Bike Locks

[Tyrbolift]

Gonna start riding my mountain bike to the gym. They have a bike rack by the front door and people go in and out a lot. I know those tumbler locks suck. I have a key padlock. Do you think a good chain would be alright? Do you know if they still sell chains encased in that clear plastic?

It has a quick release seat post. I already know to remove that. Reps for help...

[ZeonFlux]

no

get a kryptonite

[Chipman]

My bike is a cheap one but I only use Krypotonite to lock it up. It is not gonna save it if you leave it over night but for a few hours at the gym. It's safe.

[Points]

no

get a kryptonite

if you do, be sure to get one of the newer ones that cannot be picked with a bic pen.

Anyway, any lock can be defeated, you just want to make it hard enough so people won't try. A std u lock thru the frame and front wheel will deter most opportunistic theives in lower crime areas. Obviously a routine will give thieves time to plan, and a sweet bike makes work to steal more worthwhile.

If you're going to the gym during daylight in a decently trafficed area, a chain and lock are probably fine with a non-expensive bike.

[Tyrbolift]

How much is a kryptonite?

[PennState]

The best way not to get your bike stolen from the rack is to get the ****tiest bike you can find. Go get a crap ass walmart special and a cheap-o lock and use that for around campus. Its a vehicle to get some place, it doesn't need to preform the best, just get you from point A to point B. Don't take the good mtn bike out and about. Mine personally never leaves my site if it isn't securely locked away in my living space.

I ride around an old pugeot road bike frame converted to a single speed around campus. Its fast, cheap, and won't get stolen. I leave the good mtn bikes at home, they are only for trail use.


EDIT: If you do get a bike lock for the good bike, get a Krytonite one, if you buy it new it will be impervious to the bic pen thing. And if you have an old one, Kryptonite will replace it for you.

[beefstuinit]

DONT leave a nice bike on campus.

even if they cant undo your lock and get the frame, they'll strip of your expensive wheels, derauliers, shocks, etc etc etc. back in the dorms there was this VERY nice kona frame attached to the bike rack by this hellaciously beefy krpyonite new york chain. there was no way they were getting that frame out.... but they got everything else, stripped completely.

I use my old mountain bike thats a size to small for me now. its an REI special kind of deal, its decent, its quick, i can hop curbs etc, but its only worth like 250 bucks now.

anyway, since ****ers will steal anything i went for a chain lock:


bike theives arent looking to sit there and pick a lock, they want something they can take bolt cutters to and be on there way in 2 seconds flat.

a chain lock is cheap and takes care of that problem nicely.

[skeletore84]

Proper Lock-Up Tips for Bicycles




Always lock your bike, especially at home (even in the garage, apartment building or college dorm).


Lock to a fixed, immovable object like a parking meter or permanent bike rack. Be careful not to lock to items that can be easily cut, broken or removed. Be careful that your bike cannot be lifted over the top of the object to which it is locked.


Lock in a visible and well-lit area.


Lock in a location where there are other bikes. The chances are better that there will be a bike with a less secure lock than yours. Thieves will usually go for the easiest target.


When using a U-lock, position your bike frame and wheels so that you fill or take up as much of the open space within the U-portion of the lock as possible. The tighter the lock up, the harder it is for a thief to use tools to attack your lock.


Always position a U-lock so that the keyway is facing down towards the ground. Don't position the lock close to the ground. This makes it easier for a thief to attack it.


Always secure your components and accessories, especially quick-release components, with a secondary cable lock.


Don't lock your bike to itself (the front wheel locked to frame). It can be easily lifted and carried away.


Don't lock in the same location all the time. A thief may notice the pattern and target your bike.


Don't lock to anything posted illegal. Check with area law enforcement agencies for local bike parking regulations.


Always check your lock before leaving your bike to be sure you have secured it properly.


For the greatest theft deterrence, use two locks such as a U-lock and a locking cable. The longer it takes a thief to get through your bike security, the less likely your bike will be stolen.


Always remeber to secure the wheels along with the frame. If you don't then you could be missing a wheel or 2.

See the pics below.