Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - handmade chain locks

I have seen a lot of ppl running around with these handmade chain locks. i would like a chain lock for my bike, i dont feel like spending huge amounts of money to buy one premade. can anyone tell me what they have for their handmade locks?

The chain lock is 100% fashion 0% security, you know, because it's a bike chain, and lots of people have multi tools with chain breakers, ya know?

A+ would read again

I have seen a lot of ppl running around with these handmade chain locks. i would like a chain lock for my bike, i dont feel like spending huge amounts of money to buy one premade. can anyone tell me what they have for their handmade locks?

are you talking about a lock made from a bike chain, or a lock like the big krypto ones, but homemade?

kryptonite sells their locks seperate from the chains, so if you want to get a big ol' chain and use a krypto lock on it, you can...for like 15 bucks.

but yeah, same question as dolface. this thread isn't making sense to me yet.

he is looking for a lock for his chain, he doesnt want his chain to get stolen...

I've been known to lock my chain to a rear spoke with a padlock if I'm just drinking coffee outside near the bike.

sorry sorry. so what i mean is one of those bike locks that ppl swing around their waste. krypto makes one called the fugettaboutit lock or something. i want something like that but "homebrewed".

well you need to learn how to make a weld, good welds

Then you need steel bar, high quality steel bar.

figure out how long a link is stretched out then cut a lot of lenths, bend them, and weld the seam

Sumed up: its not worth it, just buy something a company makes that has the money to buy machines and tools to make the product

sorry sorry. so what i mean is one of those bike locks that ppl swing around their waste. krypto makes one called the fugettaboutit lock or something. i want something like that but "homebrewed".

the lock or the chain? how do ppl swing a lock around their waste? my waste is solid but...

just buy the lock. everyone else buys them, nobody made their own. what's the issue?

I wanted to do this myself, and looked into it. However, when you go to the hardware store to get the nice big, seemingly, secure chain, guess how they cut a piece for you. The problem is that even those big chunky chains sold at hardware stores can be cut pretty easily by a bolt cutter. The reason the Krypto chains are better, besides being made out of whatever super-better-than-anything steel, is that they have non-round links. Meaning that if you were to use a bolt cutter on a NY chain, you may break the chain, but the chain would definitely f-up your bolt cutter.

the lock or the chain? how do ppl swing a lock around their waste? my waste is solid but...

I know whatcha mean. I don't get it here in Chicago. There are a million and one places to lock your bike up (parking meters are everywhere) with a plain 'ol U-lock. Chicago isn't New York, hence you don't need to haul around the heavy ass "New Yawk" lock.

Fashionable?! This isn't a post-apocalyptic Mad-Maxian nightmare. You can throw a U-lock on your handlebars, your pocket, between your belt & pants, in your bag, ect.

But for you fashionistas, please note that when NOT riding your bike you should always sport your bullet belt.

Dig?

I wanted to do this myself, and looked into it. However, when you go to the hardware store to get the nice big, seemingly, secure chain, guess how they cut a piece for you. The problem is that even those big chunky chains sold at hardware stores can be cut pretty easily by a bolt cutter. The reason the Krypto chains are better, besides being made out of whatever super-better-than-anything steel, is that they have non-round links. Meaning that if you were to use a bolt cutter on a NY chain, you may break the chain, but the chain would definitely f-up your bolt cutter.

thanks for the info... this is what i was looking for. sorry for all the confusion.

when NOT riding your bike you should always sport your bullet belt.

Dig?

in addition, bullet belts must always be worn slanty, and halfway down the ass.

i would suggest also checking an industrial supply store for a real chain. as judah pointed out, a lot of hardware store variety chains are sort of a joke. look for a industrial supply store that deals with cash or non-account/walk-in customers... in other words, so you don't have to be a business to buy from them. if they don't have anything in stock, perhaps they can order something comparable to a kryptonite, etc.

OK, there's no hardware store I know of that will carry anything even remotely suitable as a bike chain. They all use bolt cutters to cut you a piece and that means that anyone with a bolt cutter can steal your ride. Buy this:

www.mcmaster.com
pn: 36015T3 or 36015T4

that'll be around 5-10$ a foot ( I'd recomend the bigger stuff = first part number). Its not going to be cut with a bolt cutter. Believe it or not once you buy a suitable lock ($15) and a piece of nylon tube webbing to cover the chain you've spent more than the Kryptonite NY fuggedaboudit lock. You do get a custom length though.

Jon

i make and sell bullet belts...

yeesh...thats too bad.

yeesh...thats too bad.

he's a good kid, leave him alone.

OK, there's no hardware store I know of that will carry anything even remotely suitable as a bike chain. They all use bolt cutters to cut you a piece and that means that anyone with a bolt cutter can steal your ride. Buy this:

www.mcmaster.com
pn: 36015T3 or 36015T4

that'll be around 5-10$ a foot ( I'd recomend the bigger stuff = first part number). Its not going to be cut with a bolt cutter. Believe it or not once you buy a suitable lock ($15) and a piece of nylon tube webbing to cover the chain you've spent more than the Kryptonite NY fuggedaboudit lock. You do get a custom length though.

Jon
Wow, they have some bigass chains. 1-inch diameter links, $134/foot??

I got a chain from city bikes in Portland that is just big enough to fit around my frame, wheel and a bike rack or pole. It's effective and not as heavy as the kryptonite chain locks.

he's a good kid, leave him alone.

in another time, he'd be selling bootleg MC Hammer t-shirts.

Wow, they have some bigass chains. 1-inch diameter links, $134/foot??

That would probably be for mooring your boat. Or something.

m.

I've used stac chain before, but only when I was at work and had forgotten my mini-U.
http://www.polarfocus.com/images/STAC.jpg

in another time, he'd be selling bootleg MC Hammer t-shirts.

he's okay with me--bikini kill, nausea, kathleen hanna, david lynch, melt banana and xray spex---can't touch that

in another time, he'd be selling bootleg MC Hammer t-shirts.

In 2005, I'm sure the market for bootleg MC Hammer t-shirts is probably bigger than the market for bootleg Bikini Kill pins. The early-to-mid-'90s are the new '80s. Scrunchies are coming back.

I'm hardly one to talk though... I have a huge Bad Brains belt buckle.

m.

In 2005, I'm sure the market for bootleg MC Hammer t-shirts is probably bigger than the market for bootleg Bikini Kill pins. The early-to-mid-'90s are the new '80s. Scrunchies are coming back.

I'm hardly one to talk though... I have a huge Bad Brains belt buckle.

m.

you mean this wouldn't be a good time to try to sell my old bikini kill zines?

you mean this wouldn't be a good time to try to sell my old bikini kill zines?

I doubt the whole Le Tigre/Paris Hilton collaboration (http://www.mtve.com/article.php?ArticleId=5479) thing is helping the situation.

m.

i blame this all on (awful) napoleon dynamite.

if i could erase one film from the face of the planet...

i blame this all on (awful) napoleon dynamite.

if i could erase one film from the face of the planet...

Nah, it's a really effective personality test. Whenever anyone says that "sweet jumps" line in reference to your bike, you know it's OK to hit them with your chain and/or shun them forevermore.

"Sold Secure" and "Cycling Plus" have tested chains that were NOT sold by Kryptonite or OnGuard. Typically, they can be cut in just a few seconds...pretty much a waste of money.

If you actually NEED an eight pound chain (which does NOT equal the security provided by the four pound Kryptonite New York 3000 U-lock), the "Sold Secure" website lists those few chains that actually provide some security. But, the best chains weight eight pounds, or MORE.

www.soldsecure.com/Leisure.htm

"Sold Secure" and "Cycling Plus" have tested chains that were NOT sold by Kryptonite or OnGuard. Typically, they can be cut in just a few seconds...pretty much a waste of money.

If you actually NEED an eight pound chain (which does NOT equal the security provided by the four pound Kryptonite New York 3000 U-lock), the "Sold Secure" website lists those few chains that actually provide some security. But, the best chains weight eight pounds, or MORE.

www.soldsecure.com/Leisure.htm

What are your feelings on bullet belts, alan? Is there any sort of ratings commission for such things?

shameless promotion -- i make and sell bullet belts.. buy my sh*t so that I can buy more bike parts (and buy rye bread). www.chemicalwarfare.net.

this'll probably get deleted, but whatever. i also do custom buttons, $20/100!!

EDIT: just for note, i don't wear a bullet belt.

I am starting a hooligan gang, can we get a special rate on Cocksparrer buttons?

i mean, bullet belts are pretty lame, but between them and buttons my roommate and i are able to pay all of our utilities, pay for our groceries, and sometimes pay for booze. you can laugh all you want, but it serves its purpose. we don't really do a ton of business from that online button catalog -- 90% of our button business is from custom orders. however, i've been thinking of doing up a ton of bike/fixed-related stuff. if enough people would be interested in some sh*t like

http://www.chemicalwarfare.net/~apratt/pentabike.jpg

in various colors and such, then i can do up a batch of them. can't go wrong with some buttons. the pentabike design is a little silly, but what're you going to do?

ugh.

i'm twenty-one and i've already lost all hope for my peers.

purpose > pride
kitsch > art

this is the future.

How about using a motorcycle chain? Then a bike chain tool won't fit it.

ugh.

i'm twenty-one and i've already lost all hope for my peers.

purpose > pride
kitsch > art

this is the future.

oh, come on. i'm not sacrificing my dignity by selling bullet belts and making vaguely amusing novelty buttons. in my ultrapunkrock™ days i started making bullet belts. Since, although those days are past, the business continues to provide me with money and a larger expendable income, i keep selling them. i spend the extra money on things that i enjoy -- viz. bicycles and eating good food. i don't see they means to be particularly ethically abhorrent, so they, in this case, justify the ends. since i don't really want to engage in an extended message board spat, i'll leave it at this -- i don't see how a button that i made indicates a preference for kitsch over art or how my side business implies a lack of pride.

I've used stac chain before, but only when I was at work and had forgotten my mini-U.
http://www.polarfocus.com/images/STAC.jpg

I could break that one with my teeth!

Nah, it's a really effective personality test. Whenever anyone says that "sweet jumps" line in reference to your bike, you know it's OK to hit them with your chain and/or shun them forevermore.

Maybe its because Im old that this movie reminds me of my childhood...but that movie is mucho good! Maybe you just can't relate to it cause you've never tried to make your own time machine or sell friendship bracelets to pay for college tuition.

Your mom goes to college

you can find heat treated chain at hardware stores and industrial supply if you look around. If it has that weird gold finish then it is heat treated and harder to cut. I have some heat treated chain that I found on the road......I think it was used for towing streetcars or something......and bolt cutters will not put a dent on it. It took me 25 minutes with a brand new hack saw blade to get thru ONE side of the link. Nothing is totally secure.

...the pentabike design is a little silly, but what're you going to do?
you make bullet belts and you're calling the pentabike logo silly? uh huh. if it's so silly, why don't you come up with your own design and stop being a whiney baby? but i guess you want to capitalize on someone else's design by selling it anyway? purpose>pride. oh, and the additional goat head you "came up with" is a real improvment... :rolleyes: kitsch>art. at least you ride a fixie and have a hip hair-do to make it all ok. fixsters unite! we have fashion accessories to create!
:crash: :fight: :bday: :fight: :crash:

I know whatcha mean. I don't get it here in Chicago. There are a million and one places to lock your bike up (parking meters are everywhere) with a plain 'ol U-lock. Chicago isn't New York, hence you don't need to haul around the heavy ass "New Yawk" lock.

Fashionable?! This isn't a post-apocalyptic Mad-Maxian nightmare. You can throw a U-lock on your handlebars, your pocket, between your belt & pants, in your bag, ect.

But for you fashionistas, please note that when NOT riding your bike you should always sport your bullet belt.

Dig?

I've lived in both New York and Chicago. I think it is a pain in the arse to have a heavy chain wrapped around my waist every day for my 15 mile r/t commute. I think it's a pain to have to throw it on to go to the coffee shop. I miss my U-lock Chicago days. :(
But I could see why you'd have a chain in chi-town if you had a fancy track bike. or road bike. or whatever. It still doesn't make it any fun. Definitely not cool. I remember messengers just leaning their bikes against a wall or pillar in Chicago and just locking their wheel to the frame when they went inside. The Less baggage the better. If I could get rid of my mess bag and magically levitate my possessions around me whilst I went to and fro, yes, I would do that in a sec.

yeah, I have a NY chain and (replaced) mini-u Krypto disc lock.

They're worthless. If I'm riding a 20 lb bike, why would I want to carry 5 lbs of lock along with? Not to mention that it's extremely cumbersome-- around the waist / over the shoulder is uncomfortable even for short distances, and placing it in a bag will just put more stress on your shoulders. I pity all the people who I saw using these in Manhattan. In fact, most bikes I saw 'em on were by no means expensive. Crime sucks, eh?

So yeah, I guess it's time to sell the dumb thing.

Furthermore, at what point are the benefits of riding an expensive bike outweighed (literally) by the massive lock it requires? Maybe you should consider building a conversion out of a rusty old Fuji and use that for commuting and getting around town...

It would, however be cool to get into an impromptu street fight with it. I imagine those links would mess up faces better than a tube sock full of masterloks.

I just recently bought a Kryptonite NY chain which I use in not-so-crime-ridden Pittsburgh. Sure it looks silly, but nobody is going to steal my bike without hack sawing the frame. Besides, I'm not racing anywhere and counting grams; the chain isn't THAT heavy.

I actually like the chains. If you wear it around your waist the weight is distributed well and I don't find it that cumbersome at all...and much better than having the bike stolen.

Slop, PM me if you are serious about selling it. I know people who might be interested in it.

you make bullet belts and you're calling the pentabike logo silly? uh huh. if it's so silly, why don't you come up with your own design and stop being a whiney baby? but i guess you want to capitalize on someone else's design by selling it anyway? purpose>pride. oh, and the additional goat head you "came up with" is a real improvment... :rolleyes: kitsch>art. at least you ride a fixie and have a hip hair-do to make it all ok. fixsters unite! we have fashion accessories to create!
:crash: :fight: :bday: :fight: :crash:

seriously dude, get off of your high horse. you have no idea why i ride fixed gear or what my motivations are for what i do. i have no intention of making any money off of the pentabike design nor have i claimed it to be my own. before they put up the new site (which i was unaware of until just now) they did not have buttons available. if you really have nothing better to do than disparage someone that you don't know, enjoy. i'm going to go on a ride.

http://3media.initialized.org/photos/2003-11-30/17%20Tim's%20pie-top%20handicraft.jpg

i can't wait until it's baked.

blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah
i ride bikes. and high horses. giddy-up!

you mean this wouldn't be a good time to try to sell my old bikini kill zines?


only if you have the one about how kathleen wanted to **** evan dando of the lemonheads... i sold a xerox copy of that one on ebay five years ago for something like $60... big money maker.