Human or dog feces on the saddle and handle bars works well.

Crawdaddio, thanks for sharing your expertise with this community.:thumb:

Thanks for the posting, interesting.

OK, crawdaddio

Knowing what you do about bikes, locks and thieves and adding a tour rider's desire for lightweight equipment, what sort of rig would you suggest for someone on an extended tour. Let's assume their paranoia level is not extreme, but not too casual. Assume we're aware of the usual precautions like locking it to something permanent in a well-lit area with some foot traffic (grocery store, library, museum or some other tourist attraction)

A friend recently recommended an aluminum cable lock made by the American Lock Company. Any experience with the lock or the company?

This has been a good thread. It's something I've always thought about, but could never come up with a comfortable decision.

Thanks in advance

Thank you Crawdaddio, I appreciate the useful info!

Aluminum anything is a bad idea. I know it is lightweight, but it is a really soft material. Extremely easy to cut through.

American lock makes some very good padlocks. That's about all I know of them.

I would recommend The heaviest braided steel cable and padlock/U lock that you can afford and/or would want to carry. I don't see a problem with using a combination cable lock on a tour that would be in mostly remote, low crime areas. Take extra care when in a large city. Bring your bike inside with you whenever possible.

Kryptonite makes some very decent combi-cable locks.

I use a mini evo 0.9 kg. This will not secure your wheels and frame and is difficult to lock to big lamp posts but if you use security skewers for the front wheel and a sheldon style locking method you get good securely for a lowish weight. You can not fit a hydraulic jack in the space left. The worst point is that you are restricted as so where you can lock. I use this method in London and never have too many problems finding somewhere.

I also use the Sheldon method. If its real sketchy i will use another lock to lock the front wheel to the DT of the frame. This is just riding around town. Not on a tour. If someone really wants your bike they will take it. Like the OP said. its about deterrence. Think about if you wanted to steal a bike. you see 2 styles of lock on one bike or another bike with only one flimsy lock, which one will you pick?

Its like running from a bear with a friend. You don't have to be the fastest man in the world, just faster than your friend...

Thanks for the info.

Interesting post. I appreciate the posters expertise with locking devices.

When I was preparing for my first crosscountry tour I worried about how to secure my bike and bought a widely touted cable lock. When it arrived I quickly decided that I was going to find something that was quite so heavy.

I now use 3/16" marine stainless cable with a decent small padlock. The cable is long so that I can wrap it around most trees. The whole set up weighs 1/2 the cable lock I threw away.

I agree with the poster that no matter what you use to secure the bike you still have to consider where you are, how long you will be away, etc.

Around here they are now cutting through the frame of a nice bike for just the components. Doesn't really matter much what kind of lock you have -- just need one to prevent joyrides.

Far better is to leave the bike unlocked with the brake cables disabled. Some yahoo jumps on the bike, rides into traffic, and meets his fate. Especially good if they are going downhill. :)

Just remember to reengage your cables when YOU get on.

roughstuff

Abus makes some u-lock that have key very similar like multlock, are they hard to pick like multloks ?

http://tinyurl.com/cz5hnv

http://tinyurl.com/chr4jr

^^
Those are interesting. It does look like a VERY secure key system.

When you say "it"- are you referring to the U-lock? If so, Tubus makes a rear rack ( http://tiny.cc/RV0kG ) that comes with an integrated mounting system for ABUS brand U-locks. Seems like a great combo.

I mean the components that go into the key system itself.
Currently in america, that type of double sided dimple key is among the most secure and restricted. And yes, they are almost impossible to pick, if that matters to you.
Remember:
Most thieves will not take the time to pick your bike lock, they will break or cut it.

When you see a lock using that type of flat, milled key, chances are very good that they are not easily duplicated and a lot of care has been given to defending the lock cylinder itself.

As far as the 'U' part of the lock is concerned, it seems to be pretty standard. As with any U lock, one should use the shortest length that is convenient/feasible.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEswE...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gZLp...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Xbdf...eature=related


I don't want to belive that it's so easy to pick a mult-lock :(

This was a joke right? :/ bike theft punishable by death! On the other hand not having a lock is a pretty good way to make sure you always keep your bike with you... :D