Locking a Big Dummy or Xtracycle
#1
Thread Starter
Fat Guy Rolling
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,434
Likes: 1
From: Louisville Kentucky
Bikes: Bacchetta Agio, 80s Raleigh Record single-speed, Surly Big Dummy
Locking a Big Dummy or Xtracycle
I love my Big Dummy, but I find it awkward to lock. I can't get a U-lock around the rear wheel without doing contortions that I'd rather not. My lock isn't big enough to around the front wheel and the frame, so I end up putting it on the front wheel only with a cable around the lock, frame, and whatever immovable thing I can find.
If the bike will remain in sight, I'll often park "motorcycle style" in a car parking spot and not lock it, but I'm not going to do that in a grocery store.
Should I give up the U-lock on the BD? Use a cable lock? Do they make a ring lock that will fit over the fat tires on a Dummy (I'm running 26x2.1).
What do you guys do?
If the bike will remain in sight, I'll often park "motorcycle style" in a car parking spot and not lock it, but I'm not going to do that in a grocery store.
Should I give up the U-lock on the BD? Use a cable lock? Do they make a ring lock that will fit over the fat tires on a Dummy (I'm running 26x2.1).
What do you guys do?
#2
Use both. Lock the frame with the U-lock, and then a cable lock to lock the wheels. You might need two to get both wheels (or an extra long one), though you could possibly just ignore the rear wheel -- being buried in the bags (if you have any) do make them less obvious and therefore fewer people will try to steal them.
Do not rely on just a cable lock to protect the frame (i.e. the whole bike) -- people can cut them in seconds. But they will usually prevent people from stealing wheels.
Do not rely on just a cable lock to protect the frame (i.e. the whole bike) -- people can cut them in seconds. But they will usually prevent people from stealing wheels.
#4
Thread Starter
Fat Guy Rolling
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,434
Likes: 1
From: Louisville Kentucky
Bikes: Bacchetta Agio, 80s Raleigh Record single-speed, Surly Big Dummy
#5
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: Escondido, CA
I'm using Pinhead skewers and a Krypto NY Noose chain/lock. I leave the wheels alone and use the chain to go to a fixed object for grocery stops or just a wheel to the frame if it's a short stop (too big and heavy to just run off with the thing).
#7
Full Member

Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 356
Likes: 5
I love my ring lock. It's maybe not the best if you're leaving it all day, but for short stops it's the best. A couple posts down on this thread.
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...terrents/page2
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...terrents/page2
#8
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 343
Likes: 0
From: East Metro Atlanta, GA, USA
Bikes: Giant Sedona (Mid 90's), Giant Seek 2, Greenspeed Anura
My next purchase will probably be a delta recumbent (but a BD and a bakfiets are both on my short list). For all three, I've been pondering this same question and a chain seem to be a really good solution since it's flexible, can likely get through the wheels and around fixed objects, etc.
(By chain, I mean something thick and hardened like these...)
(By chain, I mean something thick and hardened like these...)
#9
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 343
Likes: 0
From: East Metro Atlanta, GA, USA
Bikes: Giant Sedona (Mid 90's), Giant Seek 2, Greenspeed Anura
Oh, I've also though of multiple small U-locks, even for my current diamond frame bike. One between the frame and front wheel, one between the seatstays and rear wheel, one between the frame or wheel and a fixed object. It would hold the pieces together without severely limiting which fixed objects I can work with.
#10
Banned
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 43,586
Likes: 1,380
From: NW,Oregon Coast
Bikes: 8
Security chain with Integrated lock is made up to 140cm by Abus,
[J&B imports for US shops]
I recently purchased an Abus Link lock , it folds fits in a pouch,
I fit to the frame, via water bottle bosses.
Abus also makes Ring locks , those would lock around your rear wheel ,
so wont be taken by rolling off. they attach to the frame, so always there..
Armored Cable locks ar a good thing too, loop one of those over my Handlebars.
[J&B imports for US shops]
I recently purchased an Abus Link lock , it folds fits in a pouch,
I fit to the frame, via water bottle bosses.
Abus also makes Ring locks , those would lock around your rear wheel ,
so wont be taken by rolling off. they attach to the frame, so always there..
Armored Cable locks ar a good thing too, loop one of those over my Handlebars.
Last edited by fietsbob; 11-07-11 at 01:40 PM.
#11
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Providence, RI
It's pretty impossible to reach the rear wheel often. I've got pinhead skewers and a long U Kryptonite Evolution lock and it suits pretty well. If I had to leave it locked up for longer periods I'd probably use a NY Fuggeddaboutit.
#12
Coffee Powered commuter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Boise, Idaho
Bikes: Yuba Mundo, Catrike Villager, Easy Racers Tour Easy
I do most grocery shopping and errands on the Big Dummy and I use a six foot, keyed cable lock. It's versatile and is easy enough to carry but it's not supa' high security. It fits in the zipper/mesh pockets of my slightly older style Freeloader bags.
#13
cyclopath
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,264
Likes: 6
From: Victoria, BC
Bikes: Surly Krampus, Surly Straggler, Pivot Mach 6, Bike Friday Tikit, Bike Friday Tandem, Santa Cruz Nomad
I locked my BD outside a pub last night after hauling the GF there across town [she hurt her knee so no biking for a week]. I use two thick cables one around each wheel and then use a kryptonite chain with padlock to secure the main frame and cables to the metal post of the bike rack. I pulled my lights, but leave my Brooks B17, Porcelain Rocket bags and the Xtracycle stuff at the back unlocked.
I've never had a problem and my biggest worry isn't theft - it's vandalism since the BD is an odd ball it tends to attract lots of attention.
I've never had a problem and my biggest worry isn't theft - it's vandalism since the BD is an odd ball it tends to attract lots of attention.
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