Here's a pretty amusing video of a guy "stealing" his own bike in NY by various means. It's both funny and sad how little people react. Never forget your protective gear...

https://homepage.mac.com/neistatbroth...ef20041004.mov

That is really discouraging! But thanks for reminding us that we can't count on the eyes of others to keep our possessions safe.

old.

Wow, that is sad. My question for all of you cyclists and bicycle experts. I bought the NY 3000 U lock to use mostly at the law school parking garage. I did buy that model so that I could lock it to a parking meter on the street in DC and hope that it would be safe.

How effective is the NY 3000 U lock? I don't see a U lock being broken in the video, is that because they're easier to break than those chains and padlocks?

the NY 3000 is supposed to be the best U-lock you can buy. In general U-locks can be broken using leverage - you stick a piece of pipe or something similar in the shackle and twist. However the 3000 is pretty resistant to this style of attack. Plus, if you get a model that is only large enough to fit around the meter and your bike without any free space, you make it difficult for a wouldbe thief to stick a lever in there to begin with.

Personally I like the NY Chain because it resists just about any manual attack and takes several minutes to cut through with power tools. Plus I find it to be more versatile. While I can't lock up to parking meters I can lock it up to just about any pole that a bike can't feasibly be lifted over.

When I used to commute to the train station, my folder was locked with the New York 3000. It has 3 deep lines where crooks tried to manually cut the lock with something but failed! Yup. My lock has battle scars with the bike crooks who tried to steal it but in the end failed.

That said, the lock can be defeated with some industrial tools requiring electric or gas power. Only use a parking meter if they can't lift over! Always try to find a place to hide the bicycle, then use the New York 3000

I was wondering why anyone who owns a folder would lock it up outside especially in New York City? That does not make much since to me.