Living Car Free - Bike Security...

I've heard about using a jack from a car to break open a u lock, but how do you do it with a 2 x 4? Just use it like a big lever?

Yep

Yep

Is there a good way to counteract this? If not, what's a good alternative to a u lock? I don't intend to leave the bike at home, because I can't, but there's no sense in making it too easy for thieves, either...

Is there a good way to counteract this? If not, what's a good alternative to a u lock? I don't intend to leave the bike at home, because I can't, but there's no sense in making it too easy for thieves, either...

Mini U-lock. Get the shortest shackle lock you can use, that way there's no room to cram anything inside the shackle to lever it open.

I use an OnGuard mini-U and the Sheldon Brown locking technique (through the rear triangle, around the rim, but not around the frame tubes.) With the small shackle lock, there's barely any space left inside there when it's locked to a signpost or bike rack. For additional security, I use a cable that fits over the U-shackle to run through the front wheel.

My lock is worth 2x as much as my bike.

Hasn't been stolen yet!

I've recently switched to a pretty nice touring bike, after riding an old hybrid for years, and I've had concerns myself. After a bit of thought, I've decided to go ahead and use the bike everywhere I go, because it's such a pleasure to ride, and that's the whole reason I got it to begin with, and I'll be damned if I'm going to let some vague fear of theft ruin it for me. I use a newer, beefy U-lock, and lock it to something solid (see above), and so far, no problems, not even late at night. Just in case, though, I have checked with my insurance guy to make sure I'm covered.

what about accessories? like I have a handlebar and seat bag (not expensive) but I have a computer,
lights, tubes, multi-tool, levers, co2 inflater, tire pump (on the frame)... what do you do about them?
do you carry stuff in a backpack? or in panniers?

what about accessories? like I have a handlebar and seat bag (not expensive) but I have a computer,
lights, tubes, multi-tool, levers, co2 inflater, tire pump (on the frame)... what do you do about them?
do you carry stuff in a backpack? or in panniers?

I personally just keep everything in panniers, unclip lights and store them in a side pocket and the rest would just go under the seat anyways. I have seen someone post here in the last few days about a removable "dash" bar that they hold all their accessories on for quick and easy removal. No links off the top of my head though.

Mini U-lock. Get the shortest shackle lock you can use, that way there's no room to cram anything inside the shackle to lever it open.

I use an OnGuard mini-U and the Sheldon Brown locking technique (through the rear triangle, around the rim, but not around the frame tubes.) With the small shackle lock, there's barely any space left inside there when it's locked to a signpost or bike rack. For additional security, I use a cable that fits over the U-shackle to run through the front wheel.

That's very helpful, thank you.

i have a lonnnnnnng kevlar cable lock. I wrap it thru the front wheel, frame, and back wheel... I also switched the back wheel from being quick release to just a bolt (seeing i dont remove it often)

havent had any problems....
but i dont really leave it parked outside of places all day and night. if you can, bring it inside with you, whether it be a friends house or work.

I am on pretty good terms with my supervisor and she lets me keep my "bling bling" road bike in an empty office.


hope this helps

Mini U-lock. Get the shortest shackle lock you can use, that way there's no room to cram anything inside the shackle to lever it open.

I use an OnGuard mini-U and the Sheldon Brown locking technique (through the rear triangle, around the rim, but not around the frame tubes.) With the small shackle lock, there's barely any space left inside there when it's locked to a signpost or bike rack. For additional security, I use a cable that fits over the U-shackle to run through the front wheel.

+1

I use a kryptonite fahgettaboudit mini u on my recumbent. The shackle goes around both chainstays backwheel and sheffield post. At most there's one inch wiggle room and i've never heard of a one inch jack. I havent left my bike anywhere "on the street" yet but its been in the basement carpark of my building for 5 months now and no-ones gone near it

Not in my area. I had a 1975 Raleigh stolen from the library. It was all scratched up from years of use, with those 27 inch wheels, cheap simplex friction shifting. The thing cost $150 new. I had it tied up with a cable lock. I graduated to a chain lock on a single speed cruiser. That chain got cut on my front porch and the bike is gone. Then I graduated to two locks a higher quality cable and a wheel lock, on a Specialized Globe that bike got ripped off from a subway station. Now I use the heavy Kryptonite chain. Since I moved to the city 8 years ago and went car free. I've been using the heavy chain for about 10 or 11 years. No bike theft yet. Two of my current bikes are expensive. My favorite city bike has the built in wheel lock but I use that and the heavy chain.


Thanks for this post, gwd. This is great anecdotal evidence that bike theft has more to do with ease of taking it rather than how much the bike is worth, and a great testament to Kryptonite chains. If you think about it, only a small group of people (bike nuts) can tell the difference between a $500 bike and a $2000 bike. And if those who can and really love bikes like us chooses to go extra lengths to steal, well, they're scummer than scum. DC is nasty for bike owners. Good to hear of a survivor for >10 years. I'm also happy to hear that you still chose to ride expensive bike despite your history of bikes getting stolen.