nob

guys - Just bought a Trek FX2 for $500 and wanted to know what's the best bike lock. I'll be riding it in Manhattan mostly during the day - won't be leaving it overnight anywhere since it'll be parked in my garage. I don't want to go crazy but hoping to find a lock which offers best value and safety. Is the best way still to use two locks - one to lock front wheel to frame and another to lock rear wheel to a pole? Also, is U-lock enough or you've been in situations where you need the length of the cable?

About safety, I've also sort of believed that if you try to over-protect your bike with real thick locks like this one (Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit Mini), then a potential thief may see your bike as being very expensive when it's not!

Thanks

tyrion

My guess is that a thief that can break a good U-lock would have a decent bike valuation skills.

nob

ok, so what do you folks recommend here? I can't spend $200 on locks to protect a $500 bike

tyrion

https://www.amazon.com/Kryptonite-Kr...B040PHGVPT7FA8

Basic U-lock, 13mm shackle, $37

blakcloud

At the very moment my bike has 2 Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit Mini locks, Kryptonite Evolution 4 with a Kryptonite cable. For added security I have a Pitlock skewers and have my Brooks saddle chained to the frame. This is my locking system at home. Is it overkill, most likely but bikes are stolen from my condo building enough to take this extreme measure. My wife's bike right beside it has the same set up.

When I worked in downtown Toronto, I used the same set up but I left my locks attached to the bike rack so I wouldn't have to carry them home. Currently I have 10 Kryptonite locks, 3 Kryptonite cables, and Pitlocks for both bikes.

After having a few bikes stolen with 1 Kryptonite lock I up the ante and haven't had a problem yet. Would I spend $200 on locks for a $500 bike? The answer is yes. They are used more as a deterrent. Your bike needs to be more difficult to steal then the bike beside it. Plus the locks are long term investments, they will outlive your bike and you can use them on the next one.

Some cities have higher rates of bike theft than others and you have to weigh the risks.

noglider 

Some people use two locks. My experience is that people will not bother breaking a lock if the payoff is just one wheel, so I use a cheap, easy-to-cut cable to secure the second wheel to the frame, and I use a good strong lock to secure the frame and first wheel to the bike rack or signpost.

Some people use Pinheads or Pitlocks which are replacement skewers (or nuts) that are hard to undo. Each one you buy requires a unique key just for that skewer (or nut). When you have these gadgets, you can lock your frame to the rack and don't have to bother securing your wheels.

Of course, a determined thief can get through any of these, but reasonable precaution will yield reasonable results.

As for which strong lock, some people use those ultra-heavy Kryptonite chains. They are probably the most secure, but they're a beast to carry around. I had one that weight 8 pounds. I replaced it with one of Kryptonite's best U locks which is probably less than 3 pounds. Also there are some nice foldable locks by Abus.

I suggest you budget at least $80 if you're getting a chain or U lock. The replacement skewers/nuts are another substantial cost but might be worth it if you're going to lock up a lot.

Lucky for me I rarely have to lock up outside. I bring my bike into my office at work. When I take a short trip, I take Citi Bike instead of my own bike. That solves the locking up problem, and it also leaves me free to return home without riding at all if I want.

Crime has gone way down in NYC and other cities, but bike theft has continued to be a serious problem. Take serious protection if you're locking up. The thieves look for the more vulnerable bikes, and they are very quick.

ascherer 

I lock my bike up in midtown. I use a New York Fahgettaboudit plus a cable to secure the front wheel and saddle. I choose a location on a very busy street (34th) where anyone trying to steal a bike would be obvious, and recorded on security cameras.

Darth Lefty 

I thought the point of a u-lock is that you can fit both wheels in it? Is it easier/better to carry a cable rather than undo your front wheel, unless you have a dyno?

a1penguin

This is one of the most comprehensive articles on bike locks: How to choose the best bike lock in 2017 - The Best Bike Lock. Basically no to any cable because they can be easily cut with small bolt cutters.

Here's the summary. But it's worth a read. And there are lots of youtube videos to watch people cutting various types of chains/ulocks.

U-lock / Chain thickness
Can be cut by bolt cutters?

< 13 mm Yes (medium size)
13 - 15 mm Yes (only biggest 36 and 42")
16 mm and above No

noglider 

It is less secure to use a cable on one of the wheels but it is more convenient. I started using a cable for a wheel in 1978 or so, and I haven't had a wheel stolen yet. It would be easy to steal my wheel, and I can't get inside the mind of a bike or wheel thief, so I don't understand why my strategy works so well, but it does. Nowadays, I often ride with a dynamo hub, and that makes my front wheel more valuable than my rear wheel, so I lock the frame and the front wheel with the U lock and the rear wheel with a cable.

fietsbob

Theft covering insurance policy payments up to date?



Used price was $500, but new it was not always a $500 bike, so why not compare the lock price comparison value with a new one at full SRP..

Or be prepared to take the subway home some day.


(it could already be stolen, once, & they made $500 off you.)









...

nob

Stupid question but obviously when you are riding, you won't let the u-locks hang from the bike frame right? Which means you'll have to install a carrier and put the locks or cables in a bag placed on the carrier. Correct?

ascherer 

U locks come with frame-mounted brackets, that's one way. I use Linus rollup canvas bags on a rear rack, and have my locks in one and my work bag in the other.

The one and only Hal from Bike Habitat gives good advice here:

noglider 

People carry U locks in various ways, so it's not a stupid question. Some people put mounting brackets on their bikes or racks. Some put it in their bags, which is what I do. Some hold it onto their bodies with their belts or something similar. I suppose if I could lash it comfortably to my hips, that would help since it's where my center of gravity is, and I have hip mass to spare.

noglider 

Hal's a great mechanic. He aligned my Raleigh frame for me.

blakcloud

That was fun to watch. I liked his advice about multiple locks even bad ones buys you time. If it takes too much time to steal, the thief moves on to the next bike which as he says is plentiful in Manhattan.

nob

I've been reading on chain locks vs u-lock. U-lock of course is much more portable but they perform about the same when it comes to security. However, above, you folks are recommending to use two locks - one for the front wheel & frame and the 2nd for the rear wheel. Having said that, wouldn't it be simpler to just use one chain lock to lock the whole thing vs using two separate locks? Or would that not be deterrent enough because thief only has a to break one lock vs two

Thanks

noglider 

@nob, if it's long enough to fit through both wheels, it's too big and heavy. Well, I do seem some couriers carrying gigantic chains, but I couldn't even tolerate the short Kryptonite chain.

Before I started using a cable, I would remove my front wheel and put it next to the rear wheel and lock everything with my U lock. That's a reasonable thing to do if you don't mind the trouble.

In what neighborhood will you lock your bike and for how long? These questions are key to which method is best.

nob

Manhattan, Brooklyn & Queens NYC

HvPnyrs

Let''s " Go For Broke ". Parking on the street for a full shift? ( cubicle farmhand? ) Or, best case. For less than 5 min ( courier/delivery person? ).



/

DumbPartsGuy

https://www.rei.com/product/116718/hiplok-gold-maximum-security-wearable-chain-lock

I have an older version, but these work out great. It's a Velcro belt chain. 5/16 inch links seem ok to keep it from disappearing during short stops.

ColonelSanders

If I was you, I would get the following for your wheels, seat post and frame/bike.


ABUS NutFix M5 Axle Set - Euro 32.69 - Takes care of Front and Rear Wheel
ABUS NutFix M5 SPC Seat Post - Euro 25.13 - Takes care of your seat post
ABUS Granit X-Plus 540 U-Lock - Euro 73.03 - 300mm includes EaZy-KF Frame Holder
Delivery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - Euro 19.95


That comes to Euro 150.80, but you then have security that will last you a life time and is worthy of a $5,000 bike.