Best cable lock for road bike?
#26
Kryptonite New York Lock + Chain
10.80 lbs with a 3.25' chain.
15.25 lbs with a 5' chain.
I presume the OP was exaggerating.... slightly... but one can easily add a few pounds of precious weight with a lock. The more secure, the heavier.
Eons ago, my father had gotten some conveyor chain, about 1.25" x 1.25", thick, and heavy, covered it with an inner tube, and locked it with as big of a lock as he could get at the time. It would have taken a little while to hack through. But, he left it locked to the rack where he would park his bike for commuting.
10.80 lbs with a 3.25' chain.
15.25 lbs with a 5' chain.
I presume the OP was exaggerating.... slightly... but one can easily add a few pounds of precious weight with a lock. The more secure, the heavier.
Eons ago, my father had gotten some conveyor chain, about 1.25" x 1.25", thick, and heavy, covered it with an inner tube, and locked it with as big of a lock as he could get at the time. It would have taken a little while to hack through. But, he left it locked to the rack where he would park his bike for commuting.
#27
Not safe for work


Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Bikes: KHS Town and Country 100 & Jamis Durango Femme 1.0
I use on my commuter bike a Kryptonite Faggetaboutit and a cable. It's pretty hefty lock but it feels like nothing because I store it in the rear rack when I'm cycling. My mtn bike uses an Abus Bordo Granit x-plus folding lock and a cable for the front wheel. It stays in the carrying pouch attached to the bottle cage bolts on the frame. I don't notice it when riding either.
#28
aka Tom Reingold




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From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
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I have cable cutters that are made for brake and gear cables. I can go through a locking cable with these cutters in two or three quick snips. It's like going through paper with scissors. It is shockingly easy.
[MENTION=387813]B1KE[/MENTION], where do you live? Where I lived in NJ, a cable was sufficient. If we know about where you are, we can tell you whether a cable is advisable.
[MENTION=387813]B1KE[/MENTION], where do you live? Where I lived in NJ, a cable was sufficient. If we know about where you are, we can tell you whether a cable is advisable.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#29
Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2011
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From: Minnesota
Bikes: N+1=5
I understand the sentiment of a small, portable cable for locking in direct view. I'd not advise it, but if one does want to purse this strategy, at least make sure that you have a cable that is not something that can be cut with a Leatherman or other pocket tool that may be commonly carried by a passerby. Avoiding that, at least limits the pool of potential thieves to those carrying tools explicitly with the intention of stealing bicycles (heavier duty cutters).
J.
J.
#30
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
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Bikes: Trek 1.1, Nashbar Carbon105 , Specialized Rockhopper-SS, Aventon Aventure
I have this one https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...32_-1___204665 nice length and the cable is quite thick. I hang it on my seat rails and it doesn't rattle when riding. I would think this would be pretty difficult to cut threw.
#31
Passista


Joined: Jul 2005
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Bikes: 1998 Pinarello Asolo, 1992 KHS Montaña pro, 1980 Raleigh DL-1, IGH Hybrid, IGH Utility
I have cables, chains and U-locks. If I leave my bike for a short time where I can see it, I use a combination 5/16" cable, it's light and fast to use with no keys and I think I'll notice if someone tries to cut it. If I need more protection, like leaving my bike in the street for 2 hrs where I can't see it, I lock it with a 3' 3/8" case hardened chain and armored padlock to a steel post/big tree, and I lock the frame and my front dynamo wheel (the rear is nutted IGH). The U-locks are the least used because they are less flexible (can't use a big post or tree, etc.). On rare occasions I use both the chain and a U-lock.
Last edited by Reynolds; 12-12-14 at 08:24 PM.
#32
Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2011
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From: Minnesota
Bikes: N+1=5
I recently got a road bike and I went through a period of being too paranoid to lock it up and try to bring it in with me to as many random stores as possible but certain ones didn't allow it. I wanna get a fairly secure lock but I won't be leaving my bike out of sight for more than 10 minutes and I want something portable that I can slip into my pocket so I'm thinking a semi hefty cable lock would do the trick.
My main purposes of using the lock are popping in and out of the liquor store, coffee shop, gas station to grab a water/quick snack. Can anyone recommend some good locks please.
Thanks!
My main purposes of using the lock are popping in and out of the liquor store, coffee shop, gas station to grab a water/quick snack. Can anyone recommend some good locks please.
Thanks!

Any of the cables here are short work with a pair of small bolt cutters (or smaller). You almost always can find a post to lock it to Sheldon Brown style. Just carry a small cable to secure the front wheel or get a pitlock skewer. Small, portable and effective.
I've got two kids with a total of five plus years at a large urban university who have locked their bikes outside 24/7 using that method and no problems. Their whole use of their bikes are for quick trips and then locking it up for an hour or so. Had bikes taken from right beside theirs and no one touches ours. Our bikes are vintage good quality bikes not department store bikes so they are worth stealing. Certainly no guarantee but I think the track record speaks for itself. They just tuck the u lock in their waist band or pocket in back and they're good to go.
J.
#33
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
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Bikes: Trek 1.1, Nashbar Carbon105 , Specialized Rockhopper-SS, Aventon Aventure
I don't know but I'm thinking a 15mm cable might be difficult to cut. I wouldn't think the jaws of a bolt cutter would open wide enough in order to snip the cable.
#35
Thread Killer

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#36
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#38
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
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From: 6367 km away from the center of the Earth
1m of the biggest one + padlock will get you to 15lbs
The biggest chain from kryptonite being smaller than the 2 biggest here

Another 19mm one with the equivalent to a 12mm 1210-1217 new york chain link
The biggest chain from kryptonite being smaller than the 2 biggest here

Another 19mm one with the equivalent to a 12mm 1210-1217 new york chain link
Last edited by erig007; 12-16-14 at 09:53 PM.
#39
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2014
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From: Massachusets
Bikes: Mongoose ledge 2.1 with road tires and cruiser bars
I have a cheap $200 bike, lock it with a Kryptonite covered chain and carry a $500 9mm revolver. (It will make the 6:00 news)
Chains are harder to defeat because their flexibility makes it hard to hold for cutting and you have to cut the link twice. This would actually give you a chance to reload!
Chains are harder to defeat because their flexibility makes it hard to hold for cutting and you have to cut the link twice. This would actually give you a chance to reload!
Last edited by hardcharger1; 12-16-14 at 07:04 AM.
#43
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 95
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From: Kansas
Bikes: Old Nishiki, rockhopper
Dont know where those of you live who seem to be only using a U lock. I know the OP was wanted something that met being light & handy.
But if I limited myself to the the use of only a U lock I would not be able to lock my bike. But......
The bikes I have mean far to much to me to be in such a hurry, or inconvenienced that an an extra few seconds locking it up best I can, causes the same level of grief I felt when looking at the now empty place that just prior, was my bike.
But if I limited myself to the the use of only a U lock I would not be able to lock my bike. But......
The bikes I have mean far to much to me to be in such a hurry, or inconvenienced that an an extra few seconds locking it up best I can, causes the same level of grief I felt when looking at the now empty place that just prior, was my bike.






