| Countless accessories are manufactured for | | | | best choice is a chain that's as thick as you |
| bicycles and bicycle riders. When thinking | | | | can comfortably carry.If you'd prefer a cable |
| about such products we often think of | | | | lock, again, make sure you purchase the |
| helmets, lights, water bottles, specialized | | | | thickest one possible. The thicker the chain |
| clothing, speedometers, and racks. One | | | | or cable, the more of a deterrent it'll be |
| important accessory your bike should never be | | | | for thieves and scoundrels. The downside, of |
| without is a good locking system. Just | | | | course, is weight. Cables tend to be lighter |
| because you live in a relatively safe | | | | than chains, but they also tend to be easier |
| neighborhood doesn't mean you have no need | | | | to cut. You have to consider the importance |
| for a lock.Bicycle theft is a growing crime | | | | of weight relative to your bicycling |
| throughout the United States, and it doesn't | | | | activity.An avid racer is extremely concerned |
| matter where you live. Bicycles are | | | | with weight, but such a competitor isn't |
| relatively easy to steal and easy to sell or | | | | going to be leaving his/her bike just lying |
| get rid of. They're an easy target for | | | | around, either. In all likelihood, weight is |
| dedicated criminals, opportunists, and bored | | | | not a serious issue to you. One advantage |
| teenagers. Unless you never intend to leave | | | | chain/cable locks have over other varieties |
| your bike untended, you should invest in some | | | | of locks is their ability to encompass oddly |
| sort of locking system. Even if you're just | | | | shaped shaped objects such as trees, bushes, |
| leaving it outside a convenience store for a | | | | etc.The other popular bicycle locking system |
| couple minutes so you can go inside real | | | | is the U-lock. As the name implies, such |
| quick, that's all the time a thief needs to | | | | locks have a big bend in them and are |
| make off with your ride. Don't think that | | | | essentially big padlocks. Some are only big |
| thieves won't steal a cheap bike, either. | | | | enough to go around the back wheel and the |
| They'll take whatever they can get their | | | | bike rack. Others are big enough to go around |
| hands on, whether it's a rusted old girl's | | | | the frame as well. These sorts of locks are |
| bike with faded streams dangling from the | | | | nice because they're quick to employ and come |
| handlebar grips and a torn-up banana seat or | | | | with clips to hook onto the bike frame |
| a sleek high-dollar professional mountain | | | | without scratching it.Whatever kind of bike |
| bike with full front and rear | | | | riding you intend to do, unless it's solely |
| suspension.There are basically two options | | | | competitive racing, you should invest in a |
| when it comes to locking systems for bikes. | | | | good bike lock. You should get the heaviest |
| The most popular is the chain or cable lock | | | | one you can. An important feature to look for |
| with either a separate padlock or combination | | | | is some sort of guarantee by the |
| lock or with the lock integrated into the | | | | manufacturer. Good locks come with assurances |
| chain or cable. If this is the type of lock | | | | that if used correctly, and your bike is |
| you're looking into, make sure that it's long | | | | stolen, the manufacturer will reimburse you |
| enough to wrap around both wheels and the | | | | for the cost of your bike.Gregg Hall is an |
| frame. With this style of locking system, the | | | | author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. |