Best locks?

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04-19-11 | 07:37 AM

#51

irclean

Born Again Pagan

Joined: Aug 2009

Posts: 2,241

Likes: 2

From: Southwestern Ontario

Bikes: Schwinn hybrid, Raleigh MTB

Quote:

Originally Posted by smontanaro

So I'm in the market for a replacement commuter bike and a new lock...

Ouch! Sorry about your luck. May I suggest buying two locks for your new bike?

04-19-11 | 07:53 AM

#52

skijor

on by

Joined: Mar 2006

Posts: 958

Likes: 754

From: Wisconsin

Bikes: Bacchetta Giro 20 ATT, Waterford RS-33, Salsa Vaya

Quote:

Originally Posted by smontanaro

I'm in Evanston, IL and thought a u-lock was overkill as well. Then my bike was stolen yesterday at the train station, so now I'm not so sure. Fortunately, I had no emotional attachment to the bike. I had about $500 into it though. The bike was a single-speed (no skewers) locked to a strong bike rack with a Kryptonite lock (whatever it was that they replaced the Bic-pen-vulnerable locks with), through the back wheel, the seat tube and the bike rack. At least, that's the theory. While I am an experienced cyclist there's always the slim chance that I somehow missed the bike rack. I came across this thread while searching for lock alternatives.

So I'm in the market for a replacement commuter bike and a new lock...

Sorry to hear that. Though it sounds like you did nearly all that could be done. My U is 'post-Bic' but not the latest greatest. If I were parking near a higher traffic area (bus/train station, Walmart, etc) I'd definitely step up the locking strategy to a mini-U with cable, and take lights, bags, etc with me.

04-19-11 | 08:10 AM

#53

smontanaro

Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 5,958

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From: Evanston, IL

Bikes: many

The crazy thing is I would normally have ridden the dang thing to work and parked it inside (we have a sweet setup at work). The weather was crappy yesterday, so I just rode my bike to the train station because I was running a bit late for the train I wanted to catch. Normally I would have just walked to the train.

Last edited by smontanaro; 04-19-11 at 10:21 AM.

04-19-11 | 08:56 AM

#54

dwellman

Godbotherer

Joined: Jan 2011

Posts: 1,255

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From: Hermitage, TN

Bikes: 1986 Cannondale SR300 (full SRAM Apex) 1996 Cannondale R800 (Full SRAM Rival), 1997 Cannondale R200 (Shimano Tiagra), 2012 Cannondale CAAD 10-5, 1992 Bridgestone RB-1 (SRAM Force)

That absolutely sucks.

Anyone here use the bike registry thing. . . or a bike registry thing? I think me living in a small town it would work fine. Not a lot of places to sell where it could go "unoticed"

Hell. . I may actually be the only one IN town that actually HAS a bike. . . i mean a somewhat nice one. Hmm. . . .

04-19-11 | 11:50 AM

#55

531phile

I'm Carbon Curious

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 2,190

Likes: 1

To the person who got their bike stolen: if you don't need to carry a whole lot of things and don't mind using a backpack. Get a folding bike and bring it everywhere you go. Something like a Strida so you can roll it everywhere even when folded. A locked bike is just asking for it. In a hot market, it'll get stolen eventually...just a matter of time.

So my way of thinking is to don't tempt the bike thieves with your nice nice bikes, but if you do have to haul crap and absolutely need to use a regular non folding bike, use a beater...afterall, this is just commuting...no need for uber light bikes for commuting...leave your nice bike safe and sound at home fortified like fort knox.

04-19-11 | 11:54 AM

#56

cyclist5

Will ride anywhere

Joined: Feb 2011

Posts: 180

Likes: 0

From: Louisvlle, KY

Bikes: 2009 Trek XO-1, 2006 Trek 7000

Some of us though can't afford two bikes. I can't afford to commute on a beater bike, it just takes too long. I have ONE nice bike that I commute one and race on (road and cyclocross). It's a $2K bike but I park it at bike racks in very public places near entrances to work/class, lock it with two seperate lock types, and walk by it every couple hours at least. It's all I can do but I can't afford to go on a cheaper slower bike.

04-19-11 | 01:01 PM

#57

smontanaro

Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 5,958

Likes: 2,138

From: Evanston, IL

Bikes: many

Thanks for the folder suggestion. A better (and cheaper) option for me would be to just leave the house five minutes earlier so I can walk to the train (that's my normal modus operandi). I'd also prefer a more efficient bike when I commute (12 miles one way), which is typically all the time in nice weather. My actual nice bike (Madone 5.2) would never be left outside, and is essentially never ridden in the rain. The commuter was better than a beater, but not terrific. (Schwinn Madison, flat bars, Crank Brothers pedals.) The only thing kind of unique about it were the old Galli levers.