scottydoesntkno

Well... Now for the sad part of the story, I had a short love-late relationship with my old road bike, a Giant OCR2 with Tiagra and 105 components, standard carbon fork/seat post and alum frame.. Loved the bike, hated the numerous flats I got til I replaced the garbage tire set it came with.. Then it was great.. until I get home to my gated apartment to find someone went in through the window and stole ONLY the bike... and find out it actually happened two days prior..

Stupid me for being exhausted from lots of all nighters @ school for finals... anyways, it's about one school quarter later, I've gotten over the 900 dollar loss, and gone ahead and gone overboard, got a new bike, a Giant OCR C3, all Carbon, all 105 components (it was as much as my budget would go for but IMO a significant upgrade)+ a new cyclocomputer.. anyways, needless to say I now have been keeping a fully locked doors and windows apt, getting renter's insurance and am far more careful but also again in finals spending tons of all nighters. Anyways, onto the question: I need a bike lock for this so that I can feel safe when I go riding someplace and want to lock it up (never for more than really just a few minutes, if only to say, run into a store for a drink or something to eat real fast). I'm going for nothing less than a U-lock and my LBS suggested krypto locks. Considering the one with insurance that would cover the cost of the bike (the NY lock with the up to 3k insuarance...) but I was wondering if that would be overkill if I don't plan to have the bike out of my site for more than 20-30 minutes max? (Note.. I might still lock it up in my apt with the U-lock just because well... I no longer have trust although I feel it was my fault in the first place about the original bike..)...

Are there any recommendations on bike locks/opinions? I live in and ride around Downtown San Diego or areas of West Los Angeles/Santa Monica (primarily San Diego, however, as I am here for school).

Also- what size (i noticed there was a small and larger size new york krypto lock and i was curious if there was a reason for the cheaper price for the longer lock.. (via amazon)).

ptle

Well if you can afford it I would get a nice lock... It only takes a few minutes to steal a bike especially if the thief knows what they are doing.

If you plan on using a bike to get around from place to place I would get a cheaper bike.

MR6690

get the smallest u-lock you think you'll still be able to use. I've seen so many larger u-locks bent into oblivion because the would-be criminal took a hydraulic car jack to em. The smaller the lock, the fewer amount of options a thief would have to bust it.

Flatballer

IMO, you don't need a lock for short trips into the store, just keep it in sight, or bring it in with you. I don't take a lock with me on my training rides. If you're going to actually leave it somewhere for a little while (say, ride it to school) I recommend a cable lock plus a U-lock. They require different tools to defeat, and make it pretty obvious during the day. These aren't things I would want to carry with me on a training ride though, just short commuting type trips.

Lock the U-lock around the frame and front wheel. Lock the cable through the frame, rear wheel, and front wheel.

mhamm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbklkFuFk-4

That video is crazy. Regardless, I think you should get decent locks. Flatballer makes a good suggestion.

scottydoesntkno

On that note, I will not buy another bike to get around as I just dropped 1700 and refuse to go back...

But on the topic of where you can and can not take bikes... Are there any stores that generally don't allow you to bring your bike into the store? I know odd looks might pop up from time to time, but other than that?

And yes, the lock would only go out if I were to say.. bike to school, lock it by my desk (closed campus, need key cards to get into the school so in short, a locked bike by a desk is safe long as it is indeed locked, not to mention its safe enough that students leave their own laptops and pcs on their desks when they aren't around..) and walk to get food with friends or if I bike to like, the beach and hang out with friends etc. Anytime I ride for exercise or training or whatnot, it obviously wouldn't go with me save for in maybe (big maybe) a camelbak.

But as I stated earlier, would it be fine to just get the longer u-lock and take off the front wheel, lock through the back wheel, chain and front wheel? or is that a major hassle? I would think it's a hassle, in fact I am leaning more towards just getting something to lock it up generally for brief break periods in general..

Tober1

Forget it. Get a crappy bike for the price you'd pay for a lock to ride to school. There's no way you should leave that bike locked up for any period of time. If you're going into a store, just be quick. Lean it against the glass and keep an eye on it. Someone broke into your apartment for your last bike. It's soooo easy to steal one broad daylight on the street.
I have two bikes for this reason specifically. It's not worth the stress of locking up your baby to a pole. Plus the lock will scratch the paint

scottydoesntkno

..rubbercoated u lock? heh... not sure, but then that would be the other worry... screw it- ill just take the bike and wont go anyplace it needs to be out of sight! just ride the bike to ride it, then im not tempted to get junk food with my friends who like.. 80% of are unhealthy in the first place.. it'll make me take my own food (which i guess in the long run is cheaper and healthier..). I like that, it's a safeguard!! haha

ridethecliche

If I go into a store on a training ride, the bike goes in with me unless I have someone outside with it.

I refuse to do anything else because I would take a HUGE hit if my bike was stolen. It stays with me at all times.

obsidian6

I use a kryptonite evo mini. Super strong lock, I love it. I usually don't lock up my road bike anywhere (Raleigh Prestige full-carbon) But I would be comfortable using my krypto lock with it. I also have a cable that I use in conjunction with the lock.

I usually take my fixed gear bike out around town when I'm just riding around, I don't mind locking it up. Plus if it gets scratched up I don't care, I'll repaint it someday

scottydoesntkno

on a second thought... i might as well just get a cheapo u lock for dropping it off around my desk at school. other than that- it won't be left anywhere outside of my apt... well not a cheapo u lock but not a 70 dollar new york monster lock. but the semi cheaper 40 dollar krypto lock and use the saved money for some bottle cages and bottles. yea, i like that idea... crap so many other things i need and i blew it all on the bike... gar!!!

Nachoman

Skip the lock and don't let the bike out of your sight.

ptle

I don't like keeping the bike unlocked and in sight. It only takes someone a few seconds to hop on and ride off and its not like you'll be able to run and catch them. Also I know most people wouldn't care or take notice if you left your bike in the store and some random person were to take it out like they owned it.

I commute to campus and I've also used my nice bike a few times. I usually take off the front wheel and lock the front wheel and rear wheel (inside the rear triangle) with my u-lock. I hate leaving it out for more then a few minutes though.

There is a good thread about locks from a locksmith somewhere in the other forums. Anyways best way to lock your bike is the smallest u-lock through the rear wheel inside the triangle coupled with a cable lock through the u-lock locking the front wheel to the frame. Most thieves wouldn't even bother.