hex bolt skewer conversion

In article <[email hidden]>,

landotter said:

Luke said:

Eschewing a nutted axle, a 50 cent hose clamp around the QR lever and
fork/chainstay will serve to deter opportunism.

yup, a lot of guys used to do that when I messengered--it's like what I
responded to A. Muzi--he's right in saying that nothing's invincible,
but thieves tend to hate things that require time to defeat.

Hear ya. One of the funniest episodes I ever witnessed took place when
I also was a messenger.

A bunch of us were socializing while on stand-by in the plaza of the
financial district. The Bianchi Pista of a colleague was unlocked, but
within clear view, about 60 meters across the square. (For the
uninitiated the Pista is a fixed gear, brakeless track bike).

Along comes the obligatory Klepto Crackhead; he hops on board. This
loser is not going anywhere with five couriers about to give chase and
administer a little informal justice. But today the posse can rest.

To the thief the concept of clipless pedals is alien; and once
underway, the 'coaster brake' doesn't work - he can't even freewheel on
the accursed POS! In an attempt to brake for a crowd he drags his foot,
jamming his leg against the crank as it circles around, then crashes
into an elegant business-woman, and tumbles in a heap to the concrete.
The infuriated lady excoriates the incompetent delinquent in a profane
tirade and, by way of adding an exclamation mark, finishes by
administering a resounding kick to the prone pedaller. Ouch! No damage
to the Pista though.

The demoralized hood rises, returns the bike to its original parking
place, and ignominiously exits the scene - he's happy just to forget
the whole affair. Bianchi: 1. Thief: 0.

Luke

landotter said:

I've had highish end city bikes, and for a city ride I consider that to
be over $800 in parts, but never had parts stolen ever, short of a
computer and a tail light.Never even had a lock visibly forced. But I
tend to park next to more expensive bikes, in lighted areas, and keep
my own ride plain looking. Even high end cantis and shoes, look just
like [censored] cantis and shoes when dirty at 30m if you catch my drift.

Many years ago I locked my moderately nice city bike up outside my
employer's when working a PM shift. Used a nice, secure (pre-BIC exploit)
Kryptonite lock. When I came out after work, somebody had tried
unsuccessfully to break the lock. When they failed, they just kicked the
[censored] out of my bike. Total loss.

These days I either don't leave my bike outside or use a crappy bike if I
can't bring it in with me.

--

John ([email hidden])