Advocacy & Safety - Does anyone use 3 locks

http://www.sfbike.org/images/resources/3locks.jpg

does anyone locks their bike up with 3 locks in the recommended way as shown above

No, I use two: One Onguard Bulldog Mini+Krypto Combo Cable Lock=Alone, either lock is inadequete protection for my entire bike. Together, a theif must have two types of tools to steal my entire bike.

If I was in the unfortunate situation where I was forced to lock my bike outside in Boston overnight (my college dorm has indoor racks) I would definitely use a third lock though. Bikes locked overnight in large cities like Boston have an uncanny tendency to grow legs. Especially if you lock it up in the same place every day overnight, no matter how tough a lock you think you have.

My Methods:

-Lock either wheel to my frame with U-lock then use cable lock to lock other wheel and frame to pole or bike rack.

-lock rear wheel through triangle a la Sheldon Brown (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/lock-strategy.html) to pole/rack then lock front wheel to frame using cable lock.

And I always take my quick release seat with me.

Each of those three locks are cheap and BIC-pennable. For that matter, I take issue with the way it is locked there.

#1: Locking in such a manner is not always practical depending on the shape of the bike rack.
#2: The front wheel/frame lock as shown could be run through the frame of the bike rack in addition to the wheel and frame, though it has not in the photograph.
#3: Replace the top tube lock with a longer U lock that can be run between the bottom bracket - one side through the chainrings and under the downtube, the other through the rear triangle in front of the rear wheel (and if you have close clearances, through the rear wheel itself).
#4: What happened to a cable lock run through the saddle rails down to the seatstays?

#5: Always if possible - park next to something nicer with less/worse locks on it.

-Kurt

Why would you ever need more than one lock around any one piece of the bike (frame, front wheel, rear wheel)? I can see using two locks, but three is overkill.

The more they have to defeat the better? Let's hear some more opinions please!

Hey, so my question is what's wrong with good heavy steel chain and a good padlock? I understand it's not portable, but in all fairness a lot of my standard lock-ups don't need a portable lock, I just leave it loose on the rack. If I'm planning on stopping anywhere else, I can throw my portable lock in my pack, but I don't really trust it as much.

Hey, so my question is what's wrong with good heavy steel chain and a good padlock? I understand it's not portable, but in all fairness a lot of my standard lock-ups don't need a portable lock, I just leave it loose on the rack. If I'm planning on stopping anywhere else, I can throw my portable lock in my pack, but I don't really trust it as much.

Unless your heavy steel chain wraps around both wheels and your seat, I'll be glad to demonstrate how one can make off with your wheels in under 10 seconds, and your seat in another 2, if it has a quick-release.

-Kurt

Just today I saw someone's front wheel U-locked to a parking meter, no bike attached.

:facepalm:

Just today I saw someone's front wheel U-locked to a parking meter, no bike attached.

:facepalm:

I've seen a front-wheel locked to a rack at a train station that I frequent for weeks now... and the bike's actually still attached. Heck, the wheels a quick-release... one could steal the bike in about 5 seconds without tools. I've thought about disconnecting the wheel just so the owner might notice... they seem to use it, as the bike moves around the rack... but is never locked intelligently.

Hey, so my question is what's wrong with good heavy steel chain and a good padlock? can't you just take a bolt cutters to that chain and be done with it in a few seconds? People used to bring bikes with locks attached to the seat that they didn't have the key for to the bike shop I worked at. They would invariably give us suspicious looks when the lock came off in one swipe of the bolt cutters.

People used to bring bikes with locks attached to the seat that they didn't have the key for to the bike shop I worked at. They would invariably give us suspicious looks when the lock came off in one swipe of the bolt cutters.

Did they then buy a new lock from you?

pitlock skewers take care of my wheels. I only need to lock the frame.