Commuting - U-lock storage

Does anyone have any advice for carrying a u-lock? I've got a new, replace krypotonite and I've been using the frame-clip that came with it but its not very secure. I just got some panniers, but the lock doubles the weight of clothes and a book in one pannier and I hate feeling off balance. Leaving it at the school bike rack's not really an option...so I'm out of ideas and I'm curious what everyone else does.

If I don't have a backpack I put it on top of the rear rack.

I have an arkel Bug backpack/pannier, and I use the helmet carrier strap thingy to hold the lock (and my plastic grocery store "gym" bag) to the carrier. I only use one side though, so my method won't help your off balance issue. Take Way124's advice and strap it to the top of the rack. That sounds like it might be your best bet.

Put a bunji chord across the rear rack, hooked at the bottom. You may need to thread the chord around a bit so as not to interfere with pannier mounting. With the correct tension you just stuff the U lock under the elastic and wedge the curved bit under the front of your rack. Its cheap, light, quick and effective. You also have quick access to a blunt instrument should you need one.

Depending on your ride, you could look at one of the TwoFish Lock Blocks

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=&subcategory=&brand=0994&sku=3204&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=

Or go with the WedLock look http://cartelesdecine.metropoliglobal.com/pgrande.php?image_id=1448846922&caso=0

I carry it in the back pocket of my jeans, easier access to lockup or to whip it out and whack cars/dogs/buses/etc.

Put a bunji chord across the rear rack, hooked at the bottom. You may need to thread the chord around a bit so as not to interfere with pannier mounting. With the correct tension you just stuff the U lock under the elastic and wedge the curved bit under the front of your rack. Its cheap, light, quick and effective. You also have quick access to a blunt instrument should you need one.

I've had a couple of locks slide off the back this way. If possible I lock it around the seat post or part of the rack first, and then do this.

I ride all the time on rough tracks and trails and it never comes off. You have to get enough tension and if neccessary, tie a knot to reduce the length.

I carry it in the back pocket of my jeans, easier access to lockup or to whip it out and whack cars/dogs/buses/etc.

Of course this is theoretical. You would never really test this theory. Or that fat old cop on the police bike might see you. :lol: Hope he's not lurking here.

I ride all the time on rough tracks and trails and it never comes off. You have to get enough tension and if neccessary, tie a knot to reduce the length.

Do you put the wide part, or the crossbar towards the front of the bike so It can't slide through?

I put the lock towards the rear and the round shackle forward, jammed under the front of the blackburn-style rack.

Just curious - why is leaving the lock on the rack not an option? (becaase if you can- its usually such a good option). Its pretty common elsewhere.

i have a performance transit rear rack. I put my u-lock on the rack, but not setting on top. I unlock the lock, then place the straight piece along one of the rails, running front to back. Then I stick the U part up through the rack and into the straigt piece. Make sure you put the curvy part of the U on the outside of one of the legs of the rack. This will hold the lock tightly and it's simple enough. If you use only 1 pannier you can put the lock on the opposite side. I use a rack trunk and just set the trunk on top of it. It makes it fit a little wierd but it's the best way I've found to carry the lock.

If my digital camera wasn't broken I'd take a picture of it, I'm not too good at describing things like this.

I put it down the back of my pants. Seriously. Very comfortable while riding, and you can pull it out quickly for a little car mirror detachment surgury, should the need arise.

I put it down the back of my pants. Seriously. Very comfortable while riding, and you can pull it out quickly for a little car mirror detachment surgury, should the need arise.

exactly.... right between your pants and unda-pants. works real well if you got nothing else on your back. if your carrying a bag; it goes in there!

If you store anything hard or sharp on your back, that is what you will land on in the event of a spill.

I carry two u-locks on my commute (I leave my bike locked in a parking garage all day). One is strapped on top of the rack using four velcro straps. It's quite secure, and doesn't rattle. The other lock is inside the helmet holder in my Arkel Bug pannier/backpack. Sometimes I carry a cable lock as well, and when I do, it goes inside the pannier.

Reload makes a hip holster/fanny pack type bag that has a belt built in for u-locks. It's perfect on those days when I just want to carry the basics.

Koffee

Another idea:

If you store anything hard or sharp on your back, that is what you will land on in the event of a spill.


Done it a few times. No problem. The lock is pressed tightly to your body, and if anything it protects your back. It also protects me from angry or violent cagers looking to pick a fight. When I draw my krypto, they usually have a change of attitude.

See if someone has an older cast-off frame clip that might fit better. I know mine is snug as can be, maybe the older ones were.

Done it a few times. No problem. The lock is pressed tightly to your body, and if anything it protects your back. It also protects me from angry or violent cagers looking to pick a fight. When I draw my krypto, they usually have a change of attitude.

Are you sure? Someone I know who keeps his U-lock in his back pocket told me of a fall he had once. Apparently, he hit a patch of black ice, and wiped out... found out later that he had a U-lock shaped bruise on his butt! :eek:

Doesn't sound like protection to me. I don't think it was so bad that he stopped carrying the lock this way, though...

I think I will have to tempt fate until it happens to me. Besides a U lock shaped bruise on the butt-now if that's not cool I don't know what is!

Are you sure? Someone I know who keeps his U-lock in his back pocket told me of a fall he had once. Apparently, he hit a patch of black ice, and wiped out... found out later that he had a U-lock shaped bruise on his butt! :eek:

Doesn't sound like protection to me. I don't think it was so bad that he stopped carrying the lock this way, though...

Yeah, I've picked up a few ulock-shaped bruises. Usually while riding drunk in the rain, though. I'm sure there's a lesson there.

Hm. That's happened to me once also. It was one of the things that convincedme the drunk riding wasn't a good plan.

One is strapped on top of the rack using four velcro straps. It's quite secure, and doesn't rattle.

I like it. I'm going to mix that with my newly purchased bungee cord and I should be all set. Thanks for all the responses.

See if someone has an older cast-off frame clip that might fit better. I know mine is snug as can be, maybe the older ones were.
Check at your LBS. Mine literally has a box of lock brackets, new/used, older/newer styles, probably about 100 in all. I've never asked for one, but i'm sure that they'd give it to me, or charge something like .50 for it.

I use Bike Guard's powerlock mount. It adds a few grams, but it's fast and convenient. There's a plastic bit that goes on your lock, which clips into the part mounted on your bike. Takes 2 seconds to do, and can do it one handed. I've tried most of the other lock carrying methods, and this is faster/quieter than strapping it to your rack, more accessible than putting the lock in your pannier/backpack, and faster/more secure than old clamp-style u-lock mounts.

You can probably find the mount itself in used bins of self-serve repair shops or your LBS.


http://www.bikeguardlocks.com/imagesmaster/ulocks/mainimage/magnum_1250.jpg