Lonely Locks
#1
Tractorlegs
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: El Paso, TX
Posts: 3,185
Bikes: Schwinn Meridian Single-Speed Tricycle
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 119 Post(s)
Liked 60 Times
in
42 Posts
Lonely Locks
I was on my commute the other day, homeward bound, when I made a little side trip to a convenience store to buy a drink. I got back on the bike and rode behind a strip shopping center to get back on route, and there, on a Gas company pipe behind a business I used to work at was a cable, locked to the pipe, no bike. I spun around to have a look and suddenly the cloudiness drifted away from my mind - it was one of my old locks! A Kryptonite cable lock that I had wondered where it went! I stopped working at this place over 5 years ago, so the cable has been there faithfully waiting for me for a long time! I of course do not have a key any more, so the cable will be there until the world ends. However, it made me think - How many orphaned locks do I have around town? At this time, 4. The Cable I just described, and three other U-Locks on three other bike racks around town. Hey, I don't have to carry locks around with me - I just have to remember which keys to bring! How many others have multiple lonely orphaned locks? Hope I remember where they all are if I leave town!
__________________
********************************
Trikeman
Trikeman
#2
rebmeM roineS
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Metro Indy, IN
Posts: 16,216
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 653 Post(s)
Liked 347 Times
in
226 Posts
Bought a really cheap u-lock 15+ years ago to use at work. Used it once or twice - the next time I rode to work couldn't get it unlocked. Lucky it wasn't on my bike. I abandoned the lock. It was still on the rack last year when the hospital replaced that rack with a new, modern wave rack. The old rack, complete with useless lock, is now somewhere else on the hospital campus. I'll keep my eyes peeled for it.
__________________
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
#3
Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Sisters, OR
Posts: 47
Bikes: Salsa Vaya, Trek 850 Xtracycle
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
1 Post
I don't quite understand the thought process behind permanently leaving a lock at your destination. I honestly couldn't tell the difference between just a few pounds on the bike. It also doesn't seem to be of any use when your at point "C, D, E..." and your lock dangles at point "B".
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Tampa/St. Pete, Florida
Posts: 9,352
Bikes: Specialized Hardrock Mountain (Stolen); Giant Seek 2 (Stolen); Diamondback Ascent mid 1980 - 1997
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 62 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
I was on my commute the other day, homeward bound, when I made a little side trip to a convenience store to buy a drink. I got back on the bike and rode behind a strip shopping center to get back on route, and there, on a Gas company pipe behind a business I used to work at was a cable, locked to the pipe, no bike. I spun around to have a look and suddenly the cloudiness drifted away from my mind - it was one of my old locks! A Kryptonite cable lock that I had wondered where it went! I stopped working at this place over 5 years ago, so the cable has been there faithfully waiting for me for a long time! I of course do not have a key any more, so the cable will be there until the world ends. However, it made me think - How many orphaned locks do I have around town? At this time, 4. The Cable I just described, and three other U-Locks on three other bike racks around town. Hey, I don't have to carry locks around with me - I just have to remember which keys to bring! How many others have multiple lonely orphaned locks? Hope I remember where they all are if I leave town!
And here's a good question for those of you who buy locks and leave them at a stores or businesses that you go to all of the time. How is doing that any different from those who lock their bike to a public bike rack and "abandon" it for months at a time?
Likewise, to those who are leaving locks "all over" town, aren't you worried that someone will figure out some way to get a duplicate key made? And then use said key to steal your bike(s)?
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Tampa/St. Pete, Florida
Posts: 9,352
Bikes: Specialized Hardrock Mountain (Stolen); Giant Seek 2 (Stolen); Diamondback Ascent mid 1980 - 1997
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 62 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
I don't quite understand the thought process behind permanently leaving a lock at your destination. I honestly couldn't tell the difference between just a few pounds on the bike. It also doesn't seem to be of any use when your at point "C, D, E..." and your lock dangles at point "B".
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: So of Seattle
Posts: 63
Bikes: Trek 800
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Something I see around town is a lock and a wheel locked to a rack. Not to worry, I see bikes advertised on CraigsList with one wheel missing. Seems like a good match.
#7
Banned
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Northern California
Posts: 5,804
Bikes: Raleigh Grand Prix, Giant Innova, Nishiki Sebring, Trek 7.5FX
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'd just like to say, that if you guys have expensive bikes, make certain that you don't establish a pattern, as to where your bike is parked all the time. Every once in a while, you should change parking locations, if you can.
Also, if you're going to have an expensive bike, please have a quality lock to secure it!
Thank you
Also, if you're going to have an expensive bike, please have a quality lock to secure it!
Thank you
Last edited by SlimRider; 02-02-12 at 03:27 AM.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Tampa/St. Pete, Florida
Posts: 9,352
Bikes: Specialized Hardrock Mountain (Stolen); Giant Seek 2 (Stolen); Diamondback Ascent mid 1980 - 1997
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 62 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
I'd just like to say, that if you guys have expensive bikes, make certain that you don't establish a pattern, as to where you're bike is parked all the time. Every once in a while, you should change parking locations, if you can.
Also, if you're going to have an expensive bike, please have a quality lock to secure it!
Thank you
Also, if you're going to have an expensive bike, please have a quality lock to secure it!
Thank you
So along with changing where one locks his/her bike one should also alter the route(s) that one takes to and from work, or any other frequent destination. Now granted, that said there are destinations that we habitually go to that sadly there just aren't a whole lot of alternate routes to take to get there. So within reason one should alter those routes as best as possible.
#9
Tractorlegs
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: El Paso, TX
Posts: 3,185
Bikes: Schwinn Meridian Single-Speed Tricycle
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 119 Post(s)
Liked 60 Times
in
42 Posts
Good point, now you've got me thinking . . . But wait, wouldn't they have the same opportunity if the bike was present? I like Slim's thoughts about not setting a pattern.
__________________
********************************
Trikeman
Trikeman
Last edited by Mark Stone; 02-02-12 at 06:43 AM.
#10
Tractorlegs
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: El Paso, TX
Posts: 3,185
Bikes: Schwinn Meridian Single-Speed Tricycle
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 119 Post(s)
Liked 60 Times
in
42 Posts
I don't quite understand the thought process behind permanently leaving a lock at your destination. I honestly couldn't tell the difference between just a few pounds on the bike. It also doesn't seem to be of any use when your at point "C, D, E..." and your lock dangles at point "B".
__________________
********************************
Trikeman
Trikeman
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 8,896
Bikes: Waterford RST-22, Bob Jackson World Tour, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Soma Saga, De Bernardi SL, Specialized Sequoia
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 196 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
4 Posts
The only place where I need a lock regularly is at my office, so I leave my Krytonite locked to the rack when I'm not using it. Why lug it back and forth to work every day? It's not just the weight, which is considerable, but the volume it would take up in my seatbag or frame. I keep a small, lightweight cable lock in my seatbag in case I need to make a quick stop somewhere during my commute, but rarely every use it.
BTW, I have a similar problem with combination locks. I have a combo lock that is almost new but I can't use it because I forgot the combination. Generally I write down the combinations for all of my locks in a place where I can find them, but forgot with that lock for some reason.
BTW, I have a similar problem with combination locks. I have a combo lock that is almost new but I can't use it because I forgot the combination. Generally I write down the combinations for all of my locks in a place where I can find them, but forgot with that lock for some reason.
#12
You gonna eat that?
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 531
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I leave my NY Fuggadaboudit U-lock at work because it's heavy and annoying to carry. I have several other locks at home I can take with me when I go out somewhere else and need to lock up. Several different cable and U lock, depending on where I'm going and what bike I'm riding. But the heavy duty NYU-Lock lives at work, since I lock up there the most often.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Virginia/DC
Posts: 1,454
Bikes: quite a few
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Makes a huge difference if you commute in every day and lock your bike in the same place. I bought a lock just to leave at my office rack even though I don't ride every day. Saves weight, space, hassle and time.
Sometimes on my way home I take extended rides, up to 30 miles, 3500+ feet. Pretty sure I'd rather not have the lock.
As for the OP, I have 3 locks and 3 keys on my keychain, and I know where they all are
Sometimes on my way home I take extended rides, up to 30 miles, 3500+ feet. Pretty sure I'd rather not have the lock.
As for the OP, I have 3 locks and 3 keys on my keychain, and I know where they all are
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 782
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I don't quite understand the thought process behind permanently leaving a lock at your destination. I honestly couldn't tell the difference between just a few pounds on the bike. It also doesn't seem to be of any use when your at point "C, D, E..." and your lock dangles at point "B".
#16
Tractorlegs
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: El Paso, TX
Posts: 3,185
Bikes: Schwinn Meridian Single-Speed Tricycle
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 119 Post(s)
Liked 60 Times
in
42 Posts
Just because you have not built a personal relationship with your locks doesn't mean they don't get lonely or remain faithful. Remember, locks are people too!
__________________
********************************
Trikeman
Trikeman
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Phx, AZ
Posts: 2,116
Bikes: Trek Mtn Bike
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 282 Post(s)
Liked 2,646 Times
in
952 Posts
The only place where I need a lock regularly is at my office, so I leave my Krytonite locked to the rack when I'm not using it. Why lug it back and forth to work every day? It's not just the weight, which is considerable, but the volume it would take up in my seatbag or frame. I keep a small, lightweight cable lock in my seatbag in case I need to make a quick stop somewhere during my commute, but rarely every use it.
BTW, I have a similar problem with combination locks. I have a combo lock that is almost new but I can't use it because I forgot the combination. Generally I write down the combinations for all of my locks in a place where I can find them, but forgot with that lock for some reason.
BTW, I have a similar problem with combination locks. I have a combo lock that is almost new but I can't use it because I forgot the combination. Generally I write down the combinations for all of my locks in a place where I can find them, but forgot with that lock for some reason.
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Beaverton, OR
Posts: 14,744
Bikes: Yes
Mentioned: 525 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3230 Post(s)
Liked 3,870 Times
in
1,439 Posts
I keep a lock on the rack at work, and a spare lock and key at my desk in case I forget the key to the lock on the rack. The spare lock has also come in handy a couple of time when the other lock was frozen.
__________________
My Bikes
My Bikes
#19
rebmeM roineS
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Metro Indy, IN
Posts: 16,216
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 653 Post(s)
Liked 347 Times
in
226 Posts
Not interested in carrying a u-lock plus a cable/padlock every time I ride to work and especially not interested in getting to work and realizing I forgot the locks.
__________________
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
#20
rebmeM roineS
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Metro Indy, IN
Posts: 16,216
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 653 Post(s)
Liked 347 Times
in
226 Posts
I'd just like to say, that if you guys have expensive bikes, make certain that you don't establish a pattern, as to where your bike is parked all the time. Every once in a while, you should change parking locations, if you can.
Also, if you're going to have an expensive bike, please have a quality lock to secure it!
Thank you
Also, if you're going to have an expensive bike, please have a quality lock to secure it!
Thank you
If someone really wants to steal my bike from it's moderately-secure location at the hospital where I work, then they will take it. If they have the opportunity and tools.
__________________
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Calgary
Posts: 101
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I agree that leaving a lock at a frequent (as in several times a week) lock-up point makes sense - and isn't too much of an impact for the benefit obtained.
Abandoning a lock there for weeks (or more) isn't great. I know a place where the lock forest grew to the point that security chopped them all ... rusty spiderwebbed ones and frequently used ones.
If only the frequently used ones were there, it probably wouldn't have been as much a visual problem. There were probably 40 locks and I never saw more than 2 or three bikes apart from my own. It also wasn't a bike rack - it was a steel fence.
I did lock there daily, until I lost my lock (in the chopping). I got a new one for the nearest bike rack, and for the next six months didn't see more than 5 empty locks there - and 2 at the former lock-forest. I think the lock-forest was a multi-year gathering from students who left them there over the summer and never came back.
Abandoning a lock there for weeks (or more) isn't great. I know a place where the lock forest grew to the point that security chopped them all ... rusty spiderwebbed ones and frequently used ones.
If only the frequently used ones were there, it probably wouldn't have been as much a visual problem. There were probably 40 locks and I never saw more than 2 or three bikes apart from my own. It also wasn't a bike rack - it was a steel fence.
I did lock there daily, until I lost my lock (in the chopping). I got a new one for the nearest bike rack, and for the next six months didn't see more than 5 empty locks there - and 2 at the former lock-forest. I think the lock-forest was a multi-year gathering from students who left them there over the summer and never came back.
#23
Tractorlegs
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: El Paso, TX
Posts: 3,185
Bikes: Schwinn Meridian Single-Speed Tricycle
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 119 Post(s)
Liked 60 Times
in
42 Posts
I agree that leaving a lock at a frequent (as in several times a week) lock-up point makes sense - and isn't too much of an impact for the benefit obtained.
Abandoning a lock there for weeks (or more) isn't great. I know a place where the lock forest grew to the point that security chopped them all ... rusty spiderwebbed ones and frequently used ones.
If only the frequently used ones were there, it probably wouldn't have been as much a visual problem. There were probably 40 locks and I never saw more than 2 or three bikes apart from my own. It also wasn't a bike rack - it was a steel fence.
I did lock there daily, until I lost my lock (in the chopping). I got a new one for the nearest bike rack, and for the next six months didn't see more than 5 empty locks there - and 2 at the former lock-forest. I think the lock-forest was a multi-year gathering from students who left them there over the summer and never came back.
Abandoning a lock there for weeks (or more) isn't great. I know a place where the lock forest grew to the point that security chopped them all ... rusty spiderwebbed ones and frequently used ones.
If only the frequently used ones were there, it probably wouldn't have been as much a visual problem. There were probably 40 locks and I never saw more than 2 or three bikes apart from my own. It also wasn't a bike rack - it was a steel fence.
I did lock there daily, until I lost my lock (in the chopping). I got a new one for the nearest bike rack, and for the next six months didn't see more than 5 empty locks there - and 2 at the former lock-forest. I think the lock-forest was a multi-year gathering from students who left them there over the summer and never came back.
__________________
********************************
Trikeman
Trikeman