matthewstonely

I am a design student in England and a keen cyclist, for my final project I am looking at the bike lock. I have a some questions which I would be very grateful if anyone would mind answering to help with my research There is a fair number so just answer a few if you get bored!!

Thanks

1. Approximately how much is your bike worth?

2. Have you got secure facilities where you commute to?

3. When locked outside do you use a D lock, chain or cable lock?

4. Why do you use this kind of lock?

5. How much roughly did you lock cost?

6. When buying a bike lock do you set an upper price limit or get the strongest regardless of cost?

7. Would you consider a cheaper lock that looked strong?

8. What would you expect to spend to get a good lock?

9. Do your consider the look of the lock when you buy it or purely the function?

10. Do you carry your lock on your bike (in mount or round frame) or in your bag?

11. Do you have a quick release seat clamp?

12. If so do you remove your saddle when you lock your bike?

13. If not do you lock your saddle to your bike?

Matt Gaunt

I'm bored, buddy, and your name is Matt, so why the hell not?!

1. One is worth about £300, one is worth about £1600
2. A bar sunk into the pavement, nothing else
3. D-Lock - ALWAYS a D-Lock. If the road bike's out, maybe even 2 to make sure I still have two wheels when I come back.
4. Proven to be the toughest to break
5. 12 English Pounds
6. Strongest / what's in stock
7. Yeah! I'm a student! If it's strong AND cheap... where's the loser?!
8. 12 quid! I know I can get one for that so why not?
9. Purely function - it's a tool to me, not a component
10. In my bag - much easier and stays out of your way
11. Yep x2
12. No but I probably should! Thing is, where do you put a greasy seatpost that's a foot long with a saddle strapped onto the end of it?
13. How? I've tried, I really have, but I can't see a way of doing it

Juha

1. Winter bike probably worth 150€, summer bike 600€ or so. Price is actually not the point. Bike is my primary means of transportation, I will have hard time moving around if my bike gets stolen.
2. A semi-secure yard with a decent bike rack.
3. D-lock and a small frame-mounted rear wheel lock. Bike rack has chain that goes into either of the two locks. The rear wheel lock came installed with the bike, so all following questions are assumed to concern just the additional D-lock.
4. It is not the top-of-the-line lock, but it is upper scale compared to what I see other people use. My bike will not be the easiest catch in a rack.
5. 30-40€, I believe.
6. See 4.
7. Just LOOKED strong, but is actually el crapola? No, I would not.
8. I might go a bit higher for a good lock. Say, 60€.
9. All locks I've seen look good enough. Function is decisive factor for me.
10. I have a frame-mount for the D-lock. That way it's always there when I need it.
11. Nope.

--J

Ya Tu Sabes

1. $250

2. No

3. Chain + long padlock to secure back wheel to frame

4. Strong, no round keyhole, easy to carry around waist

5. $45 + $5 for the padlock

6. Upper price limit, within reason (i.e., if I realize I have to spend more for a good lock, I do)

7. Maybe

8. $50

9. Function

10. Neither - around my waist

11. Yes

12. No; the saddle is locked to the frame with a small cable and luggage lock

13. Yes (see above)

operator

Good job choosing a hard to read font.

matthewstonely

hard to read? Serif fonts are actually easier to read than sans serief, why do you think books are always serif?

thank you every one who has answered it is much apreciated

John Ridley

1. bike=$350, attached accessories, $150, $500 total
2. no, I just park it next to the side door, don't even lock it.
3. I have never locked my bike. I own a cable lock that I use to secure it to the car rack when travelling.
4. It's cheap
5. $9
6. Upper price limit, and it'd be pretty low, since no lock is going to stop someone intent on stealing the bike.
7. Probably, if it wasn't too heavy. I don't want to haul 2# of lock around.
8. Depending on what "good" means - good around here is probably $30. "Good" in NYC probably means $100.
9. Function. I don't give a damn about looks of the lock or the bike, I just want them to work.
10. I don't carry it.
11. Yes, but it bugs me, as it slips and lets the seat down on bad roads. Need to replace it.
12. I don't lock my bike. Needless to say, I don't remove the saddle either.
13. See #12.

Hmm, I don't think I'm within your target market for this lock. I'm thinking about picking up a very small cable lock. I'd throw one in my bag if it was very light, as once in a while I stop at a store in an area I don't know, and currently I just drop the kickstand and walk in. No problems so far but sometimes I would feel a bit better if I had a small lock. I think any lock at all, in this area, would be enough.

BTW "Here" = rural southeast Michigan, 15 miles west of Ann Arbor. If I needed to go into Ann Arbor where the college is, I'd want a lock.

gahaya

1. Worth? To a thief, $75 tops - to me, my mental health

2. No secure facility - I lock it on the street.

3. I use a case-hardened chain with padlock; if Kryptonite ever sends me postage to replace my U-lock (I'm assuming this is the same as a D-lock), I will use the new U-lock as well.

4. I use these locks because I live and work in New York City, where a bike thief can snip and whisk away your bike in a few minutes in broad daylight on a busy street, while hundreds of people walk by, some of them seeing but all of them ignoring the theft as they carry on their way. I would like to go back to using two kinds of locks for the deterrent effect. I realize that thieves can break whatever lock they like if they put the effort into it; my hope is that with a cheap, old bike and multiple sturdy locks, they'll figure it's not worth their time.

5. The chain was $60 (came with now-defunct Krypto mini U-lock); the padlock was $25. The U-lock that I'm hoping to get replaced cost $30.

6. Strongest regardless of cost.

7. Would you consider a cheaper lock that looked strong? -- Yes, I'm all for cheap, but only if I knew that many other urban cyclists trusted it.

8. I would expect to pay what I paid -- I know it's expensive, but I actually got a deal on my chain, which often sells for over $100.

9. I don't care how my lock looks.

10. I carry the chain around my waist. I have a frame mount for the U-lock that I'm hoping to get replaced.

11. No quick release seat.

12. N/A

13. Don't lock seat; it's ancient, a big chunk of the padding is noticeably gone and it's mostly covered with purple and grey duct tape. I consider the seat to be one of the instant visual clues that says, "nothing on this bike is worth stealing".

jharte

Matt, good project. As you know the answers you get will be relative to location. I live in the Midwest:
1. My commuter worth: >$600 (it's very old and abused)
2. Yes, I park next to my desk at work
3. Cable lock if going to grocery store. Otherwise, no lock at all
4. 6' cable lock also lock up kids bikes (easier to steal than mine)
5. Lock cost $15
6. I chose the cable lock for versitility. Locking several bikes with one lock.
7. Yes, if it was as versitile.
8. A good lock might cost $40 or more depending on material, weight.
9. ****ional.
10. Bag
11. No
12. No
13. No, my saddle actually only cost $2 on ebay. If someone wants it they can have it!

Good luck with your project. I hope you get some useful info.

slvoid

Use a cheaper lock on their bikes so you can use your kid's bikes as sacraficial bikes.

PaulH

1. Approximately how much is your bike worth?

$1,000 US

2. Have you got secure facilities where you commute to?

Yes

3. When locked outside do you use a D lock, chain or cable lock?

"D" lock

4. Why do you use this kind of lock?

Because I have one.

5. How much roughly did you lock cost?

No idea.

6. When buying a bike lock do you set an upper price limit or get the strongest regardless of cost?

I've had my lock for six years, don't expect to buy another until it wears out. Have no idea why I selected my present one.

7. Would you consider a cheaper lock that looked strong?

Are crooks really that dumb?

8. What would you expect to spend to get a good lock?

$20

9. Do your consider the look of the lock when you buy it or purely the function?

Function only

10. Do you carry your lock on your bike (in mount or round frame) or in your bag?

I bungee it onto the rear rack

11. Do you have a quick release seat clamp?

No

12. If so do you remove your saddle when you lock your bike?

13. If not do you lock your saddle to your bike?

Paul

scrantr

1. Approximately how much is your bike worth?
Rain beater is about $500, nicer bike is about $3000

2. Have you got secure facilities where you commute to?
Yes.

3. When locked outside do you use a D lock, chain or cable lock?
U-bolt lock to secure rear wheel to something through rear triangle, and
a cable lock through both wheels and seat rails.

4. Why do you use this kind of lock?
The combination should make it inconvenient enough that a thief will leave
my oh-so-unfashionable bikes alone and steal someone else's dept. store full-suspension mountain bike.

5. How much roughly did you lock cost?
All combined cost approx $100.

6. When buying a bike lock do you set an upper price limit or get the strongest regardless of cost?
Although a consideration, price is secondary to security.

7. Would you consider a cheaper lock that looked strong?
I'm unlikely to go with something that "looks strong" without some sort of independent
verification, testing or review. The Masterlock Street Cuff is a case in point. It looks
massive and invulnerable, but is reputed to be susceptible to the same Bic exploit that
other round keyed locks fall to - use the cap instead of the pen.

8. What would you expect to spend to get a good lock?
The going market rate for quality locks is the only basis I have for judging.
If you produce something that is secure and costs about what a roll of duct tape
costs, I'll be all over it.

9. Do your consider the look of the lock when you buy it or purely the function?
Look is unimportant. I merely expect to see it, still attached to the bike, when I return.

10. Do you carry your lock on your bike (in mount or round frame) or in your bag?
In rack mounted bag, or rarely, bungie'd to rack.

11. Do you have a quick release seat clamp?
No. I replaced the one on my hybrid rain beater with an Allen keyed collar.

12. If so do you remove your saddle when you lock your bike?
No.

13. If not do you lock your saddle to your bike?
Yes, by running cable through wheels and seat rails.

Matt Gaunt

Hey Matthew, where are you from buddy? I'm also an English student! What sort of lock are you thinking of - like a wheel lock or a whole D-lock or what? Post soon.

elbows

1. Approximately how much is your bike worth?
$1200

2. Have you got secure facilities where you commute to?
Yes - bike rack inside an employees-only garage.

3. When locked outside do you use a D lock, chain or cable lock?
At work, or for other long stops: D-lock + cable for the front wheel
For short stops: cable only

4. Why do you use this kind of lock?
I use the D-lock for security, the cable lock for convenience (I have a cheap, lightweight cable that's easy to carry).

5. How much roughly did you lock cost?
D-lock: $60
Cable: $10

6. When buying a bike lock do you set an upper price limit or get the strongest regardless of cost?
I buy a lock with a guarantee that's greater than the value of my bike.

7. Would you consider a cheaper lock that looked strong?
I'd consider a cheaper lock with an adequate guarantee, or that was demonstrated to be as strong as the more expensive lock.

8. What would you expect to spend to get a good lock?
$50-$70

9. Do your consider the look of the lock when you buy it or purely the function?
Function only.

10. Do you carry your lock on your bike (in mount or round frame) or in your bag?
I usually don't carry the D-lock at all -- it stays on the rack at work. When I carry it, I put it in my bag (rack trunk).
Cable lock is always in my bag.

11. Do you have a quick release seat clamp?
No

operator

1) $20
2) No
3) U lock + Cable Lock (yeah yeah I know)
4) Uh.
5) U-lock $10 Cable Lock $10
6) Limit. It can't be worth more than the bike.
7) Uh no.
8) About 40-50.
9) Look and function go hand in hand
10) U-lock is left locked somewhere. Cable lock comes with me.
11) No
12) -
13) -

super-douper

1. Approximately how much is your bike worth?
Maybe $100US to a theif, to me priceless

2. Have you got secure facilities where you commute to?
Yup, goes in my office with me. Office has a locking door.

3. When locked outside do you use a D lock, chain or cable lock?
If it's going to be a while (a couple hours) both, otherwise just a U-lock

4. Why do you use this kind of lock?
I bought it 10yrs ago, and it works

5. How much roughly did you lock cost?
less than $20

6. When buying a bike lock do you set an upper price limit or get the strongest regardless of cost?
price limit

7. Would you consider a cheaper lock that looked strong?
probably not. I want something strong, no matter how it looks.

8. What would you expect to spend to get a good lock?
I wouldn't spend much, since I alread have one. If I didn't, I'd probably only spend about $40

9. Do your consider the look of the lock when you buy it or purely the function?
function

10. Do you carry your lock on your bike (in mount or round frame) or in your bag?
usually velcro'd to the frame

11. Do you have a quick release seat clamp?
yes

12. If so do you remove your saddle when you lock your bike?
no

13. If not do you lock your saddle to your bike?
I used to. Then I decided I didn't need to, since my bike is usually in a safe place.

madhouse

I live in a very rural area. I often don’t bother locking my bike because there isn’t much threat of the bike disappearing.

1. Approximately how much is your bike worth?
$1000.00 US
2. Have you got secure facilities where you commute to?
No
3. When locked outside do you use a D lock, chain or cable lock?
Cable lock
4. Why do you use this kind of lock?
Cheap and easy to use/versatile
5. How much roughly did you lock cost?
$10
6. When buying a bike lock do you set an upper price limit or get the strongest regardless of cost?
Upper price limit
7. Would you consider a cheaper lock that looked strong?
Yes
8. What would you expect to spend to get a good lock?
$30
9. Do your consider the look of the lock when you buy it or purely the function?
Both
10. Do you carry your lock on your bike (in mount or round frame) or in your bag?
Keep one at work where I lock my bike. Carry in a bag
11. Do you have a quick release seat clamp?
Yes
12. If so do you remove your saddle when you lock your bike?
No
13. If not do you lock your saddle to your bike?
No

Raiyn

1. Approximately how much is your bike worth? $1000 to $2000 depending on which one I'm riding

2. Have you got secure facilities where you commute to? Yes doesn't get much more secure than six feet away and direct line of sight.

3. When locked outside do you use a D lock, chain or cable lock?
All of the above

4. Why do you use this kind of lock? Because of the investment of time, money and labor I put into my bikes.

5. How much roughly did you lock cost? $150

6. When buying a bike lock do you set an upper price limit or get the strongest regardless of cost? I get the strongest I can get locally

7. Would you consider a cheaper lock that looked strong? Looks are aren't everything


9. Do your consider the look of the lock when you buy it or purely the function?
Function
10. Do you carry your lock on your bike (in mount or round frame) or in your bag?
Bag
11. Do you have a quick release seat clamp?
Yes
12. If so do you remove your saddle when you lock your bike?
No
13. If not do you lock your saddle to your bike? Yes

Ronocerous

1. Approximately how much is your bike worth?

$500 CDN

2. Have you got secure facilities where you commute to?

Just bike racks.

3. When locked outside do you use a D lock, chain or cable lock?

D Lock and Cable lock - separate locks (i.e. not a cable through the D Lock).

4. Why do you use this kind of lock?

D Lock is supposed to be good, Kryptonite thing notwithstanding. Wanted two different locks. Sometimes in odd places, only a cable can reach a secure object.

5. How much roughly did you lock cost?

Uh, D Lock about $45; Cable lock about $25.

6. When buying a bike lock do you set an upper price limit or get the strongest regardless of cost?

I thought I'd heard about about a 10% of the your bike value thing. I had an upper price limit, but its based more on my area than the value of the bike. As on poster road, it's my mental health.

7. Would you consider a cheaper lock that looked strong?

No.

8. What would you expect to spend to get a good lock?

$50 CDN should be a good lock!

9. Do your consider the look of the lock when you buy it or purely the function?

function

10. Do you carry your lock on your bike (in mount or round frame) or in your bag?

Both in my bag - D lock sometimeson my rack with a bungee. The frame mounts just don't work for my bike (mountain bike with two bottle holders).

11. Do you have a quick release seat clamp?

Not on my commuter. NEVER. Got them changed to bolts.

12. If so do you remove your saddle when you lock your bike?

13. If not do you lock your saddle to your bike?

Naw - not that expensive.

matthewstonely

Hi there thanks everyone for answering my questions

And Matt in answer to your question I'm a student at Brunel near Windsor, counts as a London uni. I am looking at something a bit different for my project, makin the seat tube the lock, sounds a bit gadget like but its an interseting project even if it wouldn't sell! In England a lot of thefts occur when people dont lock their bikes at all. This way they will always have their lock and also it stops the seat theft.

Matt Gaunt

Yeah, I know a lot of people at my uni and back home that have had their bikes stolen.

I've been lucky so far. Let us know how you get on

froze

The bike new was worth around $2000 but that was 20 years ago so now if I'm lucky $400 due to the all Suntour Superbe componentry.

I bring the bike into the office with me.

I use a 3/4 inch cable with a seperate Abus Discus lock

I use this because the cable is relatively light yet thick enough to slow down would be thieves; I use the lock because it's virtually unbreakable. I choose this method because I don't leave the bike in high risk areas and never leave it far from sight anyway. Most of the time the bike is in the basement at home or in my office.

froze

The bike new was worth around $2000 but that was 20 years ago so now if I'm lucky $400 due to the all Suntour Superbe componentry.

I bring the bike into the office with me.

I use a 3/4 inch cable with a seperate Abus Discus lock

I use this because the cable is relatively light yet thick enough to slow down would be thieves; I use the lock because it's virtually unbreakable. I choose this method because I don't leave the bike in high risk areas and never leave it far from sight anyway. Most of the time the bike is in the basement at home or in my office.

I can't remember the cost (20 years old), but I think the lock was $18 and the cable was $15.

If I had to park the bike outside my office then I would buy the best lock regardless of cost...within reason of course, I'm not going to spend $500 on a lock to lock up a $400 bike!!!!

Of course if a $30 dollar bike lock was proven to work just as good as a $100 one then why not buy the cheaper one?

$50 to $80 would be my max level on a bike lock-assuming I was locking a more valued bike then my own.

Function only, looks don't mean squat

I carry my lock in my backpack when needed.

no quick release seat clamp.

no locking seatpost.

EastKY

1. $300 + $100 accesories

2. Somewhat

3. 6' flex cable with separate lock

4. Can wrap it tight and it fits in underseat bag

5. $20 for the lock, $10 for the cable

6. Consider the brand, then price

7. No

8. $20

9. Function only

10. Bag

11. Yes

12. No

13. Yes

Inoplanetyanin

1. Approximately how much is your bike worth?
I would sell it for 300$

2. Have you got secure facilities where you commute to?
Yes, bike locker
3. When locked outside do you use a D lock, chain or cable lock?
Cable lock

4. Why do you use this kind of lock?
The only lock I have and satisfyed with it

5. How much roughly did you lock cost?
$1.49

6. When buying a bike lock do you set an upper price limit or get the strongest regardless of cost?
I set up an upper limit price.

7. Would you consider a cheaper lock that looked strong?
Depends on strong it is and how cheap it is.
8. What would you expect to spend to get a good lock?
Good one is a very relative term. 30$ would be enough for locks I would consider to be good.

9. Do your consider the look of the lock when you buy it or purely the function?
Of course I consider the look. I wouldn't want a rusty chain.

10. Do you carry your lock on your bike (in mount or round frame) or in your bag?
Around the seat post.

11. Do you have a quick release seat clamp?
No. Who are those for?

12. If so do you remove your saddle when you lock your bike?
---

13. If not do you lock your saddle to your bike?

--- I think I would have to pay someone to take my saddle