General Cycling Discussion - Reccomend for a Bike lock?

Don't know if there is a section for this discussion, so here I start:

I need a bike lock, for the past couple years I have been using a homemade chain lock with sleeve and a cheap pad lock. (There's a chain joiner in the sleeve in case I forget the key or what not, easy hidden unlock)

But now I'm going to ride and park at college and need a better lock.
Info:
70's Road Bike with Rear Rack
Quick Release front and back wheels - rather not remove so cable is needed
I live in a place where I don't even lock my truck up in a shopping center, but it's good to keep the honest people honest. My bike is more precious to me then my truck
$100, but nicer to go cheaper.


Any ideas? Favorites?
Thanks in advance.

Trust no one. Price of gas is up and going higher. Bikes are suddenly the commodity to have. Try taking the bike into your apartment with you. Better yet, take it into your bedroom.

When in class, shackle the bike to a suicide bomber. Nobody will steal it that way.

Trust no one. Price of gas is up and going higher. Bikes are suddenly the commodity to have. Try taking the bike into your apartment with you. Better yet, take it into your bedroom.

When in class, shackle the bike to a suicide bomber. Nobody will steal it that way.

funny.

I take my bike in my house and place it up on my rack. Any recommends for locks?

Get 3.5' of 5/16" chain. Use bicycle inner tube for sleeve. Buy a decent $5-$7 key lock (minimum 5/16" diameter shackle).

the chain, Hardened, formed of square steel, is better as it won't cut with common bolt cutters,
that's what Kryptonite company buys, and packages ,but it may be short to go around Both wheels
and the rack or other fixed object to Lock-To

so that and a U lock may stretch further.. You can always buy a heavy U lock and lock it to the rack
you use all the time..
and leave it there rather than carry it around all the time..

Tell Campus security it's yours, they won't cut it to get it off the rack, then.

Good experience w/ fahgettaboudit u lock & wax/ball bearing in bolts yet you still have to be aware !

I have a U-lock that I use to lock up the frame and front wheel to a sturdy object. When the lock is not in use I have it attached to the frame in a holder. That way, it is really easy to bring with you. I also have a small, built in lock for the back wheel that locks it to the frame. This way I feel quite safe and also don't have any heavy chains to carry around.

Kryptonite New York U-lock (4x8") or Krypto Fahgettaboudit. Strongest U-locks around. Fahgettaboudit chain too, but very heavy.

I work at a big university in a big city and use a NY through the bike rack/rear wheel inside of the frame triangle (no need to run it through the stays or seat tube) and use a beefy OnGuard cable around the down tube, through the fork and through the front wheel. This for my LEAST expensive bike. Forces any thief to have two tools and a lot of determination to get my bike. They won't bother, they'll just target the crappy locks or the unsecured wheels on other bikes.

An option to the cable lock is to buy a Pitlock skewer for the front wheel. Think I'm going to do that.

If the area you're in is low in bike thefts, a cable + u-lock should be fine. As others have said, Kryptonite NY u-lock is great (I have one). I also have a 7' Kryptonite cable with looped ends, so you can use a separate lock, or the u-lock itself to secure it. The right chain is secure, but heavy, so it can be a pain to transport. Whatever you do, don't use a cable lock on its own, unless replacing your bike is not an issue.

... Forces any thief to have two tools and a lot of determination to get my bike...

A high-speed abrasive cutoff wheel will get through any bike lock, chain, or cable in well under a minute. I lost a key to a heavy padlock and cut the 3/8" hardened steel shackle with a battery operated Dremel and cutoff wheel in about 30 sec. It's quick, easy, and takes very little effort.

If the area you're in is low in bike thefts, a cable + u-lock should be fine. As others have said, Kryptonite NY u-lock is great (I have one). I also have a 7' Kryptonite cable with looped ends, so you can use a separate lock, or the u-lock itself to secure it. The right chain is secure, but heavy, so it can be a pain to transport. Whatever you do, don't use a cable lock on its own, unless replacing your bike is not an issue.

I do the cable through the u lock as well. Not sure how much extra protection it provides, but it gives me a little peace of mind. I've been thinking I need to upgrade my u-lock though.

My advice would be to get a "beater" bike. Check in the thrift/goodwill stores. Get something for about $30.. Then lock that up with a $5 or $6 lock..theives most likely will pass over your cheapo..:D