Hi there,

I am sure a thread like this has come up many times but I do really need some help! As maybe a couple of you might know from previous threads, I have bought a new bike. My concern now is locking it up, at the moment, I have a fairly cheap coil lock which was perfect for my old bike but I don't trust it with my new one. I live in Cambridge and there are a hell of a lot of bikes and the good ones do get nicked!!! They even get nicked from inside my school grounds!!! What would people recommend for a bike lock? I don't have a great deal of money but I think that my Mum would be fairly happy to buy a decent lock.

Any help would be much appreciated

I think this is what my current lock is, I think it came from Tesco though (not that that makes any difference!!!). https://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3333231.htm?CMPID=GS001&_$ja=tsid:11527|cc:|prd:3333231|cat:sports+and+leisure+%2F+bikes%2C+cycling+ and+accessories+%2F+bike+locks+%2F

https://www.amazon.com/Kryptonite-Fah.../dp/B000OZ9VLU

That said, with enough time, any lock can be broken. The best security is to not leave an expensive bike out where people can take it. The second best security is to lock it up next to a bike that looks nicer and has a crappier lock than yours, in a heavily trafficked area. Put the U around the rear wheel between the stays. That will effectively lock the frame and rear wheel (with the lock there, the rear wheel can't be removed without cutting the wheel). Then put the cable that you already have through the front wheel, rear wheel, and frame.

Ok, thank you very much. Two things though, 1. How do you then connect the bike to railings or a post? 2. What is a good U lock to get, could someone please post a link?

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/lock-strategy.html

https://www.sfbike.org/?theft_locking

** Watch the video - - it's a hoot (and informative) **


and . . . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZDq1vkiZwA&NR=1

For locks, I would recommend (as did Zephyr) Kryptonite or On Guard. I like On Guard because they actually have an anti-theft offer that covers part or all of your loss (depending on the lock and the worth of your bike) if their lock is breached.

Did you click on the link I posted? That's a U-Lock.

And yeah, check out what D posted. That's what I tried to say, only with pictures and a better description.

The way I figure if you've a pretty nice bike (let's say $700+), you might want to have a Krypto NY chain + a decent Krypto U-lock which is $90-120 worth of locks right there.

If I was going to be leaving a bike out in the open for 2-8 hours at a time I'd just cruise CL/thrift shops/yard sales for a crappy second bike for those commutes/errands. I've found some pretty decent 90s rigid MTBs for $10-50 around here. Then just lock that up with a $30-60 lock depending on the neighborhood. I'm guessing Cambridge, MA? I've heard Boston area is pretty harsh for bike thefts. If you go the cheap bike + decent to excellent lock, you're only going to be out $40-110 when it gets jacked instead of $730-820.

I will imagine cryptid as Hal from the vid henceforth.

Did someone really lock up a Free Spirit cruiser with a NY chain? Wow!

Woah, and someone else locked up a huffy with one too, but got their rear wheel yoinked. Gnarly!

Realistically, that would be my first, best piece of advice too. My daughter went to USC - - a neighborhood notorious for bike thefts. SOP there was beat-up, ugly cruisers / box-store cheapies / yard sale specials for day-to-day. College-town environments seem have a universal code: beater for daily use; good bike safely locked in your dorm/house/apartment.

Thanks, I won't be getting another bike but thank you for the lock info. By the way, I love in Cambridge in England not America!!!

I presumed you were a Brit studying abroad in Mass. We Americans tend to get geocentric, don't we?

Aww, damn, coulda sworn it was our fair city, Cambridge, MA. Shoulda known by the "nicked" and the "mum". If you woulda said "me mum" instead of "my mum" I'd have nailed it for sure

Or maybe mentioned the colour of your bike or something like that.

Still, I dunno if you can score a bike for £40 or so at a rummage sale, I'd jump on it and ride that for commutes if you have a killer MTB you don't want nicked.

Sorry old chap, would never have said 'me mum', Cambridge is well known for having the poshest accents in Britain!!! Also for the MTB, I won't be locking it up that much, I won't use for everyday use to school.