Hello. I have had my bike for about a month now, and I still can't figure out a comfortable way to carry my Kryptonite chain lock. I have tried carrying it in a backpack on my back, which causes back pain and in said backpack on a rear rack, which then makes the bike too heavy to carry up and down steps, which I have to do a lot. Right now, I have it wrapped around my seat post, which is the most comfortable but leaves big scuff marks on the seat post and I'm afraid I might be causing some long term damage, if that is even possible. Any suggestions?

You have already scuffed it up. It is a commuter bike. Is it worth it to worry about more scuffs?

Personally, I worry very little about the apperance of my commuters. Actually the more beat up the better. With the stuff I fit my bikes out with, they are easily worth 5-10X the rest of the bikes locked up around them, but I don't advertise that.

I like easy riding, reliable bikes for the distances and frequency I commute. That requires spending money for some good parts or at least spending money more frequently for ok parts.

Don't go flashy in possible theft areas though. I learned that lesson. My bikes are uglified, but boy, do they roll nicely. If I add up what I spend on my commuters, it is still as expensive as get out, but at least they don't look it.

alot of people wear'em around their waist. It looks uncomfortable though...

Unless your seat post is carbon, it won't really hurt anything, I wouldn't think. Why don't you just wrap electrical tape (or bar tape, maybe) around the seat post, and anywhere else the chain touches?

I'm a little confused as to why it is too heavy on the rack, but not on the seatpost, though. Is it just balanced better that way?

I'm backpacking mine around, but it'll go in the trunk as soon as the truck and rack arrive.

Why not strap the lock to your rack when you're on the road, then transfer it to your backpack to lighten the bike when you need to carry it?

You could try wrapping it over your shoulder and across your crotch.

Also uncomfortable, but probably a more secure method of carry.

Wear it just like a Miss America Banner. Resting on left shoulder, diagonally cross chest, over to right hip.

(I'm not sure about the crotch thing above??)

one thing i like about the my folder is that i don't have to lock it up, i don't even have to keep a lock!

Actually, putting it on the rack, then transferring it when you need to carry, seems like a great idea. I'd probably just hang it around my neck, but whatever works for you.

How about a rack top bag? , It should hold the chain nicely, their foam stiffeners
give it shape.

I carry my Kryptonite chain lock in my backpack in a milk crate on the rear rack. I don't notice the extra weight. I also have another 1.5' length of hardened chain and a hardened pad lock in there, plus 3' of braided steel cable and hardened pad lock. I figure three locks is a good deterrant right?

I was more concerned about potential structural damage to the seat post than the scuffs. But the post is not carbon, so its good to know that I shouldn't be worried. The tape is a pretty good idea that I'm surprised I didn't think of myself.

I actually find it weird, but I am totally unable to even lift my bike if the chain is in my bag on the rack. But I don't really have much issue lifting it when its on the seat post. I think it has to do with weight distribution/balance.

Just wrap it around the seat-post as you have been, else tie it around a solid part of the frame where it won't interfere with anything. If you're worried about marring the part of the bike, cover the area in a piece of bubble-wrap.

Personally, I think I'd go with sticking it on the rack and — as you say you don't like the weight back there when moving the bicycle over stairs — just remove it before traversing any steps (unless you happen to be going up/down them very frequently).

My recommendation is that you not wrap the chain around any part of your own body. If you're in an accident or you otherwise fall (and never think you're so invincible it couldn't happen), you'll possibly find yourself crashing down onto the rigid, oddly shaped, and likely quite-painful metal links.

Get a U-lock.

Good luck getting that around a lamp-post in case a bike-rack or parking meter happens not to be around. U-lock or not, a person still could use a flexible back-up, even if in the form of a sturdy cable intsead of of a chain.

Trust me that can even happen with a U-Bolt stored in a removable top bag. My shoes were wet I slipped fell, and landed right on my top bag that I had removed and was carrying. NOT very pleasant to say the least.

I use both, and so far haven't found a situation that I couldn't secure my bike under. I also go the extra distance and cover it with a Topeak cover.