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Do you need a heavy bike lock if you’re in and out?

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Do you need a heavy bike lock if you’re in and out?

Old 09-01-20, 06:20 PM
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DreamRider85
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Do you need a heavy bike lock if you’re in and out?

I have a pair of Z locks. Do you think that’s okay if you’re just in and out of the grocery store for a few minutes in a good neighborhood? Or do I need the heavy kind? I’m not talking about leaving my bike somewhere overnight.
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Old 09-01-20, 07:30 PM
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shelbyfv
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You really should be using at least two full size locks. Don't leave that bike unattended and unlocked, it is a magnet for thieves.
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Old 09-01-20, 07:42 PM
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Koyote
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Depends on the neighborhood, your risk tolerance, the bike's value, etc. No one can reliably answer the question for you.
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Old 09-02-20, 10:21 AM
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Iride01 
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It's sort of like asking if we all need earth quake insurance. Also, if your bike isn't worth much, you can self-insure and just get another 80 to 100 dollar beater if you come back and it's gone.
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Old 09-02-20, 11:24 AM
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I always lock up my bike just to prevent opportunity theft if I'm stopping in a store or something, unless it's a group ride and there's someone to keep an eye on the bikes. I think if you're going to be in & out even a cable lock would be fine. If your bike is going to be locked up somewhere for a couple hours or more, I'd use the best lock I could possibly find.
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Old 09-02-20, 11:38 AM
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games of chance. this question is about "predicting crime," which has so many factors no one can do the math. you get that right, though, you're gonna make a bazillion dollars. then you'll never need to lock your bike because you have so many and don't care - in fact, you give them away for fun. winning.
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Old 09-02-20, 01:46 PM
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I carry a large guard dog in the bag behind my seat.
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Old 09-03-20, 05:30 AM
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Z locks are little better than cable ties. You tube has videos of them being cut with plain wire cutters or tin snips. I have read other posts saying it isn't hard to strip them open with brute force as well. Carrying two doesn't make any sense.

I would only use them in an area with lots of people around the bike.

Last edited by Pop N Wood; 09-05-20 at 06:54 AM.
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Old 09-03-20, 09:46 AM
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Moe Zhoost
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Depends on how quick and competent the thief is. I've heard of teams of thieves where a "spotter" watches at a distance and signals the "stealer" when a cyclist shows up and enters a store. The thief then acts like he was a shopper and calmly takes the bike knowing that the owner will be in the store for a while.

Do this: Ask your local grocery if you can bring your bike into the store. Some of the stores around here allow this. If they do not, ask if they have a monitored area for you to lock up. Also, interact with the store security person, who is frequently hanging around the entrance.
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Old 09-06-20, 01:39 PM
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SurferRosa
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I take my grocery getter inside with me.
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Old 09-06-20, 01:55 PM
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I have an Abus Bordo 6500, I bought a second XL one because they only did that in same key offering after the fact,
so Now I can lock to bigger things ..

My grocery store has a strong bike rack..
Bike has an AXA Frame lock and chain combination securing both wheels and bike to the rack.
Panniers in the shopping trolley come out full ..
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Old 09-06-20, 02:02 PM
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Even before sometimes, and exclusively since Covid, we are ordering groceries ahead of time. The service adds six bucks. I’m sure it would be fine to pick up with a bicycle. You can get them delivered as well.

I had a snarky response in mind too, so for your entertainment: “I carry two locks, a small one for quick stops and a thick one for longer stops.”

Last edited by Darth Lefty; 09-06-20 at 02:05 PM.
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