Two Questions: Sense of camouflaging locks and locking to foreign peoples locks
 

When I was doing an image search on u-locks, i encountered some locks, which seemed to be stripped off of the original plastic or rubber parts, some bare, some with black tape. Is there any security gain involved, or is it just for fashion?
I can imagine that the screaming yellow or orange of some kryptonite locks could act like a "hello! here are some $$$".

Second question. Usually I carry two u-locks, one small and one big. Many times the remaining space of the small lock isn't sufficient for the bike-rack or stuff, but it would be sufficient to interlock it with another u-lock from the persons bike on the other side of the rack. Never done that, because I have this (irrational?) feeling of interfering with somebody elses property. On the other hand, this combination of locks could even improve security for both bikes...? What do you think? Would you find it embarrassing to find the unknown neighbours u-lock locked to yours?

Yeah, don't touch my lock please. You are making a good point but I still wouln't be comfortable with that. ;)

I don't really care if you go through my lock, but I'm going to chuckle a bit when I leave and your u-lock is sitting on the ground.

My guess is that rubber or plastic fell off after repeated use and the tape is used to prevent the from scratching the bike. I doubt bike thieves care about the brand of u lock; if they have an angle grinder or bottle jack then the lock can be defeated.

As for combining locks, you don't get double the security; you get the security of the weakest lock. Only one lock needs to be removed for the bike to be stolen.

+1

Seems like a REALLY dumb idea for exactly this reason.

But I would be pretty upset if someone came along and took it upon themselves to lock their bike to mine.

I would not be embarrassed I would be pissed that I could not get at my bike. :notamused:

LOL. If you meant THAT, I'll be walking home with two bikes.

Errm....

If I lock two u-locks together, how many locks do I have to open to separate the locks again? :twitchy:

I'n not locking my lock to the bike, but to the other guys u-lock... this difference makes a difference...

And for the u-lock that is lying on the floor after the other person left: I am using two ulocks, the first one secures frontwheel AND frame, the second one secures the backwheel to to the frame. Only this one I meant to interlock with another u-lock, so in the lock are 1. frame, 2. rearwheel and 3. the others persons lock (not bike!).

So if anybody manages to cut the bikerack at one point (depends on the structure of the rack of course) and get out the u-lock of my neighbour, it is still clinging to my u-lock, which clings on my bike, which clings on another part of the bikerack, which is hopefully not compromised by the first cut. See now what I mean? I saved your bike from being stolen in that case by locking my lock into ur lock.