fitting a lock on a Kona Dew frame

[lordofthemark]

On my ride on Saturday, I stopped at the Spokes in Vienna. I need a u lock, so looked at them – I had no backpack with me to carry anything, but would have bought if they had been able to attach it to my bike right there. We looked at the one of the smaller OnGuard locks and found it wouldn’t fit in the central diamond unless I ditched my waterbottle cage. Seems the diamond (is that what its called?) is a little tight. Guy at Spokes suggested attaching the lock to the main stem (the thing that supports the seat) but to do that it would have come close to my legs when pedaling, and I didn’t feel comfortable with that.

I realize I could go for a different way to carry water. Or I could carry the lock around in a backpack (but I like avoiding the weight of a backpack when I don’t need it, and it would also mean foregoing the idea of a tiny biking backpack.) Maybe moving the water bottle cage further down would work?

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[vvill]

If the u-lock doesn’t have a bracket that can fit inside the triangle (I’m not a fan of those anyway), and a backpack/rack/pannier are not an option, I would attach it to a cable lock and gunsling it so the u-lock is on my back. I can do it so the u-lock doesn’t move, if I have the cable lock length just right. The cable lock I have has a velcro strap that can be used to change the length.

I wouldn’t recommend a u-lock around the stem or handlebars except for slow, short rides…

[myoglobinologist]

I had a similar issue fitting a small u-lock inside the triangle that had 2 water bottle cages. Mounting on the top bar prevents access to the water bottles, mounting on the back of the seat post has other disadvantages. Mounting to the top of the top bar (so that the lock is directly under and in front of the seat was an option. In the end, I chose this position – with the lock flush with the wheel, pointing backwards.

I rode with the lock like this out to Leesburg and back last weekend, and then down to Mt. Vernon this weekend. It was fine, my legs didn’t brush against the lock at all.

This position might interfere with a pannier but I usually only ride with one bag, on the RH side.

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[KLizotte]

I have the same problem on my Cannondale. Being only 5’2″ my frame is really tiny and offers very little real estate. The problem was resolved by adding a rack and bungee cording the u-lock to it. Since I use the bike to commute and go shopping I would have added a rack anyways. I don’t know what I’ll do if I get a bike just for riding long distances. I really wish I was taller.

Keep an eye out for how other people attach their locks. I’ve seen some interesting brackets/configurations. Unfortunately, my Cannondale doesn’t feature nice round tubes anywhere; the entire frame is composed of triangular and weird shape tubing. Sigh.

You may want to consider adding water holders that attach to the back of the saddle and putting the u-lock where your water bottle is now. Not sure if that means you give up a saddle bag or not; others may wish to chime in here.

[Colin B]

I’ve got a smallish kryptonite lock that fits perfectly in the Velo Orange Croissant bag (http://store.velo-orange.com/index.php/vo-crossaint-saddle-bag.html), along with a clif bar and a small 1st aid kit. The buckle closure is a little more fiddly than those u-lock mounting brackets, but the upside is that the lock doesn’t rattle at all.

[lordofthemark]

I guess the obvious long term solution is adding a rack, which I need to do anyway for commuting and errands. But I wanted to get the lock first, since right now I am constrained on weekend rides going without a lock. I could take the cable lock off the MTB, but I’d rather not do that. I guess I will need to ride with a backpack for a while.

[Author]

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