Lock recommendations

jozi

I know there was a thread sometime ago but I can't find it.

I'm getting a bike (hopefully) this weekend to cycle to/from college and maybe some ofroad whne I can get fitness levels up a little.

I've had a bike stolen before in Dublin and don't want this to happen again. There was a cable lock on it, not so strong I guess.

What kind of lock come recommended? The girlfriends bike has a Kryptonite "U" lock with a cable for looping around the wheel and back to the lock. Seems like something I should be looking into.

Looking at the Halfords site these stand out a bit:
http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_231153_langId_-1_categoryId_212470
http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_231103_langId_-1_categoryId_212470 - Expensive and looks small but has the additional loop.

I don't think I'd spend more on a lock, the bikes worth €400. Can you get bike insurance? Do you get insurance with the locks or does that not count?

Reason I'm looking at halfords is because I can get a 10% discount there but I don't mind going else where to spend the same money on a good lock.

Hope someone can point me in the right direction.

DirkVoodoo

You may be able to get your bike listed on your home insurance, best ring your insurer.

As for locks, it pays to spend more.

The price of the bike should not really matter, if you don't want the bike stolen, invest in a good lock.

The yellow Kryptonites (New York, 3000, etc.) and Abus granites are all excellent. You are on the right track with the magnum.

A U-lock with supplementary cable is excellent security, the thicker and harder the shackle the better.

Some lock reviews here.

I have the top one on the list. Had it two years, in which it has been left outside all year round on the UCD campus, keeping first a Giant SCR 2.0 and then a Felt Dispatch safe and secure (even overnight, though this is something I do not recommend!). Like most things, the extra outlay at the start has kept my bikes safe. In fact, my friend had his sirrus stolen from the IFSC, the one time he locked it without his Kryptonite New York Faggetaboutit lock (which I saw locked securely to the UCD bike rack the day after). Unfortunate, but it is a reminder to avoid cheap locks at all cost.

kona

cyclogical have kryptonite new yorks for e50. Get a small length kryptonite U-lock, they are the strongest:)

DirkVoodoo

kona wrote: »

cyclogical have kryptonite new yorks for e50. Get a small length kryptonite U-lock, they are the strongest:)

But can limit your "lockability" with some of the crappy racks around town.

I find it hard to securely lock my bike with these (very common) "wheel mounting" racks.

Also, reading the likes of these might help:

http://www.jimlangley.net/crank/howtolock.html

http://www.kryptonitelock.com/TechLab/HowToSecure.aspx

http://www.londoncyclist.co.uk/secure/how-to-lock-your-bike/

(I apologise for the quality of the links, I just grabbed a few there that looked like they were useful, let me know if any of them have suspect information).

jozi

I like the look of that new york one. Very expensive in Halfords. Just found it on ebay here Is something like a lock safe enough to buy of ebay?

No house insurance cause I'm only renting, have car insurance thou which I must check if I can add a bike to it.

humbert

It's available from chainreactioncycles for about the same money

jozi

Just seen the 2nd post after I posted (and the last one). I seen those new york locks recommended before, don't mind spending €50 for one so long it isn't the small one. I don't think I could live with a small one, just a bit to limiting (as already mentioned).

Thats that then, kryptonite new york lock it is and I'll see can I pick up a cable as well while I'm at it.

Can you get rid of the quick release axles on the wheels the same as the saddle or is it not worth it? (will be putting a normal bolt on the saddle instead of quick release)

DirkVoodoo

jozi wrote: »

... so long it isn't the small one. I don't think I could live with a small one, just a bit to limiting (as already mentioned)

I have this terrible habit of saying "that's what she said" ala Michael Scott around the house. I don't think I can carry it off on the internet.

jozi

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

I have this terrible habit of saying "that's what she said" ala Michael Scott around the house. I don't think I can carry it off on the internet.

I should edit my post

petethedrummer

Watch the videos at the bottom of this page, they will help you up your budget.

http://wiki.boards.ie/wiki/Locks_%26_Security

jozi

kona wrote: »

cyclogical have kryptonite new yorks for e50. Get a small length kryptonite U-lock, they are the strongest:)

Couldn't see them for 50. there was a small one with a shackle, 200 euro :eek:

There's one in cycleways for 120 euro. Not sure what sizes they come in but this one was quite long, would preffer something a little shorter but not one of them tiny ones (seems to restricting).

Seaswimmer

humbert wrote: »

It's available from chainreactioncycles for about the same money

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=12767

couldnt see them as cheap on CRC as ebay. am i missing something

jozi

Is postage from chainreaction free? Works out much the same price as the ebay one if it is.

jozi

I've just ordered the new york lock from CRC along with a few other bits.

Bunnyhopper

I have a Kryptonite New York as well. They're good solid things. They do weigh a lot. The frame mounting bracket works well though.

You can get regular, non-QR skewers for wheels. A lot of the ones I've seen are aimed at minimizing weight so they're actually quite pricey but I'm sure you could get ordinary ones at a reasonable price. It's best to lock the wheels anyway.

You might also want to swap out the quick release on the seatpost clamp, if the bike has one. If you want extra security on that then Kryptonite do short seatsaver cables, or you can improvise (a less convenient but cheaper) one with a bit of old chain and some inner tube rubber.

jozi

Whats a QR?

I'm going to take of the quick release on the sadle asap. Also going to get a cable to lock the wheels to the lock.

I had a look at the new york in cycleways today, sure is a heavy thing!

Bunnyhopper

jozi wrote: »

Whats a QR?

I'm going to take of the quick release on the sadle asap. Also going to get a cable to lock the wheels to the lock.

I had a look at the new york in cycleways today, sure is a heavy thing!

QR = quick release

I've had to carry the New York in a rucksack a couple of times and after a few kms by god you know it's there

Planet X

kona wrote: »

cyclogical have kryptonite new yorks for e50. Get a small length kryptonite U-lock, they are the strongest:)

They don't. Just off the phone to them. They have a small Kryptonite Evolution for E50. Seems the cheapest place is Chainreaction. £70 for the New York. Wiggle E83.

Lumen

FWIW, I recently bought a New York 3000D to complement my Fahgettaboudit Minis.

Pros: it frame mounts on my cyclocross bike, and is more versatile due to the larger shackle area.
Cons: it rattles in the mount; not enough space within my MTB triangle to fit it.

Planet X

Just bought the New York and 7 ft. cable from up North. £81 odd.

£96.50 in Woggle.

jozi

Got a cable when I was in halfords earlier for a few bits. Hopefully that and the lock will be safe (been working fine with the girlfriends bike for the past year).