Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on May 15, 2014 at 9:25am

You weren't kidding. I just can't imagine it all would actually work.

I like the bike share idea. The fact that it will make you check in after a crash seems a little much
That should be something you turn on only in the country. After a crash it it could scream out , witnesses give us your contact info or take a 30 sec video that would work in the city.

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Permalink Reply by Anne on May 15, 2014 at 10:06am

what about this instead?

http://gizmodo.com/this-lock-disables-steering-so-your-bike-cant-be...

now add some geo-fence technology to that? plus a lock, of course...and that cat that comes out of nowhere and attacks the would-be thief...

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Permalink Reply by Duppie on May 15, 2014 at 10:27am

I am always leery of reviews that in the first paragraph point out that a lock "looks amazing". Really? since when is that a quality required in a lock?

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Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on May 15, 2014 at 10:35am

I'm leery of any design which feels the need to incorporate smartphone technology to make a better lock. After all, keys are so Analog!

Duppie said:

I am always leery of reviews that in the first paragraph point out that a lock "looks amazing". Really? since when is that a quality required in a lock?

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Permalink Reply by Duppie on May 15, 2014 at 10:42am

Steering locks went through a brief period of popularity in Europe in the 70s and 80s. The main problem was that it required a non standard forkand headset.

If this could be used on a standard fork and headset, it may have a future as a secondary lock, much like a rear wheel lock you see on Dutch bikes.

Anne said:

what about this instead?

http://gizmodo.com/this-lock-disables-steering-so-your-bike-cant-be...

now add some geo-fence technology to that? plus a lock, of course...and that cat that comes out of nowhere and attacks the would-be thief...

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Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on May 15, 2014 at 12:38pm

Problem is there IS NO MATERIAL that is not easily cut with an angle grinder and the proper wheel.  Titanium, Inconel, and other super alloys still cut fairly easy with an abrasive disc.

rwein5 said:

$250 bucks? No way. 

It doesn't solve the actual problem with current locks - they can all be cut off with conventional angle cutters. I'd rather see that money sunk into materials research to develop lightweight, stronger metals that are more impervious to real problems. 

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Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on May 15, 2014 at 1:17pm

We'll need to travel to another planet then to find something. 

notoriousDUG said:

Problem is there IS NO MATERIAL that is not easily cut with an angle grinder and the proper wheel.  Titanium, Inconel, and other super alloys still cut fairly easy with an abrasive disc.

rwein5 said:

$250 bucks? No way. 

It doesn't solve the actual problem with current locks - they can all be cut off with conventional angle cutters. I'd rather see that money sunk into materials research to develop lightweight, stronger metals that are more impervious to real problems. 

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Permalink Reply by Marc-Paul Lee on May 16, 2014 at 11:28am

I'm afraid thieves would steal the bike and the lock.  

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Permalink Reply by Tyler Long on May 16, 2014 at 3:58pm

Bike share?  I'm not sure if the creator is aware of human nature but I wouldn't trust some jerk to not throw the lock in the river and take off with my bike.  Sounds like a feature for suckers.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Zumwalt on May 17, 2014 at 11:16am

The batteries on the lock might work in those temps but what about your phone or if it dies? The steering lock is good but you still need to lock the frame and wheels so I'm up to 3 locks!

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