Tsujigiri

Hello, I've been looking for a lightweight bike locking solution without luck for a while, and I just had an idea. Is it possible to loop a U-lock through the chains of the Kryptonite 880 instead of the included padlock? If so, I think I would have enough reach for the low racks at my school. Does anyone know what the maximum sized u-lock bar is that will fit through the end links on the 880?

teamontherun

That chain is not very secure... Its rated at 6 out of 12 which is just, and I mean just above a cable. It is very susceptible to bolt cutters. I would get a good quality U Lock if you have somewhere to hook the U lock to or buy a better chain. I have the 1217 and its rated at 10 out of 12 and is very secure. I will take much more than a set of bolt cutters to get through it.

BarracksSi

How low are these racks?

Tsujigiri

The racks are the kind that just connect to the front wheel. The 880 is long enough to secure the front wheel, but not long enough to loop through the frame, wheel, and rack. I'm thinking that a u-lock might add enough length...

weavers

oh so you have wheel bender racks, well put the rear wheel in the rack, you should be able to lock the rear wheel and fame by using the rear triangle, then add a cable lock or ulock to lock up front wheel to frame. if possible look for somewhere better to lock up your bike, like a street post, a street lamp, a sturdy tree.

if you like using a chain consider this one, not as good as the krypto ones and it can still be cut with bolt cutters(you can find a vid on utube with 42inch cutters) but its still a solid lock and right cheap too.
https://www.bikeregistry.com/estore/p...f02e2b0ac34c81

BarracksSi

What weaver said. ^^^^

Or, if the rack has to use the front wheel, use a longer chain to reach through the frame and a small U-lock to secure the rear wheel to the frame itself.

Tsujigiri

Thank you very much for the suggestions. Weavers, that chain looks very good. Do you know how long it is and how much it weighs?

teamontherun

I believe it is 39" (1 meter). It is long enough if you back your bike in and lock the rear wheel and frame. NOT long enough to lock your front wheel, back wheel, and frame. For that, you should look into the kryptonite 1217 because its 5'5". I personally use the 1217 and lock both my wheels and my frame to light poles (about 1 foot wide) all the time. It is heavy but VERY versatile.

Tsujigiri

Ah, thank you... I just looked at the enlarged picture, and I see it also shows the length now. Do you know how much it weighs? I was considering the Kryptonite New York Chains, but after seeing them in a LBS I think I want something lighter...

teamontherun

The Kryptonite chain that is 3.25 feet (equivalent to the bike registry chain) weighs 8.8 lbs. The Kryptonite 1217 that I use is 13.5 lbs. I carry mine in my backpack when I need to use it... When I go into a store for 1 min, I use my 1218 Kryptonite cable.

FYI The bike registry chain weighs 5.5 lbs. BUT with the lighter weight comes the vulnerability to bolt cutters. It takes about 10 seconds to cut that chain.

Its really all about where your going to lock your bike up and how long. Also how much your bike is worth. You take all that and try to come up with the perfect amount of security with a light weight lock.

BarracksSi

Taking into consideration that I don't know how big or small you are, and that I'm a kinda big guy myself --

I don't think that weight should be much of a factor in deciding on a lock. Any half-decent chain or U-lock is going to be bigger and heavier than a thin chain or cable, and the weight difference between the beefy locks really isn't that much.

Still, a lock that looks badass will deter the casual thieves and the ones who don't have the right tools to break them.

mechBgon

Also consider the Kryptonite Noose-type chains, since they allow you to use most of the length of the chain instead of having to make a loop with it. Not exactly cheap, but certainly versatile. https://aebike.com/product/kryptonite...k4228-qc30.htm



In the bigger picture, when I park on the nearby college campus, I never lock my bike in those flimsy, horrible wheel-slot racks. I go find something worth locking to (my favorite spot allows locking the rear wheel & frame to a 4" building-support pillar, plus locking the front wheel and frame to a horizontal railing if I'm feeling paranoid).

teamontherun

Just for reference here is a pic of my lock on my bike...