Messages

16

Gear Talk / Re: Heavy Duty Handle Bar Bag

« on: October 01, 2010, 09:36:20 pm »

Ortlieb Ultimate 5 handbag seems to be a nice product and as a newbie I’m trying some of my new purchases out. I’ve found the cover to be a little fussy trying to get it closed while riding. Several times now the stuff I put in it like IPhone, compact camera, snack bar, etc. works its way under the divider making the divider useless. The arm strap complicates closing the bag if left on, so you must store the arm strap somewhere until you need to remove the bag to carry it with you. I’ve done a lot of research and these little anomalies are not mentioned. Is this true of other bags? I’m I the only one that finds little irritating issues might be easily solved?..

17

General Discussion / Re: Pannier Secuity

« on: September 27, 2010, 09:21:02 pm »

All good ideas,   THANK YOU..... I must admit I did consider making everything look revolting, but after all the brain damage I can’t bring myself to disfigure this equipment..... I’ll just apply some common sense.

18

General Discussion / Re: Pannier Secuity

« on: September 26, 2010, 09:28:54 pm »

I live in the San Francisco bay area and it’s only a matter of time before it’s stolen. My wife and I have had our bikes stolen twice. Once we had them parked and locked outside a grocery store in Palm Springs and after a few minutes they were gone. The other time they were on the back of our motor home in San Jose, CA parked in the street in front of our friends home strapped but not locked and they were taken while we were sleeping inside. I hate to be so paranoid but I can’t ignore the fact that some people out there want your stuff. Locking my bike is a first priority but these bags come on and off so easily that it makes for a quick get-a-way. Looking at the attachment mechanism of the Ortlieb plus pannier it has an arm that swings around to secure against a part of the rack, when slipped in place it secures the bottom of the pannier. If a second one of those arms could be slipped into the slider and adjusted to secure against the rack on the opposite side of the pannier it would take the thief awhile to get it figured out. Of course the downside is, you would have to loosen the arm and slide it out of the way each time you want to remove it. Not a big deal.....  it could be a deterrent..... 

19

General Discussion / Pannier Secuity

« on: September 26, 2010, 10:54:27 am »

Now that I have my LHT all set up with Ortlieb bags all around I’m afraid to take them anywhere. If stopping at a store or anywhere that the bike will be out of my site I’m concerned the bags will walk away. The bags are worth more than the content. I’m using the bike mainly for commute and building miles for a future tour and as a consequence I make many stops. I have a big cable lock for the bike but Ortlieb only offers a wimpy cable for security to keep the honest people honest. I don't mind carrying a bag or two into an establishhment but more than that is awkward. I would like to know how others handle this security issue.

20

Gear Talk / Re: Safari Kick Stand

« on: September 23, 2010, 10:49:29 am »

I use the Pletscher dual kickstand and find it to be handy if installed and used properly. I wrapped heavy duty thick plumber’s pipe wrap around the attachment points on the bike first. It’s like electrical tape only thicker and wider. This will keep the frame from scratching. At the beginning keep a big Allen wrench with you and continue to tighten until it stops moving. You’ll find as you use it, it loosens but it’s just settling in and eventually finds its final tightened position. When using the kickstand while loaded I Velcro the front wheel to the frame to keep  the front wheel from turning one way or the other changing the balance and causing the bike to fall over. It’s a clever design but it would be nice if it had a wider stance when deployed. That being said, I’m glad I purchased it.

21

Gear Talk / Re: Kickstands?

« on: September 23, 2010, 10:26:42 am »

I use the Pletscher dual kickstand and find it to be handy if installed and used properly. I wrapped heavy duty thick plumber’s pipe wrap around the attachment points on the bike first. It’s like electrical tape only thicker and wider. This will keep the frame from scratching. At the beginning keep a big Allen wrench with you and continue to tighten until it stops moving. You’ll find as you use it, it loosens but it’s just settling in and eventually finds its final tightened position. When using the kickstand while loaded I Velcro the front wheel to the frame to keep  the front wheel from turning one way or the other changing the balance and causing the bike to fall over. It’s a clever design but it would be nice if it had a wider stance when deployed. That being said, I’m glad I purchased it.