Locking your commuter
 

I got another bike for commuting to school and I am wondering how best to protect it at school. I am going to try to lock it inside but not sure if that will be possible. I know I can use a U lock to lock both wheels to something, but I'm not big on having to remove the front wheel all the time and having the fork banging around in the ground. I am considering getting a cable lock to keep in my bag to lock the front wheel up and using the U lock on the rear. I would leave the U lock on the rack, that way I don't have to carry it around but ill have the cable lock on me at all times if I have to lock up somewhere different.

Sound like a good plan? Any recommendations for a relatively thin/light cable lock long enough to get both wheels?

Thanks!

You could always get a Pitlock set and protect your seatpost & cockpit along with your frame and wheels.

I considered getting them but it would cost half what I paid for the bike and what removing my wheel more time consuming/difficult. Not out of the question, though.

streetcuffs by masterlock, not a cable or ulock, but I think its pretty neat. You can get a holder for them that bolts on at a waterbottle mount. You will have to take off your front wheel. $50
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=263682

Use a good U-lock (I assume you have one) with a 9/16"x6' RV cable lock; vinyl-coated, thick as one of my fingers, uses a square-key lock (integrated). The RV lock is under $30 at Wally.

http://www.onguardlock.com/?page_id=329

This is the lock I have. I put the U lock through the front wheel/frame and have the wire go through the front wheel/frame/rear wheel. It's pricey but it's definitely not going anywhere that easily. Also comes with five keys so you wont lose it :D

Also they have an Anti Theft protection program that you can sign up for in case it does get stolen.

What name brand, model, and year bike do you have?

I'm no major fan of any kinda cable lock, but the vinyl covered thick ones do have some credibility...

Your idea may be good for when you're inside of class. However, overnight, I wouldn't chance anything. Your bike should accompany you to bed at night.... I wouldn't leave my lock out for extended periods of time either, so that would-be-thieves can study it.

Get either the OnGuard U-Lock or the New York Fahgettaboudit U-Lock. If you must lock-up outside overnight, everything should come with you except for the rear wheel, handlebars, frame, and fork.
Get an old used crappy-looking leather seat, that has some wear issues. Wrap the bike tubes up with painted duct tape.

So the U lock and cable lock combo is pretty good? Only thing is I would like to get a cable lock that I can fit in my saddle bag. Would a 6' x 3/8" cable fit in a saddle bag? Be long enough to get both wheels if needed? Being able to fit a spare tube, tire levers, phone, wallet, and the lock would be awesome but doubt that is happening.

Edit: the bike is a 1993 Trek 2500 pro. Not very expensive, but looks flashy.. also not sure if I should do anything to prevent brake theft or to put solder in Allen bolts..

The bike will never been outside overnight, it'll be in my house. Just be outside while I'm in class if I cant find a spot for it indoors.

I also already have a U lock.

You definitely want to tone down the flash aspect. Painted matte black duct tape and a ripped up (comfortable) seat will work just fine. A touch of Elmer's glue spread between the bottoms of the seat and down tubes, just above the BB with sand spread over the glue, makes for an ugly-looking dirty bike, too.

* Always lock up next to a bike that looks better than yours, with a weaker lock!

PS.

I dunno dude... A carbon fiber bike! :twitchy:

That news won't take too long to get around campus! That bike once cost over $1,300! :eek:

Good Luck! :thumb:

Get a "beater" bike to lock up at school. No way I would lock up my good stuff, no way..

Ya even if people don't know what it is I'm worried they will just think it looks "cool". It would kill me to paint the bike cause its in good shape.. I have my first road bike (world sport) but don't really want to sink money into fixing it up whenever I don't ride enough to have a dedicated weekend and dedicated commuter bike.

Ah I don't know, you making me nervous now haha :o

Don't paint the bike! Paint the duct tape and wrap it around the bike. Either that, or just place a bunch of stickers and decals all over it, to make it look like Crazy Hipster Druggie material, or something...It's all about camouflage and disguise, at this point! If you're really going to do it, maybe you could place some used chewing gum on the handlbars, or something! Anything! Just tone the flash way down...

* Another ploy would be to paint the duct tape some obviously loud color.
No bike thief wants to stick out like a sore thumb. Like a guys bike painted hot pink or bright-lime-almost-fluorescent green, or something...

Better yet! Just stick with the stealth matte black color, so it's not to be noticed!

I would be worried about duct tape residue but maybe blue painters tape?

I'm going to scope the place out when I get there... if I can park it inside ill feel a lot better. It would be very hard to go back to riding the world sport after this bike lol!

This is "The Rig", my commuter. One of my friends calls it the Zebra. The reflective tape all over it not only super-uglifies it, but makes it very visible in cage headlights.
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=263708

Yeah! Something like this would be almost perfect! :thumb:

But make it look even uglier than that, because that bike, still looks like it's hiding titanium, or something...

Hey! If I were you, I'd place the Trek 2500 into storage until school break. Then I'd enjoy it a little, before school resumes. Meanwhile, I'd ride the world sport. Yeah! Why don't you spruce the world sport up a little bit and commute on that.

Better yet, just buy a really cheap single speed for school and don't even worry about it!

Google the Mongoose Sinsure...

Well I think I am going to fix up my World Sport and ride that daily and sometimes I'll take the Trek to school but reserve it for fun rides/weekend use. I'll feel a lot better that way in terms of security and wear/tear. I have been putting my Ulock through the rear triangle and using a cable lock for the front and the seat. I don't think I'll have problems with stolen components off the World Sport haha I also have it parked in a very visible location.

Thanks guys!

I use an ABUS Bordo because it's easy to carry around. I usually lock up to bike around an object with the single lock. People are pretty relaxed around here ... I see €2500 e-bikes locked with u-locks around lightpoles on the weekends (although it's usually at a weekly outdoor Jazz breakfast, which tends to attract different clientele.)

http://www.amazon.com/Abus-Locks-650...rds=abus+bordo

not at a college campus, bike nicking meccas , as there are many to take, un-noticed.

German export Abus, locks , chain + folding link lock, for 1 bike,
NL import AXA defender, ring lock and plug in lock up chain on the other..

To Op, if you frequent the same rack daily, leave 1 lock on the rack, bring another with you.
perhaps make a tag for the left lock, and talk to campus security so the call you
to remove your lock at years end rather than be destroyed
when they do a left over property clean-up..