I'm going to Texas A&M next year and I hear bike theft is huge in college. My bike is only worth about $220 ( https://www.amazon.com/Schwinn-Midmoo...529515&sr=1-14 ) but I don't want to keep shelling out $220 every time I lose my bike, so I'm spending a good $70 on protection.

I have a Kryptonite U-Lock I'm going to buy and a Kryptonite cable lock also:
https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...K4IBJ&v=glance
https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...X0DER&v=glance

Is this ok for security? Should I spend more money on the cable or should I opt for a different brand entirely? I don't mind spending up to $100 on locks just to ensure that the bike has a very decreased chance of getting stolen.

Can anybody give me any tips ideas or opinions on bike safety and the two locks I have picked out?

Thanks

I'd be surprised if anyone bothered to steal your bike, provided it is *properly* locked with the locks you linked to. Just make sure that whatever you lock to is stable, and you should be set.

My only problem in college was people ghost riding all over campus, but you'd always end up finding the thing again, usually in front of the chow hall. (however I went to a tiny lib. arts school, not A&M)

Kryptonite makes good stuff, but make sure to read around about proper locking techniques.

A Kryptonite u-lock around the rear wheel and a beefy cable lock around the front wheel is a good level of security for a $200 bike. Half the bikes I see at local colleges have ONLY a cable lock, so the bikes with a good u-lock are rather safe...a crook can cut a cable lock in two or three seconds.

Thank you everyone for your time and advice
And what is ghost riding might I ask?

I second this. I'm one of few at the community college that actually seems to know how to lock a bike. So the fact that my bike is locked well and the rest aren't means the thief won't even bother trying to take my bike (especially since I've seen full a carbon Specialized bike and a full Ultegra Trek bike lock with only cables)

Do you think a local bike shop would be able to show me how to lock my bike up? I don't want to spend $70 on security and not know how to properly use it..

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/lock-strategy.html

One problem with the heavy locks, is if you lose the key you will have trouble stealing it back. A combination lock where you can set the combination.

Make your bike worthless:
You could just take the seatpost with you into the building.
You could engrave your name on various parts.
Buy a pink faux wicker basket.

Avoiding bike theft:
1 part technique
1 part lock

My landlord gave me a bike that some previous tenant had left behind. The only problem was that it was locked with a cable and a padlock. I borrowed a bolt cutter from the maintenance guy at school, and decided to try the padlock first, before trying the cable. I had never cut a padlock before, so I was expecting quite a battle.

I cut through it in one second. It was like slicing through soft butter.

I agree with your security analysis.

The more prevalent theft is in the area, the better the u-lock you will want. If your bike is locked adequately, and other bikes are locked with cable locks, thieves will hit the other bikes and leave yours alone.

Easiest of all for locking wheels, saddle, and stem is a set of Pitlocks, although they can get pricey. On Guard makes something similar, although for the wheels only, and not as good a quality, but then again, for a $200 bike, probably sufficient to do the job.

Bike thieves might be stupid for getting hooked on meth, but they still know how to maximize their return for time invested.

Thank you Blue Order. Could you please explain to me what a Pitlock is? Thank you!

You can click on the link (underlined word "Pitlock") and it will take you to a page that explains how Pitlocks work. Basically, they replace the quick release on wheels (orsaddles) with a locking skewer. It's easier to keep your wheels (or saddle, or stem) locked than to try to lock them every time you stop somewhere. But a cable lock is probably cheaper-- although you'd want to compare prices between a cable lock, Pitlocks, and On Guard's version of Pitlocks.

Ok thank you I'll check it out!

On Guard Locking Skewers

On Guard Locking Skewers...For less money at Amazon

Wow you weren't joking when you said they were pricey! Thank you though, I was actually looking for something like this, I just obviously didn't know what to call it...

pitlocks are pricey but are VERY good quality. I've read on forums about people using other locking skewers and finding that they rust - pitlocks don't. I think with locking skewers it's a another case of getting what you pay for

Very true. I've used both Pitlock and OnGuard skewers, and the Pitlock are far better in both design and quality.