Originally Posted by elicheez

I think I say this in every thread on locks, but I'm very happy with the padlock and chain that I got at the hardware store for $12. It's 1" thick chain- it took the guy at the store a few minutes to cut me off a piece, and he was using a 5 foot long boltcutter and everything was braced against the floor. He said the shop guys would have chain-cutting contests, and if it weren't lying on the floor most of the guys could only dent the 1" chain with the boltcutter. The padlock is a medium-sized Masterlock that I've seen shopkeepers use on their storefronts so I think it's pretty secure.

Originally Posted by nick burns

How long is the chain & how much does it weigh with the lock?

Originally Posted by Giddyup Go

Picking a lock upside is something you need to practice. I've read that installing locks this way is supposedly common in Europe. The only time a lock is going to be in a perfect position is when it's being freely held in your hand...but attached to nothing at all. That's not how it happens in the real world.

Diskus style locks like you see here http://www.lockitt.com/padlockdiscus.htm are fitted upside down for the same reason. It's suppose to add to the P.I.T.A. (Pin in the Arse) factor to any would be lock picker who happens along. The top two locks you see here are quite pickable if you practice this sort of thing on a regular basis. The keyways are quite tight and a complete pain without European/Japanese style slimline picks. I have a couple of bogota picks that would likely work very well against with this set up. I've never tried it though. I only do this sort of thing with locks I own. Looks like fun though.
The bottom one (20/70) is something you want to go after with an angle grinder or thermite or some explosive device. I couldn't pick this lock on my best day. It's breakable, just not very pickable without the right tools, as stated in an earlier post.

Originally Posted by elicheez

Anyway, I've parked all around Boston and nobody's thought my 1990 Miyata was worth the effort yet!

Originally Posted by bpohl

I don't lock my bike, except for on very rare occassions, where maybe I stop at a restaurant and will be within sight of my bike. On my commute, the bike comes inside with me. I have spent far too much money on my bike to be leaving it out for anybody to steal or try and steal (which could hurt it just as bad as taking it altogether).

Originally Posted by Raiyn

Originally Posted by scoana

How would you use this lock on your bike?

Originally Posted by alanbikehouston

All chains are not equal. It took Cycling Plus eight minutes, using portable power tools to cut a Kryptonite Fahgettaboudit chain. Some chains can be cut in seconds.

Hardware store chains are typically designed for purposes OTHER than "high security". A chain designed and manufactured for maximum "pull" strength may look massive, and weigh a ton, yet have next to no resistance to cutting.

The four pound Kryptonite New York 3000 took ten minutes to cut, compared with eight minutes for the Fahgettaboudit weighing eight pounds. So, unless you must lock to telephone poles and light poles where a U-lock will not work, the New York 3000 provides maximum security with half the weight to haul around.

Originally Posted by elicheez

ooh maybe something like this
http://www.toolking.com/makita/view.asp?id=14165

Originally Posted by Ziemas

Ask the hardware store how long it takes for them to cut the chain. Then you'll have an idea of the quality of your chain.

Originally Posted by alanbikehouston

The guys who work at my neighborhood hardware store are nice guys. But, they don't know a thing about security issues. They sell "high priced" door locks that can be picked in seconds, yet DON'T stock a brand of door locks that is essentially pick proof. They could take twenty minutes cutting a chain that a New York thief could cut in seconds. But, they are NICE guys...

I would not buy a bike sold at a hardware store. I would not lock an expensive bike with a chain sold at a hardware store.

Originally Posted by alanbikehouston

Golly, why don't we start a thread called "How To Steal A Bike"? We could post photos of the most effective tools, explain how to use them, and then post links to websites where would-be crooks can buy the tools on-line.

Or, we could discuss effective ways to DEFEAT crooks, and NOT discuss the specifics of "How To Steal A Bike".

Originally Posted by alanbikehouston

Golly, why don't we start a thread called "How To Steal A Bike"? We could post photos of the most effective tools, explain how to use them, and then post links to websites where would-be crooks can buy the tools on-line.

Or, we could discuss effective ways to DEFEAT crooks, and NOT discuss the specifics of "How To Steal A Bike".

Originally Posted by alanbikehouston

Golly, why don't we start a thread called "How To Steal A Bike"? We could post photos of the most effective tools, explain how to use them, and then post links to websites where would-be crooks can buy the tools on-line.

Or, we could discuss effective ways to DEFEAT crooks, and NOT discuss the specifics of "How To Steal A Bike".

Originally Posted by darkmother

The way I look at it, the theives already know the tricks to steal your bike. If you are going to try to deter them, you have to know what you are up against. I think this thread has been enlightening in that respect.

Originally Posted by alanbikehouston

I'd rather discuss how to DEFEAT these guys.

Originally Posted by supcom

You cannot have a meaningful discussion on how to defeat a thief without also discussing how a thief will defeat you. In order to protect against a threat, one must first identify the threat.

Originally Posted by Raiyn

Originally Posted by supcom

Or pretend you are keeping thieves ignorant by refusing to discuss how locks are broken. Do a simple google search and you'll find out all about how to bust locks. It's no secret.

Part of my contention is that there are plenty of situations which do not require the biggest, baddest lock. Not everyone lives in NYC or other high theft region. Many people live and ride in areas where the biggest risk is the opportunist thief who might take an unlocked bike on impulse. These people don't walk around with bolt cutters under their jackets.

I was in New Orleans walking all around the French Quarter last year. I saw a lot of bikes locked to light poles there. I was surprised by the number of bikes that were secured by a simple hardware store chain and Masterlock padlock. Some cheap U-Locks. No OnGuard or high end Kryptonite locks.

Originally Posted by Ziemas

Unless New Orleans has changed a lot in the last 15 years you'd be surprised by the amount of bike theft too. When I lived there it was horrible. So was the murder rate.