front wheel security
#1
front wheel security
I'm back in a bike theft city now so i'm focusing on protecting my bike.
So far i've got an NYC chain for the frame and rear wheel, im trying to decide what to do for the front
I'm split between getting a mini evolution to ulock the front wheel to the frame or getting a pitlock and just not locking the front wheel.
What do you guys think? they're about the same price when it comes down to it.
So far i've got an NYC chain for the frame and rear wheel, im trying to decide what to do for the front
I'm split between getting a mini evolution to ulock the front wheel to the frame or getting a pitlock and just not locking the front wheel.
What do you guys think? they're about the same price when it comes down to it.
#2
veggieburglar
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 647
Likes: 0
From: Santa Barbara/San Jose, CA
Bikes: 60s Peugeot conversion, 2002 Santa Cruz Heckler, 2007 Bianchi "Everyone has one" Pista, Beat up Beach Cruiser
Get an OnGuard Mini Bulldog from Amazon for 25 bucks, that will be cheap and super secure. There's been an incredible amount of threads on it lately. I don't know how high theft Savannah is but I can't imagine getting much more secure than that.
#3
savannahs highest crime is bike theft, lots get yanked- the other thing to consider is the weight issue, that nyc chain weighs a good amount, if you guys think the pitlock would be good enough i'd rather do that because it's essentially no extra weight.
#4
crotchety young dude
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,818
Likes: 0
From: SF, CA
Bikes: IRO Angus; Casati Gold Line; Redline 925; '72 Schwinn Olympic Paramount
Pitlock should be plenty.
#5
jerk store
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 605
Likes: 0
From: Boston
Bikes: '80s Chimo Garbage fixed 36/14, Centurion fixed 42/17
Those chains are for routine locking; you leave them at your lock up spot. I realize that lots of BF members carry them, but that's too much weight. Get a mini-U and a THICK combo cable lock. Put the U around the rear rim and the object you're locking to. For best results, the U should enclose the rim, chainstay, crank arm, and the object; no room whatsoever for a jack. Then put the cable around the front wheel and frame. Tools against one are useless against the other when you have different style locks with different locking mechanisms.
Also, +1 for OnGuard locks. Solid stuff at a great price.
Also, +1 for OnGuard locks. Solid stuff at a great price.
#6
Those chains are for routine locking; you leave them at your lock up spot. I realize that lots of BF members carry them, but that's too much weight. Get a mini-U and a THICK combo cable lock. Put the U around the rear rim and the object you're locking to. For best results, the U should enclose the rim, chainstay, crank arm, and the object; no room whatsoever for a jack. Then put the cable around the front wheel and frame. Tools against one are useless against the other when you have different style locks with different locking mechanisms.
Also, +1 for OnGuard locks. Solid stuff at a great price.
Also, +1 for OnGuard locks. Solid stuff at a great price.
i like the chain because its beefy as hell and leaves more room for creative locking, i.e. telephone pole instead of looking for a street post
#9
my daily lock is a 4' 3/8" square link chain, with a solid steel body shrouded padlock. I just loop it around my waist, dont even notice its there. 8 lbs of locking goodness
for you front wheel get the Evolution U lock, it will secure your wheel nicely, and depending on how you lock your chain, can be used with the chain.
for you front wheel get the Evolution U lock, it will secure your wheel nicely, and depending on how you lock your chain, can be used with the chain.
#10
yeah until i killed my rear tire a few days ago. bicycle link didnt have anything cool and cheap enough for me
so im waiting on mr. ups to bring me tires. 
Rode my gal's bike some till my back ached. Its way too small for me.
Saw a guy on a big orange Hoffy. Cool bike. You know him?
so im waiting on mr. ups to bring me tires. 
Rode my gal's bike some till my back ached. Its way too small for me.
Saw a guy on a big orange Hoffy. Cool bike. You know him?
Last edited by deathhare; 08-18-07 at 08:38 PM.
#12
yeah until i killed my rear tire a few days ago. bicycle link didnt have anything cool and cheap enough for me
so im waiting on mr. ups to bring me tires. 
Rode my gal's bike some till my back ached. Its way too small for me.
Saw a guy on a big orange Hoffy. Cool bike. You know him?
so im waiting on mr. ups to bring me tires. 
Rode my gal's bike some till my back ached. Its way too small for me.
Saw a guy on a big orange Hoffy. Cool bike. You know him?
hoffy... not sure i know the brand but i may know the guy if its the bike im thinking of. theres not many people with genuine track bikes round here.
and ziemas, how easy are they to intall on the front, would i have to rebuild my axel? im guessing so.. wish they made pit locks just the nut.
#13
Banned
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 10,082
Likes: 1
ah thats a bummer, yeah the lbs' suck for cheap tires..
hoffy... not sure i know the brand but i may know the guy if its the bike im thinking of. theres not many people with genuine track bikes round here.
and ziemas, how easy are they to intall on the front, would i have to rebuild my axel? im guessing so.. wish they made pit locks just the nut.
hoffy... not sure i know the brand but i may know the guy if its the bike im thinking of. theres not many people with genuine track bikes round here.
and ziemas, how easy are they to intall on the front, would i have to rebuild my axel? im guessing so.. wish they made pit locks just the nut.
https://www.pitlock.com/sortiment/sic...sen/index.html
Other than that you'd have to swap out your axle to a hallow one.
#14
quoten fixer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
From: Seattle/Berlin
if you know how you can open pitlock realy fast without the special key. only need a bigger wrench and a needle. when i worked at a bikeshop we opend/closed als the pitlocks this way. -> not seccure
i use a u look for frontwheel.....but whats about stem/handlebar? if you ride brakeless its fast stolen
i use a u look for frontwheel.....but whats about stem/handlebar? if you ride brakeless its fast stolen
#15
Banned
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 10,082
Likes: 1
if you know how you can open pitlock realy fast without the special key. only need a bigger wrench and a needle. when i worked at a bikeshop we opend/closed als the pitlocks this way. -> not seccure
i use a u look for frontwheel.....but whats about stem/handlebar? if you ride brakeless its fast stolen
i use a u look for frontwheel.....but whats about stem/handlebar? if you ride brakeless its fast stolen
Any lock can be defeated, it's a matter of getting the thieves to choose another bike to steal and not yours. Top notch locking provides this incentive.
#17
Ive been thinking about this a lot too. Just been hoping no one would steal my stem/bars. Hoping really sucks.
Someone mentioned just filling the allen hole with clear silicone to make it hard to get the tool in. Its not theft proof but having to pick out the silicone will def slow someone down a good bit. Maybe theyll just move along.
This idea obviously involves more hoping.
Someone mentioned just filling the allen hole with clear silicone to make it hard to get the tool in. Its not theft proof but having to pick out the silicone will def slow someone down a good bit. Maybe theyll just move along.
This idea obviously involves more hoping.
#20
cab horn

Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 28,353
Likes: 30
From: Toronto
Bikes: 1987 Bianchi Campione
While I don't see how Pitlocks can be opened with a needle and wrench, even if they can you have to ask yourself if a thief take the time, or will they just steal a wheel off one of the many bikes which have wheels which aren't locked? I vote for the latter.
Any lock can be defeated, it's a matter of getting the thieves to choose another bike to steal and not yours. Top notch locking provides this incentive.
Any lock can be defeated, it's a matter of getting the thieves to choose another bike to steal and not yours. Top notch locking provides this incentive.
#23
manwench
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
Bikes: a lot...
On my work bike I've got Pitlocks on my Front wheel and seatpost plus Kryptonite EVO. For the rear just use 2 tensioners. If stealing bikes is their thing they'll have a full toolkit anyway. Years ago I knew a few folks that stripped whole rigs down. It's ****in crazy to think no one has developed things similar to the Pitlock, if it were improved and applied to all components bikes would be a lot more secure. Go to a specialty bolt store and replace as many bolts as you can with Torx versions maybe even Security Torx. Or pick more public locking locations... Sam
#24
On my work bike I've got Pitlocks on my Front wheel and seatpost plus Kryptonite EVO. For the rear just use 2 tensioners. If stealing bikes is their thing they'll have a full toolkit anyway. Years ago I knew a few folks that stripped whole rigs down. It's ****in crazy to think no one has developed things similar to the Pitlock, if it were improved and applied to all components bikes would be a lot more secure. Go to a specialty bolt store and replace as many bolts as you can with Torx versions maybe even Security Torx. Or pick more public locking locations... Sam




