Locks

Hello,

 

Given the investment in ebikes and the potential for theft, I am looking at suitable security for my bike.

 

I didn’t see anything specific in the forum, but I would be surprised if it hasn’t been discussed. Is it worthy of its own sticky or section somewhere?

 

I did find this interesting you tube article. It is in German, but easy to follow and does give an easy to follow evaluation and recommendation.

 

Here's one recent thread:

 

http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/what-d-lock-would-you-recommend.29493/

 

Also with a video:

Edited November 26, 20178 yr by signwave

In the video, the guy has superior tools to what the average opportunist bike thief has. They're more representative of what somebody would use for a planned theft, i.e. they know where your bike is and what lock you have.

 

You have to consider all aspects of the risk of leaving your bike unattended: Who's about that's likely to steal it; what tools they're likely to have; what you can lock your bike to and how; how long your bike will be unattended; etc. Then, you need to balance that against the convenience of carrying the lock, in particular the weight, and the cost of the lock.

 

Don't forget that it's not just the bike that gets nicked. Wheels and saddles are common. I know of one guy that came back to find that his nice hydraulic brakes were gone.

This seams a good price for a reasonable lock

https://www.rutlandcycling.com/accessories/locks/kryptonite-kryptolok-series-2-d-lock-and-1-2m-flex-cable_109243

My bike is Krypton locked to the wall in my garage whenever I'm not riding it

The problem with shackle locks is that you can't always find something convenient to lock the bike to. You need something wider to go around a tree, lamppost or pillar.

You have to consider all aspects of the risk of leaving your bike unattended: Who's about that's likely to steal it; what tools they're likely to have; what you can lock your bike to and how; how long your bike will be unattended; etc.

This picture is of a neighbours nicked brand new £900 Cube non-electric bike. He's done everything right: TWO highly rated locks of different types - one D-lock and one chain, all properly secured to a proper bicycle stand. This picture shows the bike AFTER it was found, the following morning, AFTER the theft - complete with cycle stand, and paving slabs to which the bike stand HAD been secured having been carried some 100 yards away from where the bicycle stand used to be. Had the thieves had a van - a road runs just 10 yards from the stands original location - the bike complete with locks and stand would now be gone, and the locks cut at leisure.

 

Don't kid yourself that securing your bike with a lock to an anchor point anywhere - even in your own garage - will necessarily prevent it's disappearance. If you willingly flaunt anything expensive/ easily re-sellable, thieves will watch your movements over time and seize the opportunity once they know you're out/ not likely to return anytime soon.

 

Don't kid yourself that securing your bike with a lock to an anchor point anywhere - even in your own garage

I'm not kidding anyone let alone myself, I'm an engineer and know full well how easy it is to render useless most locks

My bikes are never outside on view for more than the time it takes me to open/close the garage door. I have enough security to stop a casual tealeaf

and a determined thief can take anything however it's locked.

Here's one recent thread:

 

http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/what-d-lock-would-you-recommend.29493/

 

Also with a video:

Very interesting report.

 

Seems like the Abus Granite or Kryptonite New York are the way to go.

Wheel locks such as the Axa defender are also good if you want to secure the wheel and are after a lightweight lock. I wouldn’t recommend this as a sturdy lock for long duration parking, but handy if popping into a shop etc, especially with the long chain attachment. I use£ these on my bikes in Holland as standard.

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-locks/bike-locks/kryptonite-evolution-series-4-long-shackle-u-lock-with-bracket

 

Accepting that you can only do so much, I feel reasonably confident of this LONG shackle lock, rated secure gold, with some free Kyptonite insurance if you register, and a decent mounting bracket making removal and replacement a five second job.

 

All for £32.

 

Make sure you get the long shackle. Fits round far more street furniture with it's extra length.

That’s a decent lock.

That’s a decent lock.

It is indeed. I bought one yesterday from my local Halfords.

 

Take care though if buying in store.

They were on the rack marked at £40, but the till person had no problem at all matching their online price of £31.99.

Of course one would expect that price match, but you may need to mention it.

One can imagine today's crooks walking around with a smartphone and upon finding a nice bike looking up the retail price in real time! Such is the way of technological assistance - worth nicking or not worth nicking...

 

- I am a big fan of two locks just for their discouragement value.

- If you buy locks with insurance company rating levels you will have less problems putting in a claim if something does happen.

- The common saying is spend 10% of the value of your bike securing it.

 

I would love to put a frame lock on the trike but they just don't fit So for the moment it is Kryptonite D-Lock through the frame and rear wheel with cable attaching one front wheel (you need a spanner and an allen key to remove the other wheel) and the seat via street furniture.

It's a tough one.

 

I have taken my car to places where I could have and probably would have preferred to ride my bike but felt that the length of time I would have to leave it and the place I would have to leave it would be too much of a risk

 

My car is probably just as easy to steal as my bike when locked to something but it just feels less risky to leave it parked on a dark street corner somewhere and I think I'm less likely to have a hard time with insurers if it is stolen.

 

Bike manufacturers go to great lengths to make things lightweight and then we ride around with half of the Queen Mary's anchor chain and a massive steel shackle.