Touring - Most resonable lock to take on tour?

Considering security, weight and cost, what is the most reasonable (not necessarily the best) lock to take on tour?

I currently have one of these (http://www.masterlock.com/cgi-bin/product_detail.pl?sub_cat_id=D8143&template=style) but I wonder if it is secure enough? I usually only leave my bike unattended in very low crime areas and I figure it's good enough to discourage the "honest" thief.

I take a bit thicker cable. One that I can't cut with simple hand snippers/pliers without a bit of work (ie a tool most folks might have in a car toolbox).

Considering security, weight and cost, what is the most reasonable (not necessarily the best) lock to take on tour?

I currently have one of these (http://www.masterlock.com/cgi-bin/product_detail.pl?sub_cat_id=D8143&template=style) but I wonder if it is secure enough? I usually only leave my bike unattended in very low crime areas and I figure it's good enough to discourage the "honest" thief.

That lock is fine, your just trying to keep honest people honest. A bike thief will be able to cut through most anything. Dirty touring bikes are not a big target for thieves anyway. I use a long thin plastic coated cable so that I can wrap around odd size and shaped things, also hate fighting with a tightly coiled bike cable. My 2 cents

If you really must, an OnGuard mini ULock does the trick. If you're going to lock it, lock it with a good lock. There are no honest thieves. The OnGuard Mini is pretty lightweight for a real lock.

But I don't think it's really necessary .

If you really must, an OnGuard mini ULock does the trick. If you're going to lock it, lock it with a good lock. There are no honest thieves. The OnGuard Mini is pretty lightweight for a real lock.

But I don't think it's really necessary .

Your right, there are no honest thieves, but there are plenty of semi-honest opportunist, just don't give them the opportunity.

I also just use a slim 9mm diameter cable lock. It keeps the casual thieves away. I like combination locks so I don't have to keep track of a key

"honest thieves"
"semi-honest opportunists"
"casual thieves"

Strange terms. Maybe "ethically challenged" would be more PC? If one of these creatures does make off with your bike, I suspect you'll find it parked in front of a nearby church.

A crook is a crook in my little book.

Still, the chances of your loaded touring bike being stolen in small town America are pretty slim - even if the rare semi-honest opportunist does come along. I hope he doesn't have his semi-sharp pair of bolt cutters in his truck.

"honest thieves"
"semi-honest opportunists"
"casual thieves"

Strange terms. Maybe "ethically challenged" would be more PC? If one of these creatures does make off with your bike, I suspect you'll find it parked in front of a nearby church.

A crook is a crook in my little book.

Still, the chances of your loaded touring bike being stolen in small town America are pretty slim - even if the rare semi-honest opportunist does come along. I hope he doesn't have his semi-sharp pair of bolt cutters in his truck.

Maybe you need a book with pictures, No one was trying to be "PC" Bubba in his truck with bolt cutters is there to steal your bike, A bored 15 year old kid walks by and sees a unlocked bike and wants to take it on a joy ride and dump it in the woods, both are thieves One theft is of purpose, one theft is of opportunity. A simple $8 cable lock thwarts the opportunist. You have improved your odds 50% so what is the issue?

The issue is that when you are on tour it seems most people have less expectation of bike loss. For me it is just another ride. I use exactly the same U look. My bike is never worth more, or full of more valuable stuff, documents. I can't empty all the valuables when I go shoping for groceries. I also end up in the same cities that people loose bikes in every day.

Nasty underwear drying under bungie cords or straps on your panniers does even more to keep the potential theives away than any lock. Female "unmentionables" are guaranteed to keep 99.8% of potential male thieves at 60 paces or more.

Nasty underwear drying under bungie cords or straps on your panniers does even more to keep the potential theives away than any lock. Female "unmentionables" are guaranteed to keep 99.8% of potential male thieves at 60 paces or more.

Maybe back along some plastic vomit to lay down in front of your bike lock.

Making the bike look old, cheap and dirty is a good tip. Make sure all expensive extras are easy to bring when the bike is parked. Replace quicklocks for saddle and wheels with those that require tools. Park it next to a much nicer bike.. :) I agree that combination locks are a good way of avoiding the problem with lost keys. I bring a wire lock+a very heavy U-lock on rides. I think I'll get a lighter U-lock for rides outside of towns.

I took my new and expensive (for me) touring bike to Europe. I took the locks I normally use with me. I have a Stock lock. It looks like a u-bolt, but it is not. It weighs alot and has a 20 minute street rating. Someone gave it a try while I was holed-up in a B&B. They failed. The second lock is a coiled Krypto. It can lock the front wheels or if no immoveable object is available, a tree or pole will do and I lock the Stock to the coil.

I also have one of those dollar store door/window alarms. It went off one night while I was stealth camping beside a canal. I couldn't take the bike with me into the spot, so I left it just off the tow path. The sound of running feet meant it had worked too.

That being said, I don't want to make anyone paranoid. I've travelled for many years and I can only recall a handleful of incidents. Obviously security works, because I still haven't lost my bike while on tour.

...
I also have one of those dollar store door/window alarms. It went off one night while I was stealth camping beside a canal. I couldn't take the bike with me into the spot, so I left it just off the tow path. The sound of running feet meant it had worked too...


I just ordered a "personal panic alarm" (or some such), for EXACTLY the use you note above. I'll either be using it on my bike on occassion when camping, or on guesthouse/no star hotels' door knobs.

Note that I'm not overly paranoid (really), just using good travel sense. Many low end hotels/guest houses do not have secure door locks. On prior trips I've just piled up gear (or my bike on occassion) against the door with the hopes that anyone trying to enter would make a racket + wake me.

Maybe you need a book with pictures, No one was trying to be "PC" Bubba in his truck with bolt cutters is there to steal your bike, A bored 15 year old kid walks by and sees a unlocked bike and wants to take it on a joy ride and dump it in the woods, both are thieves One theft is of purpose, one theft is of opportunity. A simple $8 cable lock thwarts the opportunist. You have improved your odds 50% so what is the issue?

My issue is that if you feel it's necessary, a good mini U-Lock will provide better protection than a walmart cable lock.

I like the plastic vomit idea, personally. ;)

well, with a good u-lock and cable lock, that is. ;)

the on-guard mini is supposed to be very good.

I just ordered a "personal panic alarm" (or some such), for EXACTLY the use you note above. I'll either be using it on my bike on occassion when camping, or on guesthouse/no star hotels' door knobs.

Note that I'm not overly paranoid (really), just using good travel sense. Many low end hotels/guest houses do not have secure door locks. On prior trips I've just piled up gear (or my bike on occassion) against the door with the hopes that anyone trying to enter would make a racket + wake me.

Where did you ordered your alarm ?

Where did you ordered your alarm ?

I forget. The info's on my brothers computer. I'll post a link/recommendation after I've recieved it & played w/it (if it's any good).

I carry a OnGuard U lock and the NY Faggedaboudit lock with my Multilock padlock.

It would suck to have your bike stolen while on tour. I'm cool with the extra weight. It's just exercise for me. ;) I also have a chain for the alarm- I got it after my last trip, but I'll start using it when I'm travelling abroad also. I also tie my panniers to the racks with bungee cords, and I have a trailer that has a combination lock that takes some work to get into.

Koffee

I can't relax unless I feel my bike is secure. I carry a U lock and it is probably the heaviest single thing I carry, but I feel it is worth it.

check this out (http://www.stocksmfg.on.ca/)

Click on 'check this out' on one of the frames on the lower left. Someone went after the lock with a 4x4!

How about a well used empty handgun holster in clear view.