Locking your bike and keeping it safe, especially from being stolen.
23
votes
15answers
2k views
Locking your bike in public areas
I recently saw a small clip about how to securely lock your bike.
I was wondering what are your tips for minimizing the chances of getting your bike stolen.
...
22
votes
8answers
1k views
Best bike lock
I recently lost the keys to my lock and had to borrow a bolt cutter to free my bike. It was a bit of an eye opener to realise a) just how easy it was for the bolt cutters to cut through my D Lock ...
17
votes
6answers
820 views
Lock my bicycle on busy or quiet places?
When I lock my bicycle I try to lock it on quiet spots, usually on street racks situated on secondary streets.
I think it will be less visible so it will attract less looks. On the other hand, if a ...
13
votes
5answers
1k views
How can I protect components from being stolen off my bike?
I had my bike locked up properly so that the frame and wheels were secure, but somebody stole the 8 speed and handlebars off of my bike. I don't understand how this can have more than a $10 resale ...
12
votes
5answers
661 views
Suggestions for outdoor commercial (security/parking) stands
I'm looking for suggestions for space efficient stands for parking multiple bikes.
A sports club (not cycling) for which I sit on the committee is looking to solve a bit of a problem. At the moment ...
11
votes
4answers
916 views
Evidence on “Uglify Your Bike: Effective Theft Deterrent?”
Does anyone have any evidence that uglyfying does or does not work as a theft deterrent? It doesn't have to be scientific: even anecdotal evidence helps (and maybe well-founded opinions)?
This ...
11
votes
10answers
6k views
Protecting quick-release seats and wheels from theft
I have to say I am not a fan of quick-release, especially for seats. I do not need to raise and lower my seat nearly enough (almost never) to justify the annoyance of having to take my seat with me or ...
11
votes
4answers
738 views
Deterrents against partial (component) theft
Big question: Is there any way to increase the security of bolted on portions of a bicycle?
Specifics: I cycle as my primary mode of transport (in East London) on a early 90s steel road bike with ...
10
votes
7answers
4k views
What is the best bicycle lock on the market?
What is the best bicycle lock on the market, defined by:
Best security
Easiest usability when securing your bike
Easiest method of transport
Lightest without other compromises
Edit:
In addition, ...
10
votes
5answers
386 views
Lock for extremely frequent use
Are there lock products out there specifically designed for easy handling when locked unlocked dozens of times a day?
I'm using a normal, chain-based lock at the moment and I'm annoyed because
I'm ...
10
votes
7answers
545 views
Theft deterrents (in addition to locking up a bike)
Besides locking a bike up properly, are there other deterrents against theft (such as engraving) that make a bicycle less attractive to a potential bike thief?
UPDATE
It was stolen. :-(
10
votes
4answers
989 views
Affordable security nuts and bolts
I don't ride particularly fancy bikes, but I do ride in New York City, so I'm interested in securing the components on my bikes without using a ton of locks. Most security bolts products cost a bunch ...
9
votes
8answers
5k views
How can I keep my bike safe in my garage?
I just got a brand new bike. I keep it in the garage, but my wife has a habit of leaving the garage door up. Right now, there's nothing in my garage that I can really lock the bike to.
How can I ...
8
votes
5answers
970 views
Reduce Resale Value to Avoid Theft? (Uglify)
"Uglify your bike" was mentioned here as a theft deterrent.
I have a 20102009 Canondale F3 and I'm thinking about locking it up in Manhattan from time to time. I think that Uglifying will help.
...
8
votes
2answers
781 views
Are public bicycle rack providers liable if your bicycle is stolen from their rack?
My bicycle was insured and locked to a leisure centre provided bicycle rack while I was in the leisure centre and was stolen by the time I came out. I was later informed that someone else had their ...
8
votes
2answers
829 views
Installing a lock mount on a carbon fiber frame
Let's ignore the question, for a moment, of should I install a lock mount on my new TCR Advanced. But assume that I want to.
Given that the frame is carbon fiber, should I be worried about the ...
7
votes
4answers
404 views
Flying with your bike
I am going away on a cycling holiday to the Alps and need to take my bike on the plane with me. Has anyone had experience taking bikes on planes and how did you protect your bike?
Can anyone ...
7
votes
3answers
278 views
Are bicycle registration websites any use for recovering stolen bikes?
Ther are quite a few bicycle registration websites aimed to help you recover your bike if it is stolen, such as Bike Shepherd, Bike Register and MyBikeNumber. I'm curious if these sites are of any ...
6
votes
6answers
2k views
Ever seen a locking bag that could be locked to the bike?
This might take a little explaining.
I've got stuff on my bike that removes easily and could be stolen: head light, tail light, cyclometer. If I'm riding to a concert or something, I don't want to ...
5
votes
5answers
2k views
What's a good bike lock that costs less than $30?
I already have the cable cable kind with the combination lock. It just seems cheap and easy to break into. Is that sufficient or are the U shaped ones better?
5
votes
5answers
3k views
Kick-stand on a commuter bike?
If I get this commuter bike, should it have a kick-stand?
One LBS said "no": they explained that stands are difficult to attach, weigh a bit, don't stay on well, and/or scratch the frame.
I've never ...
4
votes
3answers
926 views
Bike lock for a Mountain bike with easily removable wheels
I have a Trek 3500 that I need to lock up when I ride city trails, but I have been nervous as both of the wheels are incredibly easy to remove (flip a switch, rotate a lever a few times and they ...
4
votes
1answer
864 views
Onguard U-lock jammed
I'm currently trying to unlock my bike that has been sitting on my porch for a while, the key works and turns, and I can hear the lock engaging/disengaging, however I cannot get the shackle to come ...
4
votes
2answers
389 views
Securing a bike trailer
My wife and I just purchased bikes for ourselves and a CoPilot Model A trailer for our 2-year-old. We can lock up our bikes fairly easily, but the trailer leaves us a bit lost. Everything on the ...
3
votes
4answers
2k views
what is the most secure bicycle combination lock?
Which bicycle lock that is a combination lock (with a code instead of keys) is the most secure device available on the market?
Of course everything can be broken, and its only a matter of time, but ...
3
votes
4answers
159 views
bike racks for outdoor use at a school
We're looking for some bike racks for our school, but we're unsure as to the styles of bike racks and what's best. What features should we be looking for? Are there styles of racks that work well for ...
3
votes
2answers
1k views
GPS bike tracking (locks)
I have seen a few GPS devices either in the backlight or unside the seat tube which you can track if you lose your bike (your bike gets stolen).
What do you think about this stuff. Is it worth the ...
3
votes
2answers
160 views
Is there a lock rating system in the US?
There are several questions already about what's the best bike lock. I'm just looking for information on lock rating systems. I've found a couple rating systems in countries like UK (Sold Secure) and ...
3
votes
1answer
105 views
Can a chain-lock be better against cutting than a U-lock?
I'm looking for a bike lock and, in 2013, Kryptonite have a new lock, the Evolution Series 4 Mini Chain:
The chain is quoted as being only 55 cm long, and 10 mm thick.
Is the blue mark below a ...
3
votes
2answers
315 views
Are there any locking options that lock the drive train of a bicycle?
I've been looking into the different kind of locks available, and came upon this short documentary about bike thefts in London. Seems that just about any lock on the market can be easily beaten by a ...
3
votes
1answer
203 views
electronic security tags
Are electronic security tags (e.g. Immobitag, Datatag) a good idea? Are the stickers likely to deter theft and does the electronic tag increase the chances of recovery in the event of theft?
2
votes
2answers
3k views
When registering keys, which number is the Kryptonite key#?
I've just bought a new Kryptonite lock and am about to register the keys at www.kryptonitelock.com, but which number do I enter in the Key# box? Both? The keys each have two numbers, one LXXXX and one ...
2
votes
3answers
252 views
Can racks cause damage to a bike?
Reading this question about the best way to lift a bike on to a pictured rack, it struck me that I'd be less worried about how to lift the bike than the potential for damage by hanging the bike from ...
1
vote
3answers
324 views
Are Allen key or Security Key skewers appropriate for bikes with rear facing horizontal dropouts
I have a surly karate monkey set up as a single speed. The frame has rear facing horizontal dropouts (track style).
I don't like quick releases due to potential theft when locking up my bike.
Are ...
1
vote
2answers
2k views
Are all skewers compatible with all bikes?
I'm switching from a 1999 Rock Hopper mountain bike to a new Jamis Aurora road bike. I want to move my cheapy security skewers over to the new bike, but they look a bit different from the skewers the ...
1
vote
1answer
80 views
How do I secure a new bike outside my apartment?
Alright -- this question isn't so much about locking up a bicycle.
What are effective, practical ways to securely keep a bike, especially if you can't take it inside?
Some points or ideas that would ...
1
vote
5answers
497 views
What's a good second lock option for around the frame and wheel?
I've seen a few people, specially bike messengers that use a main lock to secure their bike to a post/fence/etc. but also have a second smaller one to lock the other wheel around the frame.
Which is ...
1
vote
4answers
357 views
Non U-Lock that can be mounted for carrying?
I recently moved away from NYC to the suburbs. In NYC, I always locked up my bike with the New York Lock, which is a super heavy duty U-Lock. With a plethora of signs and parking meters, NYC works ...
-2
votes
2answers
143 views
keyed (locking) skewers and seat bolts: recommendations? [duplicate]
I know nothing is thief proof, but some systems are more of a deterrent than others. Looking for recommendations for good systems. Perhaps more importantly I'd like to hear about systems found to be ...
