ijeff

I'm about to invest in a couple of nice bikes for my wife and I, and am wondering which type of lock would be the best and most secure to use... I plan on attaching them to a Raxter hitch rack for travelling and will need to keep them on the hitch rack while at a motel/hotel.. I am thinking of a cable type lock, but unsure of the brands and quaility and which type of locking mechanism would be best.
Help Please?

Michigander

A big chain with a brand name lock is a big chain with a brand name lock, its all the same really. Most anything can be easily cut if someone is properly equipped.

rodny71

kryptonite is good brand to look for. It may look extreme and expensive but its worth the investment. And stay away from cable locks.

phil15241

I would actually suggest taking your bikes inside the hotel because leaving valuables in/on your car is a very big no no. Many thiefs hit cars parked in hotel parking lots so your safest bet would be bringing your bike in the hotel. I dont think anyone will mind if you ask first. However, you still may want invest in a small lock just to deter the thieves on like rest stops, eating places, etc.

Hope this helps

-phil

alanbikehouston

Cable "locks" are not actually locks. They are signs saying "free bike right here". Use locks that earn a gold rating after tests by soldsecure locksmiths. Most of the more expensive chains, padlocks, and u-locks from Kryptonite and OnGuard have earned gold ratings.

www.soldsecure.com/Leisure.htm

SamHouston

Motels will not say anything about bringing your bikes in overnight, I always do. Hotels will have a secure room inside the hotel for bikes, or allow them in your room. In both cases you can usually lock the bike to the plumbing or a chair making it harder for opportunity thieves that have access to your room when you aren't there. Don't leave them on a rack overnight, if the thief can't easily defeat your lock, or remove the rack itself with the bikes, then they may simply take all the nice parts off and make of with them.

lima_bean

I highly reccomend a U-Lock over a chain lock.

Michigander

Let me please reiterate what I said earlier. All locks can be cut without too much difficulty. I used to work at a bike shop, and we had to cut a lot of locks when people lost keys. This included every variation of lock you can imagine. A proper set of bolt cutters will cut through any paddlock. A U lock is a better lock, but a sawzall will cut through it. If a thief is serious, your lock means very little, and I don't care what kind you have. The only good protection from theft is not to have your best bikes in a place where they have an increased risk of being stolen.

I by the way also do what SamHouston does. I always bring my bikes in Hotel rooms over night. No reason not to.