Handlebars stolen

[lighterthief]

Hard luck about your handlebars lighterthief, where was your bike parked up?

On a bike rack in an gated car park right next to the main entrance/exit. Suppose I'll have to start bringing it indoors (already had a wheel nicked this year). Hmpf. Good news is insurance will cover a fair chunk of it.

 

[turing test]

On a bike rack in an gated car park right next to the main entrance/exit. Suppose I'll have to start bringing it indoors (already had a wheel nicked this year). Hmpf. Good news is insurance will cover a fair chunk of it.

They are building a bike one peice at a time

 

[lighterthief]

They are building a bike one peice at a time

Maybe, there's obviously a market for second hand parts.

 

[mauvais]

Who's your insurance, if you don't mind telling us?

 

[lighterthief]

It's with Legal and General, optional pedal cycle cover added as part of our fairly standard contents insurance policy. £50 excess. £192 odd for a year's cover in Hackney (previously we were with More Than, premium was £350 odd )

 

[tommers]

Ahh ok. I use the bike pretty much every day and hadn't noticed anything different until I was plummeting towards the floor with a confused look on my face.

ouch. ever since I heard eoin's story I've worried about this.

Are you OK? I was surprised not to see any photos of elbows minus skin in that little set...

 

[Herbsman.]

Bastards nicked my handlebars last night. As this includes gear shifters and brakes it'll be the best part of £200 to replace. Insurance should hopefully step in, but still, there's an excess of £50 and loss of no-claims bonus another £20 or so - more annoyingly, I won't have my beloved bike to take me around during the Christmas hols (no trip to the Norfolk Broads for example).

Any way you can secure your handlebars? I know you can get special spindles for wheels and saddles that need a special key to open them, not seen one for handlebars...

Look at it this way. At least your handlebars weren't Stollen

 

[snowy_again]

That would help prevent theft. Only problem is, that's gonna be impossible to take out when you need to tighten or remove your bars.

What you want is something removable like silicone sealant. You ply it out with a thin screwdriver when you need access to the bolt. Ok so it's removable by the thief but it at least will make it a bit more difficult for them to undo the bolt, especially if they neglected to bring a screwdriver.

Bit of wax and bob's yer mother's brother. They're a bit of fiddle to remove, but I don't tend to change my bars that often, and I guess would be off putting to someone else.

 

[Final]

ouch. ever since I heard eoin's story I've worried about this.

Are you OK? I was surprised not to see any photos of elbows minus skin in that little set...

yeah, I'm alright cheers.

I've got half a dozen small grazes (outside of both ankles, front of left thigh, left shoulder, left side of forehead and right-testicle) and a stiff ankle but nothing serious.

I consider myself really, really lucky to have escaped without suffering more harm.

 

[lighterthief]

I consider myself really, really lucky to have escaped without suffering more harm.

Indeed, imagine it happening at real speed or in heavy traffic

Small update: insurers have accepted quote over the telephone (didn't even want to see the hard copy), they're working on it now at the shop and I may even get it back this weekend. All in all I consider that a result!

 

[Final]

Indeed, imagine it happening at real speed or in heavy traffic

I was going flat out on a slight downhill slope (albeit on chunky 35mm tyres). Hence why I feel so lucky

 

[eoin_k]

Aluminum doesn't give a warning they way steel does - tends to just go.

 

[Final]

I emailed the manufacturer of the broken stem and included a few photos.

They got back and said that they couldn't comment until they'd seen it themselves so I've just posted it over to them (well, their UK distributer anyway).

Hopefully they'll sort out a replacement part and cover the cost of the repairs. Not holding my breath though.

 

[tommers]

I emailed the manufacturer of the broken stem and included a few photos.

They got back and said that they couldn't comment until they'd seen it themselves so I've just posted it over to them (well, their UK distributer anyway).

Hopefully they'll sort out a replacement part and cover the cost of the repairs. Not holding my breath though.

they should do, specialized replaced my frame when it snapped.

 

[Herbsman.]

they should do, specialized replaced my frame when it snapped.

It's an Easton stem

 

[Herbsman.]

Bit of wax and bob's yer mother's brother. They're a bit of fiddle to remove, but I don't tend to change my bars that often, and I guess would be off putting to someone else.

Ah yeah wax might be better, but then you could just use a hot allen key to melt it out

 

[citydreams]

Any way you can secure your handlebars? I know you can get special spindles for wheels and saddles that need a special key to open them, not seen one for handlebars...

The bike safety show at New London Architecture, in central London, showcases the latest breakthroughs in security. The designs, such as a "folding handlebar" that can be locked to stop the bike being turned, are concepts designed by students.

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/stand...+park+'one+of+the+safest+in+world'/article.do

 

[lighterthief]

Chap in the bike shop suggested using solder - it's what they recommend. Interesting...

 

[Boycey]

they should do, specialized replaced my frame when it snapped.

specialized have a very generous warranty department, easton don't have a warranty department. the distributor may well replace it though.

 

[Final]

specialized have a very generous warranty department, easton don't have a warranty department. the distributor may well replace it though.

They've received the part and agreed to replace it.

"I am getting a replacement stem dispatched to the [Final's gaff] Address today. I've never quite seen a fail like this before, in order to report back to Easton can you confirm if this stem came equipped on a bike or was bought aftermarket?"

I've also asked if they'll contribute towards the extra costs of a service (new cables, new quick release bolt, 1 wheel needs truing) caused by the stem failure. No news on that yet though.

 

[Final]

Remind me never to buy an Easton stem...

I just got a letter from Easton. They've issued a voluntary recall for the EA30 stems (the same model that broke).

Bastards.

I don't ride that bike anymore - the frame's Easton too