daacrusher2001

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?

blakcloud

How about this lock, the Abus Folding Combination Bordo lock. This is the best of both worlds. First it is not a cable that is easily cut and it has the combination mechanism that you want. You can lock both bikes together on and off the car. The Litelock is just not secure enough in my eyes other than for quick into the store type locking.

robert schlatte

If you are not leaving your bike for a long time and not in an area when bike theft is likely, you don't need a heavy U-lock but can get by with a cable lock of some sort which is much lighter and more portable. I bike tour frequently and the last thing I want is to carry a heavy lock. So I bought an extremely thin plastic covered cable with small pad lock. It is a deterrent at best. I never leave the bike unattended very long- just to go into a restaurant or something and, ideally, I try to park where I can see it. If I can't see it, I will periodically go out and check on it.

jefnvk

At the end of the day, only you can make you comfortable.

I generally don't use much more than a cable lock if I am not leaving the bike unattended overnight. I'm more worried about opportunistic than targeted theft, which a cable lock takes care of nicely. Others will find me crazy for not worrying enough, but this solution suits my comfort level.

Maelochs

Pretty much any lock will hold up a casual or opportunistic thief for five minutes ... even a cheap cable.

If I wanted to spend half-an-hour in a restaurant, it would matter Where I locked up---in some parts of some town, I wouldn't let the bike out of my sight.

I usually carry a 4-foot hardened chain and a combo padlock (a gym lock) but just as often forget it and use a really thing, light cable with an inline-combo lock--the kind where the thief spends more time deciding whether to cut the cable with a steak knife or pick the lock, than actually doing either of those things.

I have locked up outside a hardware store, library, and supermarket in parts of town where I felt half-an-hour was a good risk. Some places I would be afraid to leave it and run into the bathroom. But if I had too .....

EDIT: jefnvk posted while I was typing or I would have quoted him too. Good thinking there.

CliffordK

Some of the answer will also depend on the bikes.

I've used cable locks and U-Locks. Recently I started riding a little more flashy bikes, and I got tired of seeing cut cable locks near where I was locking my bike, so I moved to a Kryptonite NY lock (way too heavy, but relatively secure).

If I was riding a basic 20 year old MTB commuter, and only leaving the bikes unattended for short periods, I'd move back to the basic cable locks.

You can get cables with simple loops to connect to your U-Lock to allow more flexibility. Or, perhaps carry one U-Lock, and one combination cable lock.

corrado33

2 bikes? Lock them together with a small u-lock with the bikes facing in opposite directions. No one will steal it unless they carry them away.

I'd personally just carry a small u lock to lock the bikes together, then a small cable lock to lock one of those bikes to something else.

79pmooney

Do you have a bike coop in your area? If yes, it would be good to talk to them about what is needed for what you do.

I have 5 bikes. My good 3 wouldn't go to a restaurant (well maybe, say in a distant town on a long ride or at an organized ride) but often get locked up with a U-lock outside stores. If I am worried, I pull off the front wheel and either bring it with me or lock it also but if I am riding one of my good fix gears, I often lock frame and front and take my chances with the rear. (I did have a thief take my seatbag and everything else detachable w/o tools once, costing me ~$200.) If I did this more regularly, I would start carrying my light cable, locking the frame and rear with the U-lock and cabling the front.

It's a crap shoot. I could do more locking and ultimately lose less, but what is the time and effort (and extra weight on my bike) worth? If it does indeed have value, I probably am not too far off with my approach. Now, where I am going and time of day factors into my choices big time. Less idea? The bike that goes is my winter/rain/city fix gear with its square foot of reflecting tape, fenders, racks and road grit. And a U-lock hanging from a bracket. (And I find LowRider front racks seem to deter thieves quite effectively. I rarely lock the front wheel on those bikes and haven't lost one yet. Now flats? Those racks are a PITA.)

So if you have a coop, I suggest rolling up with your wife on your rigs and asking them what they would use for where you plan to go. I'll bet most of them ride, that some do not have cars, and are very familiar with both the risks and the hassles of lockup. Some bike shops will give you the same answer, others will be all too happy to sell you a lock worthy of Fort Knox.

Ben

Retro Grouch 

I've got a couple of cablelocks that Mrs. Grouch and I occasionally use to lock up our bikes. The truth is that we seldom bother to lock our bikes and the people that we ride with don't usually lock up either. YMMV.

Korina

You want something heavy enough to discourage opportunistic thieves, but understanding that if a professional wants your bike, he will get it. I have a heavy chain lock on mine for the tweakers, and I've started decorating it with cool stickers, in the hopes that professionals will pass it by as too easy to identify. And I don't leave any valuables on my bike, although you'd think someone would have noticed the nice Lezayne pump by now.

gsa103

Strong, light, cheap...pick 2.

Cable locks are generally pretty worthless. They're basically good for stopping someone from hopping on and riding off.
That leave U-locks and chains. For a given level of security, a U-lock will be lighter and cheaper. The chain is heavier but easier to put around awkward objects. A modest U-lock is enough to discourage thieves in most areas, simply because it takes large tools or a grinder.

corrado33

I ran across a nice specialized cable lock at the coop the other day. It was surrounded in a stainless mesh that would easily dissuade cable cutters. Unfortunately, it came off of a bike that was donated, so I have no idea what the combination is.

So now it's in my garage. I'm up to 0153. Obviously I haven't tried very long.

Ballenxj

My dilemma is that I bought a light bike for a reason. Now I'm worried that the thieves will also take note. If I get a good U-Lock, it seems to add a couple pounds right off the bat. I'm going to follow this thread in hopes of finding a solution other than riding in a pack while always leaving a guard posted. In my minds eye, Bikes should allow more freedom, as opposed to tying you down with worry.

manapua_man

Given how good and cheap cordless power tools are now, I would just accept the fact that *any* means of securing your bike is just there to slow down opportunistic jerks. I've had bikes stolen where they removed the bolts securing the rack to the pavement and just stole the rack with everything on it. Also had one bike stolen where a guy cut a tree down rather than mess with the lock.

General Geoff

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.

Fastfingaz

Unless he has stolen that too , hard to say,,,,

rydabent

Since pretty much ANY lock or chain can be defeated by a battery powered cutting wheel, IMO a small light weight cable would seem to be in order.

This is what I use. I made my own from cable and hardware I got at the local hardware store. It and the padlock coils up in a pouch my wife made for it. I carry it in my trunk pack. OTOH I pretty much try to keep my bike and trike in view at all times, even when I use the cable.

fietsbob

Folding bike ... always take it inside with you...

WizardOfBoz

I do find it funny that we (or at least me) spend a lot of money to get a bike that weighs ounces less than the next model down, and then add a three-pound lock to our kit.

Maelochs

This reminds me of the "Do I need to carry a firearm while touring" thread.

With a firearm or a bike lock, the only thing you are making safe and secure is your mind. The world is big and full of forces which will mock the best effort any of us can make to restrain it.

So .... Some people carry firearms, some carry bear spray, some carry good thoughts and hope.

As for locks ... exactly the same.

I used to be fine with a cable lock ... until I started to worry.

I Always used to see a lock as a way to help shifty people make better choices ... I always knew someone who really wanted my bike would take it ... or wreck it trying, or out of frustration. I used to ride with a chain so light I could probably have snapped it with a screwdriver and a good twist. After that I used to use a cable and padlock.

I lived and rode the Greater Orlando, FL area, and left my bike in places where plenty of people had a chance. I did lose three bikes (recovered one) but never thought ... "If only I had had a better lock ... "

Now I am old, I live in a smallish semi-urban area ... and I get nervous sometimes when I use my cable (which I only do for emergencies.)

EVERY lock can be defeated. Know it.

Most locks will never be tested. Also something to keep in mind.

Unless you live in a high-bike-theft region (some cities, some colleges) where serious bike thieves operate regularly, and chain or cable or strap which cannot be cut with household scissors is all you need to secure your bike.

The question is, how big a lock do you need to buy, to secure your mind?

I ended up with four feet of hardened chain and a padlock... but I often forget to bring it because I leave it on my grocery bike ... no way I ma hauling that hunk of metal on every ride.

Seriously, anything heavier than dog chain is probably all you need. if you cannot break it with your bare hands, you are probably fine.

I laugh. I am casual about locking my home because I know anyone who wants to get in, will---that's why it is called "breaking and entering." People have steel doors and glass windows.

The odds are even that I will lose my bike, or ride home safely and find my house is cleaned out. But I Never fear about the house.

People are funny ... if you look at them right.

NJgreyhead

When you lock up in a low-crime area (as you mentioned) for an hour or less (restaurant, grocery store etc), just use a 12mm thick, 6' long cable lock with a combination. They aren't too heavy to carry around. Make sure the cable runs thru the frame and both wheels. Punks might steal a wheel with a quick-release skewer just because they can. Best to lock up to a secure signpost, etc, and in a high visibility area near the entrance.

If locking 2 bikes with 1 lock, run the cable thru both frames and their front wheels, at least. (Rear wheels with quick-release skewers are not as easy to undo for the average quick-hit thieves, due to the chain/sprocket complications.)

Also, replace any quick-release seat-post adjuster with a nut/bolt combination, so they can't easily walk off with your saddle (if only for the scrap value of the aluminum seat-post).

Hope this helps.

-NJg

Arthur Peabody

Own a bicycle no one would want to steal. Next best: make your bicycle look that way, with swatches of random spray paint. Somebody should sell 'Huffy' decals.

Semipedersen

I use a cheap cable lock when I park the bike somewhere where I can see it and an Abus Bordo 6500 when I park the bike out of sight. I live in a low crime are (I do not think there is a high crime area in Switzerland) and the Abus lock feels substantial enough to protect the bike from not professional thieves.

BikeLite

Place a bluetooth-activated gps tracker in appropriate spot for when you leave the bike for short periods, along with a small cable lock.

daacrusher2001

That's what I have currently (the cable lock). I may get a chain for when we travel with the bikes - both to lock them and the rack to the car, and then in case I need to lock them outside for some period of time. It's not something I'd likely ride around with, but it'd be too easy to take our bike rack off the back of the car - even if just at a rest stop - so I think a hardened chain might be worthwhile for that situation. I can always put the wheels in the car.

I realize if someone really wants them they'll have the tools necessary to get them. I just don't want to make it too easy.

Well, thanks for the replies. I also bought a light bike for a reason and don't want to add 5-10lbs of weight when I go for longer rides.