Lock your bike securely!

[alien8]

We've got a big campaign against bike theft here in London. Here's one video produced showing good/bad locking techniques etc.

Comments

[sara]

Hunh -- well, I don't think I'm going to start hauling two locks anytime soon (I have one big Kryptonite U-lock, and a 1/2" diameter cable I take with me when we're out on the tandem) but this is a good reminder that I should have someone replace the quick releases on my wheels with locking bolts. It's not like I take the wheels off more than a couple of times a year anyhow, with the touring tires on.

[alien8]

If you visit London and probably New York - this advice applies if you like your bike and want to keep it. Sorry :)

For 'lower risk' areas - figure out the compromise based on carried weight as you suggested. We really do have high bike crime levels here in London and this video was done for that - not necessarily for the rest of the world :-)

[sara]

*cough* We don't exactly have low bike crime rates here.

[alien8]

no worries if you're on that list. As ever, you make your own choice.. but an informed decision is way better.

Glad you picked up on the wheel hubs - one other possible for you is : http://www.zefal.com/zefal/produit.php?key=497001

[darkemeralds]

Great video! I'm lucky right now in having a secure garage where my bike lives during the workday (even there, I U-lock my cruiser to a vertical rack, and wheel-lock my Dutch bike plus chain it to a post), but when I leave either one of them in open bike parking for any period, I double-lock them.

For my Dutch bike, I just got an Abus Bordo lock, which is heavy but compact and easy to carry (who cares about an extra kilo on a 22-kilo bike?), and I might splurge on another one for my cruiser.

I don't worry too much about the quick-release wheels on my cruiser because I always lock to the frame and I don't think single-wheel theft is very common. Nevertheless, I feel better about my Dutch bike having no quick-releases anywhere.

[darkemeralds]

Also? Nice to see a new post in this community. I've been wracking my brains to come up with something and you beat me to the punch with a really good, informative post.

[alien8]

I'm sorry to say the Bordo isn't that great.. I won't say how people are breaking it, but if you can take it back do. NY-3000 U lock preferred..

See http://www.lfgss.com/thread17938.html for a huge list of good alternatives.

Your rear wheel is valuable (groupset/hub) and here in London it is common for them to go :( YMMV of course :)

[alien8]

:-)

I write for bikehugger.com now and then, I've debated reproducing stuff here but I think I'll just put links on my own page when I do..

[wychwood]

Good video.

I use two D-locks, which are great except that it's not always easy to get the angle to lock the wheel to the frame and the stand at once - usually I lock the back wheel onto the frame and the front wheel to the stand, or vice versa. I don't have quick-release wheels, though.

I'm not sure how good my locks are (...I've seen too many links to those "how to break a Kryptonite lock with a Bic biro" videos), though! There's a bike group where I'm working now that sells discounted Sold Secure locks - I'm thinking about getting one.

How do people transport their locks, talking about weight issues? I keep mine over my handlebars when I'm cycling; they destroyed my last front light bracket, but it's easier than carrying them otherwise (no panniers or back bracket).

[alien8]

I'd advise not putting them on your handlebars - they effect steering a bit much. (my instructor saw someone do it yesterday and they got a telling off!)

to carry try:

http://www.fabrichorse.com/index.php?page=lockholsters
http://www.urbanhunter.biz/shop/catalogue.php?category=Lock%20Holders/Holsters
http://www.missionbicycle.com/store/ulock-holster

:-)

[alien8]

The Kryptonite biro issue was years ago - their whole range has been different for quite a few years. Kryptonite locks are actually my favourites now.

Try and aim for 18mm thick if you can - anything thinner is a lot faster to cut through with angle grinders. (again see See http://www.lfgss.com/thread17938.html for that and more)

[darkemeralds]

Thanks for the tip on the Bordo. I won't take it back (can't, really--been using it), but I will reconsider my idea of buying a second one. The locks recommended in the post you linked are rated for their utility in high-theft areas, and I'd consider spending upwards of $250 for a lock if that were my situation.

Happily, my bikes are secured either at home or in a limited-access garage about 95% of the time when I'm not actually riding them, and the other 5% they're in front of grocery stores where I do double-lock them, or cafes and restaurants where I can see them the whole time, in mostly pretty good neighborhoods.

I decided when I bought my cruiser last summer that I'd take all reasonable precautions against bike theft, but the definition of "reasonable" certainly varies from bike to bike, cyclist to cyclist, and region to region.

[roadrunnertwice]

I like locking a U-lock to my belt and letting it ride on my hip; as long as you cant it heavy-side-up with the loop angled back, it actually doesn't bounce around much. (I tried that handlebar thing for about a week, and the rattling and control issues drove me about nuts. Plus it was pushing all the bowden cables all over the place, which was making my brakes and derailers behave insanely.)

If I'm not wearing a belt, I just purse it, because I haven't found any other sensible solution. (It's a 49cm frame, so basically no dice on those handy-looking mounting brackets.)

[sara]

I carry whatever the highest-grade Kryptonite lock is (in this town, they will not warranty anything lighter!) and bungee it to my rear rack. This mostly works.