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