Bike locks ?

[Serial Griller]

I normally do my ride and lock my bike in the rack on my truck since I seldom ride from home.( I live in the boon docks)

What kind of lock set ups are popular with all of you.

Thanks,

Jon

[Kieran J]

Sort of depends on the context.

In downtown Toronto, I use a heavy duty (and just heavy) Kryptonite NY Lock locking the rear tire inside the rear triangle to the rack, and a Trek cable lock from the saddle rails to either the rack or to the frame itself. Pitlocks on the wheels.

In lower-risk situations (and on the back of the car), I just use the cable lock, as it is small and light and fits nicely into the saddle bag.

KJ

[Robert F. Harrison]

In Honolulu I just use a decent Kryptonite U-Lock through the frame and rear wheel. Note, however, that I use Pitlocks on my wheels and seatpost as well. In addition I rarely lock my bike out of sight for very long. I haven't had any trouble with the bike itself though folks have stolen bags and lights off the bike.

I do commute to work on my bike, but we have a fenced and locked area for our bikes so it's not as big a worry.

Aloha, Bob

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Robert Harrison

Honolulu, HI
rfhar...@gmail.com
statrix.com

[Chris Chen]

The Abus Granit u-lock is nice and long, and also light. I like it a lot.

"I want the kind of six pack you can't drink." -- Micah

[Serial Griller]

I agree with not letting the bike out of site for any length of time. If I can't see my bike during a lunch ride I get the food to go and go find a park bench.

Thanks for your input. A lot of good choices.

Jon

[oldmangabe]

My opinion and experience.

Honestly getting a high quality u-lock and using it correctly is the best theft deterrent and piece of mind when looking to protect the frame/fork or whole bike regardless of the bikes value. I use/used and like the Kryponite, Abus, and On Guard u-locks ("mini" versions). I've had my last Kryptonite u-lock going on six years of daily use. All good u-locks will be kind of hefty, but it's worth it. I wouldn't really recommend using more than one u-lock on the bike because of the hassle, excess weight, and redundancy/over-complication of the situation. If you live in an area without a lot of parking meters or well designed/useful bike racks, the kryptonite NY chain locks are great for fitting around bigger street sign poles. I believe Abus makes something similar, or you can make your own by buying the best chain and lock at a hardware store and sheathing it in a used tube. Though if one doesn't live in a high density area, or an area with a high theft problem, a single good u-lock will be sufficient for securing your bike.

I also use Pitlock skewers on my hubs and seatpost for the bikes I ride in SF or other urban areas where practicality dictates locking them outside or even inside public garages or bike parking areas. These give me piece of mind to enjoy whatever it is I am doing and not having to fret about the wheels and seat. Combined with the u-lock I am pretty much worry free. Pay attention to what you lock up to and that you properly lock the frame to the desired structure. If you don't want to deal with or pay for the Pitlocks, there are less expensive allen key skewers. Or you can use a decent sized cable to secure your wheels or seat. Also, never leave your bike locked up overnight in a publicly accessible location (ie: on the street, public garages. bike racks).

As for best modes of locking bikes to auto bike racks, I have no idea really. Maybe try the u-lock? Also, I think some/most roof or bed mount racks have "locking" attachments.

Best,

Gabe

[John Stowe]

I live and ride around Washington, DC. My current "standard carry" is a hefty U lock (OnGuard, the shorter version) and a folding lock (Abus Bordo). Also locking skewers and a cable permanently attaching the saddle to the frame. I can park indoors at home and office; at church, the one place I park outside regularly (opportunity for thieves to scout and return), I keep a big chain locked to the rack - my brother, wife and I all have keys for it so we can each use it when we're there. 

Also, I ride my boring-looking (but still fairly nice) black aluminum Trek, with essentially the same lock strategy, if I'm going somewhere where I or my shiny Sam Hillborne might draw unwanted attention.

 

On Thursday, August 7, 2014 6:34:48 PM UTC-4, Serial Griller wrote:

[blakcloud]

Depends on the situation for me.

At my condo, I have two New York Fahgettaboudit locks on my Sam and two more on the Betty. This is supplemented by a Kryptonite mini U lock attached to a Krypto cable locked around a bike stand for each bike . The Brooks saddles has a bicycle chain wrapped in an inner tube that is attached to the frame.

If I go out for something quick, I just bring one Kyrptonite Evolution Series 4 with a Kyrpto cable.

If I need to leave the bike for a longer period, 2 Kyrptonite Evolution Series 4 with the Krypto cable.

I have 12 Kryptonite U locks to lock all my bikes, The Bromptons stay in the condo. Though I like the idea of Pitlocks and need to give it serious consideration. Bike theft here in Toronto has always been a problem.

[lungimsam]

I use:

1. Kryptonite evolution mini lock when dining in Maryland Suburbia.

2. I use special security bolts from  http://www.bicyclebolts.com/collections/security-allen-bolts

They can also be used for securing seatpost in frame, and water bottle cages, too. Can also be used for securing some saddles to seatpost and fender stays, racks, etc.

3. I also use a really long Kryptonite U lock for securing front wheel and frame to a post.

I am looking for a solution though for securing wheels. I used to use the Zefal Lock n Roll skewers. But they are easily defeated, and twice the levers were jammed somehow and could not be taken off the way they were supposed to. Good thing it wasn't during a flat repair or I would have to walk home.

I think Pitlocks would be my next choice but that is a big investment.

[lungimsam]

@John Stowe,

You lock your Hillborne up on DC streets?

I don't live in DC, but would be nervous doing that. How's the track record been?

ps- pm me if you want to do a matching Hillborne ride sometime. I live near Columbia, MD. 

[John Stowe]

I've been riding in the DC area since 2006 and on the Hillborne since 2012 - so far I've not had a bike stolen (said while knocking furiously on my wooden desk), though both of my bikes have had their frames replaced for other reasons. It certainly helps that I've been able to park indoors at home and work, so my bikes don't spend much time outdoors when I'm not riding them. Like I'm sure other RBW owners have experienced, I'm often asked "how old is your bike?", so the apparent out-of-date-ness might be an advantage, too.

My wife's shiny red road bike was stolen, though, during church on a Sunday morning. The security camera showed the thief breaking through her lower-end Kryptonite lock in under 30 seconds with some big bolt cutters. Hence the high-quality chain that now lives on that rack and gets used, er, religiously.

[Andrew Marchant-Shapiro]

Because I generally ride what would be considered "budget" bikes on here, I've never really worried all that much.  I had a front wheel stolen off my Raleigh GP 30 years ago (Chicago, and I failed to lock up the front wheel), and a pair of Schwinns stolen out of a garage in upstate NY five years later, but overall, I've been fortunate.

I live in Hamden, CT, and, in Hamden, I don't generally worry that much.  I park my bike where I can see it, and sometimes put my ABUS lock around the seat tube and rear wheel (this one:  http://www.amazon.com/Abus-Mini-140-U-Lock-140mm/dp/B004HXJRA0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1407501146&sr=8-2&keywords=bike+lock+abus).  When I'm in New Haven, the ABUS goes around the bike and some immovable object, and a Kryptonite cable goes through both wheels and is secured on the ABUS.

I'm probably overdoing it, but the weight helps me exercise.

[jeffrey kane]

I'm in my 4th year on a Belriot here in NYC. I commute nearly year round (ice will stop me but usually not the cold). The key is that the bike comes inside at night and all day while I'm at work ... and that most outside lock-up times are short (one to three hours on average). Still it's a fairly typical Riv set up intended to run errands: Alba's, Berthoud SS fenders, B-17, Marks rack, Wald basket, etc. and it gets locked up everywhere I go in between work and home. This includes trips to Bklyn. as well. 

I carry (1) Kryptonite NY Fahgettaboudit lock. Period. Here's how I do the rest:

Velo Orange anti-theft skewers:

http://store.velo-orange.com/index.php/components/wheelsets-rims-hubs/skewers/vo-anti-theft-skewers.html

I swear by them

Metric Security Bolts (from Bicycle Bolts / Adam Gray):

http://www.bicyclebolts.com

I use (1) M6 x 22 for the seat post binder and (1) M8 x 45 for the Nitto S-65

I figure that if the guy with the van and grinder/massive bolt cutter is coming there's nothing I can do about it anyway. And the security bolts are great deterrents for opportunistic twerps out looking to boost a saddle or wheel. Yes, I probably should super-glue a ball bearing into my stem bolt 'cause I'm not naive enough to think that someone could try and walk off with my cockpit one day … I just haven't gotten around to it and the Wald is secured to the bar and rack in such a way that makes it quite an undertaking.

Here's another thing: while the Bleriot is a way-cool ride (particularly to us here) -- I'm, not so sure it catches the eye of so many in NYC. As a friend once said to me "Oh, I see you riding your Mary Poppins bike today" ! So perhaps if you combine that with the trend of most food delivery guys being into E-Bikes or jacked up MTB set-ups with skinny tires these days … maybe that just leaves the strung-out types looking for the more popular fixie-like rides to pinch (?). I think the Riv comes in under their radar.

On Thursday, August 7, 2014 6:34:48 PM UTC-4, Serial Griller wrote:

[shawn m.]

Another datapoint. I lock my Hunqapillar up everywhere I go in Seattle. I try to lock in up in high visibility areas, but I don't stress if it's out of my line of sight. I'm (probably excessively) careful about what exactly I'm locking up to, particularly where the Cora Rack is concerned. I use Pitlocks for my wheels, and a security allen bolt for my seatpost. My lock of choice is the ABUS City Chain 1010. It's flexible, long enough to lock a couple of bikes if I need to, and its security seems to be directly proportional to it's mass. It's one heavy mothertrucker. My bike is my sole means of transportation besides walking; I ride it everywhere, year round, for any number of reasons. I LOVE my bike, everything about it, but it's too much stress to worry about it all the time, so I do what I can and try to be buddha about the rest. For what it's worth, no one has ever messed with my bike beyond ringing the bell (it happens, it's a cool bell!).

On Thursday, August 7, 2014 3:34:48 PM UTC-7, Serial Griller wrote:

[cyclot...@gmail.com]

Thanks for the link on those bolts. Do they include the security hex key w/ purchase?

Also slingshots! 

http://hellaslingshots.com/collections/slingshots

Love the Mary Poppins Bike!

[jeffrey kane]

Yep, he includes a hex key in every package (so does VO when they sell the skewers) --- of course, you can source these bolts on the internet from anywhere but the guy does a nice job of organizing it with diagrams and what I think are good prices. I found the link is a post here somewhere ...

I've been meaning to pick up a set of these:

http://www.bondhus.com/bondhus_products/tool_categories/l-wrenches/tamper_resistant.html

Just 'cause I love Bondhus stuff, too ….

[Serial Griller]

Thanks for all the links to your cool lock systems.

A few months ago in the news there was a rash  of high end bike thefts either in Denver or at the CU campus. The police planted a few high end bikes with hidden GPS tracking devices and put them at bike racks locked with flimsy bike cables or no locks at all .I never heard any of the rest of the story or if it worked.But I'm sure someone out there could make a bunch of cash if they could come up with an inexpensive GPS with monitor..Come on Garmin.

On Thursday, August 7, 2014 4:34:48 PM UTC-6, Serial Griller wrote:

[Kevin M]

Another tip, for you renters out there with nice bikes, is to make sure you have renter's insurance. It's cheap. Most policies will cover the replacement cost of stolen property, even if it is stolen away from you home. It's really the only way you're ever going to get you bike "back," if the worst thing happens. I'm not sure if homeowners can get the same sort of coverage?

I had my ortlieb bag of winter commuting gear stolen one night last year, after I foolishly left it outside briefly in a high theft area of chicago after work. I'm almost embarrassed to admit that the replacement cost of all my wool gear, work stuff, and bike stuff added up to over $600. It's just crazy how much you haul around in the depth of Chicago's winter. Anyway, it was nice to be able to pay my small deductible and get a whole new kit. Happened to me once with a different bike theft (Gunnar mtb). Renter's insurance is a good deal. 

Kevin 

Chicago, IL

[cyclotourist]

Thanks for the 411!

Cheers,
David

"it isn't a contest. Just enjoy the ride." - Seth Vidal

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[grrlyrida]

Here's a kickstarter for nut locks like an affordable pitlock:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/274365669/nutlock-outsmart-thieves-save-your-wheels-lock-you

On Thursday, August 7, 2014 3:34:48 PM UTC-7, Serial Griller wrote:

[Chris Chen]

say what you will but the pitlock folks accept direct orders and are fast...

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[Tom Harrop]

Can I ask this question a different way...? Has anyone on here had a riv or similar stolen whilst locked TO something, and if so what sort of lock were you using and how was it defeated?

I have always used the heaviest ABUS D-lock I can find but I've recently switched to a one of their "Bordo" folding locks, purely because the holder attaches to bottle cage eyelets.

[Tony DeFilippo]

I'm also ride in the DC area, I've got a mid level kryptonite u lock and a couple of the longer cables.  Usually I just go with that pair trying to make the u lock the point of attachment to whatever I'm locking too.  I have had attempted cut marks on my cable that I discovered days or possibly a week after the attempt so I'm not even sure where it happened.  I run the cable through the saddle rails and don't have pitlocks though I have thought about them many times.  I also try to do the 'sheldon method' of locking the rear wheel in the rear triangle w/ the u lock.  So far so good.

I mostly leave my bike in a secure garage locked to a bike rack and feel very comfortable.  Out in the city I prefer to have line of site but I've also trusted to the above system many times.  I've read articles about professional theives with cans, power cutters and sharp eyes for taking the more valuable bikes off a crowded, public rack, but thank goodness no direct experience.

If I really think about it and plan to be locked up, out of site for a long time I prefer to ride my XO-3 that looks like it's been through the mill and back.

[Matthew J]

Pitlocks work well, look good and last forever.  Why are they not affordable?

[Dave]

For those that use pitlocks and a ulock: necessary to run the lock through frame and wheel, or just frame?

[Glen]

Just use the Sheldon Method, locks both with one lock

[John Stowe]

I consider the locking skewers a bonus and still try to lock both wheels to a solid object if possible. Since I carry two "real" locks, it's possible 95% of the time to do this, as well as locking the frame twice. Anything that tells a thief at a glance that there are easier targets.

[Dave]

Gotcha. I may be foolish or lucky, but I've been locking my protovelo up with a NYC kryptonite mini ulock around the frame, and pitlocks on the wheels,seatpost, edeluxe. The mini u lock doesn't reach both rear triangle and rear wheel and thought better to secure my frame with it than wheel. Open to suggestions!

[Peter Adler]

The Sheldon Method works technically (yeah, it's really hard to cut through a rim), but it has a critical psychological flaw: It looks like it shouldn't work. This may inspire casual thieves to attempt to pull the frame out from around the locked rear wheel, and to wreck the bike in frustration when it doesn't work. I see a lot of smashed-up frames and wheels U-locked to fences and posts; they've clearly been the victims of someone's fury.

Here in the Bay Area, stolen bicycles are one of the common, freely exchangeable forms of street currency (along with sex, drugs and stolen iPhones). I've seen the pickup truck/angle grinder guys pull up to locked bikes in downtown Berkeley in broad daylight, and take them in less than a minute right under the eyes of the public. The critical thing is not perfect protection; it's making your bike obviously less vulnerable that the bike locked up next to it.

I like the idea of Pitlocks, especially since I discovered that they make an all-threaded universal rear spindle that will work with rear hubs narrower than 130/135mm. But I'd still use a cable through the wheels, just to keep the thieves discouraged enough to focus on somebody else.

Peter Adler

from the land of year-round bike thieves

Berkeley, CA/USA

[Kainalu]

 There's a lot of great locks mentioned here, I use a Kryptonite New York noose on my frame and rear wheel so I can control how tight the chain is. I think it's the best ever, especially considering I use it to lock up outside in NYC when I'm working various freelance jobs and I'm never sure what I'm going to run into as far as anchors go. And importantly, I also carry a long long long cable which I start at my front wheel and downtube, cinching them together so that the wheel cant turn, from there I travel up and through the triangle of my beloved Bosco bullmoose bars, securing the cockpit. After that the cable snakes through the seat, using what I think is the most important and often overlooked manuever along the way, the securing (fairly tightly) of the upper portion of your bike to whatever it is you're locking up to. This is important to avoid damage done by random idiots who, possibly in a drunken but definite rage, just stomp the hell out of your poor bicycle. So, my point is, keep your bike upright and there's less likelihood that some jerk can exert enough pressure to do much damage. As Sheldon might've said "Haterz gotta hate"

-Kai Vierstra
Brooklyn NY

[grrlyrida]

Do they really tear up your paint job on your bike? That's the only reason why I haven't bought them.

[DS]

So I got a hiplock chain lock for my hunqapillar.

And I also have a kryptonite u-lock.

The hiplock is actually pretty useful. You don't feel it at all on your waist due to the casing around the chain. Its thick enough to deter a thief with bolt cutters, but not with a portable grinder (and at that point, not much you can do except avoid locking your bike up at night or in alleyways, or anywhere in san francisco or new york). It is not as heavy duty as some of the other heavy duty chains like the kryptonite fahgettaboutit chains, but still heavy duty enough for me, probably overkill. I like the chain (v. ulock) because it gives you more room to lock up in tight spaces where a u-lock won't quite fit. And since you wear it you don't ever have to worry about a way to carry it. i spent a long afternoon comparing and weighing the pros and cons of all the locks at rei one day before deciding on this (even over the same, more heavy duty hiplock).

That being said, when i'm cycling out in the country and rural areas with stops at random stores, delis, cafes, etc., i don't even bring a lock

[Matthew J]

> Do they really tear up your paint job on your bike? That's the only reason why I haven't bought them.

You are asking this about Pitlocks or something else? 

If Pitlocks, the contact points are not any more than standard skewers. 

[R Gonet]

Thanks for the advice.  I just ordered some anti-theft skewers from VO.  Also, as an experiment I softened up some beeswax and pushed into the seat post bolt.  It's obviously not 100% tamper proof, but it's going to take me a while to dig it out when I have to adjust the saddle height, so I would say it's going to be effective.  You can go one step further and embed a ball bearing in the wax plug, but for where I live I think that's overkill.  I suppose in a high theft area I would invest in something more professional.