My lock options...u-lock & chain, or 2 u-locks?
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 23
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
My lock options...u-lock & chain, or 2 u-locks?
Recently picked up a bike off craigslist for commuting to and from work. Work in a ****ty part of town, night shift. Bike will be locked up in a bike cage that is only badge accessible, in a "gated" parking garage.
I currently own a small Kryptonite u-lock and a Kryptonite Evolution Series chain and lock. Also have a small, thin cable that is looped on both ends that I have girth hitched around a rail on the seat, and will use the other looped end to pass through one of the locks as a deterrent so the seat isn't easily stolen (also, the seat is not quick release).
Here's my plan...both wheels are quick release. I plan on using the small u-lock to lock the front wheel to the frame. Then use the chain to pass through the rear wheel, cable girth hitched to the seat and through the bike frame to the bike rack in the cage. This seems fine to me, but not looking forward to lugging the chain around on my 16 mile roundtrip commute, so considering using two u-locks.
Thoughts?
I currently own a small Kryptonite u-lock and a Kryptonite Evolution Series chain and lock. Also have a small, thin cable that is looped on both ends that I have girth hitched around a rail on the seat, and will use the other looped end to pass through one of the locks as a deterrent so the seat isn't easily stolen (also, the seat is not quick release).
Here's my plan...both wheels are quick release. I plan on using the small u-lock to lock the front wheel to the frame. Then use the chain to pass through the rear wheel, cable girth hitched to the seat and through the bike frame to the bike rack in the cage. This seems fine to me, but not looking forward to lugging the chain around on my 16 mile roundtrip commute, so considering using two u-locks.
Thoughts?
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 18,138
Bikes: 2 many
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1266 Post(s)
Liked 323 Times
in
169 Posts
If you always lock up at the same place, you can leave a lock there, locked to the rack. To me, the benefit of a chain is that it will go around something too big for a U lock. For example, a phone pole.
Last edited by 2manybikes; 09-05-16 at 10:00 AM. Reason: spelling
#3
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 23
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Maybe what I will do is just leave the chain locked in the cage at work, and get a second u-lock for locking the bike up for my grocery runs/around town.
#4
Banned
You can Buy Pitlock Skewers to replace the QRs? https://www.pitlock.de/en
Pitlock locking skewers _ pitlock locking skewers
I have an Abus Bordo , A folding Link lock.. Easier to carry in it's pouch, than a U lock and
also have a Integrated chain-lock from the same German Company..
Pitlock locking skewers _ pitlock locking skewers
I have an Abus Bordo , A folding Link lock.. Easier to carry in it's pouch, than a U lock and
also have a Integrated chain-lock from the same German Company..
#5
Mostly harmless ™
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Novi Sad
Posts: 4,430
Bikes: Heavy, with friction shifters
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1107 Post(s)
Liked 216 Times
in
130 Posts
If it helps, I wrote about locking techniques and safety on this page:
Locking a bicycle
About how to choose a good quality locks here:
Bicycle locks
Locking a bicycle
About how to choose a good quality locks here:
Bicycle locks
#6
Senior Member
You can Buy Pitlock Skewers to replace the QRs? https://www.pitlock.de/en
Pitlock locking skewers _ pitlock locking skewers
Pitlock locking skewers _ pitlock locking skewers
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: SoCal
Posts: 3,078
Bikes: Roubaix SL4 Expert , Cervelo S2
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 85 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Since your bike is in a cage in a secure area I wouldn't be too worried about theft. The security skewers/bolts will be your best bet if wheel/accessory theft is your concern. Carrying around two u-locks to lock your wheels to the frame is a lot of extra weight to lug around. I like the two u-lock approach myself if I'm locking it to a secure object (example pic below not mine.)
#8
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 23
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Since your bike is in a cage in a secure area I wouldn't be too worried about theft. The security skewers/bolts will be your best bet if wheel/accessory theft is your concern. Carrying around two u-locks to lock your wheels to the frame is a lot of extra weight to lug around. I like the two u-lock approach myself if I'm locking it to a secure object (example pic below not mine.)
Last edited by sbpark; 09-05-16 at 08:58 PM.
#9
Banned.
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Vegemite Island
Posts: 4,130
Bikes: 2017 Surly Troll with XT Drive Train, 2017 Merida Big Nine XT Edition, 2016 Giant Toughroad SLR 2, 1995 Trek 830
Mentioned: 29 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1916 Post(s)
Liked 310 Times
in
218 Posts
Thought about both those points. I am considering leaving the chain lock locked up in the bike cage so I don't have to lug it with me everywhere. As far as using it to go around a telephone pole, that wouldn't be an option/concern since it would live in the bike cage at work.
Maybe what I will do is just leave the chain locked in the cage at work, and get a second u-lock for locking the bike up for my grocery runs/around town.
If you are quite concerned about your bike's safety, then I don't think carrying two U-Locks is a big deal, but it does help to get the "right" U-Locks.
Because of budget concerns and differing views on how much security is enough or too much, it is hard to ever get unanimous agreement, so I will simply tell you what I would do if I was in your shoes.
Firstly, leaving a quality chain lock at your work place cage, is a great idea.
Now if you still feel the need for two U-Locks, I would get these two:
1. To secure the rear wheel to your frame, Abus Granit X-Plus 54 Mini - 145mm long - Weighs 1.2kg
2. To secure your front wheel & frame to an object, Abus Granit X-Plus 54 - 300mm long - Weighs 1.66kg
Both the above U-Locks require both shackles to be cut in order to open the lock and both of them are very tough locks due to their 13mm hardened steel shackles.
You could replace either one of the above with the 230mm version of the Abus Granit X-Plus 54 that weighs 1.45kg, you just need to decide how much room you need your lock to provide.
Another possible substitute from Abus for either of the above could also be the Abus Bordo Granit X-Plus 6500, it weighs 1.58kg and is almost as secure as the above U-Locks, but much more versatile in your locking options.
Also, with the above U-Locks, don't cheap out and buy any frame holder for them other than the Abus Eazy KF Lock Holder & Abus Clamp for Eazy KF(Please note that this link takes you to the 12mm version, you will need the 13mm version for the above U-Locks).
I tried the cheaper lock holders from Abus and quickly junked them and got the Eazy KF gear and it is so much better.
Now with the above locks, anything lighter will be much weaker and less secure and anything stronger will be significantly heavier.
Last edited by ColonelSanders; 09-05-16 at 09:11 PM.
#10
Mostly harmless ™
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Novi Sad
Posts: 4,430
Bikes: Heavy, with friction shifters
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1107 Post(s)
Liked 216 Times
in
130 Posts
Abus Bordo (Granit X-plus model, not the weaker one) is both more versatile for locking than a U-lock, as well as the easiest lock to carry of all the decent ones I've seen. Small frame mounted bag, or just a bag pocket - the lock is folded into a small "brick", not much larger than say two smartphones put together.
I leave a good chain in the place I park often and regularly, carry an Abus Bordo on the bike always, and occasionally, when going into high theft risk areas, add a good U-lock to the package (also Abus in my case).
It costs a lot to get good locks, but then you don't need to buy new bikes every year - lots of bike thefts in my city. Turns out cheaper in the long run.
Saddle, and other stuff are secured to the bike with bolts, or chains staying on the bike always.
I leave a good chain in the place I park often and regularly, carry an Abus Bordo on the bike always, and occasionally, when going into high theft risk areas, add a good U-lock to the package (also Abus in my case).
It costs a lot to get good locks, but then you don't need to buy new bikes every year - lots of bike thefts in my city. Turns out cheaper in the long run.
Saddle, and other stuff are secured to the bike with bolts, or chains staying on the bike always.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: SoCal
Posts: 3,078
Bikes: Roubaix SL4 Expert , Cervelo S2
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 85 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Onguard is another good u-lock brand that can often be found cheaper than Kryptonite. I scored an Onguard STD Brute for $35 on Amazon a few months back. I would shoot for something that is 14mm hardened steel or bigger. Anything less and they are susceptible to bolt cutters. A shackle that locks in two places is a good feature as it doubles the grinding time for the thief. I lock my u-locks to my rack and use a bungee cord to prevent them from rattling around.
Last edited by Dunbar; 09-05-16 at 11:01 PM.
#12
Keepin it Wheel
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: San Diego
Posts: 10,245
Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Liked 3,432 Times
in
2,539 Posts
I can't imagine a bike getting stolen from there, even if unlocked. I would go with a cheap cable-lock. But if you will venture out to the city for errands etc from there, then as others have suggested, keep whatever heavy-duty locks you want in the cage. Since they're there, you might as well use them, and you can take them out on errands, but most of the time you won't have to lug them back and forth to home.