Best lock for my kid borrowing my Bianchi at college?:cry:
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Best lock for my kid borrowing my Bianchi at college?:cry:
Kid who quit riding bikes when he got his drivers license asks Dad for "a bike to use 'cause I have to walk so far at school"
Thrilled Dad cleans up the flipflop Bianchi, and presents to child.
Kid says " I want to buy my own lock".
Dad thinks to himself "Not my first rodeo", and logs onto BikeForums to ask what kind of lock to buy for Kid.

1973
Thrilled Dad cleans up the flipflop Bianchi, and presents to child.
Kid says " I want to buy my own lock".
Dad thinks to himself "Not my first rodeo", and logs onto BikeForums to ask what kind of lock to buy for Kid.

1973
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D/U-lock. Gold rated at a minimum.
I use a Hiplok DX; solid construction with handy belt/bag strap/pocket clips.
Obviously there's a balance between cost/security. Kryptonite locks are popular.
Just make sure you don't live near this guy:
I use a Hiplok DX; solid construction with handy belt/bag strap/pocket clips.
Obviously there's a balance between cost/security. Kryptonite locks are popular.
Just make sure you don't live near this guy:
Last edited by P!N20; 11-07-19 at 05:07 PM.
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Boy wants a car from his dad.
Dad says, "first, you gotta cut that hair."
Boy says, "hey, Dad, Jesus had long hair."
And Dad says, "that's right son. Jesus walked everywhere."
.
Dad says, "first, you gotta cut that hair."
Boy says, "hey, Dad, Jesus had long hair."
And Dad says, "that's right son. Jesus walked everywhere."
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that's a nice Bianchi, so seconded on the U-Lock + cable for the front.
Me, I like the Kryptonite 7" Mini as a good compromise size, and I think using the Sheldon method of locking the rear rim through the triangle is a big help in deterring the jack-breaker attacks. ("if I mangle that rear wheel, there's no point in me stealing this bike!")
also - never let it live outside overnight!
Me, I like the Kryptonite 7" Mini as a good compromise size, and I think using the Sheldon method of locking the rear rim through the triangle is a big help in deterring the jack-breaker attacks. ("if I mangle that rear wheel, there's no point in me stealing this bike!")
also - never let it live outside overnight!
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My advice is build up a beater for the son and keep the Bianchi at home.
Last edited by seypat; 11-07-19 at 06:16 PM.
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Dad, do yourself a favor and go buy him a bike to take to college with him. Invest in a couple hundred and go get him something on CL or otherwise.
First, there is sentimental value to your bike.
Second, that bike will never make it back from college. Trust me.
I'm just trying to save you a sad story in the end (like the one I had with my son).
First, there is sentimental value to your bike.
Second, that bike will never make it back from college. Trust me.
I'm just trying to save you a sad story in the end (like the one I had with my son).
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Is the college in the city or a college town?
ULocks are typically really good, heavy duty ongard chain/ulock combos are nice.
Rivbike.com has a few cool ones too. Fold up style.
ULocks are typically really good, heavy duty ongard chain/ulock combos are nice.
Rivbike.com has a few cool ones too. Fold up style.
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Does he go to school in the Intercity, if not the $100-200 locks imo are overkill. I loaned mine an old Gary Fisher with a generic u lock and an extra hardened chain for over night storage. The extra chain gets locked to a covered bike stand. Unless you have some obviously expensive bike it's not likely someone will pull a lock cutter or cordless grinder.
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I have been through this 2X with kids and nice bikes at school.
1. If he is in the dorm, there may be secure bike parking. U lock and chain, leave it on the bike rack. Better yet, figure out a way to bring it inside.
2. For around campus or town, U lock and cable.
3. Lesson in how to lock up a bike. U lock through seatstays and wheel, cable through front wheel and U lock. Make him show you. Make him text you photos of his lockup.
4. Uglify and illuminate the bike with reflective stickers, reflective tape, stuff that will come off without harming the paint.
5. Helmet, lights and reflective. Getting hit by a car is way worse than losing a bike.
6. Never leave bike locked up outside overnight. Doesn't matter how well it is locked up then.
My son rode his '86 Peugeot PX (SLX, full Mavic) to high school for four years without theft, by locking up securely. My daughter is in her fifth year of college (don't ask) and her Peugeot hasn't disappeared. It can be done.
1. If he is in the dorm, there may be secure bike parking. U lock and chain, leave it on the bike rack. Better yet, figure out a way to bring it inside.
2. For around campus or town, U lock and cable.
3. Lesson in how to lock up a bike. U lock through seatstays and wheel, cable through front wheel and U lock. Make him show you. Make him text you photos of his lockup.
4. Uglify and illuminate the bike with reflective stickers, reflective tape, stuff that will come off without harming the paint.
5. Helmet, lights and reflective. Getting hit by a car is way worse than losing a bike.
6. Never leave bike locked up outside overnight. Doesn't matter how well it is locked up then.
My son rode his '86 Peugeot PX (SLX, full Mavic) to high school for four years without theft, by locking up securely. My daughter is in her fifth year of college (don't ask) and her Peugeot hasn't disappeared. It can be done.
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As others have said, it really depends on whether he needs to leave the bike outside overnight. If not, you really don't need to get anything beyond the basic U-lock. Fwiw, for one of my commuters, parked in the bike rack at a university along with tons of beater bikes, I use an Ottolock. They're not cheap, but they are lightweight and convenient (I also use it when touring).
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I have been through this 2X with kids and nice bikes at school.
1. If he is in the dorm, there may be secure bike parking. U lock and chain, leave it on the bike rack. Better yet, figure out a way to bring it inside.
2. For around campus or town, U lock and cable.
3. Lesson in how to lock up a bike. U lock through seatstays and wheel, cable through front wheel and U lock. Make him show you. Make him text you photos of his lockup.
4. Uglify and illuminate the bike with reflective stickers, reflective tape, stuff that will come off without harming the paint.
5. Helmet, lights and reflective. Getting hit by a car is way worse than losing a bike.
6. Never leave bike locked up outside overnight. Doesn't matter how well it is locked up then.
My son rode his '86 Peugeot PX (SLX, full Mavic) to high school for four years without theft, by locking up securely. My daughter is in her fifth year of college (don't ask) and her Peugeot hasn't disappeared. It can be done.
1. If he is in the dorm, there may be secure bike parking. U lock and chain, leave it on the bike rack. Better yet, figure out a way to bring it inside.
2. For around campus or town, U lock and cable.
3. Lesson in how to lock up a bike. U lock through seatstays and wheel, cable through front wheel and U lock. Make him show you. Make him text you photos of his lockup.
4. Uglify and illuminate the bike with reflective stickers, reflective tape, stuff that will come off without harming the paint.
5. Helmet, lights and reflective. Getting hit by a car is way worse than losing a bike.
6. Never leave bike locked up outside overnight. Doesn't matter how well it is locked up then.
My son rode his '86 Peugeot PX (SLX, full Mavic) to high school for four years without theft, by locking up securely. My daughter is in her fifth year of college (don't ask) and her Peugeot hasn't disappeared. It can be done.
on topic: Don't know if your son is just starting or not, but sometimes if the student has connections they can park in a bit safer area than open racks. My son has a place to park in the gym ...his connections was starting varsity footvball (before it was cancelled)), gym rat/weight room from day one, team video guy before he played He still has Big on guard and a cable he uses. I may be doing a beater for him as his fixie does not do well on the hills
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#18
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Thanks for all the advice. Believe it or not, this Bianchi was $100 because it was on CL in the sticks. But of course I love it.
My diabolical plan, is to let him ride it for a little bit, whet the appetite so to speak, and then let him PICK OUT HIS OWN BIKE <<<< genius move.
as long it doesn't get stolen.
It is kept inside a house to ride to campus for Formula SAE meetings mostly.
My diabolical plan, is to let him ride it for a little bit, whet the appetite so to speak, and then let him PICK OUT HIS OWN BIKE <<<< genius move.
as long it doesn't get stolen.
It is kept inside a house to ride to campus for Formula SAE meetings mostly.
#19
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#20
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All of the above, plus this: Pitlock skewer locks for the front/rear wheels and the seat-post binder. Also (assuming the saddle is attached to the seat post with an Allen bolt, "glue" a large ball bearing into the recess using beeswax -- your son'll know what's-what and use a dental pick or similar to remove it if necessary, but an opportunistic thief will find it not worth the trouble.
Yeah, I know that the Pitlock system might seem pricey, but it eliminates the usually worthless front-wheel cable, and takes off the pressure of worrying about finessing a U-lock onto/around the seat tube and rear wheel AND a secure pipe/bike rack/etc. Kids are always in a hurry, and Pitlocks accept that reality.
Yeah, I know that the Pitlock system might seem pricey, but it eliminates the usually worthless front-wheel cable, and takes off the pressure of worrying about finessing a U-lock onto/around the seat tube and rear wheel AND a secure pipe/bike rack/etc. Kids are always in a hurry, and Pitlocks accept that reality.
Last edited by JBHoren; 11-07-19 at 09:11 PM.
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#22
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All of the above, plus this: Pitlock skewer locks for the front/rear wheels
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What this guy says:
The lockpickinglawyer tells it like it is.
Cordless angle grinder with a cut-off wheel is what bike thieves use nowadays
The lockpickinglawyer tells it like it is.
Cordless angle grinder with a cut-off wheel is what bike thieves use nowadays
Last edited by Unapomer; 11-08-19 at 09:58 AM.
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I'm actually going to say the Kryptonite Evolution...
Anyone getting through the Evolution is also getting through the NYr...the only way through either of them is an angle grinder, and if there is an angle grinder, the NYr is really only giving you an extra 30 seconds of cutting. That 30 seconds adds a lot of weight and 40% price...I truly don't think you get anything for that trade.
Anyone getting through the Evolution is also getting through the NYr...the only way through either of them is an angle grinder, and if there is an angle grinder, the NYr is really only giving you an extra 30 seconds of cutting. That 30 seconds adds a lot of weight and 40% price...I truly don't think you get anything for that trade.
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It is hard to say whether there is a big difference in thefts between the Kryptonite NY and cheaper U-Locks.
I have had a cable cut
Anyway, I do like the Kryptonite NY, although it is HEAVY. The cable might not be bad to augment the security for the front wheel.
Of course, also pay attention to HOW TO LOCK A BIKE.
I usually like to snag Frame + one wheel (usually rear, but sometimes front) + bike rack (or in some cases good post).
I have had a cable cut

Anyway, I do like the Kryptonite NY, although it is HEAVY. The cable might not be bad to augment the security for the front wheel.
Of course, also pay attention to HOW TO LOCK A BIKE.
I usually like to snag Frame + one wheel (usually rear, but sometimes front) + bike rack (or in some cases good post).