I have this 40 mile training route I like to take daily. At the end of 20 miles I like to get off and take a break, eat, etc. Problem is that my bike is often out of sight for 5 minutes or more as I pop into a store bathroom or something.

Does anyone here carry a small cable lock with them while on long training rides? Or even a small u-lock? I have a mini Kryptonite u-lock that happens to fit rather well into my frame bag. I am seriously considering carrying it and will try it out. Hopefully it doesn't rattle too much during sprints. Yeah, I know it's just dead weight but I ride solo and I don't mind extra resistance!

Am I the only one who does this? Also, has anyone actually had a bike stolen on a training ride or something where they were gone for only a few minutes?

I carry a TiGr lock. https://tigrlock.com/

Not something I'd leave my bike sitting for more than a few minutes, but going into the bathroom wouldn't bother me.

TiGr even on training rides?

It probably weighs a third of what your Krypto U lock does, and mounts discreetly and quietly. It's probably the best choice lock for taking on a training ride for those reasons, but also offers more security and ease of use than a cable.

I'm not "training". # 1.. Abus Bordo folding locks , I do use , folds onto a pouch , that fits in place of 1 water bottle , or straps on.

ABUS folding locks - Locks / Bike Safety and Security

But weight and price focused , consider a Cable, and a Padlock .. some use Aluminum for the body.



BTW while on a Bike Tour , In Copenhagen Denmark , while I was taking a Whizz in a Public bathroom , someone was beginning to strip Parts off my Bike .

they only had enough time to remove the center bolt from My Cantilever Rear Brakes , but it won't take long to strip a bike if that's what is the Scheme.

I wouldn't leave my bike unattended without it being locked up. It only takes a few seconds for someone to walk off with it leaving you stranded

The most basic, cheesiest lock that you can carry is about 90% effective because it forces the thief to carry a tool to cut it. As you move up the food chain from 90% to 99% you engage with an increasing high tech game of one-up-man-ship with the thief which you will always eventually lose. There is no 100% bicycle security.

All that said I seldom lock up my bike when I ride although I do carry a cable lock with me now. In years past I seldom even carried a lock with me.

A lock isn't the only option

I would personally carry your U lock in one of those brackets that attach it to the frame to keep it from rattling around. The bracket could be removed easily for those times when you don't want it there.

Exactly. Excellent lock but I'd never trust it for longer than a few minutes. It can be defeated but requires special tools to do so. Very light and stays out of the way. Con is it's expensive. I think I paid $150 for mine.

I would
I put alot of money out for my bikes never let your guard down ~ Cheers

I always carry a cheap, coiled cable, combination bicycle lock. They fit in a medium size topeak saddle bag without taking up much space.

A real thief will have the tools needed to take whatever bicycle he selects. And some thiefs won't object to sticking a *** in you face to take a bike.

BUT... the average bike thief isn't going to be much more than a bored kid. A cheap lock will protect the bike... and keep a kid out of trouble at the same time.

Yes I have a small cheap cable lock that easily fits in my jersey pocket. It is only good for keeping people honest but is better than nothing. If I go in the bathroom I try to pick locations I can take it in with me but when that isn't an option I lock it up. If there is nothing to lock it to I lock the wheels to the frame because I know I can chase them down while they are carrying it.

TiGr. Stows along the top tube. Covers both wheels. One pound. Won't survive three foot bolt cutters, will hold up to more portable attacks.

My usual practice is to never let my bike out of my sight, so I don't carry a lock. My training rides take me out to sub- ex-urbia in about one hour from the city when I might first would have to go to the bathroom. I have had no problems bringing my bike into a fast food place, and doing a quick visit...I don't even wash my hands.

My thought is that I'm out where car is king and most of the other patrons have driven there and would have to put the bike in their vehicle to flee. Being in suburbia where cars reign, I'm also somewhat of a spectacle when I clack-clack-clack through the place and a thief would be more conspicuous to the other patrons. My other option would be to find a secluded spot to go, but there are tales of guys being arrested as Level 3 sex offenders, and i have to be really way out in the country to find those opportunities.

Nonetheless, this thread is making me nervous, and I had bought a lightweight cable lock last year that I think I'll use this season for those brief pit stops.

That depends on which TiGr you get...the wider 125 will.

I have to say though, that it seems highly unlikely someone would be trolling a mid-ride break point with 3' bolt cutters....

Anyway, discreet, common, 5 inch wire cutters that any teen can get from their dad's toolbox will get through just about any cable, especially the thin, cheap, coiled types guys here are talking about.

Unfortunately these days, you cant leave your bike unattended without being locked up. I keep my cabled up if I am in a cafe, and still sit where I can see it.

Damn, y'all must ride in some rough-assed 'hoods!

I can't recall seeing a bike out on a sport/rec/training ride locked up outside a gas station or cafe around here, and I don't bother to, myself, either. I also don't typically stop anywhere, except in the peak of summer on the 3hr+ rides when the 2 large water bottles just don't get it, and then it's aa quick run in to grab a Gatorade.

I can understand that. I have that mindset depending on the bike I'm riding. If I'm riding my Soma ES that cost me around $1000 to build, then I'm not that uncomfortable locking it up outside for a few minutes. My Moots however, is not leaving my sight. Not that a thief would probably know what a Moots is and would most likely think that the Soma was more expensive, but I'd be devastated if the Moots got stolen. I'd never be allowed to replace it.

Same here, but I've also seen a dude pick a bike up leaning against the store and threw it in the back of a pickup truck and was gone faster than anyone even knew what happened. At least with some sort of lock, someone might go for another easier target.

That's kind of what I was thinking too and the fellow who suggested somebody might resort to armed robbery to steal a bicycle should probably be taking paranoia pills. And I can't tell you how many times I've eaten lunch with a group of cyclists with a bunch of expensive unlocked bikes outside.