Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Commuting
Reload this Page >

Mounting U Lock Onto Rear Racks

Search
Notices
Commuting Bicycle commuting is easier than you think, before you know it, you'll be hooked. Learn the tips, hints, equipment, safety requirements for safely riding your bike to work.

Mounting U Lock Onto Rear Racks

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 10-13-11 | 05:30 AM
  #1  
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
Mounting U Lock Onto Rear Racks

Please recommend a way to do this. Where can you buy mounts or clamps that will hold a heavy U lock to the side of one's rear rack? Or is there another option? Ease of mounting/removing the lock and secure mounting of lock obviously important. Thanks.
Easy Peasy is offline  
Reply
Old 10-13-11 | 07:12 AM
  #2  
tsl's Avatar
tsl
Plays in traffic
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,971
Likes: 15
From: Rochester, NY

Bikes: 1996 Litespeed Classic, 2006 Trek Portland, 2013 Ribble Winter/Audax, 2016 Giant Talon 4

If it's not in my panniers or trunk bag, I just lock mine around the head tube. Secure, and no fussy mounting clamps.
tsl is offline  
Reply
Old 10-13-11 | 07:24 AM
  #3  
hairyman's Avatar
cyclocommuter
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: Brunswick, ME

Bikes: L.L. Bean Evolution hybrid, Jazz Voltage rigid mtb

TwoFish Lock Blocks will mount to pretty much any part of a bike frame. I'm not sure about your rack, though.
hairyman is offline  
Reply
Old 10-13-11 | 07:34 AM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
From: Kingsport, TN

Bikes: 2007 Schwinn Le Tour

earthworm94 is offline  
Reply
Old 10-13-11 | 08:07 AM
  #5  
Surrealdeal's Avatar
a.k.a., Point Five Dude
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 794
Likes: 0
From: Twin Cites, MN USA

Bikes: 1987 Trek Elance 400 T

Originally Posted by earthworm94
+1. The velcro tie-down is a nice touch.
Surrealdeal is offline  
Reply
Old 10-13-11 | 09:25 AM
  #6  
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by hairyman
TwoFish Lock Blocks will mount to pretty much any part of a bike frame. I'm not sure about your rack, though.
That looks excellent. I emailed'em to find out where to buy their products. Thanks.
Easy Peasy is offline  
Reply
Old 10-13-11 | 09:27 AM
  #7  
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by tsl
If it's not in my panniers or trunk bag, I just lock mine around the head tube. Secure, and no fussy mounting clamps.
I'd love to see a photo of how you do that. Thank you.
Easy Peasy is offline  
Reply
Old 10-13-11 | 09:31 AM
  #8  
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Surrealdeal
+1. The velcro tie-down is a nice touch.
That's a great way for times without a trunk bag. Thanks.
Easy Peasy is offline  
Reply
Old 10-13-11 | 09:40 AM
  #9  
Banned
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 43,586
Likes: 1,380
From: NW,Oregon Coast

Bikes: 8

Tidiest is the right rack, Tubus Locc, and the Abus U lock,
that it was designed to carry , on the inside of the left leg,

so quickly removed, to deploy, even when panniers,
and top of rack are packed.
fietsbob is offline  
Reply
Old 10-13-11 | 12:24 PM
  #10  
Full Member
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 346
Likes: 1
From: Philadelphia

Bikes: 85 Peugeot Canyon Express, 73? Torpado, 85 Trek 400

Originally Posted by earthworm94
I do the same everyday, but skip the velcro. It makes some noise over bumps but no big deal.
jettore is offline  
Reply
Old 10-13-11 | 12:37 PM
  #11  
Full Member
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 239
Likes: 0
I have a cheap lock and renters insurance. 60 dollars a year so I don't have to cram a rack on my bike for a lock that sucks. I hate U locks...
Snowman219 is offline  
Reply
Old 10-13-11 | 05:21 PM
  #12  
Medic Zero's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,285
Likes: 1
From: Kherson, Ukraine

Bikes: Old steel GT's, for touring and commuting

This is how I do it, I found a small laptop bag at a thrift store for two dollars and lashed it down with a couple of leather straps (milsurp I had laying around) with a little (probably unnecessary) assistance from one of my bungee nets:



The other leather strap is hidden by the bag behind where my Road Morph pump is poking out of the top of the outer pocket.

My girlfriend is no fan of used things and often raises her eyebrows to some of my solutions to things, but in this case she actually expressed that she was envious of this one and that it looked like it had been specifically designed for what I was using it for! I love that my lock makes no noise and is quick and easy to stow now (it's in the zipper pocket along the top). Of course when I need to run two panniers I need to pull this off, but that takes just a minute to unbuckle the two straps and I slip the lock (& pump & bungees) into the back of an Ortlieb.

I stow my bungees and my other bungee net in the outer pocket (under the webbing), and when I go on tour, I remount this bag outboard my starboard side bucket. It also gives me another accessible pocket.

Most days I run this, and an Ortlieb on the other side with my work clothes, toiletry bag, and lunch in it.

Last edited by Medic Zero; 10-13-11 at 05:25 PM.
Medic Zero is offline  
Reply
Old 10-13-11 | 08:48 PM
  #13  
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by hairyman
TwoFish Lock Blocks will mount to pretty much any part of a bike frame. I'm not sure about your rack, though.
The reply from TwoFish said their Lock Blocks for U locks are designed only for use on the handlebar.
Easy Peasy is offline  
Reply
Old 10-13-11 | 09:52 PM
  #14  
reducedfatoreo's Avatar
Full Member
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 325
Likes: 4

Bikes: Old Cannondales: '85 ST400, '85 ST500, '85 SR900, '01 R600 CAAD4

Originally Posted by jettore
I do the same everyday, but skip the velcro. It makes some noise over bumps but no big deal.
Yo también. However, I actually prefer the noise; half the time it gets people ahead of me to move over to the right without me having to ring my bell or shout "On your left!"

Bicycles can be pretty scary on MUPs if they're completely silent, so I get to kill two birds with one stone with this solution.
reducedfatoreo is offline  
Reply
Old 10-13-11 | 09:56 PM
  #15  
Sixty Fiver's Avatar
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 27,266
Likes: 152
From: YEG

Bikes: See my sig...



I often throw my lock in the rack like this (with a velcro strap) but usually put the lock through the tie down straps on my panniers.
Sixty Fiver is offline  
Reply
Old 10-14-11 | 03:08 AM
  #16  
Senior Member
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 12,948
Likes: 9
From: England
Secure a bunjee chord across the top of the rack.
Put the lock under the bungee chord.
Jamb the curved end of the shackle under the raised front loop of your rack.
If you rack has a solid top plate and no open loop (as in Medic Zero's rack) then change it for one that does.
This fitting is totally secure with no rattling, provides instant access to the lock for locking or anything else and does not interfere with bags. You do have to lock before removing bags and attach bags before stowing lock, but this is the natural order of things.
MichaelW is offline  
Reply
Old 10-14-11 | 12:25 PM
  #17  
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by earthworm94
I placed my U lock inverted from the way you have it, with the curved part of the lock resting on one of the cross bars of the rack. Then used your idea and placed velcro straps at two points to keep the lock attached to the inside of. my rack and away from my fender stays. And this leaves room for placement of my Ortlieb waterproof panniers. Thank you!
Easy Peasy is offline  
Reply
Old 10-14-11 | 12:51 PM
  #18  
SweetLou's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,114
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by Easy Peasy
The reply from TwoFish said their Lock Blocks for U locks are designed only for use on the handlebar.
Look at their Bikeblock or Megablock. I use the Bikeblock for my U-locks without any problem. I have attached them to the top tube and the seat tube. I don't know how well they will work on a rack though. You might be able to connect a portion of seatpost or PVC to the rack, then the Bikeblock to that.

I have small bikes, so often the U-lock won't fit inside the triangle if I have a water bottle. What I do is place the Bikeblock on the seat tube with the U-lock facing backwards, resting on the seat stay. I then velcro the lock to the stay. It's kind of difficult to place it correctly, but once done, it stays in place and no foot interference.
SweetLou is offline  
Reply
Old 10-14-11 | 01:16 PM
  #19  
himespau's Avatar
Senior Member
Titanium Club Membership
15 Anniversary
Community Builder
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 13,767
Likes: 3,939
From: Louisville, KY
Originally Posted by earthworm94
I tried that, but even with the velcro it jumped around too much for my taste (roads here aren't what I'd call good). Now I just put it on top of my rack and use a bungee cargo net to strap it down. I've got Wald folding baskets bolted to the sides of my racks so lots of places for the net to hook.
__________________
Bikes: 1996 Eddy Merckx Titanium EX, 1989/90 Colnago Super(issimo?) Piu(?), 1990 Concorde Aquila(hit by car while riding), others in build queue "when I get the time"





himespau is online now  
Reply
Old 10-14-11 | 01:57 PM
  #20  
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
A few pics -







Easy Peasy is offline  
Reply
Old 10-15-11 | 06:43 AM
  #21  
Medic Zero's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,285
Likes: 1
From: Kherson, Ukraine

Bikes: Old steel GT's, for touring and commuting

Originally Posted by MichaelW
Secure a bunjee chord across the top of the rack.
Put the lock under the bungee chord.
Jamb the curved end of the shackle under the raised front loop of your rack.
If you rack has a solid top plate and no open loop (as in Medic Zero's rack) then change it for one that does.
This fitting is totally secure with no rattling, provides instant access to the lock for locking or anything else and does not interfere with bags. You do have to lock before removing bags and attach bags before stowing lock, but this is the natural order of things.
I'd be curious to hear recommendations of racks as sturdy as the Jannd Expedition that like it, minimize heel-strike issues.
Medic Zero is offline  
Reply
Old 10-15-11 | 06:45 AM
  #22  
Medic Zero's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,285
Likes: 1
From: Kherson, Ukraine

Bikes: Old steel GT's, for touring and commuting

[QUOTE=Easy Peasy;13365588]A few pics -



QUOTE]

How long does it take to secure like that? Seems like it would be cumbersome and annoying to do.
Medic Zero is offline  
Reply
Old 10-15-11 | 07:03 AM
  #23  
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
[QUOTE=Medic Zero;13367759]
Originally Posted by Easy Peasy
A few pics -



QUOTE]

How long does it take to secure like that? Seems like it would be cumbersome and annoying to do.
The bags come off with a pull of the handle. Then maybe 10 seconds. Easy peasy.

Last edited by Easy Peasy; 10-15-11 at 07:53 AM.
Easy Peasy is offline  
Reply
Old 10-15-11 | 07:43 AM
  #24  
Banned
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 10,082
Likes: 1
Both Trelock and Abus make mounts for racks. I use the Trelock ones, and am very happy with them.
Cyclist0383 is offline  
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jerkbag
Bicycle Mechanics
21
08-10-17 10:15 PM
usndoc2011
Commuting
57
03-13-17 09:40 PM
Bikeforumuser0011
Commuting
33
09-21-13 07:38 PM
Adroitly
Commuting
3
07-21-10 04:53 PM
tdister
Touring
4
04-25-10 09:42 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.