is it safe to leave folding bikes outside locked up?
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is it safe to leave folding bikes outside locked up?
besides the obvious fact that i can fold it up and carry it with me sometimes i wouldn't want to carry around the extra weight and would rather lock it up outside. but with all the folding mechanisms, could security of the bike be easily compromised? would it be dificult to detach a part of the bike at a swivel joint with some tools and then slide off the lock and so on?
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See the "stolen Brompton" recent thread.....
From personal experience & reading that of others, I have no confidence in any lock for a folder, or even a conventional bike. Much better seems to be to find a folder that strolls along instead of having to carry it, & small enough to keep indoors at your intended destinations.
From personal experience & reading that of others, I have no confidence in any lock for a folder, or even a conventional bike. Much better seems to be to find a folder that strolls along instead of having to carry it, & small enough to keep indoors at your intended destinations.
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Hi
Sure it's best if you can carry the bike, but if you have to lock it, make sure there are no weak links:
Hardened chain, good quality lock, chain locks the bike to a tree, lamp-post etc and chain locks bike parts together - with Brompton and Merc it's easy. And a public place.
I have witnessed breaking of a cheap cable lock with two medium size wrenches - the owner had lost the key. It took less than 10 seconds. And sometimes I've noticed bikes locked with a good chain, but the lock is of cheapist quality - they brake as easily.
The good lock is allways heavy and expensive, so it seems.
Sure it's best if you can carry the bike, but if you have to lock it, make sure there are no weak links:
Hardened chain, good quality lock, chain locks the bike to a tree, lamp-post etc and chain locks bike parts together - with Brompton and Merc it's easy. And a public place.
I have witnessed breaking of a cheap cable lock with two medium size wrenches - the owner had lost the key. It took less than 10 seconds. And sometimes I've noticed bikes locked with a good chain, but the lock is of cheapist quality - they brake as easily.
The good lock is allways heavy and expensive, so it seems.
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Originally Posted by maranen
The good lock is allways heavy and expensive, so it seems.
See:
https://www.foldsoc.co.uk/
Left hand panel "Stolen bikes register"
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Motorcyclists face the same issue, and can carry monster Abus, Krypto, etc. locks.... but even with weight-is-no-object, there are two basic approaches: alarms, and multiple locks. Alarms for obvious reasons. Multiple locks to make your bike comparatively less attractive than one with fewer locks.
If the risk is high, I bring my bicycle inside... hotel room, restaurant, store, doesn't matter. At worst, the shop owner can tell you to take it outside, which I do, after I make my purchase. If the venue is your workplace, there's always a place in the building you can lock a bike. It may take a little lube with the building management, janitor, whatever.
If the risk is high, I bring my bicycle inside... hotel room, restaurant, store, doesn't matter. At worst, the shop owner can tell you to take it outside, which I do, after I make my purchase. If the venue is your workplace, there's always a place in the building you can lock a bike. It may take a little lube with the building management, janitor, whatever.
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Originally Posted by maunakea
Motorcyclists face the same issue, and can carry monster Abus, Krypto, etc. locks.... but even with weight-is-no-object, there are two basic approaches: alarms, and multiple locks. Alarms for obvious reasons. Multiple locks to make your bike comparatively less attractive than one with fewer locks.
If the risk is high, I bring my bicycle inside... hotel room, restaurant, store, doesn't matter. At worst, the shop owner can tell you to take it outside, which I do, after I make my purchase. If the venue is your workplace, there's always a place in the building you can lock a bike. It may take a little lube with the building management, janitor, whatever.
If the risk is high, I bring my bicycle inside... hotel room, restaurant, store, doesn't matter. At worst, the shop owner can tell you to take it outside, which I do, after I make my purchase. If the venue is your workplace, there's always a place in the building you can lock a bike. It may take a little lube with the building management, janitor, whatever.
I'm thinking about an alarm idea for my folder at the moment.
The multiple lock approach for a (folding) bicycle is very heavy & cumbersome of course, & still only a deterrent.
I agree, taking it inside is the safest policy, & simply go somewhere else if there's an admission refusal.
On a less depressing note, are you still on your European trip? Presumably the current rain spell in the UK is much more depressing than Hawaii? Our friends were there several weeks ago, & still haven't stopped telling us about it, so we're looking forward to going there in the next year or two. We watched a very interesting program about Hawaii recently - how there's a determined effort to stop the habitat destruction by tourism.
#9
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It is as safe to leave a folding bike locked up outside as it is any other bike. It's much easier just to clip the lock than to disassemble the bike.
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Originally Posted by Bacciagalupe
It is as safe to leave a folding bike locked up outside as it is any other bike. It's much easier just to clip the lock than to disassemble the bike.
If I carry my GoBike into a Pub or resto & they say "That'll have to stay outside"
I say "No problem! Goodbye!"
I passed a Brompton in Kensington High Street a few weeks ago, it was locked to a huge tree! Good idea, right?
Trouble was the muppet who owned it (temporarily) had locked it with a cheap lock & chain, WHICH WAS WRAPPED AROUND THE TREE........................................AND THE SEATPOST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeee Gods, why do my bikes get stolen when there are easy pickings like that?
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My Microcar & alternate energy vehicle site.
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I don't lock my Strida at work, and I do leave it outside. Folded, it tucks neatly between a large concrete planter and the front window of our building. Not easily noticed from the street or to people walking in - but within sight of the security guards.
I'm comfortable that nobody is gonna walk or ride off with it.
Even so, I'm not telling you where I work
I'm comfortable that nobody is gonna walk or ride off with it.
Even so, I'm not telling you where I work
#12
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Originally Posted by Chop!
I'm afraid that this simply isn't true, the high value of top end folders makes them prime targets.
As to desireability: Maybe things are different where you live, but in the NYC area, anything and everything is fair game. A friend of mine had an utterly junked-out 10 speed, and people tried to steal it numerous times. One joker even put his own lock onto the bike, hoping they'd abandon it.
Maybe Bromptons are more common where you are. Most of the what I see around here, including ones locked up outside, are typically low-end folders.
Plus, not many serious roadies will leave their $6500 Orca Record sitting outside anywhere, right?
I always take mine in, even to posh pubs & restaurants...
That said, I do occasionally park my folding bike with a reasonably sturdy cable lock on the streets of NY. It's a cheap folder anyway, so my heart would not bleed if it ever got stolen. Heck, it would almost be a relief at this point -- one less object cluttering up my apartment!
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Originally Posted by cyclistjohn
On a less depressing note, are you still on your European trip? Presumably the current rain spell in the UK is much more depressing than Hawaii? Our friends were there several weeks ago, & still haven't stopped telling us about it, so we're looking forward to going there in the next year or two. We watched a very interesting program about Hawaii recently - how there's a determined effort to stop the habitat destruction by tourism.
PM when your plans to visit the Sandwich Isles firm up, and bring your folder if possible.... the only rental bikes here are beach cruisers and "campus bikes" (looks like a MTB, but only looks... ). Best months are November to June. Richard the Lionhearted announced that Virgin would like to fly nonstop LHR/HNL with its new 787s.
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Originally Posted by Bacciagalupe
It's a cheap folder anyway, so my heart would not bleed if it ever got stolen. Heck, it would almost be a relief at this point -- one less object cluttering up my apartment!
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I lock my folder and Trek when outside behind the house. The U lock holds them together. I know I live in a safe community but I won't risk losing my valuable bikes because of the fact we haven't had any break ins or robberies in our community. And when I head to the grocery, I bring two locks with me, the cable and the U lock. Better to be safe than be sorry. Make it a habit to lock not just your bicycle but your house eventhough you're home.
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Originally Posted by lee_rimar
I don't lock my Strida at work, and I do leave it outside.
Even so, I'm not telling you where I work
Even so, I'm not telling you where I work
I ask because I read somewhere recently of a man working for an American car manufacturer that wouldn't permit bicycles on the premises.
Very wise - you never know who's lurking in these forums ;-)
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Originally Posted by maunakea
cj, ... I was ecstatic with the weather I had in the UK: 7 sunny days, 2.5 partly cloudy, and .5 rain.
I had wanted to visit the DeHavilland Mosquito Museum near St. Albans, and HMS Victory in Portsmouth, for years, and finally got the chance on weekends.
PM when your plans to visit the Sandwich Isles firm up, and bring your folder if possible.... the only rental bikes here are beach cruisers and "campus bikes" (looks like a MTB, but only looks... ). Best months are November to June. Richard the Lionhearted announced that Virgin would like to fly nonstop LHR/HNL with its new 787s.
I had wanted to visit the DeHavilland Mosquito Museum near St. Albans, and HMS Victory in Portsmouth, for years, and finally got the chance on weekends.
PM when your plans to visit the Sandwich Isles firm up, and bring your folder if possible.... the only rental bikes here are beach cruisers and "campus bikes" (looks like a MTB, but only looks... ). Best months are November to June. Richard the Lionhearted announced that Virgin would like to fly nonstop LHR/HNL with its new 787s.
We have a friend in Potters Bar, yet we still haven't visited that, so must do it.
You are a mind reader, well anticipated on those times, etc., & I shall indeed PM you nearer the time, thank you :-)
I hadn't spotted Sir R.B's plans, thanks. Our intentions were tentatively to buy 2 new folders somewhere en route where the prices were less extortionate than here, & we'd get a chance to put some miles on them. In any event, we will bring folders, as we're always disappointed with rental bikes.
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I live in a small town with a low crime rate, but you never know who might pass through. There's a very nice restaraunt less than a mile from where I live, and some cars were broken into in their parking lot a while ago.
On the other hand, the last bike of mine actually to be stolen was 30 years ago, in another state. I'd probably be safe enough locking any of my bikes outside in the towns in this immediate area, but I don't usually care to take the chance. Even a failed theft attempt might do some damage to the bike. As long as I've got folders, I'd rather bring them inside with me. The main reason I got my Curve is that it's easier to do that than with my Bike Fridays, which makes it a good bike to use for shopping and running errands. I've occasionally chained my Raleigh Twenty outside, but not recently.
My situation at work is very favorable for bicycles. I can bring even a full sized non-folder inside, where there's no reason to lock it.
My best lock is a five foot Kryptonite New York chain. It turned out that the original lock that came with it could be easily picked with a ball point pen. Kryptonite replaced these locks with a different kind at no cost, they even paid for the shipping when I sent the original back to them. However, that shook my faith in locks in general. The lock and chain are extremely heavy anyway, and I don't like to carry them.
On the other hand, the last bike of mine actually to be stolen was 30 years ago, in another state. I'd probably be safe enough locking any of my bikes outside in the towns in this immediate area, but I don't usually care to take the chance. Even a failed theft attempt might do some damage to the bike. As long as I've got folders, I'd rather bring them inside with me. The main reason I got my Curve is that it's easier to do that than with my Bike Fridays, which makes it a good bike to use for shopping and running errands. I've occasionally chained my Raleigh Twenty outside, but not recently.
My situation at work is very favorable for bicycles. I can bring even a full sized non-folder inside, where there's no reason to lock it.
My best lock is a five foot Kryptonite New York chain. It turned out that the original lock that came with it could be easily picked with a ball point pen. Kryptonite replaced these locks with a different kind at no cost, they even paid for the shipping when I sent the original back to them. However, that shook my faith in locks in general. The lock and chain are extremely heavy anyway, and I don't like to carry them.
Last edited by DaFriMon; 05-29-07 at 02:18 PM.
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Originally Posted by exas
besides the obvious fact that i can fold it up and carry it with me sometimes i wouldn't want to carry around the extra weight and would rather lock it up outside. but with all the folding mechanisms, could security of the bike be easily compromised? would it be dificult to detach a part of the bike at a swivel joint with some tools and then slide off the lock and so on?
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#23
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Originally Posted by maunakea
come clean.... you would actually get to buy a replacement folder.
I'm seriously considering selling my cheapo folder, but it is just barely useful enough that I haven't ditched it yet.
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... but the space the cheapo folder occupies could be occupied by a project bike. You would get to buy new parts and dial in the cockpit and take pix and ... think of the opportunity cost of not starting a new project bike.
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Locking just came up on the BikeFriday list and somebody posted this...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VC3hFr8p2ck
Which says to me, if they really want it, they will steal it no matter what kind of lock you use.
But for me the bike is transportation not just recreation so I do leave it locked during the day for an hour or so (while eating lunch, etc.). I try to watch it but it is not always possible. If it gets stolen I'll be pissed but I figure you can go around worrying about everything -- I would never leave the house if I did. But wait-- since most accidents happen in the home I'd worry about that and would just curl up in a ball and die
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VC3hFr8p2ck
Which says to me, if they really want it, they will steal it no matter what kind of lock you use.
But for me the bike is transportation not just recreation so I do leave it locked during the day for an hour or so (while eating lunch, etc.). I try to watch it but it is not always possible. If it gets stolen I'll be pissed but I figure you can go around worrying about everything -- I would never leave the house if I did. But wait-- since most accidents happen in the home I'd worry about that and would just curl up in a ball and die