Portland has earned
itself a reputation as a mecca for bicyclists--and
for bicycle thieves. According to Kryptonite, the maker of
the original and best-selling U-locks, Portland ranks ninth
in the nation for reported bicycle
thefts. Here are a few devices that can stop your cool wheels
from becoming hot.
KRYPTONITE LOCKS
(The Bike Gallery, various locations)
The 800-pound gorilla in the bike-security field, Kryptonite
safeguards its dominance by providing a comprehensive line,
from cable locks to a Jacob Marleyesque chain. The classic
KryptoLok ($34.99 to $39.99) series includes a standard
size, a wide lock to accommodate fat mountain bike tires,
and an elongated clamp to fit a road-bike frame plus two
skinny tires. The Evo-lite series ($54.99) is lighter and
made of a higher-grade steel, and it has a lock that can
be keyed to other Kryptonite locks. The hefty New York Lock
($79.99), forged of case-hardened steel more than half an
inch thick, is the baddest U-lock Kryptonite makes. You
can buy an optional warranty for all locks. The mother
of invention.
SPECIALIZED WEDLOCK
($54.99 at River City Bicycles,
706 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., 233-5973)
The Wedlock folds up like a carpenter's rule and tucks
into a sheath on the bike's frame like a big Leatherman.
Its brawny steel links and orbital rivets give it the strength--or
at least the scare-away power--of a U-lock, and the whole
setup weighs only 2 pounds. One drawback is that despite
its flexibility, the Wedlock might not fit around everything
you want locked down. And it's pricier than a basic U-lock.
For Carhartt-wearin' tool toters.
TREK U-LOCK BY KRYPTONITE
($24.99 at Coventry
Cycle Works, 2025 SE Hawthorne Blvd., 230-7723)
A couple of U-lock brands are actually made by Kryptonite
but sold under other names. According to Kryptonite's Donna
Tocci, the Trek locks are made of a slightly lower-quality
steel and incorporate older design features, such as key
entry on the end of the lock instead of in the less-tamperable
center, but they're still backed up by the reputation of
the Big K. Raleigh's Cycle Pro line also offers a lock manufactured
by Kryptonite, selling for $24.95 at Bridgetown Bicycles
(2635 NE Broadway, 288-8431). A Krypto by any other name.
THE BIKE CLUB
($19.99 from Winner International, 800- 258-2321)
Wanna protect your bike as you would your car? The
Bike Club might be for you. The 2 1/2-pound device comes
from the makers of The Club, that oversized crossbar that
deters car thieves by immobilizing the steering wheel: They
might be able to steal the car, but they won't be able to
steer it. The Bike Club's adjustable design piggybacks on
this preventive function, allowing you to eliminate extra
width that might otherwise accommodate a thief's crowbar.
The bright warning-red casing adds to your bike's aura of
unapproachability; perhaps it would be further enhanced
by a "No Stereo" sign on the handlebars. For those jokers
with "My Other Car Is a Bicycle" bumper stickers.
CABLES AND CHAINS
Can you trust a cable? Cables remain
popular for their long reach and ease of wrapping, but most
can be severed in about 30 seconds flat. With its Kevlar-core
braided steel cable construction and impressive, inch-plus
girth, the Specialized Hardlock Rapper ($29.99 at
River City Bicycles) won't come undone without a lot
of wrangling.
Kryptonite's New York Chain (pictured, $94.99 at
The Bike Gallery) is a 6-pound monster that Keith McKee
of NYC's Bicycle Habitat says is the only lock the bike
shop recommends. "U-locks are passé," says Keith.
"Everyone uses the Chain, from bike messengers to professional
types. They just sling it over their shoulders. JFK Jr.
wore one." Cutting edge.
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Willamette Week | originally
published January 26,
2000
|
