Lock for extremely frequent use

Question

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 doing constant slight damage to the frame when removing the lock from the bicycle

• I need to carry a key at all times, fumble it from my pocket when it's time to go (often in a thankless, noisy, roadside environment), and fumble the lock back onto the bicycle

Are there any solutions out there that make frequent use as painless, and still as secure, as possible? I'm thinking about something that works like a remote-controlled car door lock. It should, however, still be possible to attach the bike to an object to prevent it from getting carried away.

Related: best bike lock

Answer 1

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 prevent scratches.

Answer 2

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 bike stand. It’s great for a lock on a “everyday” bike, as you can’t forget to take it with you.

Answer 3

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

Answer 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.

Answer 5

I worked as a courier in Toronto for a few years (and some other cities). In my experience, the best lock has been something of good heft and quality from Master Lock & a length of thick chain from the hardware store that is long enough to wrap around your waist while riding. They make some nice steel & brass ones with combinations instead of keys, if you're not too keen on a key—with the bonus of being pretty corrosion/oxidation resistant.

If a chain is long enough to wrap around your waist like a belt, it's usually long enough to loop around your frame, wheel set, and something sturdy to anchor on.

Your bike won't be going anywhere & it will only set you back about $15.

Answer 6

I would like to know the answer as well.

I currently use Kryptonite Evolution Mini 5, but it's crap.

The constant vibration of riding with 28-32mm tires pumped to 6-7 bar and riding across curbs at full speed means that the lock rattles a lot. In fact, it rattles so much that the rattling causes the mechanism to wear early. I have a lock with only 10000 km of use, which has the lock mechanism failing already. The lock fortunately unlocks with ease, but locking it again requires bending the key in a certain manner, otherwise the mechanism refuses to lock.

Otherwise, Kryptonite Evolution Mini 5 is ideal. It's small and lightweight, yet made of thick steel because it is so small that it can use thick steel without being excessively heavy. It's still large enough that you can lock using Sheldon Brown's lock strategy, assuming your bike has normal sized tires (up to 40mm or so). The steel is covered by some kind of rubber which means it doesn't damage your paint. It fits easily into the unfortunate trend of having a sloping top tube, which reduces the amount of space in the main triangle for carrying lock.

A second Kryptonite Evolution Mini 5 failed in about 200 km, in this manner so apparently I'm not the only one that observes a rotation failure of the lock cylinder.

Also, Kryptonite Evolution Mini 5 is easy to pick, just see LockPickingLawyer's channel on YouTube. However, picking it requires specialized tools. I think collaborating with Abloy to make a lock resistant against picking would be a good idea, but Kryptonite refuses to understand how important it's to make locks that can't be picked easily.

For frequent use, I think the main problem is going to be vibration. Riding 10000 km can damage any lock, unless the internals are made of very high quality steel.