I saw the Spurcycle Better Bell in my local bike shop and thought, Wow, people really pay that much?, but it intrigued me so I bought a used one off EBay. These things are amazing and everything you've read is true. The mounting seems complex, but is actually really simple. Hook the loop and tighten the screw. Once you have it firmly in place, hit the trigger, and you get rewarded with a nice, crisp, clear BINGGGGG! that seems to last for 30 seconds. If the note isn't crisp and clear, adjust the tension a little on the mounting screw. After buying and installing that first used bell, I was so impressed I bought three more from Western Bike Works to have one on each bike in the house.
SKS makes some really well thought out products. This is one of them. This front fender is designed for bikes that may not take a large, permanently affixed fender. It attaches quickly, and allows for a wide range of adjustment. It is not a full coverage fender, but it will help keep the spray off your pants and shoes. I put this on my single speed so I could continue riding it in the winter.
I've been looking for a lock for my daily commuter that was lightconvenient, secure, and affordable. I used to bring a cable lock, but it was a little bit of a hassle, and most of the time I'd forget to bring the U-lock. The OttoLock is on the pricey side, but it is very light and secure enough for my purposes. I leave it attached to my bike all the time now. It's less of a hassle compared to cable locks (less time untanglingwrapping) and much, much lighter compared to a U-lock.
Some early reviews have indicated that the lock can be defeated by just yanking one end of the loop, even when the lock has already been engaged. It seems like this was fixed some time ago, because I can't replicate that problem with the lock shipped by Western Bike Works. I will be the first to admit I wouldn't leave my bike locked with just the OttoLock overnight.
Pros
- Light
- Secure enough for shortmedium-ish unattended
- Can be stored in your rear jersey pocket, or wrapped around your frame
Cons
- A tad pricey, especially for the longer versions
- 3-digit PIN only
Notes
- Double check the length you'll need for your bike. The 30 version is just enough to secure a typical road bike MTB frame to a post. It may not be enough to wrap the frame and wheel. The 60 version fixes this, but it becomes too bigbulky to be stored in a jersey pocket
