Home security, after-school club bikes, and ringing ears
Discussion
I spent the weekend improving security in Chez Mars. I haven't decided yet what to do regarding the storage of the patio chairs but I managed to get enough space for 3 bike hooks and the wall anchors for the D-locks.
I've got another 2 hooks and anchors for when I find some more wall space.
And in case those alloy wall anchors prove insufficient I bought an Oxford steel anchor too.
I was a little disappointed that the D-locks were too short to go through the frames too (optimistically, although I had considered this, I didn't bother to measure up and went with the "it'll be fine" approach) so I've ordered some Kryptonite Fahgettabouddit disc locks and chains which I can pass through those anchors and the bike frames, with the D-locks reserved for both additional security and for when we go out somewhere (although I'm starting to regret buying those D-locks instead of a job-lot of the Fahgettabouddit ones).
Anyway, I went to collect my son from after-school club this afternoon and noticed their playground bikes in a dreadful state - many with totally flat tyres. So, because I now have garage space (finally) I offered to take them home two-at-a-time (I have two semi-permanently-installed bikes carriers on my roof rack) to sort them out.
Predictably one only needed the tyre pumping up (and the brake levers aligning, the brake blocks aligning and tightening) but when I tried to pump up the tyre on the other one, it exploded at only 40lbs (on my last "stroke" of the stirrup pump).
I can now only hear what I think is a constant c# tone.
I've got another 2 hooks and anchors for when I find some more wall space.
And in case those alloy wall anchors prove insufficient I bought an Oxford steel anchor too.
I was a little disappointed that the D-locks were too short to go through the frames too (optimistically, although I had considered this, I didn't bother to measure up and went with the "it'll be fine" approach) so I've ordered some Kryptonite Fahgettabouddit disc locks and chains which I can pass through those anchors and the bike frames, with the D-locks reserved for both additional security and for when we go out somewhere (although I'm starting to regret buying those D-locks instead of a job-lot of the Fahgettabouddit ones).
Anyway, I went to collect my son from after-school club this afternoon and noticed their playground bikes in a dreadful state - many with totally flat tyres. So, because I now have garage space (finally) I offered to take them home two-at-a-time (I have two semi-permanently-installed bikes carriers on my roof rack) to sort them out.
Predictably one only needed the tyre pumping up (and the brake levers aligning, the brake blocks aligning and tightening) but when I tried to pump up the tyre on the other one, it exploded at only 40lbs (on my last "stroke" of the stirrup pump).
I can now only hear what I think is a constant c# tone.
The hooks aren't strong enough to take my weight, for example, but they're plenty strong enough for the bikes.
My right ear might be damaged. Whenever I speak I can hear myself talking as though I have water in my ear - you know that odd sound it makes. It doesn't hurt so I'm unsure whether to go and see a doc or not.
My right ear might be damaged. Whenever I speak I can hear myself talking as though I have water in my ear - you know that odd sound it makes. It doesn't hurt so I'm unsure whether to go and see a doc or not.
Antony Moxey said:
What I meant was, if you're hanging the bikes up by one wheel then won't the weight of the bikes distort the shape of that wheel?
Oh gosh... you're kidding? I'm the best part of 16st (102Kg) and I don't have any effect on the wheels when I go crashing around the place. The bikes are all ~10 - 14Kg.No, they're fine. It's not even "close". I could probably hang off the back wheel without affecting the front wheel's "roundness"... if the hooks were strong enough.
Fair enough, it was just an idle question. I did wonder myself after posting the question whether the bikes would be heavy enough to deform the wheel, however in respose to your point about chucking them about all over the place you're not concentrating all of the weight on a single point for an extended length of time. Anyhoo, as I said, just an idle question.
Antony Moxey said:
Fair enough, it was just an idle question. I did wonder myself after posting the question whether the bikes would be heavy enough to deform the wheel, however in respose to your point about chucking them about all over the place you're not concentrating all of the weight on a single point for an extended length of time. Anyhoo, as I said, just an idle question.
Sorry if my reply came across as curt or rude - it wasn't intended. I do get your point and your reasoning behind it but hanging them this way is well within their capabilities. It doesn't even scratch the powdercoating on my wheels.Mars said:
Antony Moxey said:
Fair enough, it was just an idle question. I did wonder myself after posting the question whether the bikes would be heavy enough to deform the wheel, however in respose to your point about chucking them about all over the place you're not concentrating all of the weight on a single point for an extended length of time. Anyhoo, as I said, just an idle question.
Sorry if my reply came across as curt or rude - it wasn't intended. I do get your point and your reasoning behind it but hanging them this way is well within their capabilities. It doesn't even scratch the powdercoating on my wheels.
I took the first batch of bikes back this morning and took away the 2nd batch this evening. Apart from flat tyres (just flat - not punctured - although the tyres are seriously perished) the brake blocks are pointing in all sorts of directions, the brake levers the same, the handlebars are "laid backwards" at an alarmingly dangerous angle, and the pedals on one were siezed. I took them apart, managed to catch handful of bearings, and rebuilt them with copperslip (I can't find my tub of axle grease and keep forgetting to buy a new one).
I believe I am returning these bikes are in better condition than when they were donated.
Seriously though, it's only taking me ~10 mins per bike to sort out. It's such a shame no-one else has ever offered before they got that bad.
I believe I am returning these bikes are in better condition than when they were donated.
Seriously though, it's only taking me ~10 mins per bike to sort out. It's such a shame no-one else has ever offered before they got that bad.
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