Bike Lock dilemma
06-19-17, 02:46 PM
#26
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A budget cordless angle grinder with battery/charger is still gonna run $100+ at the tool store, and the cheaper spectrum of them will struggle to cut through a thick padlock shackle, hardened chain, or u-lock. Viable? Certainly, but the thief will probably only be able to cut one bike loose per battery charge. A high end cordless grinder can probably cut through two, maybe three good locks per charge, but then you're talking $250+ all-in. Not exactly something that tweekers will invest in.
And the only things that really limit the discount ones are the crappy bits and blades they come with and the cheap batteries. If you aren't too worried about durability they'll do about as well as higher end products. I used a cheap reciprocating saw to hack up a bunch of old locks that I lost the keys to a while back. Didn't take much time at all with a decent blade that were actually intended for cutting metal.
Last edited by manapua_man; 06-19-17 at 02:55 PM.
06-19-17, 06:23 PM
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In addition to a lock, anybody tried adding a vibration alarm on their bike?
Last edited by manapua_man; 06-19-17 at 06:37 PM.
06-19-17, 07:27 PM
#29
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Tool store? Why would I go there when I could get a stolen one for $25 at a swap meet or on craigslist? Or jack one out of someone's garage?
And the only things that really limit the discount ones are the crappy bits and blades they come with and the cheap batteries. If you aren't too worried about durability they'll do about as well as higher end products. I used a cheap reciprocating saw to hack up a bunch of old locks that I lost the keys to a while back. Didn't take much time at all with a decent blade that were actually intended for cutting metal.
And the only things that really limit the discount ones are the crappy bits and blades they come with and the cheap batteries. If you aren't too worried about durability they'll do about as well as higher end products. I used a cheap reciprocating saw to hack up a bunch of old locks that I lost the keys to a while back. Didn't take much time at all with a decent blade that were actually intended for cutting metal.
06-19-17, 08:45 PM
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I've cut through high end locks and chains with saws before. They absolutely can if you have the right blades for them.
Last edited by manapua_man; 06-19-17 at 08:48 PM.
06-19-17, 08:48 PM
#31
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And you can easily get (or steal) battery operated grinders. These are noisy and makes lots of sparks though. Would attract more attention than an alarm system...
06-19-17, 08:55 PM
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06-19-17, 10:04 PM
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There are plenty of videos of guys using grinders / cut-off wheels on city streets with loads of people around all completely ignoring the theft in progress.
06-19-17, 10:23 PM
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Hi All, I've perused the various lock discussions and I'm probably more confused than I was when I started...LOL - cut me some slack, I'm an old guy...
I don't live in a high crime area - but we do day trips and sometimes leave our bikes outside of a restaurant or someplace like that.
I've watched a lot of videos - it seems pretty much every lock can be defeated - that said, I'm not parking the bike in NYC, or overnight, or for many hours. I get that a through-hardened chain with a military lock will be pretty secure but I don't know if I need it. I may get one to lock the bikes to the car and the bike rack to the car when we travel with them.
It never occurred to me to lock my tires to the frame, chain my seat, etc...the videos have made me paranoid.
That said, I'm looking for a pretty secure lock that's not overly heavy and long enough to lock two bikes together - and I'd prefer a combination lock but it seems like they are never recommended.
Right now, LiteLock looks very interesting. Seems light enough, flexible, and I can get two and lock the bikes together or we can each use one of them.
Open to other recommendations - the "U" locks seem restrictive, but secure enough for what I will use it for.
Thoughts?
I don't live in a high crime area - but we do day trips and sometimes leave our bikes outside of a restaurant or someplace like that.
I've watched a lot of videos - it seems pretty much every lock can be defeated - that said, I'm not parking the bike in NYC, or overnight, or for many hours. I get that a through-hardened chain with a military lock will be pretty secure but I don't know if I need it. I may get one to lock the bikes to the car and the bike rack to the car when we travel with them.
It never occurred to me to lock my tires to the frame, chain my seat, etc...the videos have made me paranoid.
That said, I'm looking for a pretty secure lock that's not overly heavy and long enough to lock two bikes together - and I'd prefer a combination lock but it seems like they are never recommended.
Right now, LiteLock looks very interesting. Seems light enough, flexible, and I can get two and lock the bikes together or we can each use one of them.
Open to other recommendations - the "U" locks seem restrictive, but secure enough for what I will use it for.
Thoughts?
If I was you, I would get the following for your wheels, seat postand frame/bike.
ABUS NutFix M5 Axle Set- Euro 32.69 - Takes care of Front and Rear Wheel
ABUS NutFix M5 SPC Seat Post -Euro 25.13 - Takes care of your seat post
ABUS Granit X-Plus 540 U-Lock- Euro 73.03 - 300mm includes EaZy-KF Frame Holder
Delivery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - Euro 19.95
That comes to Euro 150.80, but you then have security that will last you a lifetime and is worthy of a $5,000 bike.
The above is advice that I follow as best I can.
The NutFix has only been out for a little while, so I often use additional U-Locks, but when I obtain some of these NutFix bolts, then I will be able to carry less U-Locks with me, when I am going to certain areas.
06-19-17, 10:37 PM
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The branding etc. was worn off since I tended to pick up leftovers from job sites way back when I was working construction to put myself through college. Only indicator of what brand it might have been would be the paint left on the top of the blade. Went through a few old kryptonite locks that I lost the keys to and a nice abus lock that had a broken locking mechanism. You can cut through a lot of stuff pretty easy if you don't honk on the blade.
06-20-17, 08:12 AM
#36
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Point remains, there is no one solution ... it depends on the peace of mind/fear factor of the owner, the location and duration where the bike will be left, and the value of the bike.
The only way to remove all risk of bike theft is to not own a bike.
On the other hand, the majority of cyclists never have their bikes stolen.
I cannot see why anyone would leave a bike where they thought it would be stolen ... if it was me and I had not choice, I would ride a bike On Those Occasions that was too cheap for anyone but a joyrider to steal, and use just enough lock and chain to defeat a joyrider/thief.
I don't have a lock on my CF "superbike" (it isn't "super" but it is way more super than me.) But I simply won't leave it. If nature calls, I will find somewhere I can answer with my bike in sight. I bring bottles and bars, tools and tubes so I don't need to stop at a store.
As others ask ... why buy a bike lighter than all the rest I own, only to equal out the weight with a hefty locking system. Seems I'd be just as well off with one of my other bikes then.
The only way to remove all risk of bike theft is to not own a bike.
On the other hand, the majority of cyclists never have their bikes stolen.
I cannot see why anyone would leave a bike where they thought it would be stolen ... if it was me and I had not choice, I would ride a bike On Those Occasions that was too cheap for anyone but a joyrider to steal, and use just enough lock and chain to defeat a joyrider/thief.
I don't have a lock on my CF "superbike" (it isn't "super" but it is way more super than me.) But I simply won't leave it. If nature calls, I will find somewhere I can answer with my bike in sight. I bring bottles and bars, tools and tubes so I don't need to stop at a store.
As others ask ... why buy a bike lighter than all the rest I own, only to equal out the weight with a hefty locking system. Seems I'd be just as well off with one of my other bikes then.
06-20-17, 10:11 AM
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06-20-17, 10:27 AM
#38
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06-20-17, 10:37 AM
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a cheap cable lock will NOT keep a thief busy for a few minutes, its SNAP and go
good tools will cut/grind tru everything, takes 5 sec to grind up a ulock
good tools will cut/grind tru everything, takes 5 sec to grind up a ulock
06-20-17, 11:08 AM
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Seriously, you want you r bike to be there when you get back? get a wheel bag and take the wheels with you.
As has been noted (ad nauseam) Nothing will stop a pro thief. But they steal to sell. Unless your bike is pretty high-end, you don't have too much to worry about (and if you leave a high-end bike in a high-crime area ... Lol at you.) If you have a frame worth a grand, don't leave your bike. otherwise ....
Almost everybody else will be deterred by the fact that the bike cannot be sold as is. Thieves aren't keeping a stock of wheels at home. In fact, if you locknut the front and just take the rear, that should be plenty. Lock the rest to whatever with whatever, and it is essentially a junk bike.
As has been noted (ad nauseam) Nothing will stop a pro thief. But they steal to sell. Unless your bike is pretty high-end, you don't have too much to worry about (and if you leave a high-end bike in a high-crime area ... Lol at you.) If you have a frame worth a grand, don't leave your bike. otherwise ....
Almost everybody else will be deterred by the fact that the bike cannot be sold as is. Thieves aren't keeping a stock of wheels at home. In fact, if you locknut the front and just take the rear, that should be plenty. Lock the rest to whatever with whatever, and it is essentially a junk bike.
Last edited by Maelochs; 06-20-17 at 12:40 PM.
06-20-17, 11:55 AM
#41
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I used to think a cable lock was good enough if I was only going to be, say, running into a store for a moment. Then I had to cut a decent cable lock off my girlfriend's bike because she'd lost the key...
People, using SMALL bolt cutters--small enough to be put in an inside pocket, jeans back pocket or a purse or knapsack--it took literally no muscle and one snip and it was cut through. 2 seconds, max. Like cutting paper with a pair of scissors! Someone could have done it in the time it took me walk three steps toward the store and turn and look and back.
I now have one of those Abus folding locks. Heavy, yes, but less so than a chain and more versatile than a U-lock; folds up into a nice little carrier that fits on my seat tube, unobtrusive and slick as hell. Kinda expensive, but worth it.
People, using SMALL bolt cutters--small enough to be put in an inside pocket, jeans back pocket or a purse or knapsack--it took literally no muscle and one snip and it was cut through. 2 seconds, max. Like cutting paper with a pair of scissors! Someone could have done it in the time it took me walk three steps toward the store and turn and look and back.
I now have one of those Abus folding locks. Heavy, yes, but less so than a chain and more versatile than a U-lock; folds up into a nice little carrier that fits on my seat tube, unobtrusive and slick as hell. Kinda expensive, but worth it.
06-20-17, 12:41 PM
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Exactly. If your bike cost more than a used car .... and you are leaving it in a place where people cruise around stealing expensive bikes ... wheels on or off, chains, cables, U-locks .... I don't care, sooner or later your bike is gone.
06-26-17, 07:23 AM
#45
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Hi All, I've perused the various lock discussions and I'm probably more confused than I was when I started...LOL - cut me some slack, I'm an old guy...
I don't live in a high crime area - but we do day trips and sometimes leave our bikes outside of a restaurant or someplace like that.
I've watched a lot of videos - it seems pretty much every lock can be defeated - that said, I'm not parking the bike in NYC, or overnight, or for many hours. I get that a through-hardened chain with a military lock will be pretty secure but I don't know if I need it. I may get one to lock the bikes to the car and the bike rack to the car when we travel with them.
It never occurred to me to lock my tires to the frame, chain my seat, etc...the videos have made me paranoid.
That said, I'm looking for a pretty secure lock that's not overly heavy and long enough to lock two bikes together - and I'd prefer a combination lock but it seems like they are never recommended.
Right now, LiteLock looks very interesting. Seems light enough, flexible, and I can get two and lock the bikes together or we can each use one of them.
Open to other recommendations - the "U" locks seem restrictive, but secure enough for what I will use it for.
Thoughts?
I don't live in a high crime area - but we do day trips and sometimes leave our bikes outside of a restaurant or someplace like that.
I've watched a lot of videos - it seems pretty much every lock can be defeated - that said, I'm not parking the bike in NYC, or overnight, or for many hours. I get that a through-hardened chain with a military lock will be pretty secure but I don't know if I need it. I may get one to lock the bikes to the car and the bike rack to the car when we travel with them.
It never occurred to me to lock my tires to the frame, chain my seat, etc...the videos have made me paranoid.
That said, I'm looking for a pretty secure lock that's not overly heavy and long enough to lock two bikes together - and I'd prefer a combination lock but it seems like they are never recommended.
Right now, LiteLock looks very interesting. Seems light enough, flexible, and I can get two and lock the bikes together or we can each use one of them.
Open to other recommendations - the "U" locks seem restrictive, but secure enough for what I will use it for.
Thoughts?
I had seen the LiteLock, thought it might be ok, seems like the Abus folding lock might work as well. I need reasonable strength, as light as I can get, with some flexibility.
Not owning a bike, making my bike look beat up, using a cheap bike, etc...that's not where I'm at. I have a nice bike and I want to ride it, and I want it to be there when I get back if I need to lock it up.
06-26-17, 07:51 AM
#46
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I'm still waiting for a u-lock that has a bit less steel but is coated in 1/8 inch of aluminum to defeat grinders.
06-26-17, 12:01 PM
#47
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We use a cable lock. It will stop most opportunistic thieves. Situational awareness is a good trait to have when determining how much security your bike needs.
We cabled our bike to this fence in a Swiss campground and then walked the 4 miles into town and hopped a train for a 300 km trip to a town we wanted to visit. We returned well after dark. Low probability of theft there, but I would not park my bike at the train station. We have some pretty nice touring bikes, but they are just tools. If always worrying about my bike caused my bike to become an anchor instead of providing the freedom that is the essence of bike touring, I'd find something else to do with my time.
On the other hand, a waitress in Cleveland, Ohio told us to bring our bike inside the small diner we stopped at for lunch.
We cabled our bike to this fence in a Swiss campground and then walked the 4 miles into town and hopped a train for a 300 km trip to a town we wanted to visit. We returned well after dark. Low probability of theft there, but I would not park my bike at the train station. We have some pretty nice touring bikes, but they are just tools. If always worrying about my bike caused my bike to become an anchor instead of providing the freedom that is the essence of bike touring, I'd find something else to do with my time.
On the other hand, a waitress in Cleveland, Ohio told us to bring our bike inside the small diner we stopped at for lunch.
06-26-17, 12:09 PM
#48
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In town I have a Security chain with its lock integrated. Abus... And An Abus Bordo Granit X folding 6 link lock.
for when I cannot take it inside with me.. ..
for when I cannot take it inside with me.. ..
06-26-17, 03:07 PM
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We use a cable lock. It will stop most opportunistic thieves. Situational awareness is a good trait to have when determining how much security your bike needs.
We cabled our bike to this fence in a Swiss campground and then walked the 4 miles into town and hopped a train for a 300 km trip to a town we wanted to visit. We returned well after dark. Low probability of theft there, but I would not park my bike at the train station. We have some pretty nice touring bikes, but they are just tools. If always worrying about my bike caused my bike to become an anchor instead of providing the freedom that is the essence of bike touring, I'd find something else to do with my time.
On the other hand, a waitress in Cleveland, Ohio told us to bring our bike inside the small diner we stopped at for lunch.
We cabled our bike to this fence in a Swiss campground and then walked the 4 miles into town and hopped a train for a 300 km trip to a town we wanted to visit. We returned well after dark. Low probability of theft there, but I would not park my bike at the train station. We have some pretty nice touring bikes, but they are just tools. If always worrying about my bike caused my bike to become an anchor instead of providing the freedom that is the essence of bike touring, I'd find something else to do with my time.
On the other hand, a waitress in Cleveland, Ohio told us to bring our bike inside the small diner we stopped at for lunch.
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