How important is a lock for your folder?
 

I was wondering about the following as a good lock is the most important accessory for my folder.

1. Do you have a lock for your folder?
2. What type of lock is it?
3. How does it attach to your folder?

I don't carry or use a lock when I ride my folding bike.

YMMV, location also, IE where do you live ?
how is the bike theft? do they care if you bring the bike in with you..?

For me, I got an Armored Cable lock,
A segmented steel tube is over the cable. OnGuard brand, $40.

I packed it in the front Brompton Touring Bag, for a while,
Then took to just hanging it over the handlebars, their M type bar .
So it was always handy..
more impressive looking than it is..

Abus makes a better lock of this type as noted in BikeRadar tests,
Their reviews are destructive testing, best way for a lock.. IMHO,
... try to break it, tool escalation, then noting what was needed to get it open.

Touring bag has plenty of space, they have a stiffener
that the loop can go behind, to prevent wear and potential tear,
on the inside of the fabric , a piece of Coroplast got added .

then the lock if not needed goes in there, shop says 'no bikes in here',
the lock can be deployed.

Any how , I note, the Heavy rider, Bike friday, option, has a front triangle.
that makes locking it up go well, their standard single tube design ,
no similar 'hole'..., secure lock is
more challenging.
the Brompton also offers a triangle in the main section to lock thru..

so what bike you have makes a difference in the convenience of locking it .

Now I have added an Abus link lock in a pouch on the BF, + a chain lock ,
from the same German company..

I use a medium kryptonite U-lock and saddle wire
the saddle wire is just looped on the saddle, while the U-lock attaches to the front of the seatpost.

If I used a long lock, I can run it through both wheels and frame when folded, but the medium is just the right size for all practical purposes.

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4080/4...986bfed7_b.jpg

+1 - I don't carry a lock when I ride my Tikit. . Once or twice it has helped sway a business owner into letting me bring the bike in as I had no way to lock it up. I rarely have a stop I couldn't skip if necessary and I have never been denied entry with my Bike Friday.

I often fold the Tikit in front of staff at the business which usually starts a conversation and they want to get a closer look at it so I roll it inside and let them check it out while I take care of my business.

I carry this on tour:
http://www.masterlock.eu/apps/utilit...w=600&u=3&cs=1


I slide the shackle through the wheel in between the spokes, including the seat stays inside the shackle. A vinyl covered cable end is also included in the shacle, and the other end is looped around a tree/pole lasso style. I use this for quick low risk situations such as stopping at a flea market or going shopping while on tour. With this combination, the back wheel is secured to the frame, and the bike can't be wheeled or ridden, plus it can't be lifted away. It is of course not too much of a challenge to cut the cable, and a bolt cutter will cut the lock, but the lock shackle is not readily accessible to be cut so it is good enough for me. The removable shackle lock is light weight compared to a D-lock.

Funny, I use almost the same thing.

If I know I'm going to be locking up the bike, I use a Kryptonite-mini.

Another nil lock carrier here. Pop in and out of shops and sit in cafes as well as keeping my Brompton in my office.

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6034/6...652b776a_o.jpg

On the few times I go on a train I do carry a padlock/cable, though I usually keep the bike in sight.

Regards

Jerry

Both commuting and touring in Rome and DC, my tikit has never had a lock (and I don't intend to give it one).

I use my folder to run some errands, and often need to go into larger stores where the bike must remain outside. I use a 5 ft, cable lock that comes with a carrier that clamps on the frame (mine is on the stem).

If I am just out for a ride, I won't carry the lock as it is a bit heavy.

If I'm going to need to lock my DaHon Curve I carry one of those plasic coated braided steel cable locks, 3/8" x 8' long, made by a company in Taiwan (Handy-Way) and sold under a variety of names in the U.S. (and probably other countries as well). I carry it in my daypack (i.e. small backpack).

So, yes, pretty generic but it works for me.

Rick / OCRR

i never carry a lock. i always bring my bike, or wheel my bike to places i go to. that is the beauty of folding bike. ride your bike, fold it and wheel it.

Does that mean you wheel it into large stores like Sears or Target for example.

haven't been to sears or target yet as it is way too far from my house to take my bike. but been to starbucks, rite aid, luckys and home depot with no issues and i wheel it inside.

I may try that, I just assumed ... well that it wasn't done. A place like Home Depot might be a good place to start, or maybe even Walmart, we've all seen the videos of how at least a select few patrons attire.

I only need a simple cable & padlock-and very rarely and only indoors locked up as is.

Not important at all.

No lock here. I keep the bike, phone and wallet with me.


You can put it horizontally on the lower shelf of the shopping cart. I don't think anybody will complain about it.

Importance of the lock turns out to be some measure of one's complexity of life:).

Whenever I go to shops, banks, etc. I lock up my Bike Friday PR outside.

Japan has a fairly low crime rate, but bicycle thefts are common, which is why by law bikes are now supposed to be registered as soon as you buy them (by the dealer, there's a $6 fee). Most bike thefts here are by people too lazy to walk home from the train station or by joyriding kids. Police often carry out random inspections of bikes and riders in the streets to make sure the bikes are not registered to another person or reported as stolen.

I use a bike lock that cost about $12. It's about 25 cm in diameter and consists of an 8 mm thick steel cable surrounded by plastic. I run the loop through the wheel and the left seat stay (away from the chain).

Unless somebody walks around with a pretty heavy duty wire cutter they're unlikely to cycle away with my bike, at the same time the lock is not too bulky or heavy.

That is a good idea, never thought of that, thanks for the tip.

The only places I bring my Swift indoors are at work, on the train and the back of my car. Other than that, it stays outside where (IMO) bicycles ordinarily belong. I always have a lightweight cable lock on the bike in case I'm stopping at a suburban store where the security risk is low but I still need to prevent a crime of opportunity. If I know I'll be going somewhere with moderate to high theft risk, then I'll bring my Evolution Mini in my backpack. Still haven't rigged up a way to mount it to the bike, though I probably should eventually do so.

I suspect it all comes down to the bike. My Swift got locked up outside more often because it was more difficult to move around when folded. The Brompton usually comes in with me.

The general rule of thumb I use with the Brompton is if I'd be happy bringing in the kid's stroller, I'd probably be just as happy with Brompton.

With my R - 20 I carry a very secure looking Kryptonite U-lock Evolution Vds AND a small vinyl covered wire cable lock ( cheapo) for the wheel-to-frame. Its the only bike I ride which requires TWO locks. The frame Q/r has been replaced by a Bolt. I see a lot of people fold their bikes and THEN lock them up making a tighter package & for the lock to cover more ground.

Might buy a Swift soon which I will probably lock-up the same way.

http://www.thorusa.com/accessories/hiplok.htm

just in case somebody needs a lock after all, these are pretty strong and handy. Once in a great while one needs a good lock, I prefer to bring the bike wherever I go .... but ...