Best lock for bike?

[alfabadass]

My GT got stolen last night! Had a really thick lock but it looks like they loosened a metal bit on each side of the combination lock and picked it from inside or something!

Not too upset as the derailleur broke last week and my C2W vouchers are in the post hopefully but I need a hardass lock, living in a sthole!

I know all locks are breakable but I was thinking two would at least make it harder?

[RRS_Staffs]

There is the 50 pound rule for locks

I cant recall it exactly but Im sure someone will be along soon

[WeirdNeville]

Combination locks are a no-no. They can generally be opened with no tools in under a couple of minutes.

D-lock is the only way forwards, use a cable only as a secondary lock.

A VERY heavy motorcycle chain will also do the job but good ones are too heavy to carry when cycling really.

Spend £50 minimum, get an ABUS, A Kryptonite or other reputable brand, with a straight key not one of the circular ones.

The other main point is use it correctly: Lock through a closed loop in the frame, through a wheel if possible, and then around an immobile object. Avoid short poles or trees - you can flift bikes off of them.

Finally, thief proof your bike by exchanging quick release squewers with 'secure' alternatives, and not having too much bling on display.

[Trevelyan]

I bought a lock a couple of months back and after quite a bit of research ended up with an Abus Granit x-plus as my main lock. It wasn't cheap but seems quite good. The general recommendation seemed to be to use two locks of different types if possible but I haven't got around to getting a second one yet. I've only ever left my bike locked up at work where security isn't such an issue.

The rating system for bike locks seemed to be 'sold secure'. The Granit X-plus was Sold Secure Gold rated lock, but you could look for Silver or Bronze which are obviously cheaper but presumably not as secure.

[alfabadass]

Thanks guys,

Been searching online for advice as well. Seem to be plenty of ex bike thieves offering out advice which is nice...! Going to get a D-Lock and a decent chain with an alarmed padlock methinks for the next bike!

[okgo]

Where are you people leaving your bikes???

I don't use a big lock and cable, just a cable and small padlock, never had an issue, bikes worth £1200.

[WeirdNeville]

okgo said:

Where are you people leaving your bikes???

I don't use a big lock and cable, just a cable and small padlock, never had an issue, bikes worth £1200.

Don't rely on that.
Hacksaw, hammer or wire clippers will net a thief a £1k bike for a minutes work.

[okgo]

Just seems odd, that in two years I've never had an issue despite leaving it in a town vented while going to the gym!

[Gnarlybluesurf]

okgo said:

Just seems odd, that in two years I've never had an issue despite leaving it in a town vented while going to the gym!

It will be the area you are leaving it in... try that in central london say around Holborn/Covent Garden/Euston area and you won't have to wait long... the thieves in around here are harder working than the parking wardens at checking bike locks and your cable will honestly last seconds once found....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0xF_y1tqOQ

Love this video and whilst in new york i bet uk would be the same:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ooa3NVfFlEU

[Gnarlybluesurf]

alfabadass said:

Thanks guys,

Been searching online for advice as well. Seem to be plenty of ex bike thieves offering out advice which is nice...! Going to get a D-Lock and a decent chain with an alarmed padlock methinks for the next bike!

Ultimately any lock can be broken the only guarantee is to take out insurance on the bike and use a Gold standard lock so the insurance can't complain...

Abus Granit 54 X-Plus 300mm

http://www.pinheadcomponents.com/ .... good for wheels, seatpost/saddle


If you're using it to commute you can leave a decent heavy lock at work then no need to struggle with it cycling every day.....

Edited by Gnarlybluesurf on Saturday 23 April 12:19

[shalmaneser]

These are excellent value - Sold Secure silver rated and only 26.99, and Evans will price match the online price in store. It's what I recommend to most of my customers.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/kryptonite/kry...

[Mr Will]

Anyone have an opinion on these:


http://www.masterlockbike.com/products/product_det...

I've been using them for a few months now and am fairly happy with them, seem pretty tough and more portable than a D-lock.

[jodypress]

Gnarlybluesurf said:

Love this video and whilst in new york i bet uk would be the same:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ooa3NVfFlEU

That is unreal, love it. The fact he put on full safety gear and then hooked up an angle grinder to a street post and still no one batted an eyelid. That and the fact the cop was more concerned about the cameraman in the access lane..classic.

There was a film about this on TV a while back and the pro's are all dressed up as cyclist, hi viz etc and then just steal the bike.

[shalmaneser]

Mr Will said:

Anyone have an opinion on these:


http://www.masterlockbike.com/products/product_det...

I've been using them for a few months now and am fairly happy with them, seem pretty tough and more portable than a D-lock.

If they've still got the barrel style keys then you can probably still do this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCxHD9_uEf8

[Mr Will]

It has a modified version of the barrel, which need to pop-out to unlock, rather than just turning. Whether or not that makes it any better I am not sure...

[otherman]

shalmaneser said:

These are excellent value - Sold Secure silver rated and only 26.99, and Evans will price match the online price in store. It's what I recommend to most of my customers.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/kryptonite/kry...

Very clever having all that super strong metal and all, but someone with a little bit of practice and a set of lock picks and that would by lying on the ground.

[Gnarlybluesurf]

shalmaneser said:

These are excellent value - Sold Secure silver rated and only 26.99, and Evans will price match the online price in store. It's what I recommend to most of my customers.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/kryptonite/kry...

is that like this one?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9bN0zfMFW4

[neil_bolton]

Kryptonite New York range: Simply excellent bits of kit, and from what I have read, pretty hard to get into.

I use a mix of D-Lock and the motorcycle chain/mini d-Lock combo to lock mine up at work.

I also use a motorcycle disc brake alarm (through the chainring) to give an additional piece of security.

[shalmaneser]

Gnarlybluesurf said:

is that like this one?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9bN0zfMFW4

No, all the new keys look like this:



crappy picture but you get the idea.

[WeirdNeville]

otherman said:

Very clever having all that super strong metal and all, but someone with a little bit of practice and a set of lock picks and that would by lying on the ground.

Nah, for a couple of reasons...
I've been picking locks for ten years, but the key types on most good D-locks still defeat me. Those rectangular style locks with proper keys are very very hard to pick.
Secondly, bike thieves don't carry lock picks. They're stupid but they're not that stupid. Lock picks can't be explained away. If you're caught with them, you get charged with going equipped, end of. Other tools are far more versatile, and far easier to get away with. Yes I know a screwdriver and a hairpin is technically a lock pick, but you try picking a quality lock with them!)
Finally, lock picking is an art. It takes countless hours to practice and usually several minutes to deploy. Thieves are inherently lazy, that's why they're thieves. Master lock pickers do not go nicking bikes. tt youths with no brains and a hammer or bolt croppers go nicking bikes.

I get what you're saying, any lock can be defeated. We're not looking for an unbreakable lock, a plasma cutter would be through any of them in moments, were just looking for locks that are secure enough to deter 95% of would-be thieves.


Re the ''Master" handcuffs locks, I'm not a fan because the chain links look vulnerable. They're not big or forged enough to be bolt cropper proof., and its hard to loop one of the cuffs through both frame and a wheel. That said, they're better than most locks and any cable lock, and if the convenience of them means you actually carry them then that's a bonus.