Bike Locks

Hi,

I would checkout the squire shackle locks.
The squire urban protector/paramount locks seem to be best value for money on the market.

Be careful though there are alot of makers of bicycle locks that simply are not up to the job.
I've used squire locks for years and found them to be very good.
Even better, use two locks for extra security.

Ultimately though, no lock will take on a cordless grinder if they are a determined theif, so where you lock the bike can be just as important.

regards

I have a friend who used to chain his motorbike to a lamppost outside his flat. One day he came home to find the lamppost gone. His bike was untouched.

The descision with cycle locks is not so much the degree of security, but how much weight you are willing to carry.
I am fortunate that while at work my bike stays in my building (blocking a fire exit). So, when out and about, I rarely leave my bike in the same place twice and never for more than an hour. As a result, I have got away with a simple braided wire cable and standard Yale padlock for fifteen years without a theft. Forgive the willy-waving, but expensive bikes too (>2K).
If I was leaving the bike outdoors, all day every day, in the same place (i.e. in London) I would use a top of the range Squire U-lock and chain, but leave these weighty items at the parking place when not in use. Trying to carry really thief-proof locks with you will get you down.

A friend of mine caught a fellow trying to break into his shed to steal his bike ...just as this fellow was about to hop on the bike and take off he was caught....and draged off to the nearest parking meter where the thief was locked by the neck to it.
It was a "U" lock ,seems to have done the trick.

You end up with a desirable lightweight bike with detachable this and that - all inadequately locked together with a device weighing more than you any weight savings on your bike.

I rode a Raleigh 3 speed (with wicker basket and luxuriously sprung Brookes saddle) for several theft-free years. When I replaced it with my dream touring bike I ended up a neurotic mess.

If you have expensive bikes, I would have taken my bikes with me inside.

Abus makes great locks. Their Steel-O-Flex Granit 1000 is solid, but quite pricy. About £80 here.

A timely thread. Yesterday I popped in to a 2nd hand record shop in Essex Rd Islington. I left my bike outside locked up properly to a thick railing with a u lock (15 quid from Halfords 3 years ago). When I came out 40 minutes later I HAD TROUBLE OPENING the U LOCK AS IT WAS BENT. Succeeded after a minute or two. BIKE OK but LOCK KNACKERED.

So I guess this means that someone tried to pinch my bike and the lock was just the right side of being good engough.

DOES THAT SOUND RIGHT?

Fortunately I mainly use my bike to cycle to work and leave it inside, pretty much in my department. But I guess it means another trip to my local bike shop and spend more money, at least 20 quid I presume.

Abus and Kryptonite both make good U-locks. I combine this with a steel cable. The U-lock goes through the frame, a wheel as well if possible and around a solid railing, bike stand etc. Both ends of the cable are attached to the U-lock and pass through any other removable components (saddle, front wheel etc).

This is in Oxford where cycle theft is quite common.

quote:

Originally posted by kevinrt:
Abus and Kryptonite both make good U-locks.

You just have to make sure you don't get the ones with the barrel lock that can be opened with the biro tube !

I had a nice new green Brompton folder that I left locked to a railing in Tottenham Court Rd, with what I thought was a fairly solid plastic covered cable lock. when I came out of the shop no more that 90 seconds later, the bike was gone, and the lock left on the pavement, cut clean through. Any number of people standing round and walking by, but no one saw a thing. The more locks you use the better chance you have, but in reality, you don't have much chance if someone wants your bike.

You're right Diode. You just hope that if your bike looks fairly secure, the thief will move onto an easier looking target.

A Magnum UL1 D-Lock is a serious security lock, at a proper price aswell, £29.99 - sold secure approved and comes with 5 keys.

Just purchased a brand new Ridgeback Switch Storm 2007 (lovely bike).
Two Magnum UL1 D-Locks to nail this one down... well you have to in this innercity these days.
Dosen't help the bike being blue mind, living in pompey with the blue army an all that. fourth time lucky

Whatever you get, make sure it secures not only the bike but both wheels also.

I once parked my bike at a railway station using a simple chain and combination lock through the frame and front wheel. When I returned, the bike and front wheel were there but the back wheel was gone.

Replacement cost: wheel, innertube, tyre, gear cassette.

quote:

Originally posted by Nigel Cavendish:
Whatever you get, make sure it secures not only the bike but both wheels also.

I once parked my bike at a railway station using a simple chain and combination lock through the frame and front wheel. When I returned, the bike and front wheel were there but the back wheel was gone.

Replacement cost: wheel, innertube, tyre, gear cassette.

Same thing happened to me with my saracen, new back wheel with all the trimmings £120. You can see why they go for the back wheels!

On the new bike i took away the quick release spindles and replaced them with Torx bolt ones.

regards

Look at the question differently . . . I believe most bike locks are a victory of marketing over substance.

Personally I use a length of plastic covered hardened steel chain (from Homebase) and a damned good weatherproof padlock for £30. I'm confident this is a much more secure option than any U-lock.

Weight is of course the downside

D