What kind of lock(s) do you use to lock your bike up and how do you lock your bike up
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 41
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 28 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
What kind of lock(s) do you use to lock your bike up and how do you lock your bike up
So just wondering I see mainly people locking there bike up with just frame and bike but doesn't this just make it easy for a thief to steal your bike?
I personally use a Abus D lock. Because I only have one lock I just when I use it I lock up the rear wheel, frame and stand)
So what type of lock(s) do you use out of the Cable, D locks and Chain locks.?
I personally use a Abus D lock. Because I only have one lock I just when I use it I lock up the rear wheel, frame and stand)
So what type of lock(s) do you use out of the Cable, D locks and Chain locks.?
#2
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 41
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 28 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
What kind of lock(s) do you use to lock your bike up and how do you lock your bike up
So just wondering I see mainly people locking there bike up with just frame and bike but doesn't this just make it easy for a thief to steal your bike?
I personally use a Abus D lock. Because I only have one lock I just when I use it I lock up the rear wheel, frame and stand)
I personally use a Abus D lock. Because I only have one lock I just when I use it I lock up the rear wheel, frame and stand)
#3
Banned
I have several bikes and several locks, where you live have a lot of bike thefts?
[ its not bad here , Meth Heads don't invest in cutting tools ]
so day time . errand running, mine are secured.. to something..
I have an Abus Granit model 6500 Bordo, folding link lock on my Bike Friday Pocket Llama,
it has a pouch to carry it in place of a water bottle cage.
others: Abus Steel o Chain, .. and Axa Frame lock and security chain, stays on the bike, key in the lock when riding.
On Guard armored steel cable lock , I got a specialized armored Kevlar cable lock for my touring bike , years ago..
then brought some extra cables to lock the bike to fences, trees, and picnic benches..
...
[ its not bad here , Meth Heads don't invest in cutting tools ]
so day time . errand running, mine are secured.. to something..
I have an Abus Granit model 6500 Bordo, folding link lock on my Bike Friday Pocket Llama,
it has a pouch to carry it in place of a water bottle cage.
others: Abus Steel o Chain, .. and Axa Frame lock and security chain, stays on the bike, key in the lock when riding.
On Guard armored steel cable lock , I got a specialized armored Kevlar cable lock for my touring bike , years ago..
then brought some extra cables to lock the bike to fences, trees, and picnic benches..
...
Last edited by fietsbob; 09-21-17 at 04:51 PM.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Idaho, USA
Posts: 81
Bikes: Old Raleigh Super Course Marin Pine Mountain Surly LHT
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 28 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
We also have several different locks. My wife parks her bike outside her office all day, so she uses our Kryptonite Evolution Mini U-lock. We have a card key access bike locker in my building, so I don't need that much protection. I have a heavy OnGuard cable lock that I use and we use together when locking up around town. And sometimes when my bike will be parked with the rows of bikes we have downtown in front of busy restaurants and bars, I just use a cheapo Bell cable lock. But then again, my bike is an old Raleigh that doesn't scream "steal me."
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 119
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 80 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I use 2 D locks.
New York Standard and New York Fahgettaboudit - 2 of the thickest D locks yo can get.
Ideally you want to secure your rear wheel and frame and a cable or 2nd lock for the front wheel.
If your lock can't fit the frame and rear wheel, you can use the Sheldon Method.
The ?modified? Sheldon Brown Bike Locking Strategy | 802-BIKEGUY
New York Standard and New York Fahgettaboudit - 2 of the thickest D locks yo can get.
Ideally you want to secure your rear wheel and frame and a cable or 2nd lock for the front wheel.
If your lock can't fit the frame and rear wheel, you can use the Sheldon Method.
The ?modified? Sheldon Brown Bike Locking Strategy | 802-BIKEGUY
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Metro Detroit/AA
Posts: 8,207
Bikes: 2016 Novara Mazama
Mentioned: 63 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3640 Post(s)
Liked 81 Times
in
51 Posts
I've got a couple of these:
WordLock: https://www.target.com/p/wordlock-4-...E&gclsrc=aw.ds
NUmber lock: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Master-Lo...3=3726&veh=sem
Small and fit in a saddlebag, I just wrap through either the main or rear triangle to something secure, or barring that just through the frame and wheel. Type of riding I do I am far more worried about a grab and go joyride than actual planned theft.
As with all these discussions, it all depends on your location, the length of time leaving it locked up, and what you are actually trying to counteract. Those work fine for my use case.
WordLock: https://www.target.com/p/wordlock-4-...E&gclsrc=aw.ds
NUmber lock: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Master-Lo...3=3726&veh=sem
Small and fit in a saddlebag, I just wrap through either the main or rear triangle to something secure, or barring that just through the frame and wheel. Type of riding I do I am far more worried about a grab and go joyride than actual planned theft.
As with all these discussions, it all depends on your location, the length of time leaving it locked up, and what you are actually trying to counteract. Those work fine for my use case.
#7
Happy banana slug
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Arcata, California, U.S., North America, Earth, Saggitarius Arm, Milky Way
Posts: 3,693
Bikes: 1984 Araya MB 261, 1992 Specialized Rockhopper Sport, 1993 Hard Rock Ultra, 1994 Trek Multitrack 750, 1995 Trek Singletrack 930
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1531 Post(s)
Liked 1,527 Times
in
915 Posts
I use a big ol' Kryptonite chain through the frame and front wheel to discourage the tweakers, and I'm slowly adding stickers to discourage the bike thieves.
#8
Senior Member
After having my bike seat stolen only four days after I bought the thing I decided to increase security, now I use a kryptonite u-lock for the rear wheel, an abus chain lock for the seat, and an onguard armored cable lock for the front wheel. If any thief wants my bike and manage to get through all the locks they deserve it with my blessing....
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 3,947
Bikes: Trek 1100 road bike, Roadmaster gravel/commuter/beater mountain bike
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2281 Post(s)
Liked 1,710 Times
in
936 Posts
I rarely lock my bike up because when it's not being ridden, it's in a back room of my house. But I do carry a thick cable lock which I keep wrapped around the seat post above the seat stays. About the only time I lock up my bike is when I'm stopping somewhere like a convenience store to use the restroom when my bike will be out of my sight for a few minutes. I know it would be easy to cut through the cable lock in a few minutes with the right tools, but normally my bike isn't out of my sight that long. For my purposes, it's the best choice.
#10
Clark W. Griswold
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ,location, location
Posts: 13,452
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4328 Post(s)
Liked 3,949 Times
in
2,641 Posts
The one bike I occasionally lock up has Abus NutFix wheel locks and I will typically use a my ABUS Bordo Lite 6050 for frame and front wheel and my On Guard "pitbull" STD (or whatever it was called when I got it) or I will use my Blackburn Attica Chain Lock on the frame and rear wheel.
If I had known what I know now I would probably have gone all ABUS (but only the made in Germany stuff because they use virgin steel in addition to their normal double locking) but having multiple locks has done well for me but I don't lock up my über nice bikes they come in with me or I stay with them or they are locked in my house.
If I had known what I know now I would probably have gone all ABUS (but only the made in Germany stuff because they use virgin steel in addition to their normal double locking) but having multiple locks has done well for me but I don't lock up my über nice bikes they come in with me or I stay with them or they are locked in my house.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Phx, AZ
Posts: 2,112
Bikes: Trek Mtn Bike
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 281 Post(s)
Liked 2,623 Times
in
943 Posts
It depends. For a quick in & out at a convenience store often it is just the U-lock around the frame.
Going in to eat. Then U-lock it to something solid and a cable lock. I also want to be able to see my bike from where I'm eating. I've skipped restaurants because their bike rack was around the side or back out of the way. And nothing suitable to lock to near the windows. I've also eaten out in a patio in the AZ heat.
Going in to eat. Then U-lock it to something solid and a cable lock. I also want to be able to see my bike from where I'm eating. I've skipped restaurants because their bike rack was around the side or back out of the way. And nothing suitable to lock to near the windows. I've also eaten out in a patio in the AZ heat.
#12
Senior Member
These days I carry around just the 12mm Pewag security chain and Abloy PL350 padlock, going through frame and rear wheel. Both wheels are also held on by locking skewers, and I take my headlight/cyclocomputer/water bottle inside the store with me in the bag I usually carry.
#13
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 17
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
For quick stops, I've just been doing a Kryptonite D lock to the frame. It came with a 4' cable, but where am I to store it without a backpack...
The frame mount actually seems really convenient and I found just the right angle that doesn't hit my foot or the tire, see pic.
How is the rear wheel + frame more secure than the front wheel and frame or just the frame?
The frame mount actually seems really convenient and I found just the right angle that doesn't hit my foot or the tire, see pic.
How is the rear wheel + frame more secure than the front wheel and frame or just the frame?
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 4,077
Bikes: Velo Orange Piolet
Mentioned: 28 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2228 Post(s)
Liked 2,011 Times
in
972 Posts
Classic U-lock. There's a little something to slow down the amateurs from taking the wheels and seat. There's nothing that fancy on the bike to attract a skilled thief, hopefully. No shiny bits.
#15
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 41
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 28 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have several bikes and several locks, where you live have a lot of bike thefts?
[ its not bad here , Meth Heads don't invest in cutting tools ]
so day time . errand running, mine are secured.. to something..
I have an Abus Granit model 6500 Bordo, folding link lock on my Bike Friday Pocket Llama,
it has a pouch to carry it in place of a water bottle cage.
others: Abus Steel o Chain, .. and Axa Frame lock and security chain, stays on the bike, key in the lock when riding.
On Guard armored steel cable lock , I got a specialized armored Kevlar cable lock for my touring bike , years ago..
then brought some extra cables to lock the bike to fences, trees, and picnic benches..
...
[ its not bad here , Meth Heads don't invest in cutting tools ]
so day time . errand running, mine are secured.. to something..
I have an Abus Granit model 6500 Bordo, folding link lock on my Bike Friday Pocket Llama,
it has a pouch to carry it in place of a water bottle cage.
others: Abus Steel o Chain, .. and Axa Frame lock and security chain, stays on the bike, key in the lock when riding.
On Guard armored steel cable lock , I got a specialized armored Kevlar cable lock for my touring bike , years ago..
then brought some extra cables to lock the bike to fences, trees, and picnic benches..
...
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 3,947
Bikes: Trek 1100 road bike, Roadmaster gravel/commuter/beater mountain bike
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2281 Post(s)
Liked 1,710 Times
in
936 Posts
Quick question.. Like whether you lock your bike up it's bound to be in a public place so if people decide to steal it there's bound to be some people around. So why don't people do something to stop them. If people actually tried doing something wouldn't there be less thefts? or is it just because people don't want to go near someone with dangerous tools?
#17
Me duelen las nalgas
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 13,513
Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel
Mentioned: 199 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4559 Post(s)
Liked 2,802 Times
in
1,800 Posts
Usually I carry a fairly heavy On-Guard cable and heavy duty storage locker type padlock only on the errand bike and lock it as close as possible to the front door of the stores where I shop. The errand bike cost only about $100 and I could replace it for that much if it was stolen. Craigslist is full of hybrids and old rigid frame/fork mountain bikes for around $100. It isn't cost effective to spend much more for even a U-lock for that bike.
I don't take my other bikes anywhere I'd need to lock them up. Those are mostly for longer exercise and recreational rides. If I need to stop for food it's usually at a Sonic or someplace where I can order and eat outside. Most Subway sandwich shops where I stop to eat are cool with bikes indoors, as long as it's not their peak traffic lunch hour. Only one Subway manager got pissy about that so I don't stop there anymore. It was after midnight at a 24 hour Subway. I'd stopped there often before after midnight and she never complained, but got pissy about it one night. Usually I was the only customer for the 30 minutes I was there. So, one less customer to darken her doorstep. Not my problem, there are other places to eat.
If I need to stop for bike parts I bring the bike inside. REI and the LBSs here are good with that.
On casual group rides we stop at bike friendly businesses where we can bring the bikes inside or onto the fenced in patios. Occasionally where that isn't feasible one of us will volunteer to watch the bikes, such as holiday food drives where the rides are centered around combining a casual ride and grocery store stops to collect food.
I don't take my other bikes anywhere I'd need to lock them up. Those are mostly for longer exercise and recreational rides. If I need to stop for food it's usually at a Sonic or someplace where I can order and eat outside. Most Subway sandwich shops where I stop to eat are cool with bikes indoors, as long as it's not their peak traffic lunch hour. Only one Subway manager got pissy about that so I don't stop there anymore. It was after midnight at a 24 hour Subway. I'd stopped there often before after midnight and she never complained, but got pissy about it one night. Usually I was the only customer for the 30 minutes I was there. So, one less customer to darken her doorstep. Not my problem, there are other places to eat.
If I need to stop for bike parts I bring the bike inside. REI and the LBSs here are good with that.
On casual group rides we stop at bike friendly businesses where we can bring the bikes inside or onto the fenced in patios. Occasionally where that isn't feasible one of us will volunteer to watch the bikes, such as holiday food drives where the rides are centered around combining a casual ride and grocery store stops to collect food.
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 3,893
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1062 Post(s)
Liked 665 Times
in
421 Posts
Most of the time I carry a low security cable lock such as the Number Lock mentioned by @jefnvk. I'm either commuting to work, where I have indoor storage, or to nearby shops that are in a relatively low crime area. And my bikes aren't super valuable. I'm usually comfortable using the same kind of lock if I'm out on a ride, and just want to duck into a convenience store or public restroom at a park.
I own, but don't always carry, a couple better layers of security:
1. Old fashioned padlock and chain. I figure, anybody who's going to snip through cable locks with a wire cutter, will stop at trying to get through my chain. Anybody who's equipped to get through it, will get my bike if they really want it.
2. Abus high security lock and tempered chain, because I got a gift certificate at a LBS and splurged on it. That's for downtown or the college campus.
I got a bike at an auction, and it still had a cable lock on it. I snipped through the cable in less than 15 seconds with a regular pair of diagonal cutters. So I'm realistic about the security of those cables, and showed the defeated cable to my kids.
I own, but don't always carry, a couple better layers of security:
1. Old fashioned padlock and chain. I figure, anybody who's going to snip through cable locks with a wire cutter, will stop at trying to get through my chain. Anybody who's equipped to get through it, will get my bike if they really want it.
2. Abus high security lock and tempered chain, because I got a gift certificate at a LBS and splurged on it. That's for downtown or the college campus.
I got a bike at an auction, and it still had a cable lock on it. I snipped through the cable in less than 15 seconds with a regular pair of diagonal cutters. So I'm realistic about the security of those cables, and showed the defeated cable to my kids.
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 634
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 230 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 18 Times
in
11 Posts
AXA Defender or equivalent lock is the best kind, without even a moment to think about it. They're permanently attached to the bike, you turn the key, pull a lever and that's it, bike isn't going anywhere. There's even a chain attachment to anchor it permanently to the ground.
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,595
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 608 Post(s)
Liked 352 Times
in
225 Posts
Toronto has a high theft rate for bicycles so I play it very safe. I have 2 Kryptonite Fahgettaboudit Mini U locks, one Kryptonite Evolution Series 4, one Kyrpto cable, Pit Lock for both wheels and I chain my broke saddle with an old bicycle chain. I do the same for my wife's bike. This is for home. If I have to park all day, I leave a set of locks at work so I don't have to carry them. Right now I have 11 or 12 Kryptonite U locks and 4 or 5 Krypto cables for all my bikes.
When I really don't want to worry about my bike being stolen, I just use my Brompton and carry it with me.
Is my locking system overkill? You bet. I just want to make it better than the bike beside mine.
When I really don't want to worry about my bike being stolen, I just use my Brompton and carry it with me.
Is my locking system overkill? You bet. I just want to make it better than the bike beside mine.
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 15,480
Bikes: 2015 Workswell 066, 2017 Workswell 093, 2014 Dawes Sheila, 1983 Cannondale 500, 1984 Raleigh Olympian, 2007 Cannondale Rize 4, 2017 Fuji Sportif 1 LE
Mentioned: 144 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7648 Post(s)
Liked 3,465 Times
in
1,831 Posts
That's what I say at night. During the day I wear an orange vest and a hard hat ($10 at a thrift store) and put up two traffic cones (stolen.) $69 dollar thrift store angle grinder and I own your bike in under three minutes no matter what you do.
Standard line there: "Property manager told this guy repeatedly he was illegally using an unauthorized parking space---he ignored the registered letter, so here I am."
I even send myself a fake work order on my phone in case anybody asks, but so far no one has.
I rent a beat-up "rent-a-wreck" van or pickup two towns over ... I have a couple magnetic signs I made at Kinko's ("Jackson Property Management," and "ABC Services Inc.") I steal a plate at the nearest mall, and make my money with a few minutes work every twenty minutes for a few hours.
Friday and Saturday nights I go out with a friend to a college campus a couple hours away.... a lot of times we grab bikes that are barely locked or not locked at all, outside pubs, ale-house film studios, fast-food places ... particularly come the end of the evening when people get careless.
I can walk up to a bike with a cable or weak chain, slip my mini-bolt cutters out of my pocket, and look like I am messing with the combination drunkenly while I am actually getting leverage. A quick "pop" and I ride off to the truck around the corner. No one has ever said a word.
Sundays I go by the downtown library .... one time I got four bikes ... "The sign inside says, bikes left unattended for five business days will be disposed of. These are going to a coop that provides bikes for disadvantaged kids." I've had people thank me for stealing bikes.
This is all BS. I have never stolen a bike and never would ... having had three of my own stolen. But think about this post the next time you lock up your bike. Ninety percent of us live and ride and lock up in situations where none of this applies. If you are in that other ten percent ... buy a couple cheap Huffys.
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 119
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 80 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#23
Full Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Charleston, SC
Posts: 329
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 103 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 28 Times
in
15 Posts
I use a masterlock 37ka and a hardened chain stuck inside a old tube. I've found it hard in my area to use ulocks because of a lack of places to lock the bike to. A chain works better. If my wife is with I will bring a unlock to lock her bike to my chain. I'm not in a high crime area.
#24
vespertine member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Land of Angora, Turkey
Posts: 2,476
Bikes: Yes
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 687 Post(s)
Liked 220 Times
in
163 Posts
I've been using an Onguard Brute U lock. It looks nasty and is very heavy - could also be used as a personal defense device.
I generally only lock my frame, though sometimes I'll hit the front wheel as well. None of my going-around-town bikes have QR wheels. Our local bike thieves are either opportunists or serious businesspeople - the former will be deterred enough by the lock, and the latter tend to go after high-dollar, name brand bikes (not my going-around-town bikes.)
I also have cable locks for the bike trailer and trips to places without bike racks, signposts, or small trees.
I generally only lock my frame, though sometimes I'll hit the front wheel as well. None of my going-around-town bikes have QR wheels. Our local bike thieves are either opportunists or serious businesspeople - the former will be deterred enough by the lock, and the latter tend to go after high-dollar, name brand bikes (not my going-around-town bikes.)
I also have cable locks for the bike trailer and trips to places without bike racks, signposts, or small trees.
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 119
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 80 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I've been using an Onguard Brute U lock. It looks nasty and is very heavy - could also be used as a personal defense device.
I generally only lock my frame, though sometimes I'll hit the front wheel as well. None of my going-around-town bikes have QR wheels. Our local bike thieves are either opportunists or serious businesspeople - the former will be deterred enough by the lock, and the latter tend to go after high-dollar, name brand bikes (not my going-around-town bikes.)
I also have cable locks for the bike trailer and trips to places without bike racks, signposts, or small trees.
I generally only lock my frame, though sometimes I'll hit the front wheel as well. None of my going-around-town bikes have QR wheels. Our local bike thieves are either opportunists or serious businesspeople - the former will be deterred enough by the lock, and the latter tend to go after high-dollar, name brand bikes (not my going-around-town bikes.)
I also have cable locks for the bike trailer and trips to places without bike racks, signposts, or small trees.
The Best Bike Lock | The Sweethome
"We contacted John Edgar Park, an avid lock-picking enthusiast and instructor with over 20 years of experience, and we sat down together to review all the locks we had received. With a quick visual inspection and a few pokes from one of the many pointy tools he had brought along in a folding leather pouch, Park immediately singled out the OnGuard locks as vulnerable to picking attacks. His inspection told him how the mechanism worked and the easiest way to defeat it, which he said would most likely require only the most basic tools.
He was not only able to pick the OnGuard locks but was also able to teach me how to pick one. I had never picked a lock before (aside from the Bic pen thing), but I was successful in opening it in less than 30 seconds after watching him do it twice and having him walk me through the process once. It’s a simple raking technique that requires little skill and basic tools; someone could do it with a couple of pieces of scrap metal from a car’s wiper blade or a pair of bobby pins. (And I had always thought MacGyver was a joke!) Every OnGuard lock we tested succumbed to this attack."