Design Responses > About Bikes >
Components
Bicycles comprise a collection of components bolted to a frame. In other words bike design is componential.
The illustration below shows the componential nature of a typical bicycle and indicates where secure bolts and skewers may be used to replace standard bolt and quick release fixings.
Typically, bike components are interchangeable and inter-compatible rather than specific to certain models. This transferability and method of construction makes component theft a high risk to cyclists. This risk is compounded by the fact that component theft may be more profitable to thieves than 'whole bike' theft. Research estimates the resale value of stolen components at 25% of RRP and that of whole bikes at just 10% of RRP.
In recent years 'secure skewers' have been introduced that require a coded tool for their removal. Similar technologies have been developed and applied to the replacement of standard bolt fixings used to secure other components such as saddles, brake callipers, brake levers and other easily removed components.
The apparent ease of supply of these solutions (there are several brands of varying price points and qualities that supply such secure fixings) and ease of replacement of standard fittings begs the question – how difficult would it be for a manufacturer to install such secure fixings as standard?
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