Do you guys see it beneficial to buy 2 Kryptu U-Locks that are keyed the same (1 key for both locks), so I can lock the frame/front wheel up to a post/whatever (Krypto Evo Mini LS), and the rear wheel to the frame (Krypto Evo Mini)?

I know you can carry a cable, but I figure that if I'm going to carry a cable around that can be quickly cut, I may as well carry a Krypto Evo Mini to lock my rear wheel up... thoughts?

john

I use a Kryptonite evolution mini U (new style with disc lock cylinder) for most lockups, usually locking the top tube to a meter or sign post or small tree because I'll be within sight of the bike.

If I'll be out of sight of the bike or leaving it for long, I use the sheldon method to secure the back wheel and frame simultaneously to something reasonably secure. Sometimes I carry a wheel leash with me to provide a little more deterrence for the front wheel, but I usually don't worry too much because it is not a very expensive wheel (the whole wheelset was under $150) and it has a bolt-on axle.

I recently picked up Kryptonite's Fahgeddaboudit version of the New York chain with the NY disc lock. It weighs 8 pounds, but it just screams overkill. If nothing else, the image that a bike locked with this chain presents to the average would-be thief is worth the weight in gold. The problem with this lock, of course, is carrying it. I usually ride with at least one pannier, but the weight of the lock is making the bottom of the bag flex back against the stays for my rear fender. I'm planning on modifying my rack slightly to provide some support for this corner of the bag, but I would perfer to find a good way to carry the lock on my body to increase maneuverability. You can ride a lot faster and more gracefully with a 20lb backpack than you can with a 20lb pannier because the weight is moving with the rider's body instead of acting as dead weight in an ackward position on the frame.

I'm too skinny to wear the chain around my waist as-is (darn, eh?), but it fits across the shoulder/chest pretty nicely. The only problem is where it digs into my collarbone. My plans are thus: add some kind of padding (several layers of felt?) underneath the sheath on the lock where it would cross my collarbone -OR- (possibly AND) add a loop of aircraft cable a few links back on one side so that it is the perfect length to lock around my waist and ride on my hips when I lock one end of the chain to the loop of cable. I'll probably use a zip tie to get the length figured out and then swage a loop of plastic-coated cable of that length into place.

I have been using the Fug chain in the garage to lock the rear wheel, frame, and rack to a sturdy object and tossing the Krypto mini U lock on the front wheel/downtube just for good measure. I definitely don't live in a place where people people's garages get knocked off, but I figure it's a good habit to get into since I plan to be moving up into Minneapolis sometime soon.

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I see no reason not to do so. Most people use a U lock to secure the frame and rear wheel to something and then a cable from the U lock to go up to the front wheel and maybe through a helmet strap, saddle rail, etc. on the way.

If you have some really hot wheels or are locking up in a city with theft problems, then going the extra mile and having two u locks isn't a bad idea. For typical lockups in most cities, one U lock and a fatter cable for the other wheel is usually more than enough. It's all up to you to decide on how secure you want to be.

question about chain locks: which brand/model lets you adjust which link of the chain you want to put the lock on? This would be helpful in locking to things like parking meteres (when you need a tight fit so thieves can't just lift your bike/lock over) as well as transportation (so you can cinch it tight around your waist).

Let me know if your guys' chain locks can do this. i think the onguard mastiff chains can only fit in the last designated link.

Maybe it's just me being a nervous nelly, but doesn't having a big 6 pound chain wrapped around your waist or chest pose somewhat of a problem if you get hit by a car? If I get hit by a car/truck and then I hit the ground, it seems like a chain around the chest or waist could do some serious harm to you. Even the U-lock in the pocket seems like it could be dangerous.

I know it dirties the look of a clean fixie, but I like keeping my lock on a sturdy mounting bracket on my bike. Great, now everyone is going to think I'm lame.

All of the high end chains I am aware of (onguard, master, kryptonite) are specifically designed to have the links as tight as possible to save weight and make it harder to get tools into them. Unless you have a very small lock shackle, I doubt you will be able to get a good lock through any links but the end of the chain with one of these locks.

Either avoid short posts and parking meters, or get a lock with a shackle that can go around small objects. The NY disc lock I use with my NY chain is like a super tiny U lock and is large enough to actually lock around a wheel or some sign posts in addition to closing the ends of the chain.

Something I discovered when using the chain lock is that you can form a figure eight with the chain by looping it through the bike and around whatever object normally, and then lock both ends of the chain together with the lock as well as passing the middle of the chain through the hasp of the lock. If done correctly, this will prevent someone from having enough spare chain to do bad things with it, like slide it up and over a sign. I can take a picture if you'd like.

Yes, picture please!

no, of course not. what i mean by centimental is that i have 100 brains strapped to my bike.

sorry for the threadjack...

i have a pretty new evolution mini long shackle lock i would like to trade for just an evolution mini, i dont care if yours is a little bit worn.

i got the ls (long shackle) to lock up my front wheel and frame at the same time because my front was quick release. i no longer have quick release in the front and i am working as a messenger. i think a non ls mini would suit my needs a lot better. pm me

How 'bout a picture of a bike locked up properly with a U-lock? No joke... I'm really interested in how you guys/gals would do it.

DanO

Is that a good combo lock? I hate fumbling with keys as well. But right now I'm using combo cable's... not the best thing, I know.

DanO

i, sir, am a totally skinny bastard (28" waist in jeans). i cut off 3 links with a cutting wheel used in a drill (the local hardware store stocked an arbor for use in a normal drill that can be used with the specialized cutting wheel). being very careful, it took me approx. 10 minutes and 2/3rds of the disc to cut through both sides of the link. with a proper angle grinder i could easily do it in 5. this was done to a fahgettaboudit, not one of the cheaper models.

+1

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

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/images/locktechnique1.jpg

my rear tire/down tube are close enough to gether to get them both in the Ulock so it goes in there too.

I use a Krypto Fahgettaboudit chain.

+good for multiple bikes/bike piles
+can lock to pretty much anything
+easy to carry around yer waist with a mod.

-needs modifiying to fit around your waist (for skinny folks its too long, needs shortening or the addition of a carrying loop)
-need to think about where you're locking too sometimes (ie not great for parking meters) to ensure the bike just can't easily be lifted off the pole.
-heavy esp when lugging it about all day
-floppy chains can be hard to use (ie feeding it through yer bike and around fat poles).
-still need some protection for front wheel. Can't lock frame+both wheels.

Lots of the messengers in London use Abus Granit steel 'cable' locks. Rigid locks that can easily fit around your waist. A little faster to use than a chain lock and about half the price (in the UK) of a Krypto chain.
http://www.awcycles.co.uk/products.p...0s94p620&z=116

Perfect for messengering in a city without too many parking meters but lots of fat light poles etc. Pretty heavy duty as well.

I just had a bike stolen. Two types of locks, secure locking, cable woven through both wheels and frame, U lock on rear wheel Sheldon Brown style.

Unfortunately both locks were Kryptonite; one was picked with a ball point pen and the other one probably was whacked with a hammer.

I detest this brand and I no longer shop at the bike shop where the salesman only last month told me that my two year old Kryptonine U-lock was not one of the 'defective ones'.

It was.

They weren't even defective. The tubular tumbler is just a bad basic design, so all of them are vulnerable to some extent. Sucks.

these are my suggestions

http://www.joe-ks.com/archives_may2004/NewfieLock.jpg
http://img88.echo.cx/img88/2412/bikelock2kz.jpg
http://images.usatoday.com/money/_ph...ide2-bikes.jpg
http://growabrain.typepad.com/photos.../bike_lock.jpg
http://www.ginaterada.com/images/lock.jpg

I just use an American flag sticker and a breast cancer ribbon. You try to take my bike, God will strike you dead.

I have a Master U-Lock. One of the new styles with the squareish key in the middle of the shackle. I freaking hate this lock. Its a bit bigger than I need and the key jams all the time, so I have to try 3-4 times to get it to unlock.
Has anyone had a similar problem with other locks with the "new" style key?

For you Phlly folks,

about 10 years (?) back I was at some fest on the BF Pway, sitting next to a police bike locked up like this. The only thing worse was the cable was only wrapped loosely around the seat post.

I'm half paying attention as the 'policeman' comes back, and uses his key to 'unlock' his bike.

"um, you realize your bike's not locked"
"Sure it is"
"OK"

It was then I realized it was Timmony.

(shrug). Makes me feel safe.

If so, why Sold Secure considered the ABUS Granit Steel O Flex cable lock as good as the Kryptonite Evolution u-lock? Well, at least I think so because they're both rated "silver".

Does anyone have experience locking up Sheldon Brown style with a Krypto Evolution MINI ??

I haven't bought one yet, but it's small size would be awesome if you could still lock up the proper way.

and you wonder how his kid got arrested with 300lbs of dope...

That lock in the pic above is actually sheldon's, it's about the same size as a mini. The mini is sized such that if you can get it around something, and that something is round, there's room for a nomal road wheel in there too. Not much else, though.

cool - thanks landgolier.

i wrote kryptonite and asked them if they could key two locks the same, so i can keep one at work, and one at home just in case - it's a $5 fee, but worth it if you ask me. just an fyi if anyone has ever wondered it.