Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Bike Locking Tips?

I am sure there is a thread on this already, but I didn't see it in a quick search.

1. What are good objects to lock up to? Stay away from trees. How about sign posts? iron tree guards? iron building racks? meters (how do you get them from sliding the lock over the meter)? are lights okay?

2. Chain lock? U-Lock? What is the best way to use a U-Lock?

3. Do I need a separate cable for my seat?

Any other tips/suggestion?

thanks

My preferred strategy is to put the shackle around the wheel and through the frame and then secure that to the meanest looking dog I can find.

Mean cats just don't have the intimidation factor.

Barring that... I lock to something that cannot be moved without the use of extreme force and cutting tools.

I am sure there is a thread on this already, but I didn't see it in a quick search.

Really?
I did a quick search on "what lock" and got like 5 hits on this very topic.
Read the Sheldon B. website.
Don't be lazy, eat your veggies.

Enjoy

use both a u lock AND cable lock.

I always also thread a cable thru my seat, but then again I'm paranoid after a theft years ago...

1. Lock onto things that can not be moved easily. (bike racks, meters, hand rails sometimes) Sign posts generally are okay but wouldn't do so if it is wobbly.

2. Use multiple locks on one bike. Mini U lock and chain+ cable for rear wheel and saddle. Always, always lock your wheels.

3. See above.

If your bike is really flashy and looks really nice, I wouldn't leave it out of sight for too long. Keep your eye on the bike at all time if you can, at least look outside every once awhike. Bring it in with you if you feel the need to, the people working there wouldn't probably mind it that much if they know that it is a high-theft area.

As you may know, if thieves want your bike, they'll do anything to take it. As many have said, angle grinders go through any sorts of lock in a matter of seconds. But if you have your bike pretty locked up, thieves would probably move onto an easier bike to steal.

How do mini U-Locks work? They seem too small to shackle the bike to an object. Are they just used to lock the chains?

If I spend the money for a good kryptonite u-lock, they insure the bike if it is stolen? Do you have to pre-register with them? how does that work?

My preferred strategy is to put the shackle around the wheel and through the frame

both wheels?

My preferred strategy is to put the shackle around the wheel and through the frame and then secure that to the meanest looking dog I can find.

Mean cats just don't have the intimidation factor.

you sure about that?

http://nevadabengals.com/images/full/serval1.jpg

http://savannahcatshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Papa-Fun-with-savannah-F1-Sacarlets-Magic.jpg

I have one of these.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41ggv2bVuSL._AA300_.jpg
It locks the chain rather than locking onto objects. But they can be heavy to carry, but pretty damn bombproof.

http://ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/lockup4.jpg

this is one of the first things posted in the "start here" sticky.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=520639

http://www.kryptonitelock.com/CustomerService/FAQ.aspx

looks like only the new york series is insured in new york, and it is only for a year. still good to know, and probably worth the extra cash for the policy.

i thread a 4 foot cable from my back wheel through my front wheel and on to my u lock which is locked to either a parking meter or street sign on my frame

I assume your screen name means you live in Brooklyn so for locking up in NYC, I recommend the following:

1. Long shackle lock like the Krypto Evo extended. This will get your front wheel, frame, and bike rack or pole (although not all bus stops) and leave no room for a thief to try to use a pry bar
2. A shorter/smaller lock to lock the rear wheel to the frame. Stop by Continuum Cycles on Avenue B between 12 and 13th and check out their locks. They have a great mini lock that I use for my rear. If I had shallower rims, I could even lock my front wheel to the frame on one of my bikes.
3. Either put an old chain in an old tube and lock your saddle to your bike or get one of the krypto mini cables leashes to lock your saddle to your bike.

That is my basic set up. When I lock up at work, I leave a NY chain on the bike rack and use that to lock my rear wheel and frame to the rack, locking a saddle rail into the lock itself. I then use the krypt evo extended for my front wheel to the frame to the rack. And because I have the other lock in my back pocket, I throw it onto the rear wheel and seatstay.

Some areas are safer for your bike (the more residential, the further away from Union Square) while some areas are just bad ideas (Union Square, Union Square, Union Square). Locking to trees is illegal and locking to anything other than the vertical part of a scaffolding is a really bad idea. I see people use a cable through their wheels but I also have had friends come out to find the cable cut and both wheels stolen. If your frame has a short enough wheel base, the 3.3 ft NY cable should fit through both wheels and a pole. However, I met someone who did that and left the bike out overnight in Williamsburg and had his frame stolen (but not the wheels). There must have been enough slack that could be created to get the front wheel off and then to get the rear off.

i lock with sheldon's method using a krypto new york mini
1. Don't lock to trees. It can harm the trees and ur wallet (as u can get fined). Don't lock to anything that moves, are too thin, or removable. (no fences, scaffolding, mailboxes, street signs without signs, etc)
2. What veganwar said. Old chain to tube to tie down ur saddle. And then I would do Sheldon's lock method with mini u-lock AND cable for front.
3. (see 2)

in case u dont' know what we mean by old chain and tube to saddle, here:
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e179/ichitz/chain.jpg

http://ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/lockup4.jpg

Unfortunately that pole could easily be removed in a few seconds ;)

I try to shoot for light poles and gas/steam pipe.

Unfortunately that pole could easily be removed in a few seconds ;)

I try to shoot for light poles and gas/steam pipe.

The pole is 40 feet from my back deck and was just handy for the demonstration shot... light poles are too big in diameter for a normal shackle and the utility guys and property owners get really pissed when you lock up to gas pipes as they are not as sturdy as you think.

meters (how do you get them from sliding the lock over the meter)?

What is the best way to use a U-Lock?
If the U-lock has a small loop, it'll just be too tight for anyone to slide it over the meter, since the meter itself is wider than the pole it's sitting on.

The safest way to use a U-lock is the one shown in Sixty Fiver's picture. Rear wheel and frame are both secured to a post. HOWEVER... depending on your setup and the size of your U-lock, you might not be able to get both, the rear wheel and frame inside of the loop.

The Sheldon method is similar, but only involves securing the rear wheel to the post. The thief won't be able to remove the wheel to set the frame free, because the U-lock can't go through the rear triangle.

However, if the thief REALLY wants your frame, he'll just take a hacksaw to the rear wheel, and walk away with everything. The ruined rim is a small sacrifice they're willing to make for a bigger score.


I'm paranoid, even with my bike being on the cheap end of the spectrum. If I can't bring it inside or can't lock it up right in front, or at least somewhere close enough where it's easily visible, I usually just don't go into the place.

Have you ever tried to cut through a rear wheel with a hacksaw ?

It isn't easy.

I switch between locking the wheel and frame and just the wheel... locking around the seat tube is a better visual deterrent as some dumbass thieves might think they can get your bike by removing the back tyre.

The mini shackle through the crank also serves to disable the bike so riding it away is going to be impossible and figure the most vulnerable part on my bike will be the front wheel and for long term lockups I pop that out and shackle it to the frame. With some bikes I can use the mini u to lock the crank arm or chain ring to the chain stay which also disables the bike.

A good shackle is the best deterrent there is and unless yo are dealing with pros the average opportunist is going to take a pass on stealing your bike and look for someone who thought a cable was good enough.

I have some very expensive and rare saddles and if I have to leave a bike that has one of these I will take the saddle and post with me which also makes a bike less attractive and less rideable.

Some of my bikes never get left anywhere or get parked where they are out of sight as they are nearly irreplaceable but that won't stop me from riding them.

It has been 25 years since I had a bike stolen.

this is from the wikipedia article on theft.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/47/Theft-p1000763.jpg/800px-Theft-p1000763.jpg

Any other tips/suggestion?

Obviously being careful about locking up your bike matters, but in the end the best insurance against getting your bike stolen is riding a bike that's less nice than the bike next to yours. It's unfortunate, but you really shouldn't lock up your bike on the street if you can't afford losing it.

this is from the wikipedia article on theft.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/47/Theft-p1000763.jpg/800px-Theft-p1000763.jpg

I don't get it - that wheel seems perfectly safe the way it's locked up. :D

I don't get it - that wheel seems perfectly safe the way it's locked up. :D
Hahaha, I see locked up front wheels in New York all of the time. Or the occasional stripped frame that has no wheels, handlebars, or seatpost.

Have you ever tried to cut through a rear wheel with a hacksaw ?

It isn't easy.

Surely not easy, but doable, if one is determined


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9fLtdZyX-A




Having something like deep section rims should help though, since I imagine those should be a ***** to saw through.

Surely not easy, but doable, if one is determined





Having something like deep section rims should help though, since I imagine those should be a ***** to saw through.


Thankfully, Since I have a conversion, the wheels are worth easily 4 times what the frame is.

I live in Ypsilanti, MI. from which I take many rides to Ann Arbor, MI. Both cities have ample bike Racks:

http://www.twofellswoops.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/ypsibikehoops.jpg

Which my Mini U'lock has no problem fitting around. Additionally I have a thick cable that came with my larger u-lock that I used to lock my wheels with when I am goin to be somewhere for an extended period of time.

The longest it is ever locked up for is 8 hours while at work and i lock it to the bike rack right outside the door and it seems to do fine there.

I always worry about my wheels, since I use the cable to lock the wheels up, might swap to the Sheldon B. Method. (does that still work with mini ULocks? or do you need a large u-lock to ensure it can't get through the rear triangle?

So right now I have a 2 foot chain. Not a krypto, some heavy duty chain I got at the bike shop. I have a Krypto NY U-Lock on order. I went with the 4x8 instead of the smaller one. Might be using it to lock up my wife and my bike at the same time. Also, my wife's bike has a 3 foot cable lock, thicker than most cable locks I've seen. I figure I'll carry all three of those locks in my saddle bag that I'm going to install next week and hope that's enough. My bike is an old bike, but I think it is pretty nice so I don't want it to get stolen. If somebody is going to get through 3 locks, good for them. Need to figure out the seat lock.

Union Square is really that bad? What are some other "hot spot" areas? I read a NY Times piece recently and saw the three highest theft areas were 10004, 1003 and Boerum Hill. My office is in 10005, and I live in Brooklyn Heights, right next to Boerum Hill. Had me a little paranoid I guess. I don't lock up overnight, my building has storage. So it will pretty much be during the day when I take breaks and I plan to commute with my wife to a lot of restaurants this summer (red hook, dumbo, vinegar hill, smith st, etc...)

I always worry about my wheels, since I use the cable to lock the wheels up, might swap to the Sheldon B. Method. (does that still work with mini ULocks? or do you need a large u-lock to ensure it can't get through the rear triangle?
Mini. Sheldon actually says that the mini is better: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/lock-strategy.html

Surely not easy, but doable, if one is determined


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9fLtdZyX-A




Having something like deep section rims should help though, since I imagine those should be a ***** to saw through.

so why would a thief cut the wheels, the really valuable and easy to sell parts of a bike?

I might spend a day next week hanging out in Union Square with a camera looking for bike theives.

Nate -

In many cases the most valuable part of a bike (after the frame and fork) is the back wheel... destroying that greatly reduces the value of the bike and makes it impossible to just ride away.

I like this article about a bike theif caught in the act in the village.

http://gothamist.com/2009/09/08/video_bike_thief_gets_beatdown.php

Well that's true, you guys have a point.

My preferred strategy is to put the shackle around the wheel and through the frame and then secure that to the meanest looking dog I can find.

Mean cats just don't have the intimidation factor.

Barring that... I lock to something that cannot be moved without the use of extreme force and cutting tools.

What if your mean cat is lion ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9fmf1cdGA4

You Tube has quite a few videos on bike locks and what it takes to defeat them. My fear that was confirmed is that all a lock does is deter an honest person from walking away with an unlocked and thus totally unsecured bike. I've seen the three lock system in place too, 2 u-locks and a chain/cable and the You Tube videos basically show that to be a couple of minutes or so of work to defeat. I've basically kept my bike indoors, the lock is really only for going into a convenience store long enough for a cold beverage purchase and even there the bike is in plain view. If I go to eat, I sit on the outside patio, again, the bike in plain view. Make it harder with multiple locks, but the trade off is you now have three locks that weigh you down. Best solution is to not own a bike worthy of stealing, but if someone is just looking for momentary transportation even the most unreliable looking beater will do and be stolen. It's not like they're going to return it or even keep or fence it ?

Have you ever tried to cut through a rear wheel with a hacksaw ?

It isn't easy.

.

you know it actually looks VERY EASY. I'm not saying it is, but it screams out to a potential thief as an opportunity. I wouldn't want to come back to my bike with a half sawed rear wheel

I personally put a u-lock through my front wheel and downtube, then I put a cable through the back wheel.. My saddle is too cheap to worry about


Nate -

In many cases the most valuable part of a bike (after the frame and fork) is the back wheel... destroying that greatly reduces the value of the bike and makes it impossible to just ride away.
im sure the crack head trying to sell a stolen bike for 20$ doesn't know or care.

My strategy is to take my bike with me wherever I go. This is not always possible, so the fall-back is to have a crappy bike (or at least a crappy looking bike) for those times when you have to lock up outside.

My strategy is to take my bike with me wherever I go. This is not always possible, so the fall-back is to have a crappy bike (or at least a crappy looking bike) for those times when you have to lock up outside.

Please define the term "crappy bike".

90's department store mountain bike with nothing done to it but a tune-up.

How about these? http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/bik/1778515498.html or this http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/bik/1777665979.html

How about these? http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/bik/1778515498.html

I want to enjoy my bike ride

Please define the term "crappy bike".
A bike that makes the bike locked next to it look like a better target for a thief.

I want to enjoy my bike ride

if you can't enjoy your time on the aforementioned craigslist finds, you're NOT A CYCLIST.

if you can't enjoy your time on the aforementioned craigslist finds, you're NOT A CYCLIST.
...which implies that you're a cyclist, and you ride awesome huffys! But your sig seems to imply otherwise! Egads!

i am not the one implying that the above bikes could not be enjoyable/fun. that's where i was taking issue.

and the most fun bike in my sig is seriously just about as nice as some of those huffys.

they can cash in on everything else. its all "free."

if you can't enjoy your time on the aforementioned craigslist finds, you're NOT A CYCLIST.

no, I don't think it would be very fun to ride a bike eaten by rust

no, I don't think it would be very fun to ride a bike eaten by rust

Some people have "beater-bikes"

I've seen descent used road bikes being sold for 2 hundred bucks at garage sales and such.. Just an A-to-B you don't need to sweat about..
I'm not saying a huffy or mongoose.. Let's say you upgrade your bike, and put all the stock parts on a used frame, that was 50$.

My strategy is to take my bike with me wherever I go. This is not always possible, so the fall-back is to have a crappy bike (or at least a crappy looking bike) for those times when you have to lock up outside.

Seriously? Two bikes is your locking strategy? You could be more reasonable by riding a not-too-expensive non-crappy bike that you actually enjoy riding, and lock it properly. I take it you are not a city rider, because in the city you can't take your bike into most buildings. And if you are not in a city, why are you so worried about theft?

Seriously? Two bikes is your locking strategy? You could be more reasonable by riding a not-too-expensive non-crappy bike that you actually enjoy riding, and lock it properly. I take it you are not a city rider, because in the city you can't take your bike into most buildings. And if you are not in a city, why are you so worried about theft?
I'ld have to agree with JohnDThompson that I have two bikes for that exact reason. I enjoy the ride on both of my bikes. But I'ld definitely plan when I go out on which bike I would take. I am NEVER locking my 3rensho even if I had 10 locks. On the other hand, I love my kilo, I enjoy it, I'ld do what I can to lock it properly and prevent it from getting stolen, but if it ever does get stolen (knock on wood!) I'll be sad. But it's not something that is irreplaceable.