Hot answers tagged lock
20
Some years ago, Bicycling magazine did a shootout on available locks and the Kryptonite "New York Chain" came out on top. Unfortunately, it weighs more than many bikes and is not easy to carry either.
Fine if you can leave it where you lock your bike.
I'm with the police department at a major university, and we have a program through Kryptonite where we ...
16
It is all subjective, but I would say that a public place is better (as I have previously answered to a similar question).
Most bike thefts are opportunistic; unless you've got an especially desirable bike the theft is not about your bike, it's about stealing any bike. So the key is to reducing the opportunity to steal your bike:
as you point out, ...
15
get the kryptonite fahgettaboutit - as small as possible. http://www.amazon.com/Kryptonite-Fahgettaboutit-Bicycle-U-Lock-6-Inch/dp/B000OZ9VLU
best lock out there, I don't think you could cut it with bolt cutters, you would need a hydraulic jack (the main reason to go for a smaller lock, so there is no room for the jack), or a disc grinder to get thru it.
11
Is it a cable lock like in the image? If so, bolt cutters. You'll be surprised and dismayed to see how easily you can cut a cable lock with a set of bolt cutters (maybe enough to invest in a better quality lock?) They're cheap, easy to find, and will get through most wire cable and some chain (depending on hardness.) They're also the go-to for most bike ...
10
In the end it might matter more WHO is around the rack (policemen, guards, janitors, public workers, parking lot workers, hot-dog stand owners, etc.) than HOW MANY people.
I'd rather, when available, leave my bike under one lonely ever-present alert pair of eyes than in a crowd of anonymous passers-by.
9
For frequent use, I think it is hard to beat a lock that is built into the bike, e.g. the Axa Defender that is fixed to the fame of the bike and then locks the wheel; it also has a cable that you can use to lock the bike to the bake stand. It’s great for a lock on a “everyday” bike, as you can’t forget to take it with you.
8
A trick that couriers use around my area is to carry the key on a rubber band around their wrist - no more fumbling around in the pockets for a key. I find that a lock that you can wear across your chest like a bandolier is most convenient for carrying around. There are a number of chain locks around in this length that have a plastic tube over the chain to ...
8
Ideas:
If you still have any of the original paperwork or packaging, look for a lock code/number, you might be able to order replacement keys.
Take it to a bike shop and ask. They might have the right tools. They likely do this every once in a while
A machine shop is sure to have tools capable of doing this
The local police department will have the tools ...
8
Perhaps you might swap your current quick-release skewers by one of the many "anti-theft" alternatives (listed in my perceived order of security):
Pitlock (www.pitlock.com): these require a special shaped key to open. You carry the keys with you, and no thief could take the wheel. Neither yourself if you lose the damn key;
Velo Orange anti-theft skewers: a ...
8
I've seen videos showing people stealing bikes amidst a crowd of onlookers while no one intervenes. Locking in a crowded place isn't necessarily going to save your bike. On the other hand, lots of bikes are stolen from locked garages.
I'm not aware of any statistics about what storage method is safer. I've never had a bike stolen, but from what I've heard ...
7
I've mounted lights with similar clamps on carbon forks with no ill effect (just have to be very careful not to over-tighten the clamp) but a lock -- which is heavy -- might put a too much torque on such a small clamp. Maybe if you could spread out the area over which the clamp attaches to the frame then it might be ok.
What about attaching the U-lock ...
7
I've got this one.
http://www.abus-bordo.com/html_en/bikelock_bordo_lite.html
It's heavy, but very strong. Unlike U-locks, it is easy to carry on the bike.
Update : video showing operation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57zc9kregqs&feature=related
Pretty simple : unfold like an accordion, wrap around frame, front wheel, and some "urban furniture", ...
7
You can follow the advice in this thread to get your lock off, although my guess is that the lock was either damaged from washing it or water has frozen inside the lock.
Once you get it off, if the lock is damaged, Kryptonite has a lifetime warrantee on their locks. I'd call them up and ask if they'll replace it.
7
I think ABUS is one of the most respectable, perhaps THE most respectable bike-lock manufacturer around. They have even some numbered levels of protection, the higher the level the higher the protection, even agains powertools (because of special steel alloys, and such).
They have some combination padlocks, which seem very interesting. Take a look at these ...
6
I'd recommend kryptonite. The Evolution Mini is used by a number of my friends (messengers) and they use it many times in a day. Keeps things secure and it's small. If you want a bit more flexibility in what you can attach to then go for a larger sized one.
https://www.kryptonitelock.com/products/list.aspx?cid=1001&scid=1000
6
It seems like you have 2 basic choices: (1) remove the key from the lock and unlock it with a backup copy of the key, (2) defeat the lock. Option #2 is an awful lot like asking how to steal a bike... Also, option #2 really depends a lot on the specifics of your lock.
Lubricate the lock
If there's anything sticking out, try grasping it with needlenose ...
6
Whether a bike has a kickstand is really a personal decision, but what the frame is made of is important. If you're not concerned with scratching the frame, and the frame is reasonable sturdy, then get yourself a kickstand; it'll make the bike more usable, and that's what's important. (I wouldn't attach a kickstand to, say, a carbon frame or a bike with a ...
6
I figured out a way to do it which was actually fairly easy. This only worked because it was in my garage, trying to steal someone's bike like this would be crazy...
I took a hammer, and pounded on the bar. The first thing that happened was the plastic broke away. I kept pounding on it, until the lock just fell apart. It took about a minute...
Note to ...
6
Have you tried one of these?
http://www.treefortbikes.com/product/333222381361/144/Abus-Bordo-85cm-Granit-X.html?gclid=COPRr6H2prQCFQtxQgodRSYA5g
Feed it through the wheel, through the chain, and back over your frame. No self respecting thief would take the time to try and untangle it without being caught.
6
You could get some Pitlocks or other secured skewers, and then use a standard U-Lock/Folding lock on your rear stays. I'm not sure if Pitlocks fit a recumbant properly or if you want to trust your entire bike to them (rather than just the wheels) but it would probably be OK. Also, you could use a U-Lock between the seat and the front fork (possibly with ...
5
Honestly, I must say that there is no such thing. Sometimes you can find a U-lock used on Craigslist or similar websites and you might get a better deal. Otherwise, $30 is below bottom-of-the-ladder for U-locks.
And think about it. What are you paying for with that 30-50-even $90? It's a one-installment insurance policy on your bicycle. I would suggest ...
5
Do you mean something like this from PacSafe it's got a secure steel mesh inside:
I remember using one of their bigger backpack bags when travelling to New Zealand a few years ago, and the only complaints I had were from the TSA when we went through the US.
Alternatively if you have a rack on the back, then it may be possible to attach a lockable box to ...
5
What every you do, make sure you got good ID with you and be nice to the police if they give you a visit while you are trying to remove the lock.
If you have other keys, be very carefully not to damage the lock, otherwise a lock smith will find it harder to get out the broken key, otherwise,
Sorry, any good lock should not be easy to defeat, if the cost of ...
5
I like the Axa Defender that is fixed to the fame of the bike and then locks the wheel; it also has a cable that you can use to lock the bike to the bike stand. It’s great for a lock on a “everyday” bike, as you can’t forget to take it with you.
As they are not common in the UK, most people don’t know how to defeat them.
As always best to combine ...
5
Get some "Creep" or other penetrating oil (ask at Home Depot or Lowes and they'll point you right to it). This is similar to WD-40 but it foams a bit and seeps in everywhere. Apply liberally both at both ends where the U plugs into the bar as well as where the key fits in (key may turn without the tumblers moving completely).
This will likely loosen things ...
5
Is this link any use? This ex-bike-thief basically says to lock your bike the busier the better.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/green-living-blog/2010/sep/13/bike-thief-stolen-tips
As I have posted on here previously, I think if someone decides they are going to go out of their way to steal your bike, I'm not sure you'll be able to stop them. But ...
5
The lightest lock I have found which I see as "strong enough" is the Abus 401 d-lock, which weighs in at approximately 1kg. Might that be light enough for you?
Now, when I say "strong enough", what I actually mean is that this lock has a "Sold Secure Gold" rating - this is a scheme used by the UK insurance industry, which basically means that if I attach my ...
4
Take a look here for a nice bike lock guide, and make sure you browse the comments, there are some good info there as well.
Also, there is this little trick my friend does... he has a good U-Lock but, he also uses a cheap chain lock. His reasoning is that the thief usually carries one specialized tool and would probably skip his bike, because it would ...
4
A simple solution to part of your question -- that of scratching up your bike while removing the chain: I used to have a chain lock with a plastic sleeve, to prevent just this. You could probably find a similar sleeve in any hardware store, just use some inexpensive transparent tubing.
4
The website is really quite ropey: it doesn't use https either, and doesn't have key# validation. In the end I just registered it as four separate keys to cover each possibility:
SSXXXXX
LXXXX
SSXXXXX LXXXX
LXXXX SSXXXXX
It accepted those fine. But then I checked the page where you order replacements, and this page has a prefix dropdown containing SS ...
Only top voted, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible
