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Best cable to purchase for 1-U Lock and Cable strategy?

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Best cable to purchase for 1-U Lock and Cable strategy?

Old 04-11-11, 02:43 AM
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Best cable to purchase for 1-U Lock and Cable strategy?

I'm wondering what is the best cable to purchase when it comes to locking up the front wheel?

And secondly, I'm wondering if there's anyone who has done this system and heard f it failing (1 u-lock + cable)? Because I know that cables are easy to breakthrough, but the idea of carrying a chain instead for the front wheel seems so cumbersome...
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Old 04-11-11, 03:05 AM
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Cables are always going to be more easily compromised than a decent shackle... adding keyed skewers will go a long ways to preventing wheel theft and with a lock and shackle your bike is going to look even less attractive to thieves.

If wheel theft is a significant worry you could always carry a second lighter grade shackle which will not be much heavier than a stout cable.
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Old 04-11-11, 03:10 AM
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What lighter shackles would you suggest?

And can you use chains to also go around the seat aswell?
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Old 04-11-11, 03:29 AM
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Kryptonite shackles are good and come in a wide range from light to heavy duty locks like the NY "Fagedaboutit" which will deter pretty much any thief.

A lot of people just use a pinned bike chain to provide extra saddle security and if you live in an area where parts theft is common I'd change out all the quick releases for fixed fasteners.

The best you will do is slow a thief down and if your bike presents too much hassle that in itself is a deterrent.
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Old 04-11-11, 03:51 AM
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I've read into the NY Fagedaboutit lock, and it looks insane. I can see why that'd deter pretty much any thief. But it's like, 15 pounds I think? That bothers me. But I guess it would not be an issue if I only pulled it out when I leave it overnight. So during the day I can use the u-lock only (because who steels a front wheel/seat during the day?), and then at night I'll lock my bike up with the chain.

And I have a question egarding the fixed fasterners - are you referring to things such as Pitlock Locking Skewers (https://www.urbanbiketech.com/)? How worthy of an investment do you think this is? The website seems to out this as a flawless mechanism since you would need the specific 'Pit' wrench to unscrew it. Is this true? Or are there stories of it being unscrewed?

Because if it is as flawless as it says, then it sounds like having a second lock, besides the u-lock to lock your bike to something, would not be necessary?

Last edited by Moe Malik; 04-11-11 at 03:54 AM.
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Old 04-11-11, 04:10 AM
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Lots of theft happens during the day and can happen very quickly if you use quick releases... a Pitlock is good for securing wheels that are not shackled / cabled and even an allen headed skewer is better than a QR.

Have not heard of anyone getting around a Pitlock.
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Old 04-11-11, 04:12 AM
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So Pitlock's are pretty flawless. In that case, with a pitlock, it's possible that it's not necessary to lock up the front wheel or saddle (meaning if you've invested in a pitlock, a cable or chain wouldn't be required anymore) ?

I apologize for all the questions btw. I am new to bicycles and I just have a lot of questions. I just put down a deposit on a 2011 Trek Soho S. Getting it on Wednesday, and I really don't want this getting stolen. That would suck way too much.
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Old 04-11-11, 04:18 AM
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Originally Posted by Moe Malik
So Pitlock's are pretty flawless. In that case, with a pitlock, it's possible that it's not necessary to lock up the front wheel or saddle (meaning if you've invested in a pitlock, a cable or chain wouldn't be required anymore) ?
The Pitlocks should keep things very secure... locks are a more visible deterrent.
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Old 04-11-11, 07:35 PM
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Pitlocks for the wheels are a great idea/investment. As far as the best cable? The thickest one you can find.

Such as:

https://www.kryptonitelock.com/produ...=1001&pid=1184

All cables can be cut. Chains are more weight than I want to carry. I would use a chain if I could store it at home/work, wherever I'm using it. There's always the option of using a 2nd u-lock on the front wheel, provided you can secure the bike to a fixed object with the 1st u-lock.

I have one of these & I love it. It weighs less than 2 pounds. Not as good as a chain, better than a cable. Smaller/lighter than Kryptonite's Evo Mini, but still strong.

https://www.amazon.com/Abus-Locks-Min.../dp/B0026B4RBO

Good luck!
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Old 04-11-11, 08:50 PM
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Is this for a college campus bike?

If it is, get a POS for commuting to class. We used to say that all bikes weigh 40 pounds. You can ride a 20 pound bike with a 20 pound lock or a 40 pound bike and no lock.
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Old 04-11-11, 08:54 PM
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Originally Posted by Retro Grouch
Is this for a college campus bike?

If it is, get a POS for commuting to class. We used to say that all bikes weigh 40 pounds. You can ride a 20 pound bike with a 20 pound lock or a 40 pound bike and no lock.
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