Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > General Cycling Discussion
Reload this Page >

Cutting a cable lock and some general security questions

Notices
General Cycling Discussion Have a cycling related question or comment that doesn't fit in one of the other specialty forums? Drop on in and post in here! When possible, please select the forum above that most fits your post!

Cutting a cable lock and some general security questions

Old 08-04-15, 07:45 PM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Ont., Canada
Posts: 13
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Cutting a cable lock and some general security questions

Hey everyone, I own a Raleigh Misceo 2.0 and when I purchased it I had never planned to leave it outside unattended. I'll be going to college in a month though and the parking fee's are so ridiculous that I'm going to try to ride most days. Now I'm stuck with the task of securing it. I have the small Kryptonite Evolution chain for the rear wheel/frame and I purchased a cable lock (this one) to secure my front tire to my main lock. It does that just fine but obviously this thing is way too big, my local MEC doesn't even stock the smaller one. Can I just cut this in half and loop the ends to make 2 of them, and if so what is the best way to do this? I like the thickness of it because even if they are still easy to cut it at least defers attempts at it from less willing thieves.
Additionally, in regards to all the quick release parts of my bike, is a product like Pinheads really worth the price? I've watched youtube videos of people undoing those with a gator socket pretty easily. Maybe a better option is security type bolts from a hardware store?
MattC48 is offline  
Old 08-04-15, 08:51 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
CeeDotA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: California
Posts: 159

Bikes: 17 TCR Advanced 2, 21 Revolt Advanced 3, 16 Trinity Advanced

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 14 Post(s)
Liked 10 Times in 8 Posts
Can you store the bike in your room?
CeeDotA is offline  
Old 08-04-15, 08:55 PM
  #3  
FLIR Kitten to 0.05C
 
Marcus_Ti's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Posts: 5,331

Bikes: Roadie: Seven Axiom Race Ti w/Chorus 11s. CX/Adventure: Carver Gravel Grinder w/ Di2

Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2349 Post(s)
Liked 406 Times in 254 Posts
Originally Posted by CeeDotA
Can you store the bike in your room?
This.

The only way to be 95% certain you bike will be in your possession when you wake up, is for it to be locked indoors. Any bike locked outside has a sign on it saying "I'm free steal me with your bolt cutters".

Any cable you can cut with bolt cutters, someone else can cut just as easily or more easily.
Marcus_Ti is offline  
Old 08-04-15, 09:13 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
Dave Cutter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: D'uh... I am a Cutter
Posts: 6,159

Bikes: '17 Access Old Turnpike Gravel bike, '14 Trek 1.1, '13 Cannondale CAAD 10, '98 CAD 2, R300

Mentioned: 62 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1571 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times in 9 Posts
How to lock your bicycle: https://youtu.be/ryY-qMFLcfo
Dave Cutter is offline  
Old 08-04-15, 09:25 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 18,138

Bikes: 2 many

Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1266 Post(s)
Liked 323 Times in 169 Posts
Originally Posted by MattC48
Hey everyone, I own a Raleigh Misceo 2.0 and when I purchased it I had never planned to leave it outside unattended. I'll be going to college in a month though and the parking fee's are so ridiculous that I'm going to try to ride most days. Now I'm stuck with the task of securing it. I have the small Kryptonite Evolution chain for the rear wheel/frame and I purchased a cable lock (this one) to secure my front tire to my main lock. It does that just fine but obviously this thing is way too big, my local MEC doesn't even stock the smaller one. Can I just cut this in half and loop the ends to make 2 of them, and if so what is the best way to do this? I like the thickness of it because even if they are still easy to cut it at least defers attempts at it from less willing thieves.
Additionally, in regards to all the quick release parts of my bike, is a product like Pinheads really worth the price? I've watched youtube videos of people undoing those with a gator socket pretty easily. Maybe a better option is security type bolts from a hardware store?
College campuses are high risk of bike theft almost everywhere. If you are locking up in the day be where everyone can see your bike easily. Big thick Kryptonite locks. Go to the Kryptonite website where they show you how to lock the bike with the front wheel alongside the back wheel. Any quick release parts switch to nuts and bolts. Security bolts are a good idea.

The bike really needs to be inside at night.
2manybikes is offline  
Old 08-04-15, 09:29 PM
  #6  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Ont., Canada
Posts: 13
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
The cable is just for the front tire. I should've clarified that I'm not living on campus, the college is about a 30min walk from me. The bike stays inside otherwise. The piece of metal they use on cable locks to clamp the loop, is there a name for those? Can you buy it from a hardware store?

Edit: Upon further research there is also a fenced in bike compound with camera's at the college that you can use for the year for $5

Last edited by MattC48; 08-04-15 at 09:44 PM.
MattC48 is offline  
Old 08-04-15, 10:01 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
79pmooney's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 12,825

Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder

Mentioned: 128 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4741 Post(s)
Liked 3,860 Times in 2,509 Posts
One version of that piece of metal is a "Nicopress". Common in sailboat rigging though I think they started with telephone companies. Look for a boatyard that deals with sailboats. Call ahead to make sure they have the fitting for your wire size. If they have the fitting, they will also have the tool (which you will pay them to use, they won't lend or rent it out).

You could also try a full service hardware store. I haven't tries that option. Since I used to sail and have always lived close to saltwater, finding sailmakers has never been hard. Plus I have a small Nicopress tool. (Used to own a boat.)
79pmooney is offline  
Old 08-04-15, 11:18 PM
  #8  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Ont., Canada
Posts: 13
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Thank you, you've pointed me in the right direction. I guess it's just called an aluminum swage sleeve.
MattC48 is offline  
Old 08-05-15, 06:37 AM
  #9  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: In The Middle Of "Out There" / Downtown "Lost Angels"
Posts: 259

Bikes: 2001 Trek 520 - Hvy Hauler, Epic Adventure Bike / 2011 Fuji Newest 1.0 - Sporty Quick Bike

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
A Defence in Depth is best for YOUR NEW BIKE on Campus

O.P.
I would recommend 'networking' with Engineering Course Students and/or Faculty to find out if the on Campus 'Fab Center' (Fabrication Center/aka Metal shop or Machine shop) has the tools and knowledge to 'REWORK' your cable (assuming Your campus has Materials Engineering/Science courses available).
DON'T be 'Too Good'/'Proud' to get to know the 'Campus Maintenance'/'Facility's Maintenance' staff (They always have a 'Shop Area' available to facilitate/expedite repairs).
Maintenance may be your ONLY, on campus, option should you be attending an (SHUDDERS... JK, JK) ARTS, BUSINESS, or LEGAL Campus.

I'M NOT feeling comfortable TRUSTING the SECURITY OF such a THIN CHAIN as your "small Evo" to protect a fairly new, approx $400 - $500 hybrid in the type of threat environment that is typical of the Large Metro Campus. My experience has been that supposedly "secure" communal bike facilities are remarkably POROUS.
I would use the small Evo CHAIN to secure front DISC BRAKE wheel and as a Secondary Anchoring Lock.

I would MOST STRONGLY urge you to seriously consider UPGRADING to a 'BEEFY' U-Lock as Primary Anchor Lock (absolute minimum) "Standard Size" 'Big 'K' Evolution "Series 4" (4 x 9 inch x *14mm* ). 'Std.size' 'O.G.' Pitbull (4.5 x 9 inch x *14mm* ). They both weigh approx. 3.5 lbs. (about 8 ounces less than a 2 liter/half gallon Cola/Milk).
At the SAME weight (3.5 lbs.) but a BIG STEP UP in Price, Quality, PROTECTION (Std. Size 'Big 'K' New York / Std. Size 'O.G.' "Brute" level protection, both of these bad-boys 'weigh in' at approx. 4 lbs.) is the ABUS Granit X-Plus 540 (230mm length shackle) - Checked U.S. Amazon $150... OUCH!! Price has gone up since I purchased the previous generation Granit X-Plus 54.
HvPnyrs is offline  
Old 08-05-15, 04:54 PM
  #10  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Ont., Canada
Posts: 13
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by HvPnyrs
O.P.
I would recommend 'networking' with Engineering Course Students and/or Faculty to find out if the on Campus 'Fab Center' (Fabrication Center/aka Metal shop or Machine shop) has the tools and knowledge to 'REWORK' your cable (assuming Your campus has Materials Engineering/Science courses available).
DON'T be 'Too Good'/'Proud' to get to know the 'Campus Maintenance'/'Facility's Maintenance' staff (They always have a 'Shop Area' available to facilitate/expedite repairs).
Maintenance may be your ONLY, on campus, option should you be attending an (SHUDDERS... JK, JK) ARTS, BUSINESS, or LEGAL Campus.

I'M NOT feeling comfortable TRUSTING the SECURITY OF such a THIN CHAIN as your "small Evo" to protect a fairly new, approx $400 - $500 hybrid in the type of threat environment that is typical of the Large Metro Campus. My experience has been that supposedly "secure" communal bike facilities are remarkably POROUS.
I would use the small Evo CHAIN to secure front DISC BRAKE wheel and as a Secondary Anchoring Lock.

I would MOST STRONGLY urge you to seriously consider UPGRADING to a 'BEEFY' U-Lock as Primary Anchor Lock (absolute minimum) "Standard Size" 'Big 'K' Evolution "Series 4" (4 x 9 inch x *14mm* ). 'Std.size' 'O.G.' Pitbull (4.5 x 9 inch x *14mm* ). They both weigh approx. 3.5 lbs. (about 8 ounces less than a 2 liter/half gallon Cola/Milk).
At the SAME weight (3.5 lbs.) but a BIG STEP UP in Price, Quality, PROTECTION (Std. Size 'Big 'K' New York / Std. Size 'O.G.' "Brute" level protection, both of these bad-boys 'weigh in' at approx. 4 lbs.) is the ABUS Granit X-Plus 540 (230mm length shackle) - Checked U.S. Amazon $150... OUCH!! Price has gone up since I purchased the previous generation Granit X-Plus 54.
If they have the tools to get through the chain I doubt the U-Lock would stop them. I haven't found a video of anyone getting through the chain but you'd have to cut through both sides of it. They failed in this test The Best Bike Lock | The Sweethome . If we're talking large bolt cutters and power tools there really is no lock that would hold up. Last year there was 9 reported bike thefts on the campus, and I don't believe any of them were from the compound. You buy the key to gain access to that and then lock up inside of it, it's enclosed with a massive iron fence and in a very public area. Most of the bike thefts in town occur downtown with unlocked or not properly locked bikes, seems to be crackheads using them to get from point A to B.

PS My pops is maintenance, he has everything I need here, he's just on vacation right now lol.
MattC48 is offline  
Old 08-05-15, 06:27 PM
  #11  
FLIR Kitten to 0.05C
 
Marcus_Ti's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Posts: 5,331

Bikes: Roadie: Seven Axiom Race Ti w/Chorus 11s. CX/Adventure: Carver Gravel Grinder w/ Di2

Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2349 Post(s)
Liked 406 Times in 254 Posts
Originally Posted by 79pmooney
One version of that piece of metal is a "Nicopress". Common in sailboat rigging though I think they started with telephone companies. Look for a boatyard that deals with sailboats. Call ahead to make sure they have the fitting for your wire size. If they have the fitting, they will also have the tool (which you will pay them to use, they won't lend or rent it out).

You could also try a full service hardware store. I haven't tries that option. Since I used to sail and have always lived close to saltwater, finding sailmakers has never been hard. Plus I have a small Nicopress tool. (Used to own a boat.)
Just about any hardware store should have nicopress hardware for steel rope. At work we work the stuff all the time, keeping a stock of 3/8 and 1/4 steel for theatre rigging.

That being said, all you need is a pair of bolt cutters, and a good pair of bicepts, and it comes apart like butter....which is how you cut steel rope in the first place, just need good cutting blades (ours at work tend to be constantly chipped and worn).
Marcus_Ti is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
fourknees
Commuting
26
01-29-14 12:21 PM
bke92
Commuting
13
07-06-13 08:45 PM
machinestatic
Commuting
10
12-06-12 06:32 AM
BeachCruising22
General Cycling Discussion
10
09-05-11 12:53 PM
BikeLite
Commuting
14
06-02-10 09:36 AM

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


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

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

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.