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Homemade U-lock rack support



 
 
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  #1  
Old August 13th 18, 04:03 PM posted to rec.bicycles.tech
Tanguy Ortolo
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Posts: 71
Default Homemade U-lock rack support

Hello all,

A couple of months ago, I wrote a message about making a very simple
U-lock support on the rack, but without the pictures, it was quite
useless. I eventually remembered about this, so here is one:
https://tanguy.ortolo.eu/tmp/rack+u-lock.jpg.

U-lock usually come with a support to be mounted somewhere on the
bicycle frame. Most of these supports, however, will not withstand the
torque from the lock weight, and will break after a couple of years. You
are then left with a lock with no support.

Well, here is a homemade support that uses the rack, with many
advantages:
- it uses very simple material: a PVC tube and some tape;
- it takes 10 minutes to make;
- it does not have to withstand any significant torque and should
therefore last many years;
- it is easy to use: open the lock, raise the rack clamp, insert the
lock into the tube, then close it;
- it can stabilize some of the rack load you put over it!

There are a few drawbacks, of course:
- it is incompatible with panniers (you have to put the lock somewhere
else, though you can keep the support where it is);
- it is not exactly beautiful, due to using some tape to hold it;
- you have to remove the load from the rack to free the lock (but when
you are locking your bicycle, you usually do not want to leave your
load on your rack for people to steal it).

Just to explain, the tape in this support is just here to keep it in
place, and it will not withstand any significant constraint. The lock
weight is directly transmitted to the rack, on four stable points. Not
all racks can be equiped this way though.

--
Tanguy
  #2  
Old August 13th 18, 04:11 PM posted to rec.bicycles.tech
Frank Krygowski[_4_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 10,538
Default Homemade U-lock rack support

On 8/13/2018 11:03 AM, Tanguy Ortolo wrote:
Hello all,

A couple of months ago, I wrote a message about making a very simple
U-lock support on the rack, but without the pictures, it was quite
useless. I eventually remembered about this, so here is one:
https://tanguy.ortolo.eu/tmp/rack+u-lock.jpg.

U-lock usually come with a support to be mounted somewhere on the
bicycle frame. Most of these supports, however, will not withstand the
torque from the lock weight, and will break after a couple of years. You
are then left with a lock with no support.

Well, here is a homemade support that uses the rack, with many
advantages:
- it uses very simple material: a PVC tube and some tape;
- it takes 10 minutes to make;
- it does not have to withstand any significant torque and should
therefore last many years;
- it is easy to use: open the lock, raise the rack clamp, insert the
lock into the tube, then close it;
- it can stabilize some of the rack load you put over it!

There are a few drawbacks, of course:
- it is incompatible with panniers (you have to put the lock somewhere
else, though you can keep the support where it is);
- it is not exactly beautiful, due to using some tape to hold it;
- you have to remove the load from the rack to free the lock (but when
you are locking your bicycle, you usually do not want to leave your
load on your rack for people to steal it).

Just to explain, the tape in this support is just here to keep it in
place, and it will not withstand any significant constraint. The lock
weight is directly transmitted to the rack, on four stable points. Not
all racks can be equiped this way though.


Nice. If the appearance was bothersome, you could use a black tube held
in place with black zip ties.


--
- Frank Krygowski
  #3  
Old August 13th 18, 04:27 PM posted to rec.bicycles.tech
Tanguy Ortolo
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 71
Default Homemade U-lock rack support

Frank Krygowski, 2018-08-13 17:11+0200:
Nice. If the appearance was bothersome, you could use a black tube held
in place with black zip ties.


Black tube, yes, if I can find some, but I only ever saw white tube in
hardware stores. Black zip ties, no, bad idea, as they let the tube
slide on the sides. I would rather use some black tape.

--
Tanguy
  #4  
Old August 13th 18, 06:29 PM posted to rec.bicycles.tech
Joerg[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 6,016
Default Homemade U-lock rack support

On 2018-08-13 08:27, Tanguy Ortolo wrote:
Frank Krygowski, 2018-08-13 17:11+0200:
Nice. If the appearance was bothersome, you could use a black tube held
in place with black zip ties.


Black tube, yes, if I can find some, but I only ever saw white tube in
hardware stores. Black zip ties, no, bad idea, as they let the tube
slide on the sides. I would rather use some black tape.


Zip ties are also bad in terms of reliability. It seems UV rays
embrittle them and then they just fall off. A while ago I chased and
stopped an MTB rider whose rear brake hose had come loose because of
that and was chafing on the rear wheel. Luckily I always have a snippet
of wire in my tool kit. Zip ties, too, but those only for temporary fixes.

--
Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com/
  #5  
Old August 13th 18, 07:34 PM posted to rec.bicycles.tech
Jeff Liebermann
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 4,018
Default Homemade U-lock rack support

On Mon, 13 Aug 2018 10:29:44 -0700, Joerg
wrote:

On 2018-08-13 08:27, Tanguy Ortolo wrote:
Frank Krygowski, 2018-08-13 17:11+0200:
Nice. If the appearance was bothersome, you could use a black tube held
in place with black zip ties.


Black tube, yes, if I can find some, but I only ever saw white tube in
hardware stores. Black zip ties, no, bad idea, as they let the tube
slide on the sides. I would rather use some black tape.


Zip ties are also bad in terms of reliability. It seems UV rays
embrittle them and then they just fall off. A while ago I chased and
stopped an MTB rider whose rear brake hose had come loose because of
that and was chafing on the rear wheel. Luckily I always have a snippet
of wire in my tool kit. Zip ties, too, but those only for temporary fixes.


You can buy UV resistant zip ties. They're loaded with carbon black
that blocks UV. However, not all such zip ties are equally resistant
to UV. Some of the cheap junk has much less than the recommended 2%
carbon black. After having an antenna installation fall apart in
about a year due to crumbling zip ties, I bought some that are genuine
Polyamide 6.6 UV resistant per ASTM D-4066PA411. No problems so far
after about 5 years:
https://www.hellermanntyton.us/bundling-securing/cable-ties/standard-cable-ties-special-materials/
https://www.hellermanntyton.us/resources/materials
https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2016/03/not-all-uv-rated-cable-ties-have-long-lifespans-on-solar-projects/

--
Jeff Liebermann
150 Felker St #D
http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558
  #6  
Old August 13th 18, 08:13 PM posted to rec.bicycles.tech
Joerg[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 6,016
Default Homemade U-lock rack support

On 2018-08-13 11:34, Jeff Liebermann wrote:
On Mon, 13 Aug 2018 10:29:44 -0700, Joerg
wrote:

On 2018-08-13 08:27, Tanguy Ortolo wrote:
Frank Krygowski, 2018-08-13 17:11+0200:
Nice. If the appearance was bothersome, you could use a black tube held
in place with black zip ties.

Black tube, yes, if I can find some, but I only ever saw white tube in
hardware stores. Black zip ties, no, bad idea, as they let the tube
slide on the sides. I would rather use some black tape.


Zip ties are also bad in terms of reliability. It seems UV rays
embrittle them and then they just fall off. A while ago I chased and
stopped an MTB rider whose rear brake hose had come loose because of
that and was chafing on the rear wheel. Luckily I always have a snippet
of wire in my tool kit. Zip ties, too, but those only for temporary fixes.


You can buy UV resistant zip ties. They're loaded with carbon black
that blocks UV. However, not all such zip ties are equally resistant
to UV. Some of the cheap junk has much less than the recommended 2%
carbon black. After having an antenna installation fall apart in
about a year due to crumbling zip ties, I bought some that are genuine
Polyamide 6.6 UV resistant per ASTM D-4066PA411. No problems so far
after about 5 years:
https://www.hellermanntyton.us/bundling-securing/cable-ties/standard-cable-ties-special-materials/
https://www.hellermanntyton.us/resources/materials
https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2016/03/not-all-uv-rated-cable-ties-have-long-lifespans-on-solar-projects/


The one that popped was the stock tie from a high-Dollar Specialized
MTB. I can't imagine them being cheap on zip ties. Metal is generally
better.

--
Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com/
  #7  
Old August 14th 18, 03:10 AM posted to rec.bicycles.tech
Frank Krygowski[_4_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 10,538
Default Homemade U-lock rack support

On 8/13/2018 1:29 PM, Joerg wrote:
On 2018-08-13 08:27, Tanguy Ortolo wrote:
Frank Krygowski, 2018-08-13 17:11+0200:
Nice. If the appearance was bothersome, you could use a black tube held
in place with black zip ties.


Black tube, yes, if I can find some, but I only ever saw white tube in
hardware stores. Black zip ties, no, bad idea, as they let the tube
slide on the sides. I would rather use some black tape.


Zip ties are also bad in terms of reliability. It seems UV rays
embrittle them and then they just fall off. A while ago I chased and
stopped an MTB rider whose rear brake hose had come loose because of
that and was chafing on the rear wheel. Luckily I always have a snippet
of wire in my tool kit. Zip ties, too, but those only for temporary fixes.


Hmm. Well, I suppose that failure is possible, but:

My wife has some wire baskets filled with flowers hanging from a steel
balcony railing that I fabricated long ago. I attached those baskets
using black zip ties at least three years ago, IIRC. Those are in full
sun for about half the day. They're still fine.

I suppose I could pass out helmets to people sitting in the patio below
the balcony...

--
- Frank Krygowski
  #8  
Old August 14th 18, 03:26 PM posted to rec.bicycles.tech
Joerg[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 6,016
Default Homemade U-lock rack support

On 2018-08-13 19:10, Frank Krygowski wrote:
On 8/13/2018 1:29 PM, Joerg wrote:
On 2018-08-13 08:27, Tanguy Ortolo wrote:
Frank Krygowski, 2018-08-13 17:11+0200:
Nice. If the appearance was bothersome, you could use a black tube held
in place with black zip ties.

Black tube, yes, if I can find some, but I only ever saw white tube in
hardware stores. Black zip ties, no, bad idea, as they let the tube
slide on the sides. I would rather use some black tape.


Zip ties are also bad in terms of reliability. It seems UV rays
embrittle them and then they just fall off. A while ago I chased and
stopped an MTB rider whose rear brake hose had come loose because of
that and was chafing on the rear wheel. Luckily I always have a
snippet of wire in my tool kit. Zip ties, too, but those only for
temporary fixes.


Hmm. Well, I suppose that failure is possible, but:

My wife has some wire baskets filled with flowers hanging from a steel
balcony railing that I fabricated long ago. I attached those baskets
using black zip ties at least three years ago, IIRC. Those are in full
sun for about half the day. They're still fine.

I suppose I could pass out helmets to people sitting in the patio below
the balcony...


If your sun is like the California sun I sure would consider that after
three years.

I used to zip-tie sprinkler risers to rebar that I pounded into the
ground, to prevent them from tilting and looking ugly. All of them,
literally all of them, snapped and fell off after several years. Now
it's all wire and nothing falls off.

Sometimes the older methods are still best.

--
Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com/
  #9  
Old August 14th 18, 10:06 PM posted to rec.bicycles.tech
[email protected]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,261
Default Homemade U-lock rack support

On Monday, August 13, 2018 at 7:10:51 PM UTC-7, Frank Krygowski wrote:
On 8/13/2018 1:29 PM, Joerg wrote:
On 2018-08-13 08:27, Tanguy Ortolo wrote:
Frank Krygowski, 2018-08-13 17:11+0200:
Nice. If the appearance was bothersome, you could use a black tube held
in place with black zip ties.

Black tube, yes, if I can find some, but I only ever saw white tube in
hardware stores. Black zip ties, no, bad idea, as they let the tube
slide on the sides. I would rather use some black tape.


Zip ties are also bad in terms of reliability. It seems UV rays
embrittle them and then they just fall off. A while ago I chased and
stopped an MTB rider whose rear brake hose had come loose because of
that and was chafing on the rear wheel. Luckily I always have a snippet
of wire in my tool kit. Zip ties, too, but those only for temporary fixes.


Hmm. Well, I suppose that failure is possible, but:

My wife has some wire baskets filled with flowers hanging from a steel
balcony railing that I fabricated long ago. I attached those baskets
using black zip ties at least three years ago, IIRC. Those are in full
sun for about half the day. They're still fine.

I suppose I could pass out helmets to people sitting in the patio below
the balcony...

--
- Frank Krygowski


The idea is to run a telephone like behind you. Then if you have any problems you can call for help even when you're out of cell phone contact.
  #10  
Old August 13th 18, 11:14 PM posted to rec.bicycles.tech
news18
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Posts: 1,131
Default Homemade U-lock rack support

On 14/08/18 01:27, Tanguy Ortolo wrote:
Frank Krygowski, 2018-08-13 17:11+0200:
Nice. If the appearance was bothersome, you could use a black tube held
in place with black zip ties.


Black tube, yes, if I can find some, but I only ever saw white tube in
hardware stores.


Try looking in the electrical section. There should be grey and orange
as well.
Make your choice and pick up a can of black spray paint as well. Problem
solved. Alternatively, check out old style cheapo bicycle pumps, buy a
black one and cut off top and bottom to length desired.


 




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