Hypno Toad

I'm looking to add a cafe lock to my library of locks. I'd like a lock I can carry in a jersey pocket or other on-body options. It needs to be light weight and not easily defeated by compact hand tools. The lock is meant to be used as a primary lock when making a quick stop for a coffee or beer and staying within sight of the bike (also secondary lock for longer-term securing).

Here are the two in thinking about:

https://us.litelok.com/products/litelok-gold-wearable-2

https://www.rei.com/product/163265/abus-bordo-lite-6055-folding-lock

Have you biked with the Bordo in a jersey pocket, or with the Litelok Wearable with a road kit?

FYI - I've watch many videos, done lots of research, and know that these locks can be defeated, all locks can be defeated. The purpose of this lock is to avoid being defeated by a small handtool that can be carried on a pocket - to defeat the two options listed requires a larger tool that can not be easily concealed.

skidder

Neither. I just use a 1/4" x 6 ft cable with a small padlock on it, that's all I need for the occasional stop. If all you'll be using it for is locking up during quick stops you just need enough to "keep-the-honest-people-honest". I keep it in a bag on a seatpost rack. The bag gets used for extra clothes I remove as the day warms up, simple repair tools, a little cash, and other items, and the bag can be easily removed and taken with me.

Litelok = $149. There's lots of options out there for way less than that. And it doesn't look long enough to lock up both wheels.

Hypno Toad

​​​​​​Sorry, but I know a cable can be cut in seconds with a tool small enough carry in a pocket. I've seen how easy it is for a thief to look like they are unlocking a bike next the target bike and cut a simple cable lock.

Cables are good secondary locks for saddles

Gresp15C

I favor low tech: A piece of steel chain wrapped in an old innertube (to protect what's left of my paint) and a combination padlock. Nothing will defeat a professional thief, but at least it will deter a pair of wire cutters. You can get chain by the foot at the hardware store, choose according to security / weight tradeoff.

My first layer of protection is anti-theft aesthetics (tm).

One of my kids is a student at the nearby university, and told me that there's been a lot of bike theft laterly. She said that she sees cut cable locks on the ground around the bike racks.

BikeLite

Universities all seem to be bike steal magnets.

Gresp15C

Like the famous bank robber Willie Sutton said when they asked him why he robbed banks: "Because that's where the money is."

veganbikes

ABUS is going to be of slightly better quality and easier to carry. However the locks you describe would not fit the description. These are what I think of when I think café lock these days. Those would also be easier to carry since they are mounted to the bike and with the ABUS LH straps you don't need mounts drilled into the frame.



Hardware store chain is not very secure at all. Not usually tempered and hardened for theft resistance get a proper ABUS chain for that with ideally some form of integrated lock or something stronger than a combination padlock that could probably be defeated in seconds.

CargoDane

I use two locks. An Axa 600 foldable lock for touring, and a Kryptonite Evolution Series 4 (not the "Keeper") for at home where it tend to be left locked for longer unsupervised.
Regardless, I always lock it to something.

RandomDesign

That litelock can be cut in seconds too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-On0DGcDlc

Ghazmh

I watched the video. He seems to avoid the fact that he had the benefit of placing one arm of the cutters on the ground and pushed down with his whole body weight on the other arm of the cutters. The real word thief y not have that ability requiring him to only use his arms squeezing them together sideways which would be more difficult to do.

Hypno Toad

But you can't conceal that tool in a pocket.

​​​​And yes, I've seen this video ... Like I said, I've done research.

Wildwood 

"add to my library of locks" -
note to self = do not move to Hopkins, MN

trailangel

I have Hiplok Lite. Wear around your waist with a velcro strap. Can be removed instantly for use as a weapon.
https://www.rei.com/product/846520/h...B&gclsrc=aw.ds

Hypno Toad

LOL'd!

Hopkins is not bad, Minneapolis is 5 miles away and has a lot of bike theft. But if you leave a bike unlock in the open, it might be stolen here in Hopkins.

I've been carrying bike locks for a few decades, and buy new ones when new/better designs come out, and keep the old one for backup or secondary locks. Since I never lose locks, I've just got a lot of older locks to use as backup or secondary locks.

pdlamb

This is all I've ever needed. I haven't lost a bike that was locked up with either this or one of the $20 Walmart combination locks. But the places I've left a bike locked up are typically those Hypo cites -- quick stop for a drink, bike kept in sight. Makes me glad to live in this poverty stricken, crime infested part of the country...

Wildwood 

Since there isn't much market for vintage bicycle locks today, you should become a niche collector. Might pay off???
ex: Lots of 1900s phonographs exist but the old thick records didn't survive as well = market.
If vintage bike owners of the future want vintage locks from the present = you are financial Genius.
Or : VintageBikeLock.org/Life'sLibrary

cuda888 (i think, or someone) is starting the Museum of Urban Bike Share & Scooter Rental Vehicles. or something toward that title.

Hug Yourself and Indulge the Impulse.

Hypno Toad

HA! That's an idea!

BTW - I have a couple old thick records, but don't have a record player that has the right speed.

Ogsarg

As you have figured out already, any lock can be defeated. Everyone has to make their own calculation as to where they leave a bike and for how long and how big an anchor they are willing to carry to keep that from happening.
For me, I carry a hiplock Z-lock, which I'm sure could be cut with tin snips in a second but I rarely leave my bike out of site for more than a minute or two so I accept the risk. Just not willing to carry a 3-4 pound lock on sub 20 pound road bike.

jack pot 

GUN CABLE LOCK: for in and out stops this little lock is great ... it is enough to make a thief look for an easier mark ... mine is 15" and it works on racks and small poles ... takes more than pliers to cut

CargoDane

I could clip that with a piece of nail clippers. Or probably pull it apart by jerking the bike. At that point, why even bother. Hell, a piece of thin Dyneema tied on the bike will probably be more difficult for a would-be thief.

CargoDane

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tOjrAsg49M

jack pot 

.... i disagree because i have tried to cut it ... this is protection against grab and go ... BUT if you want MORE a 20" inch long braided wire rope sling with a small padlock will give you protection against any small hand tools > total cost -$25.00 .................. most thieve aint carrying small cable cutters because they won't cut BIG bike cables so my little lock can get by being unexpected to all but the dedicated thief

CargoDane

Smash the lock. Probably the easiest.

I use a Kryptonite Evolution Series 4 chain with integrated (key) lock (because that's the max weight I'm willing to carry - it's very heavy, thick, and strong).

A "20" inch long braided wire rope sling with a small padlock " is just not good enough.

If that's the alternative, I'll take your 15" gun cable lock.

A wire with a padlock you can literally open with a nail clipper: Cut open the plastic, and then proceed one or two strands at a time. At most, that would be a 10 minute job - with nailclippers. A 2 second job with pocketable pliers.

That's not even good enough for a cheap rustbucket you use for pub crawls.

CargoDane

You don't need small cable cutters. You just need a pocketable pair of cutting pliers to cut that $25 wire and padlock. Or a small, pocketable hacksaw. Or even some rescue sheers made from stainless steel.

jack pot 

> OK OK OK it works for me & not for you BTW when Im in the city i use a heavy chain and an ABUS pad lock