Eggplant Jeff

I know there's a lot of talk about this lock vs. that lock, but I was wondering who has ACTUALLY, PERSONALLY, seen a u-lock broken by a thief. I'm not talking about "I know someone who told me etc. etc." or "This is how you break one" or "my bike (and lock) are gone so they probably broke the lock."

I mean you saw with your own eyes the broken lock and preferably the spot where the bike had been locked.

DCCommuter

Four times that I can think of. Three times they got my bike, one time they bent the frame and cracked the lock and left the mess there. All were in downtown DC. Where the lock broke depended on the lock and the thief's choice of technique.

I haven't had this happen in 8+ years, although it used to happen pretty regularly. I credit the waning of the crack epidemic more then improvements in locks.

catatonic

I saw a cheapo "side locking" U-lock that could have been pried open...there was a prety nice bend in the crossbar of the lock, which is what lead me to believe it was a pry attack.

There was no bike around, and nobody screaming theft though...so who knows what really happened.

operator

Many times.

NM_Marauder

Help us out here!!

Were these locks the older and thinner U-Locks? Many of the older locks were 12mm shackles. The new U-Locks are 16mm shackles. It makes a big difference. Was the lock left there on the ground? More details would definitely help.

4564646544

Yeah, how did they get in - I don't understand how you pry a u-lock open?

DCCommuter

A couple of times they left their tools behind. One time I was locked to a wrought iron fence. They left behind a solid steel rod, about 1 1/4" diameter, about 3' long. I think it began life as a stake for the big tents used for weddings and other outdoor ceremonies. They just inserted it into the lock and twisted against the fencepost until the shackle popped out of the crossbar.

Another time, I was the only bike at a bike rack that was just sitting on the sidewalk, not bolted down. They picked up the whole rack and my bike and carried into an alley. In the alley were some paving stones. They stacked up three of them to form an anvil under the lock, and used one as a hammer until the shackle cracked.

alanbikehouston

The UK magazine "Cycling Plus" tests locks once or twice a year. The results of its tests are consistent with the test results shown at Soldsecure.com.

There are three types of u-locks:

1. Premium quality locks...the top models from Kryptonite, OnGuard, and Abus. These locks can not be broken by prying tools and leverage tools. They have the "gold" rating from Soldsecure.com

2. Medium quality locks...the medium priced models from Kryptonite, OnGuard, and Abus. They can resist attacks by priying tools and leverage tools for a significant amount of time. They earn the "silver' rating from Soldsecure.com.

3. Cheapo u-lock...the $15 u-locks sold by Wal-Mart, K-Mart, and other junk stores. An experienced crook can open these locks in just a few seconds. They are only slightly better than cable locks, which are only slightly better than tying your bike to the parking meter with an old shoe lace.

So, the question: "has anyone ever broken your u-lock" has very little meaning unless the model of the lock is specified. And, if the owner of the bike is using a Kryptonite New York lock, or an OnGuard Brute lock, the answer will be "No...my u-lock has never been broken".

With any type of u-lock, the smaller the better. Those extra long u-locks (designed to go around a frame and two wheels or lock up two bikes) leave waaay too much empty space in which a crook can insert breaking/prying/leverage tools. A beefy mini u-lock around the rear wheel, just behind the seat tube, attached to the largest steel post that will fit, leaves little empty space.

operator

Carjack, k thx.

catatonic

In the case of the "side-locking" variety, there is a seciton of it that hangs out significantly past the shackle...this section can have a pipe slide over it, and then pried on to pop it open. Simple leverage attack. Using a bike frame as the lever is a more crude version of this, but effective against cheaper u-locks that are center-locking (like most OnGuards, and the decent Kryptonites). MasterLock still sells side-locking locks....to me those are just about as effective as a hardware store chain and padlock.


Here is a picture of a side-locking u-lock...notice the sheer length of this protruding portion of the crossbar?

geo8rge

I have had Kryptonite Combination U locks hit with hammers. The U lock did not pop, but it would not open either. I use a Cable + Kryptonite Combination U and have not had any problems for years in NYC.

Urban Shooter

I have an Onguard u-lock that was recently attacked by what appears to have been a hammer. It cracked the plastic on one end but did not open and I have had no problems locking and unlocking it since. The only bummer was the would-be thief scratched my frame but it beats having lost my bike to theft!

russiankdi

my u-lock is made out of like 1inch steel so i dont think you can brake or bend that. But i never had mine broken

KrisPistofferson

I know that it is technically possible, but I also suspect most potential thieves have a "why bother" attitude towards them, preferring to target people with the tiny cable locks. I've had a ton of my bikes stolen in the past, until I invested in a good U-lock/cable combination. I haven't had a wheel stolen, either. (Honestly, if you're a bike theif reading this, I'd rather you steal my entire bike than just a wheel, you scum.)

So, U-locks are good. I don't live in a huge metro area like New York or LA, either, and I don't leave my bike sit for days on end in bad neighborhoods, either, like some folks do.

mlik

I had a decent, somewhat expensive U-lock broken in the mid-90's. My KHS mountain bike went with it, which was a total bummer. I think they've come a long way since then. Now I have a Kryptonite Evolution, and I feel pretty good about it. I use a cable lock to secure my rear wheel, though, which makes me uneasy.

I saw someone cut a cable lock at the local mall yesterday and almost get away with the bike. I yelled at him and the security guy came over and knocked him off the bike and he ran away. Cable locks suck.

Cyclist0383

I bought a cheapo MTB from a garage sale that came with a cheapo MasterLock U-lock sans key. It took me all of 15 seconds to jack the lock open with a jack from my VW Golf. After I popped the lock I was able to disassemble the lock very quickly. It was VERY poorly made. I'd stay FAR away from MasterLock products.

Carusoswi

A couple of questions:
I use a cable lock - I don't remember the name, but purchased it at a local bike shop - from a guy I trust. I frankly don't remember what he had to say about locks, but remember that this was the best of the cable type that he had. It uses the combination tumblers to open and close.

I did not want the U lock design because I foresee problems in locking up the bike to other than bike racks. For instance, if a tree is the only thing around to tie up to, how do you work with a U-Lock?

Also, do U-locks scratch up the frame of the bike - and, unless you are using it in combination with a cable, how do you secure the wheels?

Just curious. Is my cable really no better than a shoe lace?

Caruso

ken cummings

Interesting. I have 3 locks that I (and the wife) have lost keys to. I will jack them open and post the results.

kevmetric

I had a bike stolen about 2 years ago, of a quality that I thought the thieves
wouldn't have bothered with....of course, the lock was probably opened with
the pen-trick, as it was of the a u-style variety with tubular key. It really surprised
me, at the time, that they would do it.

I think they did it, only because THEY COULD......and to demonstrate they
could.

Sometimes, an easy opportunity to steal, is what makes a thief decide to steal
and commit the crime.

Just remove their motivation to do it, and they'll pick an easier target, at an
easier location, with a better lock, better place to lock your bike.

kevmetric

I had a bike stolen about 2 years ago, of a quality that I thought the thieves
wouldn't have bothered with....of course, the lock was probably opened with
the pen-trick, as it was of the a u-style variety with tubular key. It really surprised
me, at the time, that they would do it.

I think they did it, only because THEY COULD......and to demonstrate they
could.

Sometimes, an easy opportunity to steal, is what makes a thief decide to steal
and commit the crime.

Just remove their motivation to do it, and they'll pick an easier target, at an
easier location, with a better lock, better place to lock your bike.

alanbikehouston

An experienced crook can open an average cable lock in under ten seconds, faster than an owner who is entering the combination. A $50 or $70 cable lock might last thirty seconds against a skilled crook.

In contrast, the best u-locks, such as the Kryptonite New York lock and the OnGuard Brute, will last forever against manual tools, and will even last up to ten minutes or so against power tools.

There is no way a u-lock can scratch your bike. The u-lock goes around ONLY the rear wheel just behind, but not around the seat tube. Because the u-lock is around only the rear wheel, it can't damage the bike. And, if a crook attacks the lock, the crook may damage your rear wheel, but won't damage the frame.

To protect the front wheel, replace the quick release with a bolt-on skewer, and then use a second lock to lock the front wheel to the frame, or to a parking meter or sturdy steel post set in concrete.


A

kingcrimbud

On a very cold day i broke off my only key inside my U-lock in Minneapolis, MN two winters ago. Not wanting to walk the 3 miles home in the snow after a long shift, i decided to just break the lock and buy a new one later. I went into my work, grabed a bolt cutters and it took literally 3 attempts before i snapped the U lock in half. The bolt cutters were about 3 feet long and provided enough leverage to cut right through my $30 Kryptonite lock.

What did i learn? Buy a U-lock with several keys (my new one came with 5 keys, one even lights up!)

HiYoSilver

I must be dense this morning. I don't get it. If ulock only goes around wheel, why can't thief just quick release the rear wheel, leave it, and stroll off with the frame?

HiYoSilver

I must be dense this morning. I don't get it. If ulock only goes around wheel, why can't thief just quick release the rear wheel, leave it, and stroll off with the frame?

DCCommuter

If you put the lock inside the rear triangle, the thief would have to pass the lock or the wheel through the triangle to get it off.

Some people swear by this method, but I'm dubious. The strength of the wheel is now the weak link, not the strength of the lock. Even the strongest wheel can be quickly cut with hand tools.