Touring - Locks

In two or three weeks I'm going to head south to Los Angeles from Northern California, and I was debating whether to bring my cable lock, my u-lock, both, or perhaps a guard troll. Not sure if I'll be spending much time off the bicycle in high crime areas, though I was considering visiting a few friends in the Bay Area. I'm an ultralight backpacker, so the idea excess weight (while not as much an issue on a bicycle) concerns me. So does the idea of losing my Long Haul Trucker, though!

What do you all use?

~S

I would have the guard troll carry your locks!

I would take just the cable lock. Outside of a high crime area, I don't think that there much likelihood of someone happening upon your bike with the tools and desire to steal it.

Enjoy your trip.

Much depends on where you are touring. Last summer I bicycled through Ticino, the Italian part of Switzerland. One day around noon I arrived at a bike shop in a small city. Expensive bicycles were on display outside the shop, and not one was locked. More surprising: the entire staff was away on a two-hour lunch! My guess is that bike theft is rare in Ticino.

In Ticino, I did secure my bike at night with a Stock Lock (www.stocksmfg.on.ca). But after a few days of seeing unlocked bicycles wherever I went, I got out of the habit of locking my bike when stopping for a few minutes. If I were returning to Ticino, I would bring a smaller and lighter lock. The Stock Lock weighs a kilogram and takes up a lot of space.

If I were travelling in urban USA instead of rural Switzerland, I would likely bring two hefty locks, and use them!

Alan

I always take a cable lock with me when I tour. A U-lock isn't even an option for me - while they work well in city-type surroundings, locking a bike to a tree doesn't work too well!

i was thinking about getting a motorcycle lock or an armoured lock, take a look (http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-lock/), you can also check out their website (http://www.onguardlock.com) but the mastiff 5021 weights 4.8 kilos, on the other hand, the rottweiler weights only 2.7, sounds pretty good to me.

I always carry my U-lock and a cable. I'm not sure whether it's really necessary when I tour, but better be safe than sorry.

Weightwise, I tend to carry the kitchen sink. Except for portaging the bike (which I never do anyway), what's 1-2 kg compared to my own 75 kg, the 15 kg of the bike or the 20 kg of the gear?

I would think you'd be fine with a good cable lock. The LHT isn't the most "desireable" bike, and looks somewhat old, even with all new parts. :) My wife referst to mine as a "Grandpa" bike. I think it's the fenders and the B17.

The advantage of a cable lock over a U-lock is that it goes around trees and posts much better. The cable I'm talking about is coiled and stretches to about 2 1/2 feet - also doubles with a clip as a hanger for panniers in bear country. My sense is that a well-used touring bike loaded down with stuff is hardly an appealing target - - and the lock only serves as temporary discouragement anyhoo. I've toured for twenty years and never had a problem - rarely lock my bike - but then again - it only takes one time, right?

No need to over do it. Other than some pretty risky streets in SF, most of the Pac. Highway tour ride is peaceful and relatively low crime. I brought just one lock, a cheapo U-lock, and it was more than sufficient.

markw is right, and that´s one of the reasons why i chose LHT, because it´s not fancy! anyone tried a cuff lock?