Your opinions needed! Uni design project

Carrying a wet/dirty clip on mudguard when you lock your bike up isn't nice.

Maybe they should come with bags like umbrellas?

1. Kryponite Evo Mini and/or Fah Mini (depending on area and length of time), disc alarm lock (XENA) when I feel it's necessary to, but on the utility bike, there's no need to, it's mounted on the bike (run by dynamo).

** 2.** Exposure Race Maxx connect to Exposure Redeye, lowest setting is still a lots brighter than cheaper battery light.

** 3.** full, clip-on if bike doesn't have holes for full, mudguard are massively useful.

** 4.** just light (nothing on the utility bike, as the light is part of the bike).

** 5.** nope.

these 'accessories' I use are simply the best and most flexible for everyday use, the Exposure light are not a necessary though when a simple Knog Toad is plentiful (but defintely not the Frog).

1. new york fah lock. x1 or x2 depending where i am. if im with the lady, both locks through both bikes. tourer- lock through frame to object (not that one) as it has pitlocks and noone wants 26 inch tourer wheels. i hope. fixed- lock through frame, front wheel and to object. normally a bike stand or heavy fence.
   
   

2.electron led's on flash mode. have maybe 6 or 7 sets between me and the lady, and enough mounts to go round all the bikes.at least 2 at the back and front. they are simple, cheap, bloody bright, all use the same size rechargable batteries and can clip to clothes/bag if need be. on longer rides or when i need to see in the dark, hope vision one or similar.

3.winter bike gets full length bolt on guards, as does the tourer. the summer bike gets none and doesnt get wet.

4.only remove lights and maybe bottle if im going somewhere with no water. oh and panniers if im using them.

5.locks are heavy and i dont like them in my bag or on my hip in case i tumble and break something. so im goign to fashion some kind of attachment to bolt to the pannier rack so i can slide the lock in and it wont rattle, move or obstruct the use of pannier bags. sometimes i wish lights werent removable from my bike, like if im going dancing or something. itd be nice to not have a pocket full of lights in a club/pub/theatre etc etc.

hope this is useful.

1. Krypto evo.out and about. (Ground anchor, motorbike chain and padlock at home/work)
   
2. Blackburn mars rear flashing on a backpack, cateye long thin one on seatpost. Fuck-off bright Hong Kong special up front.
   
3. Homemade wooden rear.
   
4. Lights and trip computer if it's on there.
   
5. As above ^ - carrying it all around, lights, helmet etc in the pub, lock. It's a ll a bit of a pain sometimes. Summer is better.
   
   

I use stuff that lasts well and seems to work. Been through loads of lights, and this combo is ace. Locks have thus far avoided any nickage. - Sad fact we have to haul massive locks about in order to have any safety in leaving bikes for a few minutes wish it wasn't necessary.

1. Kryptonite D-Lock through the frame and rear wheel to the sturdiest thing in the area, then a cable from the D-Lock through the frame and front wheel.
   
2. Knog Toad on the front, Knog Bullfrog on the back, both flashing for max visibility (even in the day)
   
3. None
   
4. Lights and myself. Store the lights in my bag.
   
5. D-Locks are the best way to secure your bike, but they're heavy and hard to carry unless you destroy your lovely frame by hanging it from that. So you have to carry a bag, which sucks. Also, I often find there's nothing slim and sturdy enough to lock my bike to, if I had a waist chain I could lock to the larger lamp posts, but they're not as secure. Something as versatile as a waist chain but as sturdy as a D-Lock would be great!
   　
   I use the Kryptonite D-Lock because by all accounts the only way you can keep your bike safer is by having it with you!
   
   

I use the Knog lights because they're super bright and because they don't have brackets, so I can remove them completely when it's a bright summers day and I don't need lights, without leaving anything on the bike to make it look less pretty!

Good luck with your project!

1. What type of lock/ locks (D-lock, chain, cable, other) do you use and do you have a preferred method of locking your bike? Onguard Bulldog Mini with kryptonite cable. Cable noosed through front wheel, then through the back and onto Dlock. Dlock around seat tube and bike rack. Almost only ever use Sheffields or similar.

2. What type of light/ lights (LED, constant beam, none, other) do you use? Front - Cateye HL-EL510, Rear - Smart Lunar 4.5

3. What type of mudguard (full, clip on/off, none, other). Raceblade clip ons.

4. *When you lock your bike up do you remove any particular parts to avoid theft and if so where do you store them? *Always remove frontlight. Mostly I'm too lazy to remove the saddle toolbag. I think it's one of those things that no one really notices. Usually remove it if I'm out drinking in London, that's about it. It has my rear light permanently attached. Always leave the water bottle on.

5.* Have you identified any problems, difficulties or annoyances when it comes to using bike accessories such as locks, lights and mudguards?*. Rear light clips are usually prone to throwing the rear lights. I now clip mine onto the rear loop on my toolbag. As I transfer this from bike to bike, I always have it with me. The Smart switch system is a little cack but as it's housed internally it does manage to be waterproof, which is important. Mudguards are clip on. The system isn't well designed for broad carbon forks. Would like a decent clip system for this but as I haven't looked around don't know what the others offer. Locks. I'm not a hipster or a courier so the lock either goes in the pannier or on the pannier rack. A rack mounted holder, which doesn't rattle, would be easier to use.

Also why do you use the accessories you use?.... what are the defining factors when you choose these products?

The D was on sale, met the Sold Secure standard I was looking for and relatively light. As it's either hung from the pannier rack or attaching the bike to something, I don't care about the weight. It was the right size for hauling the bike across Canada so kept it for that.
Raceblades are used because my gf was no longer using them.
The front light because it has a dip factor to use in towns and at dusk perserving battery life, the rear because my gf bought it and it seems to dazzle people.

1. krypto mini evo and insurance
   
2. front LED
   
3. none
   
4. no
   
5. no
   

1. Krypto Mini D

2. Knog 4 led front, cateye 5 led rear

3. nowt

4. front wheel if on my road bike (has quick release)

5. nar

mini d is useful because its small and light. Lights are bright and clip on and off easily

But heavy makes it good for hittin'.

1. kryptonite ny fahgettaboudit and mini evolution, ny thru frame and rear wheel, mini evo front wheel to frame.

2. 2 flashing led on front, 2/3 flashing led on rear

3. none

4. nope, but i have ball bearings glued into stem bolt, seat clamp and seat post.

5. nope

is the product good and suitable for the purpose, a balance of quality and cheapness.

1. i use a D lock on the shopping bike throuhg just the frame , and at home 3 of my bikes are locked to the garage floor with a motorbike chain , i never leave my expensive bikes in public , as too many of the bits would be taken or the bike itself , the shopping bike is basic and no QR parts

2. i use a flashing front LED and the cateye rear LED flashing with 10 bulbs , i only ever bike in streetlight areas in the dark , and notr very often on the shopping bike , i do go XC in the local forest , and just come home when its gets too dark to ride , i luve on the edge of the forest so never bothered with lights

3. i did consider mudgaurds for my bike , but its just more hasle to keep straight and look after , i am lucvky in that if its raining i can hold off till its stops , or just go cycling the next day

4. when i'm out in the shopping bike i always have my backpack , so can store lights in there if i'm going to be some time , if its just 10mins in tesco i leave the lights on the bike

5. my D lock came with a bracket to attach to the frame , but UK roads are too bumpy to use it as it can never hold it steady enough

for lights i go for performance as measured in group tests , and solidness of build , price is not a factor for me within reason as if you buy cheap you buy twice

1. Using an Oxford Chain to lock my bike up at the mo. Would like to get a good D-lock but I don't need to lock my bike up often so it's not of priority, but it's heavy as fuck and lugging it around can make a journey not so pleasant.

2. Cateye OptiCube HL-EL320 and TL-LD600.
   Front I have blinking on the road to save battery. Constant in dark places like Putney & Kew Gardens at night etc, not ideal to have it blinking in such dark areas, can be distracting to others and as well as yourself because of your eyes having to constantly adjust to sudden changes in light conditions. Rear I always set it to the 3rd setting, moves from left to right, just like KnightRider. :P

3. That's on my wish list. Too many occasions I end up looking like a spotted dog.

4. Front quick-release. Place it next to my rear, closest to the railing. Fits cosey. Would have normal bolts but on occasions some people tend to use my bike, so it can be easily adjusted. I remove the seat, lights and computer to put in my bag.

5. Lock chain, too big and too heavy. But rather safe.

• Cateye STRADA Computer - Great to see how fast you are going, and the distance you've taken on your journeys. Time taken. Odometer. Realiable.
  
• Bottle Cage.
  
• Pump & clip.
  

Bump! Cheers if you've replied.

Still after more if anyone else fancies taking a couple of minutes to give me some answers.

I'm working on a project at uni and need to gather cyclists views on a number of things.

1. What type of lock/ locks (D-lock, chain, cable, other) do you use and do you have a preferred method of locking your bike?

2. What type of light/ lights (LED, constant beam, none, other) do you use?

3. What type of mudguard (full, clip on/off, none, other)

4. When you lock your bike up do you remove any particular parts to avoid theft and if so where do you store them?

5. Have you identified any problems, difficulties or annoyances when it comes to using bike accessories such as locks, lights and mudguards?.

Also why do you use the accessories you use?.... what are the defining factors when you choose these products?

Any other comments regarding bike accessories of any kind are welcome.

Thanks in advance for taking part.

1. D-lock & cable. Cable fits through both wheels and bike-rack; D-lock through back wheel & bike rack.

2. LED, flashing.

3. None.

4. Lights, go in my bag.

5. Cable lock doesn't snap & close when taking key out. I have to turn the key to lock it. Snapping locks would make it much quicker and convenient to lock the lock.

6. Lights mounting brackets. I fucking hate them. Build more lights like Knog but stronger ones with changeable and re-chargeable battery (Lithium-Ion?).

Basically I hate accessories which need a mounting bracket on the bike. I like a clean look and want to be flexible with the positioning.