Originally Posted by Glenn123

Don't know why they aren't more prevalent in the US. Seems they would work well for a quick "in and out". I wouldn't use them for overnight on the street.

Originally Posted by howardv

Neighbor recently had their bike stolen while they were buying water at 7-11. They had leaned their bike against the glass outside and it was gone. Then I was talking to an employee of an LBS and he went for fast food and leaned his bike against the glass, within eyeshot, and some guy jump and take off with it. He gave chase (running), but couldn't catch up. I've had bikes stolen in the past by leaving it "for just a second" while I run into the store.

As easy as it is to break a lock in seconds, it appears a lot of bikes get stolen that were never locked. And that's because we get lazy. We don't want to carry heavy locks on our rides, find a poll, etc. It seems a frame lock is the perfect solution for that quick in n' out type of situation. And I do see it being used in Europe, but it's very rare in the U.S.

If you've never seen one, this is a frame lock.

I just bought two of these. One for my Sirrus hybrid and another for my cargo bike. I will not be putting one on my full suspension mountain bike (of course), but I just discovered the disc brake lock. This would be easy and light to carry in my backpack for mountain biking (I ride to the trails and love to stop for fast food on my way back).

Of course, none of these will stop anyone from picking up your bike and walking away with it, or throwing it in the back of a truck. But it seems like a lot of thefts are from people just riding it away. I'm really surprised that I don't see these locks at any of the bike shops. It seems that most average folks don't even know these types of locks exist.

Originally Posted by Happy Feet

I own a frame lock for one bike but also learned that a small padlock between the chainrings and chain itself (crankset area) stops the bike in the same way and is smaller/lighter to carry on the bike.

If commuting to the same place each day (like work) leave the heavy U lock secured at the destination if possible. No need to carry it back and forth.

No lock stops a determined thief but they do reduce the more common crime of opportunity.

I did think it would be funny to sit in a coffee shop and watch someone try to steal my FG bike with small clipless pedals... then walk up beside them and ask if they needed a hand.

Originally Posted by kahn

I wonder if something so discreet might possibly lead to damage to the chain/rings since a potential thief would not notice it was they quickly and strenuously try to pedal away. Obvious it would stop an opportunist thief.

I looked at disc brake locks and some have a colorful "leash" which might draw attention to the lock/deterrent.