yeah, if I could spend around $20-$30 for a helmet that'd be good.

My preferred cheapskate method combines the two. I go to the shop, try them all on, remember the model / size I want, and see if it's cheaper or even available online. If so, I get it. If not, I go back to the shop.

I didn't do this with my clipless shoes, and bought them at a shop for $89. Hours later, I saw them online for $39. I've done the shops enough favors. But you're correct about the fit. No matter what, try stuff on in person first.

Go with a U-Lock and a cable. Make sure the U-Lock isn't to long or wide or else it gives thiefs enough space to bust it. I use this:

http://kozy.com/site/itemdetails.cfm?ID ... sort=Price

It comes with a cable too. But, the guys at the bike shop suggest I only use the cable with the U-Lock for short periods of time. If you're going to leave your bike sitting around for 8 hours while working you would be much better off taking your front tire off and locking it with the U-lock to your back tire and frame. Just a suggestion. Also, it's very cool that your going to commute via bike. I would if I didn't have to where dress slacks and shirts, etc. Also, some cool chicago bike sites:

http://www.chicagocriticalmass.org/

http://www.chibikefed.org/

Edit: Also check Sportsmart for really good deals on Giro and Bell helmets. I was there a couple weeks ago and they were all on sale.

Nothing new to add... u-lock and Giro or Bell helmets are recommended. If you want to buy a cheap helmet, by all means, TRY THEM ON at a store first so you know what size you need, then go online and order what you want. Check out rei-outlet.com or sierratradingpost.com for cheaper helmets.

My bike was stolen from the little walkway under my Sheffield house, where I left it unlocked because it was barely visible from the street and hemmed in by 6-foot gates. Stupid. My friend's bike was stolen from the common area of his 5-flat building by a delivery man. Be absolutely sure that no one can get into your garage under any circumstances if you're going to leave it unlocked in there.

oh yeah and get one of those little chains to lock your seat down, or you'll wind up with an uncomfortable ride home sometime.

Cable lock for sure. Try on both Giro and Bell helmets and for God's sake, buy the one that feels the most comfortable. Consider buying a small light for the front of your bike as well.

Gary Fisher is the shit, I bought a GF Wahoo last year after years of going through Trek and Specialized and never feeling that great on them. My wife swears by KHS and I guess since most cops ride them she can't be wrong. Have fun!!!!

We have a mountain bike trip in BC later in the summer & can't wait.

at work the bike will be in my office, so i won't have to lock it up when I'm here. and the dress here is biz casual, and I can wear jeans whenever, but I usually just wear a nice shirt and pants. but the people who already ride in to work just bring a change of clothes.

this riding to work thing will come in handy whenever the L construction begins.

by "uncomfortable" do you mean "painfully erotic?"

My roommate complained that someone stole his bike from our backyard but I had no sympathy since it'd been sitting out there for like 2 weeks.

Take what I say with a grain of salt cause I don't live in a really urban environment. But I'd think that if you were only using the bike as you say, locking it outside a hamburger joint for a half hour during regular hours, you'd be fine with a good U lock. Its true that it doesn't lock both wheels. Just one and the frame, but the main thing you're concerned about in that case is having someone hop on the bike and ride away. Its seems a bit unlikely that someone is going to steal just a wheel in the middle of the day.

Now if you leave it locked outside overnight, all bets are off. A friend of mine did that and came back to just a frame. Wheels stolen (he didn't go through one wheel just the frame), handlebars stolen, seat stolen, etc. And it was a shitty bike to begin with.

np: Black Nasty "Talking to the People"

yeah, that's exactly what I thought. I am not going to be riding at night, nor will I be riding in unfamiliar neighborhoods. i'll still lock it up, but obviously not w/ the same intensity as if I'm leaving it outside overnight.

or i can just ride it into the restaurant and put the plate on my handlebars.

I hope you like unicycles.

[img][331:500]http://home.pipeline.com/~hbaker1/unicycle.gif[/img]

Like I said, take what I said with a grain of salt cause I don't live in a very urban environment. I'd just ask the people at a local bike store about the level of concern you need. If people are stealing wheels in the middle of the day, they'll be able to tell you.

But then again, a bike chain might protect both wheels but it isn't going to protect your handlebars or seat. Unless you like riding Opa style with the seat removed, you're pretty f'ed if people are that brazen.

can you take a picture of this? with the death metal pizza shirt on?

Bell Helmet and a regular U-Lock here in Los Angeles...I use the U on the frame (or front wheel/frame, if it works), but I don't think I've ever left it out unattended for more than a couple hours on a main street...

Plus, my bike doesn't look that stylin', on the surface, so I could probably get away with more...