Standard "What Lock should I get" thread
 

I just got a new Trek Su200, and all told will have spent about $600 on it. I figured an upgrade from my $30 combination lock would be in order, especially since thanks to YouTube I figured out how to hack it in under a minute. I realize there's no such thing as 100% total security, and if someone wants a bike bad enough they'll take it, but it shouldn't be THAT easy.

So I've decided I need a new primary lock (I'll keep my combo as my secondary when needed). I'd prefer not to spend $100 if I only needed to spend $50, but I wouldn't mind too muchd paying for the piece of mind. And YES, I know all about bolting the wheels and the frame to a non-moveable secure object, and to make sure it can't simply be lifted up over a pole or something.

With that said, my semi-final choices are:

1 - Kryptonite Evolution Series 4 - $50ish
2 - Kryptonite New York Lock STD - $60ish
3 - Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit - $80ish

Besides the fact that the Fahgettaboudit looks like it weights 15 pounds, can anyone explain the difference between the locks? As far as I can tell, the only difference is the thickness of the bolt, which would only add time to a would-be thief. Is that it, or am I missing something?

Everyone seems to rave about Kryptonite, but if there are any other brands out there that are equal, I’d consider those as well

I know this is the 23849725th time there's been a thread about buying locks, but I thank you ahead of time for your response.

If you want to keep your bicycle and lock it up in public areas then only the biggest, heaviest and, unfortunately, most expensive lock MAY prevent theft. The NYF is one of the best on the market but no lock is un-breakable. It is, however, absolutely the best deterrent (from kryptonite) available and while unlikely to even slow down the serious bike thief it will stop casual theft.

The advice on the forums seems to be buy two different types of locks and lock frame to wheels, lock both locks to fixed objects that cannot be sawn/chopped/lifted over easily, remove ALL clip on accessories and get some form of household/bicycle theft insurance. Then cross your fingers and hold your breath :rolleyes: .

Lastly, to prevent bolt on accessory theft filling allen key heads with silicone bathroom sealant MAY stop casual theft. It is a P.I.T.A. when you need to adjust/change stuff as you've got to dig the stuff out with something sharp.

Apart from that good luck and never, ever lean-lock your bike.

OnGuard locks are also highly regarded, and typically cost less than Kryptonite ones. I have an old model Brute, and have been quite pleased with it. Since you're considering the New York Lock, I assume you're looking at top-of-the-line models. The top OnGuard lock is the Brute. They also have massive chains available if you're into those.

I would go with the Evolution Mini over the longer Evolution lock (I have the Mini). Less versatile for what you are locking up to. But you can lock up tight to something without leaving any space in between and with the extra space someone can leverage your lock.

Where do you live? Is bike theft high where you are? Where are you locking it up to? If a college campus or somewhere you have to leave it outside overnight I'd go for the New York lock.

Keep in mind though too that the New York lock is harder to break, so in some cases it may be easier to break what you are locking the bike up to. For instance in Toronto the post and rings are brittle and can be broken with a 2x4. So why bother with the more expensive heavier lock? You want to have a lock that is going to take a lot of effort to break and I think anyway the Evolution will fit that bill.

There is insurance from Kryptonite on these locks. I've rarely heard of cases where the thief does actually leave the evidence behind but sometimes it happens so be sure to register.

All of those cylinder locks? If not then better look elsewhere, lest ye tempt the bic pen trick.

AFAIK, Krypto moved away from cylinder-type keys on all their new locks.

The Krypto Evo-Mini seems to be a really popular choice for moderate to high security needs. It's small enough that there's not much leverage room inside the shackle, it's tough enough to deter all but the most determined of thieves, and it's light enough that you don't feel like you're dragging an anchor.

If you're not locking up in a high crime area, then consider the On-Guard Pitbull U w/ cable. $40, decent U-lock and a separate cable to run through your wheels.

How good a lock you need depends on whether you live in "Friendly Village, Iowa", or in downtown "Crime City".

A good system is a $80 u-lock around the rear wheel and a beefy pole set in concrete and a $30 u-lock connecting the front wheel to the frame. Park next to a new Cannondale that has a cable lock. Crooks are lazy...they will take the Cannondale first.

I think I'm gonna go with the Fuhgettaboudit as my primary, locking my frame & 1 wheel to the rack.

My $30 combination cable lock will be my backup to keep my saddle, other wheel, and anything else kept to the frame. I know it's not the most secure lock, but it should deter casual theivery here in town.

Actually, I know my cable lock works, because I used it as my primary on my last bike. I parked it at work one night on the bikerack facing the busy highway in front of the business, running it through the rack, the frame, both wheels, and the saddle. I left it there overnight, and when I picked it up the next morning my bike was practically disassembled by someone trying to steal it. My cable lock is still in good shape, has done it's job, and is better then most locks around here, but I just want to take that extra step & get a top-of-the-line lock.

Besides, my new Su200 is crazy light compared to my 820, and since I'm biking in no small part to loose a few pounds, it'll be nice hauling around an anchor.

In addition to locks, I'm planning a few other things:

1- message on the inside of the wheels along the lines of "If you are reading this, this bike was stolen from...", so if someone else has it & gets a flat, when they go to get it fixed, it'll be a tip-off to the LBS.
2- dropping a note down the saddle post
3- siliconing any Allen bolts I don't want stolen
4- registering it with the local police. I put this last because I have the least amount of faith in them.

UPDATE:

Went to the LBS fully intent on spending $90-100 & getting the Kryptonite Fuhgettaboudit, but the saleschick talked me out of it & recommended I get a $40 Kryptonite instead.

A salesperson telling their customer to spend $50 less then they intended truly is an odd experience.

As alanbikehouston eluded, Kryptonite rates their locks based on the degree of crime where you will be locking your bike. I live in a low-crime area, and have only the Kryptonite 7 ft. cable. I'm pretty sure bolt cutters would slice right through it, yet I do not want to carry around an extra 4-5 lbs of lock in my backpack.

Has anyone heard of rigging a bike with an audible alarm, like cars have? Granted, it would be much easier to disable, but if they didn't know it was coming...

Great project for a young engineer.

Onguard already makes one:
http://www.onguardlock.com/lockviewer.php?model=5108

OnGuard locks are rubbish. Between my wife, a friend, and myself we've had four OnGuard locks freeze up on us. None of us have had any problems with Kryptonite or Abus locks.

Freeze up, as in temperature affected?
Or freeze up, as in mechanically seized?

I've been using an OnGuard Rottweiller armoured cable for a couple years (low-crime lockups) and I've never had a problem with the mechanism. But, we don't get the freezing sub-zero temps that many places get. Lowest I've locked in was probably low 30s and drizzling rain.

I just use a padlock with a boron alloy shackle and chain.

Freeze up as in mechanically seized. They were (at least the three in my household) well maintained and lubed.

hi

i got myself a Cannondale Badboy 3 month ago to replace my stolen commuter (left attached with a combination cable lock for 10 mn in central Paris...), so i got 2 U-locks, thinking that the peace of mind could balance the extra pounds; so far so good...

I ordered the NYlock faghettaboudit online (not available in france), and feel quite confident about its strenght, and its deterring factor. The downside is the weight, and the fact that kryptonite does not make a bracket for it, so you have to have alternative ways to carry it (best so far, flat on the rear rack held by the bungee cord). It is short which makes it more tricky to use because you have to find an appropriate post, but that feels safer too because that also makes it hard to break without damaging the frame...

I also have an Abus Granite 54 that is longer and more versatile; it is not as thick as the kryptonite, but it is the strongest u-lock available in Europe, can be mounted on the frame and feels damn light compare to the ny lock.

If I had to keep one i would keep the Abus, that will keep away 99% of the bike thieves... the NY lock is only here to give the 1% left a very hard time stealing my bike...;)

The full line of Kryptonite locks is in fact available throughout most of Europe.

Here are two places in France to contact should you need to:

ICA Security Systems
Espace du Lac
La Ferte Bernard Cedex 72407
Phone: 33 2 43 60 2705

Know How France
11 Chemin De L'Industrie
Dardilly 69570
Phone: 33 4 7252 0966

Other brands to consider: Abus and Trelock

thanks Ziemas for the information

what i meant is that you don't usually find kryptonite here at your lbs, or on the french websites... sometimes at motorbike stores, but they don't carry the faghetaboudit because i guess it is too short...

and as a matter of fact it is often cheaper (and maybe faster) to order from US incl. shipping than to buy local... go figure

in french bikes store Abus rules (yet i got mine online too... from germany) ;)

If you have room on your handlebars, you can get some Twofish Lockblocks and mount it that way.

http://www.twofish.biz/bike.html

I was carrying a previous lock on my Bad Boy as pictured there, and it worked well. I sometimes carry my NY Lock STD on my road bike when I'm just going around the neighborhood by using one Lockblock (as pictured for the Cyclopblock at the bottom of their page).

Trelock makes a great bracket which attaches to the side of a rack. My wife and I use them on all of our bikes.

http://bike-components.de/catalog/Tr...3+Punkt+Halter

http://www.rad-lager.de/shop/11426b.jpg

That's freakin' cool. A little bit of modification, and your lock could double as some heavy aerobars.

http://www.soldsecure.com/Leisure.htm and check the lock section below.

I'm currently using the New York Fahgettaboudit *chain*, which is so far an excellent lock (albeit massively heavy). I wouldn't recommend this particular lock to anyone using a lightweight, easily u-lock compatible DF bike, but I was having serious troubles locking up my Xtracycle occasionally, and this lock delivered the solution quite nicely. I would imagine that its u-lock brother is also quite a beast. Once you're up to locks of this mass and caliber, I don't think that anything short of good power tools will work to defeat them.

i almost got one of those (the megablock) but i wasn't sure about rigidity, once the 5lbs lock is attached to it...

Abus has something similar to the trelock system, called UGH 02 Carrier Holder

http://www.abus.de/us/main.asp?Scree...=4003318266249

problem is if i have one u-lock on each side of the rear rack, i cannot fit the panier bags...

i don't know if the trelock can take the 18mm diameter shackle of the faghettaboudit...
anyway the cylinder diameter being as big a beer bottle, i should try to to fit it into the bottle cage, but hey... where am I going to put my beer?... ;)