Bike Lock Recommendations

[jrenaut]

Cables are nice for securing your wheels while a u-lock secures your frame. Using a cable only is pretty much the same as leaving the bike unlocked.

[bobco85]

^^^Agree completely^^^

I was a victim of bike theft a couple of years ago when I was using only a cable lock, so I recommend having more than just that.

Since then, I use and recommend a combination of a u-lock with a cable (OnGuard Bulldog u-lock with Kryptonite KryptoFlex double loop cable) so that the frame and both wheels are secure.

[Dickie]

A good quality U-lock is worth the investment, I use a Kryptonite New York Standard and my wife uses a Kryptonite Evolution 4. We also have the luxury of owning our own businesses so our bikes are usually in our offices, thus rarely locked up outside for long (dinners, shopping, coffee, bars, etc.) If a thief wants a bike they will find a way to get it no matter how well locked it is…. so the best deterrent is not leaving a bike out of your site for long, learn the best methods on how to lock-up your bike (lots of info on-line… I use the Sheldon Brown method), Don’t follow a pattern of locking your bike up in the same location at the same time every day, and buy the best lock you can afford….. weight is an issue, so too is finding a way to carry the lock… but it’s way better than walking home in cleats.

[Harry Meatmotor]

A good alternative to consider, too:

http://www.abus.com/us/Recreational-Security/Bike-Safety-and-Security/Locks/Folding-locks

The 6500 Granit, though a bit pricey, is top-notch.

[jrenaut]

I have an Abus for the cargo bike because it frequently doesn’t fit as closely to the rack as a smaller bike might and the u-lock i had wasn’t big enough. So far I’m reasonably happy, though I’ve barely had it a month.

[TwoWheelsDC]

@Harry Meatmotor 90878 wrote:

A good alternative to consider, too:

http://www.abus.com/us/Recreational-Security/Bike-Safety-and-Security/Locks/Folding-locks

The 6500 Granit, though a bit pricey, is top-notch.

Love mine. Although they generally aren’t rated as high, security-wise, as U-locks, the folding locks are much easier to carry around in a backpack or messenger bag, and are sufficiently secure for short-term lockups in most areas around here.

[vvill]

Keep in mind that there are always going to be ways to defeat a lock. I’ll bring different locks and bikes depending on how long I’m locking up, and location. A rusty old MTB with two u-locks is generally going to look less attractive to a thief than other bikes, but in most of the areas I lock up, a u-lock + cable is fine for the bikes I own.

[Emm]

When I bought my bike, this is the lock that the Arlington County police recommended when I asked. Similar to the on guard one mentioned above–its a u lock for the back wheel and frame, and cable which goes around the front wheel.

http://smile.amazon.com/Kryptonite-Kryptolok-Standard-Bicycle-FlexFrame/dp/B005YPK8G2/ref=sr_1_fkmr2_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1406124538&sr=8-1-fkmr2&keywords=onguard+bulldog+u-lock+with+kryptonite+kryptoflex+double+loop+cable

Downfall–it’s really heavy. I leave it at work since carrying it home every night would be miserable. They make a mini one too which I guess is even better since it eliminates space for the tools that are used to break a ulock, but I couldn’t fit that around the back wheel, frame, and thick bike rack at work, so I didn’t get it.

[Steve]

I’d also add that depending on the reason you want the lock, you might want to get two of them. Because my primary need for a lock is commuting, I leave my u-lock on the rack at work. That way, I don’t have to carry it with me every day (as I keep my bike inside at home). I have the benefit of it not really being a public rack, more just in front of our building, and so leaving it isn’t a big deal. It’s nice then to have an extra lock around the house in case you run out for quick errands.

[Geoff]

I use a cable plus U-lock on my commuter.

While I prefer a combination lock so I don’t have to worry about losing or forgetting the key, apparently combinations locks are easy to “hack”. I have found “how to” videos for cracking combination locks on cable locks and on Master locks; haven’t found one for combination U-locks but I won’t bet my bike that such techniques don’t exist.

[Harry Meatmotor]

@Steve 90893 wrote:

I’d also add that depending on the reason you want the lock, you might want to get two of them. Because my primary need for a lock is commuting, I leave my u-lock on the rack at work. That way, I don’t have to carry it with me every day (as I keep my bike inside at home). I have the benefit of it not really being a public rack, more just in front of our building, and so leaving it isn’t a big deal. It’s nice then to have an extra lock around the house in case you run out for quick errands.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^
This.

Depending on where you’re riding to, and if it’s a regular destination, definitely scope out parking garages. Many have racks within eye sight of the attendants. Some even have racks that are fenced in and require a key (from the garage operators) and a deposit for use. I regularly keep one U-lock on the rack at work, and one on the rack at home.

[cvcalhoun]

When my bike got stolen many years ago, the police officer who took the report recommended using two different types of locks (e.g., U lock and cable lock). He said that any lock can be hacked. (In the case of U locks, they use liquid nitrogen to freeze the lock until it becomes brittle, then tap it with a hammer.) However, most thieves come prepared to deal with only one type of lock. Thus, if you have two different types, they are likely to give up and find another bike with just the one type they have the tools for.

Or as my wife puts it, “You don’t have to outrun the dragon. You just have to outrun the dragon’s slowest prey.”

[mstone]

The threat model is also important. I regularly use a cable lock when I’m with the kids or running errands. It’s a suburban area, theft rates are low, we’re not going to be out of sight long, and it’s infinitely more convenient to wrap a cable around all the bikes than u-lock them individually. But I’m mostly worried about someone opportunistically running off with a bike, not a determined thief. If I were parking downtown out of sight all day, I’d put more effort into the locking.

[Emm]

@Harry Meatmotor 90896 wrote:

=
Depending on where you’re riding to, and if it’s a regular destination, definitely scope out parking garages. Many have racks within eye sight of the attendants. Some even have racks that are fenced in and require a key (from the garage operators) and a deposit for use. I regularly keep one U-lock on the rack at work, and one on the rack at home.

There’s a few parking garages in SW DC somewhat close to the national mall that are free to park bikes in, have attendants close to the bikes, and cameras everywhere. No fenced in areas, but the cameras are actively monitored…so much so that one time when I was struggling to unlock my ulock an attendant came out to see if I was stealing my bike. If you’re in SW DC, I can give you the locations.

[Terpfan]

I just use a u-lock. I can see it locked outside of my office window all day so I just lock the frame. But when I’m elsewhere on errands, I’ll ulock the front wheel and frame. If I’m somewhere like a tailgate and won’t be there for 7-8 hours then I’ll ulock and cable it.

They can break into u-locks fairly easily with method mentioned above. But most crime is about opportunity and so each added step helps to reduce the risk of theft. Even unwinding the cable through the tires and bike is going to take 5-10 seconds. Add that to freezing/breaking u-lock for another 15-20 seconds and suddenly you’re looking at a 30 second job that’s loud and involves some very obvious movements.

[Author]

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