Ask for feedback about my bike lock invention

[bickeylikey]

Hey guys, my name's Liang I'm a college student and cyclist at USC. I've had three bikes stolen while at USC and it really pissed me off so now I'm doing something about it.

I've created a lock that specifically secures the wheels of a bike. It works by replacing the hex nuts or quick release skewers holding a bike in place. It's designed so none of the common theft tools (i.e. wrenches, vice grips, bolt cutters, flamethrowers, that laser gun from Goldeneye, etc.) can get through it or get any leverage on it.

The nut can only be tightened / loosened with the specific wrench that comes in each package. There are multiple variations of these nut:wrench combinations.

I'd love to get some feedback from you guys on the product, whether or not you'd use it, and any advice you have (from business/marketing ideas to product improvements).

Cheers,
-Liang

[ny biker]

So if I'm understanding correctly, this product focuses on keeping the wheels from being stolen, not the whole bike.

I guess my first question is -- what do I do if I lose the special wrench?

(I generally only ride for recreation and don't leave my bike locked up anywhere, so I am not the audience for the product.)

[Eden]

Lol - it looks like a good idea if you live in a high theft area (NYC, any college campus…). Around here you don't see so many bike parts go missing so much as entire bikes, unless the bike has been sitting out in public for a while - then parts seem to start going missing little by little.

I'd personally never replace my quick releases. I'm taking wheels on and off way too much to want to have to crank them on and off with an actual bolt, but if the price is right I can see them being popular in places that you can't leave an unlocked wheel or a QR seat post for 5 min without it walking off. Bike thieves are quite sophisticated these days and carry enough tools that I can imagine that even a regular bolt is no contest if they want your wheels.

[brigada]

There is a similar product called Pitlock that uses the same basic idea, but for all the bolts on the bike. The thing you might find interesting is that they have multiple designs for the wrench to make it more difficult for potential thieves to replicate. Other than this, I've seen regular bolt-on skewers that simply use a 5-sided key instead of a hex key. There is also a quick release skewer that is locked in place while the bike sits upright and you have to turn it upside down in order to be able to release the wheels. I don't know if you know of these things but it's good to know your market when you're releasing a competing product.

[Blueberry]

No offense, but I wouldn't trust that product (or pitlock for that matter). I could consider it in addition, but then I run into the "will I have the wrench when I need to change a tire scenario). I generally commute with generator hubs, so the wheel is worth half as much as the whole bike (in one case, anyway). I U-lock the rear wheel and frame, and cable lock the front wheel and frame. I have generally heard that most thieves don't want to deal with both cables and U-locks as they require different tools. I also live in an area that isn't horrible for bike theft.

Of course, YMMV. I do think Pitlock is your most direct competition, though. I would worry about stripping the bolts in your design - but I'm prone to that kind of klutzy.

[bickeylikey]

I will get a code for each wrench. If you lose it, you can probably get another copy.

[bickeylikey]

I think my product is doing better than they were.

1. Mine has a lot of variations, and I think my design looks better.
2. There is an anti-pinhead wrench accessary available on the market, which can remove any kinds of pinhead product. However, that does not work on my nut lock. So mine is safer.
3. Mine will probably be much cheaper.

[ny biker]

I will get a code for each wrench. If you lose it, you can probably get another copy.

But in the meantime, you can't fix your flat tire so you can't ride your bike.

[OakLeaf]

Not for me - the places I ride and the people I ride with, a cheap cable around the frame is overkill.

But I'd suggest packaging at least two wrenches with each skewer set, for just the reasons others have mentioned. Raise the price if you have to, but even hypothetically I wouldn't consider a product like that unless it *came* with a spare "key." Someone might lose their wrench years down the road, and no offense, but companies don't tend to stay in business as long as metal parts last ...

ETA: I'd also suggest modifying the design of the wrench so that it could be put on a key ring without having to take it off to use it. Just a little loop on one end or the other would be enough.

[brigada]

Or give an option to purchase an extra key right away? Since the price will probably make or break this product, it's good to keep the base price low. Pitlock is way overpriced in my opinion, so it's good to hear the news about the price.

edit: +1 for the keychain loop idea!

[bickeylikey]

The wrench is small enough to fit into your keychain, so it's convenient for you to carry around. It also can pop bottles open!

[bickeylikey]

The current plan is to have bundle with skewers and etc. with a small raise in the price. And it is already modified so you can fit into the key ring! You can put it in either of the holes on the left side of the wrench in the picture thats right next to the bottle cap opener.

We just created a facebook and twitter page so I would love to keep in touch with our developmental phase and launch phase!

http://www.facebook.com/lockyournuts
@lockyournuts

We're still looking for feedback!

[madscot13]

The current plan is to have bundle with skewers and etc. with a small raise in the price. And it is already modified so you can fit into the key ring! You can put it in either of the holes on the left side of the wrench in the picture thats right next to the bottle cap opener.

We just created a facebook and twitter page so I would love to keep in touch with our developmental phase and launch phase!

http://www.facebook.com/lockyournuts
@lockyournuts

We're still looking for feedback!

I like it. I don't know how pinhead wrenches won't defeat it but I'd love to know how (through IM so that you don't give the thieves ideas). It is elegant, simple, and well though out- an engineers dream. It would be great if you could make seat post bolts in the same fashion. That way you could get away with having only one locking set. It would be great if it were cheaper than pitbulls. However, I like engineers and entrepreneurs so let me be first on your testing/ sales group.

[PamNY]

It looks like a great invention. I live in NYC ahd have Pinhead (yes, I know there's a wrench but it will deter the opportunistic amateur).

Will you also have something to protect the seat post/saddle?

It's great that your wrench will fit on a key ring (Pinhead's doesn't). Good luck with your project.