Do you think I need a better lock ASAP?
 

I have a cheap lock from a big box store - you could very easily cut through it with bolt cutters. I'd like to get a better lock but I've just recently started commuting and have some other things I need to buy first (a better light, panniers, etc.) Based on my situation, do you think I need to get a new lock right away, or can it wait a bit?

For background, pretty much the only place I ride is to work. I work for a large corporation and our building is out in a rural suburb, where I park my bike in the parking garage next to my building. It's very unlikely for someone who walks past my bike to be other than an employee of my company. We're in the financial industry so people there are pretty well background-checked, although maybe I'm putting too much faith in humanity.

I once had a friend who worked for the Bank of Canada in a highly secure building. The only way into the building and to the bike parking was using a secure key card. His never locked his bike because of the security. His bike was stolen and it had to be someone who worked in the building. This may be an anomaly but none the less happened. Panniers can wait, use a back pack you already have. Cycle in the day, so you don't need the light. Buy the best lock you can afford and when finances permit, then buy what you need.

I am one who is extremely careful with locking my bike. I have a bike compound that can only be opened with a key card and it also has video surveillance. I still use two Kyrptonite U locks with a Kryptonite cable and I leave these at work so I don't have to to carry them. In my business, I say anything that can be sold for a "piece of rock" is worthy of stealing for someone in need. Sad but true.

Hard to say without knowing how attractive your bike is to local thieves or how serious its loss would be to you. My view is that better locks rapidly get into the law of diminishing returns. I.e. even a cheap lock will deter most thefts of opportunity and, OTOH, protecting against a determined thief is hard even with the highest quality locks.

I've just been using a cheap cable lock and haven't had a bike stolen in over 30 years. But I also don't use a flashy carbon-fiber wonder bike for commuting or grocery shopping.

Look at it this way, if you don't have a bike due to the an easily defeated lock, then the rest of the stuff isn't very useful.

J.

If you have ANY doubt about the security of your bicycle, the answer to that topic question is ALWAYS YES.

You are so in doubt of your bicycle's security so bad that you come to post this on an online forum. So DEFINITELY YES.

I started commuting in 2007, on a Full Ultegra road bike in DOWNTOWN Boston. For FIVE years, it has never been touched, because it is secured with 1 chain lock (stationary), 1 U-lock (mobile), 1 cable, AND locking skewers.

I'm not sure what your situation is like. At a previous job there were about 200 employees total and the office was not open to the public. There was bike parking for about 10 bikes under one of the stairways and I never locked my bike, Trek 7.5FX, and neither did a few others. Some used very basic locks. The company fleet of bikes was always locked up unless an employee checks it out. The fleet was 4 comfort, 5 performance hybrid, and 1 tricycle rated for 500lbs stashed under another stairwell.

I had a similar debate on my hands. I went and bought a Kryptonite Evolution Mini for $40 from Amazon. I'll be posting a review of it after finals.

WalMart has a pretty nice On Gaurd lock for cheap and the cable looks pretty stout. From what you describe I'd say your present lock is probably enough to keep the honest people honest. Leaving it unlocked is often tempting. Years ago when I was young and crazy I came across a decent unlockedbike and took it for a ride for a couple of hours. I took it back to where I found it just as the owner showed up. He was about to freak and asked what I was doing with his bike and I just told him that I took it for a ride and walked away. I'm still surprised I didn't get my butt kicked. Definitly a case where a simple lock would've kept that bike safe.

You can get an Onguard Bulldog Mini with cable for about $26 here: http://www.amazon.com/OnGuard-Bulldo...3659327&sr=8-2

I have that lock. I don't think a pair of bolt cutters would get through it, and if the thieves bring power tools with a portable generator then no lock, no matter how expensive, would be able to stand up to that.

I don't think you need a $70 U-Lock. A $20-$30 Ulock from a company like Kryptonite or Onguard is very good protection.

Do you need it ASAP? Based on your description of your riding and work situation I'd say: nope. You should be able to get away with your current lock for a while. But nobody can tell you what your comfort level should be. You have to balance the risks and decide what will be right for you.

I never leave my bike anywhere. It's a ticket for disaster. I take it with me everywhere i go... and if a restaraunt can't deal with it for example... I go to one that can.

All any lock will do is deter an opportunist or delay a truly dedicated thief.

The only bikes I've ever had stolen were just not locked up. On the flip side, I once had the opportunity to cut my snazzy Specialized cable lock with my hacksaw. I was able to get through this big, fat cable in 45 seconds. Nobody tried to stop me or interrupt me. Very rare situation when you get to "steal" your own bike.

I agree. I had bought a lock from sun and ski (Grapevine) and my kid lost the key.

It took 20 seconds to get the lock off...

If I were you I would get the mini D-lock for the back tire / frame, and possibly a cable for attaching the bike to a cycle stand.

Don't bother the chain or wire locks. Irrespective of the thickness or claims made.

I think I read somewhere that you should spend 10% of your bike's purchase price on locks to secure it. Not bad advice, IMHO. I have a sturdy u-lock and a heavy chain/mini u-lock combo that I use to lock my bike up. Incidentally, I park in a fenced-in, locked compound that's under video surveillance. Nothing is foolproof, but I want potential thieves to look and my ride and walk by in search of easier targets. Cable locks have their place, but if the bike's going to be out of my sight for more that a few minutes, then I want something more substantial.

Again, why do you want to lock it? Take your bike inside with you. If I can't take it inside with me or at least in view and short distance, I don't take it.

For me, taking the bike inside the workplace is a no-no. I work in a hospital and the infection control team would have a bird if they saw me wheeling my bike through the halls (not that what I track in on the soles of my shoes is any better). If I want to commute to work, I need to lock it up. Believe me, if there was a better solution I'd be all for it. I would love to see some bike lockers, for instance.

Aye. I see your problem. If you really want to prevent bike theft and must have a lock, I do NOT recommend anything with a chain. The bigger the chain, the bigger the bolt cutters.

Same as irclean, my office doesn't allow the bike inside. It's crazy. But if I don't lock it up oustand, I can't commute. On another note, I did buy a nice u-lock this weekend. Thanks for all of the responses!

Good move. Chains are waiting to be cut.

Isn't there an area of the hospital that would work - i.e. loading dock area for example?

Especially around a hospital I'd have a really good locking strategy.

J.

I asked at the loading dock. The answer was, "No."

Not everyone has that luxury.

I work at a hospital and they were nice enough to build a bike cage with a security camera and key pass system. They did it to be "green" which is a direction that we are heading. Many hospitals in Toronto, where I am, have a bike cage of some sort. You might want to inquire with the higher ups about reducing your carbon footprint and it would make ecological sense to help the cyclists commute to their work place. It wouldn't hurt to ask.

You know there is a certain irony in a place that is supposed to be obsessed with health seemingly unwilling to knock down obstacles to keeping their employees active and healthy.

J.

If your read post #14 you'll see that I too park in a bike cage that's under video surveillance.