Dear Editor:
I am an avid bicyclist and riding around Hoboken, I’ve seen some bicycle vandalism, namely, the stealing of wheels that can be inexpensively prevented. With our increased bicycle usage here in Hoboken, the thieves are having a field day! For example, the relatively new cream colored foldable Dahon bike attached to the bike rack outside the Dunkin Donuts on Washington St, which lost both it’s wheels, with the rear one stolen only a week or two ago; and that new beautiful cruiser bike locked to the rack outside the NY Sports Club on Newark St next to CVS, where the bike remains in the upright position when the thief lifted it to unbolt it’s rear wheel. Both of these bikes were locked to the rack with expensive locks, but not the wheels. What a shame! I experienced the same misfortune outside my house on Hudson St when my bike’s front wheel was stolen costing me $90 to replace. There are a couple of products on the market that replace the axles (“skewers” in bike lingo) and quick release mechanisms, and or the plain bolts that hold your front and rear wheels on your bike. Here are their websites: Pin Head at www.pinheadcomponents.com, $40 for three US made “locks” that will secure your seat, including your front and rear wheels. Pitlock, made in Germany, (the Europeans swear by them), approx $72-$97 for the three areas of protection as mentioned above, available through these US distributors: www.peterwhitecycles.com, and www.ultrarob.com. There may be more Pitlock distirbutors in the US, but those are the only two I found in my search. Here’s the way these “locks” work: they’re are actually specially manufactured bolts that can only be released using one of the hundreds of variations of a wrench that is included with the locks. Both Pin Head and Pitloc k are simple and light in weight ways to go. Other means to prevent this type of crime is to lock both wheels to the frame with two Krptonite type “U” locks with a cable through your seat. Or you can visit a bike shop and have your seat attached to the bike’s frame using a small length of the same kind of chain that powers your bike when you pedal. Either of these methods will thwart most if not all thieves. The more challenge you give them, the more chance they’ll just walk away. Plus, register your bike with the National Bike Registry at, www.nationalbikeregistry.com. It costs $10 for 10 years, and they have a P return rate. Such a deal!
Ride safe!
Ralph DeMatthews