Bike Forums - Locking It Up

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- - Locking It Up (https://www.bikeforums.net/general-cycling-discussion/1020607-locking-up.html)

Moving away from a college town or major city helped lower the theft rate since this town

does not traffic in stripped bike parts like it did.

I still buy Robust Locks even to use the bike rack at the grocery store.

To the OP, I'd go one step heavier on the cable. Make the thief carry a 12-18" cable cutter, instead of a pocket model. Park it where you can keep an eye on it, or at least make people think you can see it; forget the pub with the shoulder-high windows. It may get stolen anyhow, so make sure your homeowner's or renter's insurance will cover (most of) the cost to replace it.

You ride a nice bike because you enjoy it. Don't forget to enjoy the ride!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noddy (Post 18018253)

That's a bit arrogant and rude. It's a discussion forum. The killer is you go on to post your opinion like you know sh*t too. LOL.

The TiGr lock can be defeated just like any other lock so it is hardly "the answer". The thinner version can be cut with bolt cutters in seconds. The wider version with 67% more material to go through just takes longer.

This. There's no 100% secure lock. There are just options that lower the risk of having your bike nicked by opportunist thieves. If you leave your bike in the open for a long enough time, thieves will get it, no matter what lock you have.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vatdim (Post 18014578)

Assuming the OP is not trolling, this is just madness. People often recommend a locking system worth 10-20% of your bike's value. You may decide not to go that far, but at the very least, you need two good locks. Make sure they are different, so that the thief will require different tools to crack both open. Look into security bolts for your wheels, stem, saddle, etc.

This is the best advice you'll get. In the end, it's all about making your bike harder to steal than the other guy's bike, because ANY locking system can be overcome, and your only hope is to make yours look harder to overcome than teh bike sitting next to it. Right now your's is the "easy and quick to steal" bike.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noddy (Post 18018253)

Noddy don't read too good.

I always lock up 4 points - front wheel, back wheel, frame, and seat (seat is perma-locked and is only unlocked when I'm changing it or something). Whatever goes through the frame (which can also go through the back wheel at the same time) must be at least a U-bolt or better. I went through many bikes before I learned that. Have anything less than a U-bolt on the frame, and they'll take the whole bike. Have any of the other parts unlocked, and you'll come back to a missing part. Then you have to leave the bike for a longer period while you replace the part, which means that when you come back to it with the new part the rest of the bike will be gone. So 4 points locked, with the main lock being U-bolt or better... no matter what the bike or how long you're leaving it for. I don't ride expensive $7,000 bikes either, but my cheap 3-digit bikes will go just as quickly. With all the different parts locked up, it also offers a much better deterrent because the thief will have to go through multiple locks to get the bike where it can be ridden away. This is a better deterrent than just one good lock, I think.

Of course, I do live in the city too... Generally, besides the seat lock, I need to carry either 2 U-bolt type locks, or 1 U-bolt type lock with 2 cables or 1 extra-long cable. It is a lot of weight unfortunately, but I ride a touring and commuting setup, so that's not so big a deal to me. My practical usage also dictates a strong need for this setup as well, though.