mar1nka

First off, Hello from the complete noob!

I'm looking for some second opinions on what I need to lock my bike and keep it secure at work. I just got a new bike for commuting, and I work in a fairly high-security (high-level data storage / former defense contractors) building. There is a nice bike rack in the parking garage, which has no access without photo ID keycards, cameras all over the building and a guard posted 24 hours.

The clerk at the LBS thought that a Master Lock Quantum 15 keyed cable lock would be sufficient in this situation, but I'd like to get some feedback from all of you? If I do need to pick up a U lock, would something under $40 SRP be sufficient?

Thanks for the feedback!

maddyfish

U lock or a good chain. Any building can begotten into by someone. You have to defend against your coworkers, maintainace people, aggressive building security. You want it to be hard for people (even people who aren't stealing it) to have a difficult time moving it.

invisiblehand

Yep ... I work within a SECURE government facility. I still lock my bike with a U-lock which I leave there overnight. If the racks get really full, there are times where I simply lock the front wheel to the frame or something along those lines.

noisebeam

My bike is parked under cover, with security on grounds and a camera pointing at bike parking. I use a Krypto Mini Evolution. Bikes using only cable locks get stolen a couple times a year with organized theft using a team that arrives in an unmarked truck - jumps out, cuts the locks and loads the bikes before security can respond.

Get a decent mini U-lock for more than $40. The extra $15-20 will be worth it for the times you don't just park at work.

Al

Ngchen

While it's probably true that a cheap cable would be sufficient at your workplace, spending a few extra bucks for a decent U-lock is probably wise. After all, you'll probably need to lock it somewhere else eventually, and the extra cost is peanuts compared to losing your bike.

mar1nka

Thank you for your advice, everyone. I have to admit, I was a little skeptical when he said that it should be "safe enough;" I'm thinking of picking up a Bulldog or the NY Kryptonite, if I can find one for a great price.

remsav

I don't know, I paid $40 for the bike and $25 for locks... get a cheap bike/lock.

chicharron

If you work at a place with a secured parking garage with pass key,ect, then I believe that is the best place to park you bike. There probably is no bike lock that cannot be cut or broken, so the best prevention is to use whatever lock and chain, and lock your bike in a secure, visable location.
That being said, it seems that most building security personel are still not friendly to bicyclist, and we all have had negative experiences with ignorant, uneducated rent-a-cops.

mar1nka

I am actually very lucky; the building personnel added a special "bike only" entrance to the garage, and they also have a very nice private bathroom with a shower for those of us who want to commute. I would say there are at least 5 other bike commuters in the bldg; and probably less than 75 people total who work there. (6+%, that's not bad, eh?!)

Northendfixie

Hi Mar1nka. I'm a trained locksmith. The best fix is not necessarily the most expensive. I would recommend getting a good heavy lock and chain and leaving the chain/lock on site at work rether than carting it back and forth. That way you cna go for something heavy that affords lots of protection. Go to a trucking supply place or a fastener supplier and ask for several feet of "load binding chain" ( for sizing get the largest you can handle... 5/16" is pretty big, 3/8" is even better) . It will be a few bucks per foot. This stuff is hardened and will not be able to be cut with bolt cutters. It will be too heavy to haul around on the bike, but it will do a good job of securing the bike at work. Then get a padlock that has a shackle that just fits the chain and is protected or guarded so that you can't get boltcutters onto it either (example abus disklock) (Take the chain with you when you buy the lock to make sure it will fit) A Big box store will probably have the lock in the Master Lock version, or you may have to go to a locksmith. To protect the bike's paint you can use an old inner tube to slip over the chain.

Having said all that, a torch or power cutoff tool (eg a die grinder) will go through darn near anything out there, but you have protected against hand tools. Then by all means get a small lighter bike lock to take with you for when youy need to lock the bike elsewhere while you grab a coffee etc.

gcottay

Sometimes there are alternatives to locks.

Is there an enforced rule against having your bike in your office? If so, are there any riders in senior management?

My bike seems to like spending time in the office much more than I do.

littlewaywelt

I prefer OnGuard to Kryptonite for one simple reason. More keys.
On G gives you 5 keys. Kryptonite gives you 2 keys.
With five I can keep a spare in my courier bag, one in the glove box, one on my wife's key ring, and one on mine.
I'd assume that in that type of facility you'd only need a basic u-lock.

supcom

In such case, you simply need to protect your bike from your co-workers and the security people. The cheapest lock from a discount store would be adequate.

However, you might decide to stop at a grocery store on the way home, so you probably should buy a good lock anyway. An OnGuard U-lock would be a good choice for something that's not too heavy but provides reasonable theft protection.

Hobartlemagne 

Use a lock that is clearly better than those on the other bikes. A thief will likely choose an easier lock to break.

tornado60

There is a lock called the bike club. You can't be to careful. If you can I would take it in with you. That's the best security. If a theif comes and there are others around you unlocked they are likely to go before your locked bike. Just a thought.