RoscoeR

I use an older Rhode Gear Gorilla U-Lock with a barrel type key and lock cylinder - been using it over 10 years. Is it susceptible to the Kryptonite Bic pen picking problem?

Thanks!

R

alanbikehouston

BIC pens have never been used by bike thieves. The BIC pen thing is a cute trick IF you know which particular BIC pen matches which particular U-lock, but BIC pens are not used by crooks. A crook would need to get down on his hands and knees next to a bike rack, trying dozens of BIC pens, hoping to find one that matches one of the hundreds of U-lock models made over the past thirty years.

Real crook don't need to waste five or ten minutes crouched next to a bike going through box after box of BIC pens. Most older U-locks (other than the Kryptonite New York lock) can be broken in five or ten seconds using a cheap portable tool...and that is how a REAL crook will take your bike.

If your bike is worth more than $30 or $50, you should "upgrade" to a high quality 2005 "Mini" U-lock, such as the $25 OnGuard Bulldog. Just place the "mini" Bulldog around the front edge of your rear wheel, next to the seat tube. It can NOT be broken with manual tools.

If your bike is worth "big" bucks, and you live in a big city, or park at an urban university, you probably should consider a lock that is "tough" against attacks by power tools. In the USA, the top rated lock against power tools is the Kryptonite New York 3000 U-lock. Put a 3000 around your rear wheel, and then attach your front wheel to the frame with a "mini" Bulldog. Your bike is not going anywhere.


How To CORRECTLY Lock Your Bike....by Sheldon Brown

www.sheldonbrown.com/lock-strategy.html

RoscoeR

The bike is a mid price range hybrid model that is showing it's ten years plus age. I usuallly take it along on trips to bike the local landscape and it gets locked at a hotel fence or lamp post overnight. Most of the time it is not the most expensicve bike at the hotel and my U-Lock and cable seem far sturdier than most of the simple chains and padlocks I see in use. At home, the bike fits out of sight in the garage.

I suspected that the Kryptonite Bic pen frenzy was more hype than threat.

For $25, I'll probably pick up one of the BullDog locks. Better safe than sorry.

Thanks for the reply - and the link!

R