I sometimes use a Seat Leash with a small padlock to discourage snatch & grabs but for the most part I just don't leave my bike unattended...

Because frame locks don't completely prevent theft. Not fully stolen, but recovered. Still, the attempt was made
Bike Snob NYC: The Importance of Being Prudent

Of course they don't completely prevent theft. What bike lock does? Frame locks have their place, like running into a store to get fast food or water. They're not for running into a your kid's school to watch a movie (like the article you linked). And even then, they found the bike cause they couldn't ride it and it was stashed somewhere nearby. If it wasn't for the frame lock, they may have ridden off with it and never found.

He would have been okay if he had the chain attachment that one can get with these frame locks.

if you are going to all that bother, why not just get a normal lock and chain, which you are not required to bolt to the frame, which can be used for multiple bikes, and which can be left home for rides when you don't plan to stop or want to carry extra weight?

That is a fair question.


By going with a frame lock, you are always going to have to carry its weight, which in my case is about 730grams I believe.


Sometimes when I am just going to do an exercise ride, I leave my chain and U-Lock off my bike, but I still have to carry that 730grams of frame lock weight, not that I see it as a terrible imposition.


If I tried to use a "normal lock" and chain, I'm not sure how much the "normal lock" would weigh and the chain on my bike is a Loop chain and I am not sure I have seen a separate Loop chain that is as light as mine, as it is a 6mm square link chain.


Yes I have seen heavier and more secure Loop chains around, but the main benefit of my sized chain(besides lowish weight) is that I can fit it under my saddle and around the saddle rails to secure my saddle, if need be.

No criticism intended in any case---pretty much whatever each rider does is fine ... including nothing ... and if a bike gets stolen, that is not my business unless it is mine. There are so many viable solutions, there is no way to compare ... and even the folks who use nothing and gamble, find their bikes still there the vast majority of the time.

I am certainly not suggesting that my way is better.

I enjoy discussing various options one could take with bike security as there are so many different routes one could take and if someone suggests something to me that I had not considered before that I think is better than what I am doing, I will happily adopt it, as I want the best solution(s) I can come up with.


One further thing to add in favour of a frame lock, as it is always on your bike, for those occasions where you go out thinking you won't stop and therefore won't need to lock your bike, but you then change your mind, it will be there to provide some level of security.


Admittedly that has only happened to me once so far, but it is still early days. :p

I guess my point is more that if you don't lock it to something, it isn't going to stop someone from just picking it up. Had this been in a different part of NYC, or another city, or even if the thieves had been more competent they could have just put it in the back of a truck or van and drove off.

It'll prevent someone from hopping on and riding off with it, but without bolting it to something solid it can still be made off with.

FWIW, I really like the idea and wish we could trust our bikes to not be stolen.

I'm waiting for this:

https://i.chzbgr.com/full/6584933120/hBBA5CC93/

:thumb:

^^ If in Germany The wait will be shorter than if in Any US City.. Japan Has Underground automated bike parking.








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3 locks? U lock, Chain, and frame lock - going to add a folding lock and an attack dog next?

You should check if the poster is still riding, you are referring to a 5 year old post and the individual has not posted for 3 years! Maybe his bike was stolen and was not able to replace it.

I didn't check the date before posting. It was too peculiar to not point out.

It’s it the 50lb rule.

The lighter and more expensive the bike the better and heavier the locks and chain. The heavier and cheaper the bike the lighter the locks. Either way the combined total weight of bike and lock(s) adds up to 50lbs.

John

I was just wondering if too much security might lead to a vindictive bike thief who decides that "if I can't steal you, you can't ride it either!" and uses the bolt cutter to clip some spokes or the angle grinder to cut the top tube or seat tube. Such dark thoughts might be attributable to my being originally from Da Bronx!

Just take it inside with you.

But how did you even find this thread?

Just for the irony, I want this thread to get locked.

Mysterious zombie revival but topic isn't time sensitive.


BTW, I want to be able to leave the lock at home if I know I'm not stopping anywhere, and I don't see the point in locking the bike to nothing.

Yes, this is why it’s a no-go for me: because I definitely don’t want an unnecessary chunk of metal attached to my bike semi-permanently.

A frame lock seems like less of a deal to me because it is kind of small and not prone to jiggling.

Oh, listen, I wouldn't want that other type of thing where there's a U-lock in a holder which is then attached to the bike either... I know they're convenient, but I wouldn't want rattly jiggling while riding. If I had to, I would, but I don't have to, so I don't. ;)

I've definitely had one fall out in the middle of a ride.