me still with momentum. Thankfully he was already turning and so instead of him hitting me, I'd maneuvered myself in position to slam into him. I think that was probably the first time he noticed me - the loud bang when I slammed into his passenger door. He stopped right away and got out. I'd blocked the impact somewhat, rolled myself off nicely, and was just picking up my scooter by the time he made it around the vehicle. I later wished I'd stayed to piss off at him more thoroughly. As it was, we were in the middle of the avenue, the light had just changed, traffic was going to roll at us, it was beginning to sprinkle and I wanted to make it to th subway station before it started to rain in serious, I didn't want to waste my time on this, and I wasn't thinking much either. So I just scooted away, muttering "Sub Urban Vehicle" - beginning a whole chain of what those three letters could stand for. I was so pissed! I was fuming. I was fine though. And I'm so happy I'm fine. Another adventure in Very Urban Scootering.

Just bought my son a second hand BMX HB bike only two months old imported by an american who is leaving....lovely bike! had to pay more than it would cost in the states for transport so ended up paying $150 for it -- its a Xmas present for my son :)