Bike locks, sorry if its a repost
#1
Thread Starter
Junior Member

Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 116
Likes: 3
From: Carson Valley, Nevada
Bikes: Cannondale synapsis, Giant 29r rigid tail
Bike locks, sorry if its a repost
What kind of lock do you carry on your commuter? I already have two bottles so there is no room there.
#2
Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
If you don't want to hang anything off your bike, check out the options from hiplock. You can get them through amazon. Basically makes a heavy chain a belt. They're only long enough to loop through the frame. Either get a lock set for your QRs or bring a cable lock as well if you're worried your wheels will disappear.
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,977
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From: Columbia, SC
Bikes: 2014 Cannondale Synapse Carbon 4 Rival; 2014 Cannondale Trail 7 29; 1972 Schwinn Suburban, 1996 Proflex 756, 1987(?) Peugeot, Dahon Speed P8; 1979 Raleigh Competition GS; 1995 Stumpjumper M2 FS, 1978 Raleigh Sports, Schwinn Prologue
none. I have a big ole U Lock I leave mounted on my work bike, and another U Lock I have in my messenger bag on days I am just tooling around the city with friends. My commuter gets to live a life indoors.
Having said that, I recommend a U Lock from Kryptonite, Bulldog, or Abus.
Having said that, I recommend a U Lock from Kryptonite, Bulldog, or Abus.
#5
Full Member

Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 206
Likes: 65
From: Memphis, TN
Bikes: A few older US made Cannondales, a modern Soma Saga (no longer made, alas!), and one gifted crabon Specialized. Never enough.
Can you leave your lock at work? I leave my Abus U-lock on the bike rack at work, saving myself some weight.
#6
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 496
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Bikes: Volagi Viaje (rando/gravel/tour), Cannondale Slice 4 (tri/TT), Motobecane Fantom PLUS X9 (plus tires MTB)
I have a great big giant ABUS polygonal chain with an armored padlock that I use for the "leave on site" method - which currently isn't part of my commute thanks to a great building manager who lets me use a staff-only stairwell to park my bike.
I also have an OnGuard cable lock, which is a bit beefier than the usual cable lock, but probably not really that much better to stop a determined/equipped thief. I only use this in areas that have pretty good security anyway. It fits in my rack bag, but takes up more space than I would like. It also comes with a way to mount it on the frame, which didn't work for me/my bike. I'm tempted to replace this with one of the folding link type locks, but curious to know what others think of these. It would be more compact in any case.
I also have an OnGuard cable lock, which is a bit beefier than the usual cable lock, but probably not really that much better to stop a determined/equipped thief. I only use this in areas that have pretty good security anyway. It fits in my rack bag, but takes up more space than I would like. It also comes with a way to mount it on the frame, which didn't work for me/my bike. I'm tempted to replace this with one of the folding link type locks, but curious to know what others think of these. It would be more compact in any case.
#7
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 339
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From: Virginia
Bikes: Motobecane Century Pro Ti Disc
Absolutely love the Serfas puck lock. I fit mine in my seat bag and wife has hers mounted to the frame. When it is in the frame holder it is actually locked in place. Switched over to the Serfas Puck after getting tried of carrying around a heavy U lock. I am sure the U lock offers a bit more security, but in all honesty, all a lock can really do is keep honest people honest. 30 seconds to cut through a Puck lock or 45 seconds to cut through a U lock.
The Puck lock is small when rolled up and actually a little larger than a 8-9" U lock.
The Puck lock is small when rolled up and actually a little larger than a 8-9" U lock.
#9
Plays in traffic
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,971
Likes: 16
From: Rochester, NY
Bikes: 1996 Litespeed Classic, 2006 Trek Portland, 2013 Ribble Winter/Audax, 2016 Giant Talon 4
I don't. I leave mine locked around the sign post (nice weather) or inside the parking garage on the post-and-ring (foul weather).
For evening and weekend errands, I use a lock I keep at home, and it rides inside a pannier.
Alternatively, when running light errands on the Litespeed, I just lock it around the head tube (above the top tube) and ride away.
Never could figure out why some people insist you need some kind of special holder mounted on the bike. Why?
For evening and weekend errands, I use a lock I keep at home, and it rides inside a pannier.
Alternatively, when running light errands on the Litespeed, I just lock it around the head tube (above the top tube) and ride away.
Never could figure out why some people insist you need some kind of special holder mounted on the bike. Why?
#11
Senior Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,532
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Bikes: Working on replacing my stolen Soma Buena Vista Mixte

I rented a bike one day that had no bungees, so I had to lock the lock on the frame and rear rack. I think a rear rack is the way to go. Multifunctional.
#12
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 684
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From: Jersey City, NJ
Bikes: Jamis Coda Elite - custom 1x9 setup
i don't see too many people here with pitlocks and it makes no sense to me. It's far more secure and more convenient than bringing a cable and lock for your wheels. pitlocks aren't cheap but they are the best secured skewers around IMO. only downside is I think a lot of the newer sets come with only 1 pit vs 2 like the older sets.
#13
Senior Member

Joined: May 2008
Posts: 511
Likes: 75
From: Ottawa
Bikes: Norco Scene 1, Khs Westwood, Jamis Allegro 3x
I use a NYC kyrptonite heavy duty u lock mounted to the handlebar. + an armoured cable lock as a second measure. Nothing says to thieves to screw off like a couple of nice locks. For an added bonus I suggest you park around other bikes that are easier to steal.
#14
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 18
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From: Sacramento, California
Bikes: 1992 Cannondale R600
#15
Mostly harmless
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 4,463
Likes: 244
From: Novi Sad
Bikes: Heavy, with friction shifters
I carry Abus Bordo Granit X-Plus.
It's a good lock that packs easily on the bike.
Put my knowledge and experience into these two articles. One about locking techniques, one about locks:
Locking a bicycle
Bicycle locks
It's a good lock that packs easily on the bike.
Put my knowledge and experience into these two articles. One about locking techniques, one about locks:
Locking a bicycle
Bicycle locks
#16
Callipygian Connoisseur
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,373
Likes: 351
Trelock FS300 Trigo
It's a folding lock. Fits in its own holster which mounts like a water bottle. Compact, sturdy, not too heavy and it's easy to work with. No, I wouldn't trust it overnight in NYC, but that's not what I use it for. I only carry it for emergency lockup if I break down and it's too far (or I'm unable) to walk the bike.
-Kedosto
It's a folding lock. Fits in its own holster which mounts like a water bottle. Compact, sturdy, not too heavy and it's easy to work with. No, I wouldn't trust it overnight in NYC, but that's not what I use it for. I only carry it for emergency lockup if I break down and it's too far (or I'm unable) to walk the bike.
-Kedosto
#17
Senior Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 97
Bikes: Working on replacing my stolen Soma Buena Vista Mixte
i don't see too many people here with pitlocks and it makes no sense to me. It's far more secure and more convenient than bringing a cable and lock for your wheels. pitlocks aren't cheap but they are the best secured skewers around IMO. only downside is I think a lot of the newer sets come with only 1 pit vs 2 like the older sets.
#18
Mostly harmless
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 4,463
Likes: 244
From: Novi Sad
Bikes: Heavy, with friction shifters
That's why I prefer that bike frame carries the lock. So it doesn't use my pannier/backpack space.
#19
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 6,431
Likes: 44
From: Minneapolis, MN
I use a Kryptonite Combination ULock. I carry it in my rear seat bag, it's pretty much exactly the right size.
As others have said an alternative is to leave a lock locked to the rack at work so you don't have to carry it back and forth.
As others have said an alternative is to leave a lock locked to the rack at work so you don't have to carry it back and forth.
#21
I know this is not new, but I couldn't resist adding this to the convo.....
Homestar Runner: Strong Bad Email - Bike Thief
Best line that still makes me laugh: "Any bike with a water bottle holder is a complete waste of bike!"
Homestar Runner: Strong Bad Email - Bike Thief
Best line that still makes me laugh: "Any bike with a water bottle holder is a complete waste of bike!"
#22
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8,896
Likes: 7
From: Raleigh, NC
Bikes: Waterford RST-22, Bob Jackson World Tour, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Soma Saga, De Bernardi SL, Specialized Sequoia
I use a Kryptonite New York U-lock at work, with a 4' cable looped through the front wheel. I leave the lock and cable attached to the rack at night and over the weekends, so I'm not having to lug it back and forth. I also carry a small combination cable lock in my seatbag or racktop bag at all times. I only use this lock for quick stops.
#23
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 895
Likes: 10
From: columbus, ohio
Bikes: Soma Saga, 1980 Schwinn Voyageur 11.8, New Albion Privateer
Like others, I leave a U lock at work locked to a bike rack which is inside a parking garage. It has not left this place for at least 5 years.
#24
Passista


Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 8,260
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Bikes: 1998 Pinarello Asolo, 1992 KHS Montaņa pro, 1980 Raleigh DL-1, IGH Hybrid, IGH Utility
Cable lock in my trunk bag, I can lock my bike inside my workplace. For the street, case hardened heavy duty chain + armored lock, also in my trunk bag.
#25
Thread Starter
Junior Member

Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 116
Likes: 3
From: Carson Valley, Nevada
Bikes: Cannondale synapsis, Giant 29r rigid tail
I guess when you have a lock on you in a backpack or somewhere on the bike it still weighs the same. Not I care much for the weight issue but where and how to locate it is the issue. I ride to work a few days a week and I ride on Sunday as well. I don't carry my backpack on my Sunday ride but I usually don't go into any stores. Bike theft is vary rare. I just want to keep people honest.




