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#1
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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 |
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#2
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Homemade U-lock rack support
On 08/13/2018 05:03 PM, 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. snip I've been very happy with these; https://www.amazon.com/Abus-EaZy-Bra.../dp/B003F88PY2 For all my bikes. Be careful to measure the D-lock diameter correctly though. |
#7
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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/ |
#8
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Homemade U-lock rack support
On Monday, August 13, 2018 at 3:13:06 PM UTC-4, Joerg wrote:
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. When I wrote my post above, I considered ending with "Of course, Joerg would use hose clamps." Now I'm sorry I resisted that impulse. - Frank Krygowski |
#9
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Homemade U-lock rack support
On 2018-08-13 13:12, Frank Krygowski wrote:
On Monday, August 13, 2018 at 3:13:06 PM UTC-4, Joerg wrote: 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. When I wrote my post above, I considered ending with "Of course, Joerg would use hose clamps." Now I'm sorry I resisted that impulse. No hose clamps, wire :-) a. Costs less that a cable tie. b. Lasts almost forever. Well, at least longer than you and I will. c. Much less visible. d. Leaving the ends longer can provide extra wire for stranded cyclists. This method also works well for rear lights where the majority of the bike parts industry seems unable to devise a holding mechanism that actually ... holds. BTW, the hose clamp on my road bike head set has now provided thousands of miles of trouble-free service. It simply works. Despite some bad weather riding it looks like on day one. http://www.analogconsultants.com/ng/bike/Hoseclamp.JPG -- Regards, Joerg http://www.analogconsultants.com/ |
#10
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Homemade U-lock rack support
On Mon, 13 Aug 2018 12:13:05 -0700, Joerg
wrote: 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. I can believe it, if the big $$$$ specialized MTB builder trusted the data sheets without testing. I had the same problem. The junk I bought at the local hardware store said "UV resistant" on the package, but wasn't. In order to test, polyamide (nylon) 6.6 should dissolve in sulfuric acid. (I haven't tried this). The residue should be mostly carbon black. By weighing everything, you can get a rough guess for how much carbon black was used. https://www.researchgate.net/post/What_is_the_solvent_to_solubilize_the_Polyamideexp ect_HFIP Or, pay the price and use a proper tester: http://www.testing-instruments.com/carbon-black-content-apparatus/ -- Jeff Liebermann 150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558 |
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