General Cycling Discussion - WARNING!! Back away from the bike!

Just wondering what everybody else is doing for security with their bicycles?? How do you keep it secure? For everyone who frequents public bike racks or anything else attached by cement or gravity, how do you fasten to it?

This is what I'm going with starting tomorrow...

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6092/6213099403_3f855f2627_m.jpg
Shlage 7ft. Braided steel cable & Brinks 3" tumbling padlock.

Your set-up won't last 5 seconds...

Get a New York Fahgettaboudit U-Lock! + Get the On-Guard Beast Chain Lock!

- Slim :)

oooooooooh...NICE!

U-lock, plus a small rear wheel ring lock. The wheel axles, seat post and stem in my bike also require special tools to open (I use Pitlocks, there are others as well).

I could cut through that lock in no time.

If your going to use any lock like those get the circular ones that have a very small amount of the bar showing those are a pain to cut with anything.

Or get one of these :p


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

Seriously though, that lock combo seems a bit weak, perhaps check out the U locks by Kryptonite and a cable to lock your bike with.

I guess it all depends on your area. I've been using that setup (combination, not key lock for me) for about 2 years with no issues. Yea, it's relatively easily defeated, but if I had a U-Lock only, 90% of the time, I couldn't find something to lock it to. I'm usually stuck with big cement pillars in front of buildings.

Granted, I don't have to take any of the accessories off my bike either. I don't live in an area where bicycle *anything* is worth much.

I guess it all depends on your area. I've been using that setup (combination, not key lock for me) for about 2 years with no issues. Yea, it's relatively easily defeated, but if I had a U-Lock only, 90% of the time, I couldn't find something to lock it to. I'm usually stuck with big cement pillars in front of buildings.

Granted, I don't have to take any of the accessories off my bike either. I don't live in an area where bicycle *anything* is worth much.

Missoula ain't Manhattan...

Or get one of these :p


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

Seriously though, that lock combo seems a bit weak, perhaps check out the U locks by Kryptonite and a cable to lock your bike with.

Hey guys!

It's getting to the point where, we're all going to need one of these, so try not to laugh!

- Slim :)

Missoula ain't Manhattan...

That's the god's honest truth...hehe. I really like that On-Guard Beast, the climbing lock is hilarious!!! Well, I suppose my set up might get me through the winter, then I'll start looking on upgrading locks by then. Anyone else??? Any other odd ideas or clever concoctions? Like, leaving your dog chained to your rig, or letting it get so God-awful ugly that nobody would dream of taking it?

http://www.dominicwilcox.com/images/stickers/top.jpg
+random duct tape on bike seat, tubes
+cover up any shiny chrome
+hideous color scheme

In the parking garage of the hospital where I work I keep a Kryptonite U-Lock (that was sent to me during the Great Kryptonite Bic Pen Lock Recall/Exchange) and a cable with a moderate-size Master padlock. When I bike commute, I U-Lock the frame to the bike rack and put the cable through the front wheel and frame and around the rack. The cable is secured by both the padlock and the U-Lock.
Moderately secure locking devices for parking in a moderately secure location.

I like the scratched paint stickers.

If I'm out on my bike.. unless it's my le tour I don't bring a lock, my bike doesn't leave my side/hand/ass. And even with my le tour.. I use a skimpy cable lock that should give me just enough time to sprint from a convenience store cash register line to deal with whoevers touching my bike.
Edit: Oh and at work, I have a spot to hang up my bikes that pretty much no one else has access to.

If I'm out on my bike.. unless it's my le tour I don't bring a lock, my bike doesn't leave my side/hand/ass. And even with my le tour.. I use a skimpy cable lock that should give me just enough time to sprint from a convenience store cash register line to deal with whoevers touching my bike.
Edit: Oh and at work, I have a spot to hang up my bikes that pretty much no one else has access to.

this for my nice bike. u-locks for my others.

cable locks are fine if your bike is in sight, otherwise i would go with a u-lock. you can get onguards for $20.

at the very least braided cable with no solid metal that can be cut easily. X place may not be "Manhattan" but times are tough and bike thieving is a tempting "occupation" to many. So regardless of area a security setup is never a problem until... well, until it IS.

I use one of these (http://www.kryptonitelock.com/Products/ProductDetail.aspx?cid=1001&scid=1000&pid=1261). I put the U-lock on the rear wheel within the rear triangle (and around a solid post if possible). I lock the cable to it, which loops through the frame and front wheel.

Since my bike is 110% insured I use this lock to satisfy the insurance company requirement that I lock it up.

http://www.masterlock.com/products/product_details.jsp?lockStyle=Combination&typeOfEnvironment=Outdoors&lockUpValue=Low/Medium&category=MLCOM_CableLocks&modelNumber=MLCOM_PRODUCT_8144D

I let the insurance company worry about the bike so I don't have to carry many extra pounds of locking iron.

Since my bike is 110% insured I use this lock to satisfy the insurance company requirement that I lock it up.

http://www.masterlock.com/products/product_details.jsp?lockStyle=Combination&typeOfEnvironment=Outdoors&lockUpValue=Low/Medium&category=MLCOM_CableLocks&modelNumber=MLCOM_PRODUCT_8144D

I let the insurance company worry about the bike so I don't have to carry many extra pounds of locking iron.

Hey there Nightshade, my friend!

That's almost better than a "STEAL ME" sign! :D

- Slim :)

PS.

How do you get bicycle insurance?

Since my bike is 110% insured I use this lock to satisfy the insurance company requirement that I lock it up.

http://www.masterlock.com/products/product_details.jsp?lockStyle=Combination&typeOfEnvironment=Outdoors&lockUpValue=Low/Medium&category=MLCOM_CableLocks&modelNumber=MLCOM_PRODUCT_8144D

I let the insurance company worry about the bike so I don't have to carry many extra pounds of locking iron.

Even if I could replace a stolen bike at no cost it's terribly inconvenient to have a bike stolen.

Hey there Nightshade, my friend!

That's almost better than a "STEAL ME" sign! :D

- Slim :)

PS.

How do you get bicycle insurance?

Easy, Call your homeowner or renters insurance agent and add the bike as a All Hazard rider . It cost me $50 per year for both my trike and bike extra. $50 buy a lot of sleep for me!!

Besides, If someone steals it I might as well get paid for it!!


Even if I could replace a stolen bike at no cost it's terribly inconvenient to have a bike stolen.

If it was my only transport maybe but ,nah, no worries.

If it was my only transport maybe but ,nah, no worries.

I was thinking of my ride this morning. I rode 10 miles for an MRI and had to lock up out front. If my bike would have been stolen, I'd be ten miles from home. I have three other bikes... but they're 10 miles away. :)

I was thinking of my ride this morning. I rode 10 miles for an MRI and had to lock up out front. If my bike would have been stolen, I'd be ten miles from home. I have three other bikes... but they're 10 miles away. :)

I've thought of that too.. fortunately I have the local cab company's number on my phone, and I can always call my wife. Worse case scenario, for 10 miles, I'd have a 3 hour walk.

I've thought of that too.. fortunately I have the local cab company's number on my phone, and I can always call my wife. Worse case scenario, for 10 miles, I'd have a 3 hour walk.

Sure, but it's inconvenient - therefore I want a decent lock.

If i'm at home they're locked in the garage, at work they come into the building with me and if i'm out and about I don't really take my eyes off them.

It's definitely worth dropping some money to get a good U-lock.

Another thing is to watch where you leave the bike. I don't leave my bike overnight in places that are quiet and dark- like a park. I think it's better to leave it in high-traffic areas.

Two longshackle Kryptonite locks.
Preferably, I lock one through the back wheel Sheldon style, and lock the side of the front basket to the frame with the other.
In less ideal situations (which come up fairly often), I lock the back wheel to whatever substandard locking object I was able to find with one lock, then I use the second U-lock to lock the back wheel to the frame.
In really pathetic circumstances, which are rare but occasionally happen, I lock one lock to the recessed and inaccessible thing I found to lock to, and the second lock between the other lock and the frame.

I use a u lock and a cable lock with my CAAD9 everyday at school. 3 months and it's still good.

How about letting the air out of your tires...anybody use this as a deterrent method???

How about letting the air out of your tires...anybody use this as a deterrent method???

If it was a expensive bike the person would just carry it away.

Just wondering what everybody else is doing for security with their bicycles?? How do you keep it secure? For everyone who frequents public bike racks or anything else attached by cement or gravity, how do you fasten to it?

This is what I'm going with starting tomorrow...

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6092/6213099403_3f855f2627_m.jpg
Shlage 7ft. Braided steel cable & Brinks 3" tumbling padlock.
Cable locks are easy to defeat with bolt cutters.

Cheapo from bikeline keeps my steed locked up at college. Works for me lol

Your lock will be fine as long as you are not leaving your bike out overnight too often.

There are really only a dozen or so places in the US where it is at all common for bike thieves to go to the trouble of cutting locks. I do have a Kryptonite Evo 4 U lock that I sometimes use, but I had to order it from Amazon, as neither it nor the NY lock were available at bike stores.

Thanks everyone for the helpful tips. After contemplating my options and location, I've decided to subsidize my current set-up with an additional U-lock, kind of following this locking pattern :


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9bAv1ujPXs

This is actually true. I could open that in about 5 seconds and lock it back up when I'm done.



Your set-up won't last 5 seconds...

Get a New York Fahgettaboudit U-Lock! + Get the On-Guard Beast Chain Lock!

- Slim :)

Usually I just try not to leave my bike anywhere it could get stolen. :) When I have to leave it out in the open...

I have a NY Fahgettaboudit for when I'm planning on being in a store for a while without being near my bike and a cable to make sure the front wheel doesn't go walking. If I'm just going into a cafe or somewhere I'll be able to see my bike, I bring the cable plus a smaller hardened padlock.

Smaller locks with very little play in the catch are much more difficult to shim open and I also don't like how I can pick a masterlock open in about 15 seconds.

When the bikes are on my car(s), I use a long cable with a shrouded padlock that is hardened. (I had a bike stolen off my bike rack when I forgot about it and went to the movies once.)

Just change the headbadge:
http://amzn.to/nXeCx7

Thanks everyone for the helpful tips. After contemplating my options and location, I've decided to subsidize my current set-up with an additional U-lock, kind of following this locking pattern :


You actually don't have to lock through the seat tube, just put the lock through the seat stays and rear wheel, it's much easier.

You actually don't have to lock through the seat tube, just put the lock through the seat stays and rear wheel, it's much easier.

Funny, I thought of trying that first too.