Well, it is true. Most pin tumbler locks can be picked pretty easily by someone who knows how, has the tools, and has put in the practice required to become proficient.
Combination locks are the same, even easier to open if you know how.
All of those can be snapped with bolt cutters pretty easily.


You need to:
1) Determine how valuable the items you will be leaving in there are.
2) Determine how likely theft is there. (Is it in a secure building/doorman/security/front desk person?)
3) Decide how much $$ you want to spend on a lock by weighing the above.

Any of the locks that you posted will work fine to keep honest people honest. If it is an already secured area, then you really only risk theft by other locker holders. If this is true, any of those cheap locks will work fine.

If you want more security/peace of mind and you are locking up expensive/valuable items the lock below is the most inexpensive padlock that I know of that is HIGHLY pick/drill resistant and comes with key control (meaning no one can duplicate your keys). Most cheaper locks will only come in the standard pin-tumbler type, and the manufacturers do not protect the cylinder well. They are cheap locks.

I only recommend this multi lock padlock if you really want more security, can afford it, and will be locking up things that you REALLY don't want to lose.

Buy one from a local locksmith to set up a key authorization list.
https://www.lockandhinge.com/scripts/...t=C13&refer=fr

And here is a variety:
https://www.mul-t-lock-online.com/multlock-m-10.html

Well, they handle it in one of two different ways.

When you buy a multi lock at a locksmith, they either issue you a card (like a credit card) with YOUR key bittings ('cuts' or 'combination' of THAT key), OR they file the card securely and set up a key authorization sheet and file that as well. Your choice. If you choose to keep the card, you will have to present it every time you want keys made. You lose it, you are out of luck, and can never get keys made to that lock again. Unless you bring it in and have it rekeyed, which can be expensive.

Conversely, the authorization sheet allows you to name any and all people that will be allowed to come into the shop with a valid I.D. and have keys made. You, your wife, brother, yourself only, etc......These are the ONLY people that will ever be able to get your key made. Anywhere. Period. VERY secure.

Multi lock offers many different keyways, meaning the milling on the key itself, and this determines whether or not a certain keyway will even go INTO a certain lock.

An online retailer may sell you a multi lock with any number of different possible keyways. Some are more restricted than others. They will probably just issue the CARD to you with the lock. Then, if anyone gets your card somehow, they could go to any MTL dealing lockshop and have keys made. Not as secure. If you go to a locksmith, you will likely receive their restricted keyway. A keyway that has been assigned by multi lock to their shop ONLY.

If you decide to buy a multi lock, and you want to gain the maximum security and key control from your purchase, you should buy it from a local MTL dealing locksmith.

Unfortunately, no, it is not likely.

Choose a lockshop by how long they have been in business. Use the oldest one (that sells MTL or *MEDECO*) that you can find, and don't worry about it.

As a general rule, the locksmithing industry is almost bomb proof. Even with the recession (or especially because of it?), our shop is really busy. If they have been in business for a long time, chances are that they will not be closing up anytime soon.

EDIT: Be sure to use a locksmith that is a standing member of ALOA (associated locksmiths of america), and is licensed and bonded. They will usually display this in their shop via ALOA certificates hanging on the wall. Or call around and ask.
There has been a rash of 'fly by night' lockshops opening across the country, and they are not to be trusted. Look for the ALOA certification.



**Medeco is another company that makes high quality, key restricted locks. Absolutely equal quality and key control to multi lock. Some say that they are even better. They have been in business longer than MTL, and basically wrote the book on key restriction that many other companies are using now. If you can't find MTL products, medeco is just as good.

There's no program for a retiring locksmith (for instance) to return his key control materials to the manufacturer (or ALOA) for safekeeping? Seems a little odd.

Incidentally, spent this morning trying to get tapcons into the concrete in my garage without much luck. Grumble grumble.

Correct sized pilot hole + beeswax on the screw + tri flow lubricant = happy screwing.

Generally, as a lockshop owner retires, the business is bought out by an employee/manager/son/daughter and keeps right on ticking.

So the "no pre drilling" thing is a lie? It's right on the little sticker on the anchor.

Scary...

https://www.vimeo.com/2851071

Complete and bold faced lie.

Anybody know if the U-lock dimensions on Kryptonite's website are the overall length/width or the length/width inside the U.

Thanks in Advance.

IIRC, they are ID.

This is disturbing.

This has been an interesting thread, and educational.

From reading all of the information posted here it appears that there are a lot of pretty junky locks out there that are easily defeatable if the thief has any time at all, some with minimal or no equipment.

It also appears that even the best locks, chains and cables can be defeated given some time and the right equipment. Buying high end and multiple types of locks will keep honest people honest and may discourage experienced thieves to go for an easier target but if a thief decides your bike is the one he wants then he will get it. A very disturbing conclusion.

Sounds like if you have a valuable bike and live in a high crime area then you keep it in sight and use the best locks available. It is not paranoia, they do want to steal it.

Does making up a beater bike with poor paint and lower to mid level components help discourage thieves? I know that locally I have seen one FG bike with a paint job that looks like the owner uses it for cleaning paint brushes. About 10 colors applied randomly, roughly and obviously with a paint brush. Other than locks what is the most effective method of discouraging bike thieves?

I think generally, yes. A beater bike is a great way to go if you just want to rip around the city and not worry too much about locking up a big investment. Keep the value of your bike down, and you won't lose out too much if it does get stolen.

Other than locks?......
-Get insurance.
-Don't use an expensive bike in the city.
-Don't lock it up outside. Bring it inside (and lock it up there, if you're still nervous).
-Large, mean pitbull as a guard.
-Poop on the seat/handlebars.

Based on your experience as a locksmith, what percentage of stolen bikes have their padlock picked, drilled or opened with a purloined key versus those that have their shank snapped with bolt cutters or angle ground or have their cable defeated?

Best,
tcs

I have never seen a theft of a bicycle due to lock picking. The lock is always broken/cut/ground in some way. I have seen a few where the cylinder (keyed part) has been drilled out.
Keep in mind that most bike thefts result in the thief taking the lock with them, so I cannot conclusively tell you that it never happens.

Cases of thieves actually picking locks are usually relegated to high dollar (think bank/jewelry/million dollar mansion style), highly skilled, intelligent, well planned attacks.

If I may, I'll add

-- take a wheel or a seat with you.
-- leave it shifted in the highest gear. (If they were going to ride it off, it'd hold them back for a bit) or clamp the QR with the wheel sideways or fix the brakes to be on, let the air out of the tires.
-- tie a toe strap from the frame to the rear wheel. (Not too high security, I know, I read this in Bicycling years ago)

If you are going with this approach, why not just partially release the QR on the front wheel, or disconnect the brakes. If the thief tries to ride off with your wheels, they will faceplant and you can just find them by the blood trail.

Of course, this won't stop a thief with a truck, but might be effective vs. joe crackhead.

I remember seeing a Rohloff equipped bike that was painted up to look like a beater in SF. They did a great job with the disguise, and if I hadn't walked right by it while staring at it, I never would have noticed. I actually walked back after I passed it to check it out because I wasn't sure I had really seen what I thought I did.

I appreciate all the input, crawdaddio. There is a lot of good information from other people too.

That's the problem with disguising a bike. A really well-equipped thief will know what he's looking for.

Maybe a year ago I was parking my bike at a local market when I spotted an Edelux light mounted to the bike next to mine. They're not too common around here so I took another look at the bike. It was copy-paste from my Christmas wish list. SON front hub, Rohloff rear hub, top-of-line lights, disk brakes, Nokian studded tyres, Brooks saddle (covered with a plastic bag and yes, I did peek), good racks rear and front plus a Klickfix mount for the handlebar bag.

The owner had gone to great lengths to hide all that beauty. The frame was painted matte dark green, no decals anywhere, strips of electrical tape and dirt placed randomly here and there. It even looked like he had smeared something on the hub surfaces to hide SON and Rohloff logos. It looked really getto, absolutely fugly - and the rear wheel alone cost more than what I was parking next to it. I'd say most of our thieves would not understand its value.

--J

I too, would like to thank Crawdaddio for this thread.
I don't have a lock because I go where my bike goes and use my bike only for recreation.
and it never leaves my sight.
over the winter there was a beater 3 spd bike that's locked in front my building.
I've seen the owner ride it during the summer and she just lock's it there for
long periods of time. recently I haven't seen her around. bike neglected, flat tires.
till bout 2 weeks ago I saw the bike didn't even have a lock, it was always locked before.
It was just on it's kickstand, next to a sign post. I was asking myself how long before it
get's noticed and taken. It was three days till I noticed it was gone.

I totally agree. I used to locksmith years ago. Thieves will break a lock first and most do not know how to pick locks. If they do know it takes them too long to do it for it to be practical. It's quicker for them to break/cut the lock. Using several locks (U and chain/cable) causes them to spend too much time on it. They want a quick steal and getaway. The longer they take, the better the chance of getting caught. Same with house break ins/car thefts.

again, you are simply a shill for locksmiths. those fancy and expensive locks are a waste of money. they cost too much and if you use with them with a cable they are not the weak link, the cable is. if you use them with a chain then you might as well use a kryptonite type disc lock, which is far less expensive. you are simply trying to send cyclists to expensive locksmiths, when we are fine simply buying cheaper locks from the bike shops.

this "key authorization list" stuff is nonsense and pointless for bikes.

also when you mention that you have a bunch of busted gold rated locks at your shop, i suspect that either isnt true or those locks were broken with power tools by your staff for customers who lost keys.

I will not go through this whole debate again.
I am not shilling.
I have never mentioned the name of my shop.
Can you buy higher quality locks at a locksmith than at a bike or hardware store? Absolutely.
Do I care if you do? Absolutely not.
Read back through the thread.

You can 'suspect' whatever you like. The locks are here and were broken by thieves.
The simple fact is that some thieves can and do defeat all types of locks on a regular basis.
Deal with it.

Wow.

What a friendly 1st post.

Troll.