The singlespeed/fixie locking ethic
#1
The singlespeed/fixie locking ethic
So, amid discussion of theivery...
Let us discuss locking technique. Minimalist? Overboard?
The "tucking a tiny u-lock in my belt" thing seems popular. So does the unweildly New York Chain mega-lock.
How do you lock your bike up?
Let us discuss locking technique. Minimalist? Overboard?
The "tucking a tiny u-lock in my belt" thing seems popular. So does the unweildly New York Chain mega-lock.
How do you lock your bike up?
#8
I have an old Kryptonite "kryptolok" u-lock and a NY chain.
I bought the New York Chain after I reposessed several abandoned bikes in my old apartment building. I bought a $4 drill bit and some tri-flow-- killed two "kryptoloks" with about five minutes of drilling. In short, I realized how ****ty my own lock was.
The NY chain is what I use for my Voodoo Bokor (geared). I love the bike. I'd hate to lose it...(I've even had dreams about chasing down a theif and beating him up with my wheel...)
Anyhow, I still use the kryptolok for my singlespeed. Nothing on it is terribly expensive or irreplaceable. I'd be livid if it were stolen, but the chances are relatively slim in my town. There are many more valuable bikes out there.
I bought the New York Chain after I reposessed several abandoned bikes in my old apartment building. I bought a $4 drill bit and some tri-flow-- killed two "kryptoloks" with about five minutes of drilling. In short, I realized how ****ty my own lock was.
The NY chain is what I use for my Voodoo Bokor (geared). I love the bike. I'd hate to lose it...(I've even had dreams about chasing down a theif and beating him up with my wheel...)
Anyhow, I still use the kryptolok for my singlespeed. Nothing on it is terribly expensive or irreplaceable. I'd be livid if it were stolen, but the chances are relatively slim in my town. There are many more valuable bikes out there.
#10
Senior Member

Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 610
Likes: 0
From: Home of the Homeless
Bikes: Rustbuckets, the lot of them.
Originally Posted by 165-48:17
let me know where you live and where you stand your bike
#11
Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 452
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco, CA
when i lived in NYC:
carried the New York Chain AND little u-lock. used the chain for front wheel/frame to parking meter, and the u-lock for back wheel to frame.
now in SF, only the little u-lock - usually frame only.
D
carried the New York Chain AND little u-lock. used the chain for front wheel/frame to parking meter, and the u-lock for back wheel to frame.
now in SF, only the little u-lock - usually frame only.
D
#14
(Grouchy)

Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 3,643
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by na975
i saw a fix in manhattan chained up & he removed one of the crank arms.
could it have been this guy's bike?
#16
personally I like a combo of my Abus Granit chain (almost as good as NY chain quality but about 2/3's the price) and am Abus Granit D lock. They've both had very good reviews. I favour just the chain for my fixie during the day, but I'd always use both if I ever left my roadbike anywhere. Also have a chain in an inner tube for the seat on the fixie.
#19
Philly bike nerd

Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 575
Likes: 0
From: Center City Philadelphia
Bikes: 2003 Fuji Track Bike,Pink Univega, Mixed part BMX, Early 70's Columbia Tandem, Orange and Cream Fixed gear Pursuit bike (Puig), random bikes made from spare parts
I usually use my Kryptonite U-Lock and put it around the front wheel and the frame (and a parking meter). Do you think its better for me to put it around my BACK rim and frame (and parking meter). I guess I have always done the front wheel because I thought that was the easiest for a theif to steal...but with my fixed, I guess the back wheel is more valuable and probably just as easy to remove...almost.
hmmm...I may need to start bringing out my ulock AND my NYC chain. ugh.
hmmm...I may need to start bringing out my ulock AND my NYC chain. ugh.
#20
sVe

Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,063
Likes: 0
From: Hellsinki, Funland
Bikes: Nishiki Continental fixed winter beater, Fixed Surly CrossCheck
Krr2 armored chain, which is some sort of Kryptonite licensed product, but made in China.
Pros: Quick, fits around my waist nicely
Cons: ****ty lock quality, prone to rust and will yield to diamond cutter (I found out the hard way.)
I am considering a NYC U lock, though
Pros: Quick, fits around my waist nicely
Cons: ****ty lock quality, prone to rust and will yield to diamond cutter (I found out the hard way.)
I am considering a NYC U lock, though
#22
#23
i'm pretty dorky, but it has worked well so far.
i use a ulock with the old AV-dork cable. the cable works as a sling, so i can ride with my lock round my shoulder, pocketbook-style. if i'm in & out or in a very safe location, i basically just use the u lock, with the cable stuck in it, but not on active duty. for longer lockups/worse areas, i lock the frame and backwheel to a meter, leaving little clearance for thieves with jacks. the cable runs thru the ulock and secures the front wheel. i also have a wee bitty cable for my saddle, but i normally use that to keep my keys attached to my beltloop. i often use it in the city, as i dont want anyone to take a hex wrench out and steal my selle italia.
so far, so good. been a few years with this method. (i lost a saddle once, before i got the mini-cable. that's sorta why i got the mini-cable.)
-rob
i use a ulock with the old AV-dork cable. the cable works as a sling, so i can ride with my lock round my shoulder, pocketbook-style. if i'm in & out or in a very safe location, i basically just use the u lock, with the cable stuck in it, but not on active duty. for longer lockups/worse areas, i lock the frame and backwheel to a meter, leaving little clearance for thieves with jacks. the cable runs thru the ulock and secures the front wheel. i also have a wee bitty cable for my saddle, but i normally use that to keep my keys attached to my beltloop. i often use it in the city, as i dont want anyone to take a hex wrench out and steal my selle italia.
so far, so good. been a few years with this method. (i lost a saddle once, before i got the mini-cable. that's sorta why i got the mini-cable.)
-rob





