irclean

After searching the Forums and coming up with no viable solutions I turn to you, my fellow commuters, for an answer to my problem. I have a large, heavy u-lock that I need to find a new home for on my bike. I have a rear rack and use only one pannier, so until now I've been transporting it on top of the rack:



Here it is sandwiched between the rack and my lunchbox:



I'm getting a new trunk bag soon so I need to move the lock from its current position. My lock, a Magnum 3000, didn't come with the quick-release bracket shown on its web page so I don't have the option of mounting it on a frame tube. In any case I wouldn't want it inside the front triangle due to cable routing and/or interference with my water bottles. I also don't want to mount it on my handlebars with the Twofish Lockblock since that would interfere with my light and computer mounting positions.

Abus makes a neat-looking bracket that attaches to one side of a rack (click on pic for link):



That's perfect for me since I only use the one side for my pannier. Does anyone here have any experience with this product? Also, does anyone know where to source out this product on this side of the pond? So far the only online sources I've found are in the UK. If not, I would really appreciate any links to similar products, or any other ideas/solutions that you might have to help me solve my dilemma.

Thanks for reading, and ride safe!

DJConspicious

I'm sure you could do a DIY attachment. I'm currently working on making a device that allows me to carry clothes from the dry-cleaner to home and from home to work. A mounting bracket like that looks like it would be great for me.

All you would need is to get a hose clamp, either the adjustable ones or the p-clamp style ones. Get a flat style bungee cord (the smallest one you can find) and cut it to fit from the screws of the clamp around. I don't know a really good way to get it to be a quick release system but you could slide the lock through it while it's unlocked.

If I think of anything that could help you while I'm working on my bike tomorrow morning, I'll post some pics up.


Oh yeah, this was posted up in a previous thread, I don't know if it helps you or not -
https://www.amazon.com/TwoFish-Bikebl...3567881&sr=1-2

irclean

Thanks, DJ... I'll watch out for your device. I thought about just using some Velcro straps (e.g., pump straps) and may still go that route, but that Abus setup looks pretty slick, plus keeps the lock from actually touching the rack.

Unfortunately for me, the Bikeblock won't work due to the fact that my rear brake cable runs along the underside of the top tube, and it's not long enough to re-route under the downtube. Theoretically I might be able to use it or a similar product on the seat stay and carry my lock on the rear triangle. I tried to contact Magnum to see if I could order the QR mounting bracket for my lock to do just that, but the "support" and "contact" links on their web page go nowhere useful. I'm also going to contact MEC, where I bought the lock, to see if they have access to the brackets. That being said, I don't even know if it would work since my lock didn't come with the little plastic part on the shackle that interfaces with the bracket.

colleen c

I used three Two Fish to hold my ulock on the triangle frame. This setup does come with a price since three Two Fish will set you back almost $15. However I figure I can use those block elsewhere later on if I did not want to use them as a Ulock holder.

BarracksSi

You might have room on your handlebars for using the three-piece Twofish set as they show on their website, looking like triathlon aerobars.

I can carry a U-lock on my carbon-tubed, aero-seatpost'd road bike by hanging it from the saddle rails:

irclean

Thanks for all of the suggestions so far, folks... keep 'em coming! I've probably got another week or so to figure out a solution (even a temporary one) before my trunk bag arrives and I have to move the lock.

exile

Judging by your pictures irclean you may be able to get by with the twofish bike block DJconspicious linked. It looks like your cable runs slightly to one side underneath. The bike block looks like it would only slightly push the cable housing further (if at all) to that side and should not interfere with performance at all. I have that bike block, but the velcro strap is very long.

The other alternative would be the Univesal Nylon Mount from dealextreme. I use that to attach attach my ultrafire light to the left chainstay of my bike. It has two shorter velcro straps that should work fine.

irclean

The pics above are slightly misleading; the cable runs dead-center down the middle underneath the top tube. These pics better illustrate the cable routing, and are from the day I rode her home from the LBS:




After enjoying the nakedness of my bike for a few days I began accessorizing it. Originally I wanted to mount the pump under the top tube like I do on my Schwinn:



Unfortunately, the mounting bracket pushed the cable too much to the side for my liking. I first mounted the pump under the down tube before it found its current home alongside the seat tube (as pictured in my original post).

I found the Abus UGH bracket here from Wiggle in the UK. The cost is $26.25 CAD plus another $12.47 to ship it to me here in Canada. That's a total of $38.72 (before taxes); $6.72 more than I paid for the lock I want it to carry! According to Wiggle, if I spend a total $78 on parts they'll ship to me for free. Hmm... they do carry a nice headlight I've had my eye on. Oh, and of course I'll need a second set of brackets for my Schwinn!

Maybe I'm just fishing here for someone to give me permission to go ahead and order yet another frivolous bicycle accessory.

fietsbob

Tubus Locc rack being designed around having a Abus U lock
on the left, quick clips inside the pannier seems interesting..

but in the US Tubus and Abus are separate distributor accounts
for dealer to carry

fietsbob

Carradice saddle bag is where I stow my U lock , Cable, and tire pump ,
pump strapped across support dowel, have also used dowel to hang a 5D cell strip
battery pack for headlights.

alienbogey

Here's what I do:




It's cheap, just buy a few ball-bungees, and you can place them and the lock as required to avoid cables and such. It may appear that it interferes with the water bottle, but it holds the lock loosely enough that it just pushes to the side when the bottle is removed or replaced. No rattling, either.

The only disadvantage is that it takes maybe 15 seconds to do or undo the bungees.

Edit: Note how the lower bungee is routed between the cable and the tube and therefore doesn't interfere with the cable.

LesterOfPuppets

My favorite is in my backpack's back flap. If you can stand a backpack, it's a great place for a lock.

jdgesus 

after trying all the frame mount/rack mount/in my pack.. i just put the darned thing in my back pocket

LesterOfPuppets

^ probably not using a Magnum.

My lock won't fit in my back pocket, but for some quick trips I'll tuck it into my waistband.

jdgesus 

NY fuggedaboutit.
fits fine, im tall, long pockets (twss)

LesterOfPuppets

Oh, yea fahgettaboudit = tiny. Which is good, makes 'em safer against car jack attacks.

nashcommguy

OK, here's my suggestion from exactly the same situation. Lose the wb cage on the seat tube...you don't need it unless your commute takes you through Death Valley. Attach your frame pump to the top of the top tube w/old school metal cable guides. Place the u-lock frame attachment on your seat tube so that the u-lock doesn't hit the TT and clears the wb. As you'll be running one wb get a 28 oz for extra. A thermos of the right size will fit as well for winter, hot liquid commuting.

I did it with a triangle the size of your Schwinn. It's tight, but it fit. It's all a matter of compromise.

PS: Just saw that your lock didn't come w/t frame mount as advertised. Call them and have them send you one!

BarracksSi

Your lock's orientation is identical to what I did when I used my lock's bracket mount. It never interfered with my legs. It also worked well on my previous road bike and its conventional seatpost.

Thanks for posting that pic; I'm too lazy to reattach the bracket.

BarracksSi

One other option -- although this has nothing to do with U-locks -- is to get a chain lock and wrap it around the seatpost.

I've just realized (like, right this minute) that I used to do this with my second bike, the one I got when I was 12 years old. That was with a cheap, thin combination chain lock, too. Now, on my commuter, I do it with a fat OnGuard chain and secure the lock itself to the front of the rack. It's thick enough that the inside of my thighs bumps it, but it's really not bad at all.

I like my U-locks -- the orange Evolution Mini and a NY Standard, which also fits under that seat -- but I take the chain most of the time because I know I can still lock up somewhere when the racks are full.

irclean

Thanks for all the great replies, folks! I decided to bite the bullet and I went ahead and ordered two of the Abus UGH bracket sets, one for my Norco and one for my Schwinn. I also ordered another set of Ergon grips so that I could qualify for the free shipping. Feel free to accuse me of having more money than brains, or a lack of ingenuity. I can't help it; I like anything that I add to my bike to look like it belongs there, rather than looking like a kludge. Call me vain, but I like my bikes to look good as well as being utilitarian. In any case my bike obsession is still way cheaper than owning a second car would be, despite all of my accessories.

BTW I do own a heavy PB security chain and mini u-lock; they remain locked to the bike rack at work and my Magnum provides the extra security I desire. Also, the rack is located in a fenced-off, locked area that is under video surveillance. At home the bike is stored inside my locked garage and I u-lock it to the wall. My wife says I'm paranoid, but I prefer the term vigilant; I've had bikes stolen from me before.

nashcommguy

Nothing wrong with wanting your ride(s) to look good and function well. One can never be secure enough when having good bikes. They're far too easy to steal. My solution was to find cheap pawnshop bikes and put good comps on them. Lived in Chicago and commuted for a number of years there w/o getting one stolen, fortunately. But, there's always a first time...

EChing

I wouldn't put much hope in the Magnum lock mounting bracket. For one thing, complaints on the MEC site about how fragile it is. For another, the Magnum locks look an awful lot like the OnGuard locks, which have similar brackets. Speaking from experience, the bracket is a POS. Plastic that quickly breaks where the tightening strap needs to be held in place: the bracket then always loosens. Check Amazon for reviews of the OnGuard locks.
At least, the MEC Magnum label is almost half the price of the OnGuard label.

Ciufalon

If you use a rack with a solid platform in the center like a mountain rack, Sunlite rack or other similar rack and have a large U-lock you can easily secure it by dropping the U portion down between the platform and outer rail if a lower strut keeps it from moving inward toward the wheel. A Velcro strap around the top secures it. Very easy.

no1mad 

OP has apparently found a solution that should work for him. I had an idea that might help others who may have the same problem, but upon a little research, would not have helped the OP or anyone else that has a disc brake up front. The idea was to just strap a lock to one of these: https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...1_10000_200411

irclean

Before purchasing my Topeak racks, I carried my lock in that method on my old Damco rack:



My new bike required a disc-specific rack since the rear caliper is mounted on the seat stay. When I ordered the rack I they sent me the wrong one first. It fit on my Schwinn, so I kept it and got the correct rack for a much reduced price. Unfortunately neither Topeak rack will allow me to carry the lock this way, but otherwise I like the racks very much.

That's a pretty good idea! There are front racks that would attach to my lowrider mounts - I would just need longer bolts to support both the rack and fender strut since my Norco's fork lacks eyelets on the dropouts. Food for thought.