I recently bought a nice old peugeot mixte from the original owner who had bought it new in Holland and taken it with her when she moved to the US. I've stripped it and cleaned everything up and was wondering whether it would be worth it to put the wheel lock (frame lock, whatever you want to call it) back on or not.

The bike is in good shape, but its certainly not going to be a theft magnet, given the other bikes that park at my work; many of which are locked with only cables. However, I worry about someone not noticing the lock since they aren't standard here, thinking it is unlocked and trying to ride it away, and thus breaking/bending a bunch of spokes (not to mention that *I* might forget its there). I've been locking with a u-lock for many years, but I like the idea of having the integrated lock.

Thoughts?

Keep using the U-lock you're used to?

Not sure where you are in the U.S., but between pickup trucks and monster SUVs, more than half the vehicles in my town could carry a wheel-locked bike off to have the lock picked at the thief's leisure.

I'm not sure of the era of lock on your bike. Mom and Dad put the wheel locks on their bikes in the early 80's, all chrome locks, funky little key, and if I was "restoring", I'd keep them on the bikes.

I probably wouldn't use one of those locks for an all-day securing the bike.

However, they could be handy for a quick in/out trip at the post office or grocery store.



The lock's in there somewhere, just in front of the seat stays.

Oh, another thing about bikes. A lot of thefts are thefts of convenience. So, probably 90% of the stolen bikes were left completely unlocked.

Something is always better than nothing.

The more useful question might be if it counts as locking your wheel against wheel theft, if you get the fame and front with your U-lock.

I think these things are pretty neat - definitely not a primary lock, but a nice extra. Considered buying a few of the more modern styled ones for future bikes, even.

M.

In the past I have used a frame lock that is designed to also have a chain lock into the frame lock.


The sight of the chain being used means I never forget the frame lock is in place, and thus I don't forget it and inadvertently destroy some spokes.

I have one on my Dutch bike. It’s nice to use as a deterrent when the bike is insight.out of sight always warrants an additional lock. It does weigh 65 pounds so running with the rear wheel locked would be slow.

When I was a kid, I used to see these locks on bikes:

https://www.masterlock.com/personal-use/product/1517D

These would go around the seatstays and through the spokes. Not quite as elegant as the disc locks, but cheap.