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Bike Lock
[Tycho?]![[Tycho?]](https://us.v-cdn.net/5018289/uploads/userpics/934/nHG8VEMRTY5QM.gif)
As elusive as doubtRegistered User regular
As elusive as doubtRegistered User regular
I am looking for a bike lock.
I'm asking here because I really know nothing about bike locks, and which are secure. Things like
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DHYXApTwpw make me rather nervous, and I know a certain type of lock is vulnerable to being picked with a bic pen.
So HA, what sort of bike lock should I get? My bike is functional but old. Its not the end of the world if it gets stolen, since I didn't pay anything for it in the first place. I don't think I'd be willing to spend more than 30 dollars or so on a lock. I think I want something flexible and long so I can lock my bike to trees and assorted things more easily, and I'd probably prefer a combination lock to a key lock, for convenience. I'm not set on these options though, since they may turn out to be less secure than the alternatives.
HA, what do you say about bike locks?
I'm asking here because I really know nothing about bike locks, and which are secure. Things like
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DHYXApTwpw make me rather nervous, and I know a certain type of lock is vulnerable to being picked with a bic pen.So HA, what sort of bike lock should I get? My bike is functional but old. Its not the end of the world if it gets stolen, since I didn't pay anything for it in the first place. I don't think I'd be willing to spend more than 30 dollars or so on a lock. I think I want something flexible and long so I can lock my bike to trees and assorted things more easily, and I'd probably prefer a combination lock to a key lock, for convenience. I'm not set on these options though, since they may turn out to be less secure than the alternatives.
HA, what do you say about bike locks?
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Pick a lock that is best for you. Where do you leave it at night? What type of area is it? Are there secure bike racks? If you're leaving it overnight is it well lit?
Most of the time my bike will be left inside at my place, which is totally secure. If I was staying at someone's place, I'd do my best to lock up the bike in their back yard. Only very rarely would by bike be left overnight in a public place. Most of the use my bike lock would get would be locking it up while I'm going around town for the day, not overnight.
But yeah, locks for daytime go, I could do with a suitable recommendation too.
I've owned two Kryptonite u-locks and they both have served me well. I don't know much about the newer ones, but they've gotten good reviews. They are most effective when combined with a looped cable. Most of them come with a nice mounting bracket so you can stick it on your frame when you're riding to your destination.
It seems that even high grade locks can be defeated by a professional in less than a minute. I'm definatley considering the low cost approach, just a chain and padlock. Since I wont be leaving it outside too much. Still looking though.
If your bike is shittier then the average bike I would go with cheap low tech. Know where your going, there are places you just don't leave your bike. My brother's bike was locked with a midrange bike lock and stolen from a parking lot that supposedly had CCTV security. He found out after the cameras didn't work and had just been left up to try and discourage theft. He knew it wasn't a great neighborhood but thought he was covered.
If an amateur wants to steal your bike, a thick chain will usually deter them. I bought a cheap lock with a number system but the chain is stupid thick. It'd take a long time to cut with a saw and a snapper would probably have to be pretty heavy duty too. I also wrap the chain through the front wheel and around the handlebars then to the bike stand (if one is available). Can't go very far if the tires can't spin and you can't turn it.
Now, I park my bike at places like a CVS or a Wendys or the bank. In the day. It'd be pretty hard for someone to cut through the chain and ride off with my bike with anyone noticing. At night, the bike is in the garage.
Also, whether you get a U-lock or chain, make sure it is long enough to secure both wheels and the frame (most easily done by detaching the front wheel and placing it next to the back wheel and frame).
Any locked bike is vulnerable to a serious bike thief. Even with a good U-lock, a dude with a torque wrench and limited knowledge can strip any number of valuable parts very quickly. Chains are harder to carry, and many of them also leave you vulnerable to anyone with a good pair of bolt cutters.
that's why we call it the struggle, you're supposed to sweat
It's worth mentioning that as with most consumer security devices, you aren't trying to deter serious thieves so much as you are crimes of opportunity. You want a lock that secures the most easily stolen and resold parts of the bicycle, and that is the most difficult for a layman to remove.
For most bikes, the most easily removable and saleable part is the front wheel.
that's why we call it the struggle, you're supposed to sweat
Socket wrench maybe?
that's why we call it the struggle, you're supposed to sweat
If you lock up your bike when you go to the store, then a cable lock is fine. You are stopping the theft of conveinence. The guy that would steal your bike just because it is unlocked will be stopped by even the most basic cable lock, but you are still better off using one with a beefier cable. these also usually let you set the combo to one you can remember, and are long enoug to lock everything without taking the front wheel off.
Been said many times but yes. Thread it through both tires and the frame. I saw so many bikes downtown missing a front tire because they only threaded the back and the frame.
Thieves generally don't steal seats, as those are worthless and a dime a dozen. They will steal gel seats though, so if you get one, get one that can be easily removed so you can take it in with you.
Also if it's in front of a store with security cameras, lock it under the cameras. You're not depending on them actually having tape, but more for the fact that thieves will tend to not chance it. As said before, they go for what is easy.
Get a keyed lock, by the way. I know kids that can solve a combo lock one in about 2-3 minutes, more than enough time if you're inside a place getting something.
I have a BullDog lock, similar style to Kryptonite. The key is more like an actual key. Amazon.com
that said, if you get an old U-Lock free with a used bike, make sure it isn't vulnerable. I mean, there's a fuckton of those old, easily-picked things still in circulation.
I use, and love, this lock. I'd imagine it would be pretty hard to open this unless you were really determined to get into it. I leave my bike overnight outside in a bike parking lot and it has yet to be stolen (knock on wood).
Isn't that the lock that can be opened with a ball-point pen?
All I have is a bicycle, and I use a kryptonite U-lock, which is what the LBS guys recommended. On top of this, I live in Gainesville, which is pretty much bike theft capital. I used to have a thick cable I'd run through both tires in addition to the U-lock, but I've since lost the cable and just have the U-lock now, which is unfortunate. It's stupid easy to remove the seat and tires on my bike, as I have quick release on both tires and the seat. As such, I try to never leave it locked out overnight or for any extended period of time, and just bring it in my house when I'm home.