Which lock to buy??

[mosc7pc2]

Hey guys, I've been looking on the net for a fair while now but just couldn't pick out which bike lock to buy. Or how many to buy for that matter.

My budget is flexible but would prefer to be in a region of around £50 per lock.

Been looking at kryptonite and Abus ranges so far, is one brand better than the other?

Any other brands/specific models any one would recommend me?

My bike's RRP is £1200.

Thank in advance.

[TonyHetherington]

Will you be carrying the lock with you everywhere, or will it stay in one place (for example, work)?

If so, I bought a motorbike chain with an almighty great padlock on it, and keep that at work to lock the bike into.

[mosc7pc2]

Thanks for the reply.

I'll be carrying the lock everywhere. I would prefer if it can mount onto the bike aswell although it isn't a must...

[HundredthIdiot]

Kryptonite Mini.

I have several of the larger Kryptonites and whilst the extra shackle girth gives more security, they are not frame mountable.

[mosc7pc2]

HundredthIdiot said:

Kryptonite Mini.

I have several of the larger Kryptonites and whilst the extra shackle girth gives more security, they are not frame mountable.

What ones do you use? Mounting isn't a must if it means i can get that little bit extra security...
Im in central manchester afterall!

[WeirdNeville]

Have a read:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

In short ,a good quality D-Lock or heavy chain. Personally I prefer a D-Lock for sake of portability and cost. £50 gets you a lot of D-lock!

[HundredthIdiot]

I don't generally lock my bikes outside.

I own two or three Kryptonite Fahgettaboudits (18mm thick compact shackle), a Kryptonite 3000 and a massive motorbike chain.

The main direct risks to u-locks are leverage attacks, which is why a thick compact shackle is good.

But TBH most determined thieves will either cut the thing it's attached to, angle-grind the shackle, cut the frame or rob components, none of which have any defense.

So I'd recommend a Mini plus a cable lock or security skewer for the front wheel, combined with general vigilance about where you leave it.

And this...

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/lock-strategy.html

...although there is a video of someone defeating that by cutting through the rim, it's not common.

[metalsteve]

For a £1200 bike you want a seriously good lock. Have a look at the almax imobiliser chains, over your budget but seriously good bits of kit coupled with a squire stronghold lock. They do a 0.7m chain which is the closest to portable.

I have the immobiliser 3 chain which i use to lock my bikes to a ground anchor in my garage.

The picture gives you an idea of how chunky they are.

[hurstg01]

Don't forget, it's not just about the frame - possibly your seat and both wheels are quick release so these all need to be locked to the frame too [and preferably to the immovable object the frame is locked to].

I have this lock - don't know if its any good [haven't had a need to use it yet] but Halfords said it was up there with the best [if that recommendation is worth anything?......]

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

Many a time have I seen bikes locked to fences at Railway Stations etc with their seat posts / wheels missing, and I wonder if they have been taken with the owner or nicked

[anonymous-user]

fundamentally you just want to make someone elses bike more of an appealling target. its sad but true. henceforth i always leave mine in a busy area hoping that increased passage wil lact as an initial deterrant. secondly i use more locks than most people even if one or two arent that great. it looks like it will eb a pain to steal so hopefully the would-be thief looks for an easier target. also, i use different types of lock so the thief will probably need more than one tool to make a quick snatch. finally i leave it next to other bikes, yes it might get scratched but i can cope with that.

take off seat post and front wheel to make leverage harder, dont leave the locking mechanism in a convenient place so picking it is easy. make sure they are round the back so its hard to get the key in nevermind anything else.

[mk1fan]

For a multi-layed approach it would be worth considering a Xena dics lock or disc lock alarm.

http://www.xenasecurity.com/home/current/lock/

At the end of the day you can't stop a determined person from stealing your bike. Just put off the opportunist.

Personally, I use different lock types [and makes] and a mixure of passive and active measures.