This didn't stop my bike being stolen

Mcofferon

Hi all

First of all let me say that my heart goes out to anyone who's had their bike stolen, and appologise if this thread opens up old wounds. Report after report shows that bikes that goes missing were locked and thought to be secure.

I'm interested in finding out what locks and security measures didn't work. I'm not looking to name and shame, but I think it would be a real eye opener for all cyclist to see what precautions aren't working, and also if we could hear from those of you that feel their locks etc have saved their bikes from getting stolen.

I'm proposing that we list the locks that have failed to protect our machines so that everyone can make more informed choices when looking at security. I'd welcome any tips that you feel have enhanced the protection of the bike or deterred any would be thieves. DO NOT include any details about how your lock was compromised, just the lock details if that was how they got your bike. Also DO NOT post any details of where exactly you store your bike for obvious reasons.

The hope is that we'll build up a list of locks that just aren't up to the job, so that if any of us are using these locks we can take additional precautions. Hopefully this will go some way reduce the statistics

kendragon

Sorry about your bike man but great idea for a thread.

MB Lacey

Great idea for a thread. I regularly leave my bike (specialized sirrus, cost €700) locked to various lamposts, metal poles etc in all areas of dublin city centre, it has never been stolen in over 6 years.
What I think stops the thieves is that I covered my bike frame with various different stickers, making it easily identifiable and less easy to pass on quickly?
I might be completely wrong, but since its never been stolen, that's what I think has deterred them. I also use an €50 oxford lock through wheel and frame too.

Beasty

The kay in my mind is making your bike look more secure than those around it, encouraging the thieves to go elsewhere.

No locking system is unsurmountable, but the Kryptonite Fahgettaboudit U-lock tends to get very positive reviews - that combined with something to secure the front wheel tends to be as good as you can get. Not a cheap option, but pretty effective

Ole Rodrigo

I too had a bike stolen a few months back. I know of one bicycle insurance company that use an approved list of locks in their protection policies - useful as a reference :

http://www.soldsecure.com/search/

Mucco

LFGSS has a thread on this:
http://www.lfgss.com/thread17938.html

I use a Kryptonite Fahgettaboudit Mini about town - seems to be the best compromise of portability and strength. I then use a couple of heavy chains in the shed.

tomasrojo

I carry a Fahgettaboudit mini, a Kryptolok with a Kryptoflex. I often don't use the Kryptoflex, but the combination of the three means you can always lock to something, and secure both wheels. The Kryptolok is inferior to the Fahgettaboudit, but longer and wider, meaning you can lock to a wider variety of things, if the situation demands it. If you knew there was a Sheffield Stand (as opposed to maybe a sign post, lamp post or even old-fashioned wheel-bender bike rack) at the other end, just the Fahgettaboudit and Kryptoflex would do just fine, and would also mean you were carrying 2kg of locks instead of 3kg.

murphyebass

Mucco wrote: »

LFGSS has a thread on this:
http://www.lfgss.com/thread17938.html

I use a Kryptonite Fahgettaboudit Mini about town - seems to be the best compromise of portability and strength. I then use a couple of heavy chains in the shed.

What chain do you use in the shed and where did you get it. I need one.

Thanks

Zyzz

Possibly a silly question..but what are peoples thoughts of sticking a hidden GPS tracker on the bike? Obviously the cliche of 'safety first' comes into this but if someone was to steal it you could show up with na gardai and get your bike back?

Thoughts?

endacl

I'm probably a bit over the top locks-wise. Abus Bordo Granit X-Plus, Krypto NY Fahgeddaboutit, and an Abus cable. Hard to remove Bike Shepherd stickers and a liberal coating of reflective decals probably make it slightly less attractive as well. My thinking is I'd rather spend a couple of hundred yoyos on locks than a multiple of that on a new bike. I'm also a bit picky about where I lock up. The locks have survived many parts of Dublin city centre with no problems, but my preference is to secure the bike in Drury St car park and use Dublin Bikes for wobbling about town.

This has probably been posted many times before, but is always worth a watch for those who might not have seen it before...

Sunnyisland

Maybe a stupid question, But whats happens to the thousands of bikes stolen every year in Ireland,where do they all go week after week ?

endacl

realies wrote: »

Maybe a stupid question, But whats happens to the thousands of bikes stolen every year in Ireland,where do they all go week after week ?

(1) They're dumped in canals by the scumbag who nicked them after they're not needed any more.

(2) They're bought by scumbags (from the aforementioned scumbag) who prefer to think they're just getting a 'really good deal', and who of course wouldn't dream of stealing a bike themselves....

(3) They're recovered and sold at auction because the original owner never thought to take a note of the serial number before the bike was stolen.

(4) They're scrapped and recycled if they don't sell at above auction.

Point (2) above really boils my pi55.

endacl

Oh, here's another of Hal Ruzal's vids. Also worth a watch...

lochdara

looking at the Abus granite Plus 54 myself
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/accessories/locks/product/review-abus--granit-x-plus-10512

Great reviews everywhere. I might add a cable but my bike will not be used in dublin for commutes. so i might not need a cable.

lennymc

sold secure are a not for profit organisation (iirc) who test a number of locks on the market, and rate them according to their ability to withstand an attack. Google them for a list of their recomended locks.

edit - oops. someone mentioned them earlier in the thread!!

alphabeat

any abus locks ive used were pure crap.

Mcofferon

Thanks for the input so far.

I was really more interested in the locks that have failed to protect people's bikes, but it's good to hear the positive reports for the Kryptonite locks.

Kendraggon - sorry if I've mislead you with the thread title, but I've not actually had my bike stolen. I would like to keep it that way, and I'm hoping that we can all benefit from learning about the locks these scum can easily defeat.

Alphabeat - any particular models? Some of the more expensive Abus locks come "Sold Secure" approved.

I'm a motorcyclist too and have learnt from bitter experience there that your wasting your money using cheap locks.

I suspect cycle theives and motorbike theives both fall into two main categories. Opertunists and professionals. Most half decent locks will deter the former but with the latter you have to go to extremes and even then your just likely to get them looking for easier prey.

Jordan537

I had my bike stolen back in February, having spent 700 euro in upgrades, i thought my town was quiet and i could leave my bike anywhere. Had a cheap 20quid lock on it that was cuts in seconds.

I then bought another expensive back and now use a Kryptonite evolution series 4. I can't see how a scumbag could break this without some sort of power tool. Even then he would need time. I have put my 1800 euro bike into the hands of this lock many times and it has held up to the task. i plan to rely on this lock in the future too.

http://www.gophoto.it/view.php?i=http://www.ridein.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Kryptonite-Evolution-4-Lock.jpg

Jordan537

This is the lock i was using on my bike when it was stolen, this and cheap 2quid coil lock.

http://www.gophoto.it/view.php?i=http://www.tribikes.ie/image/cache/data/LKM8170-700x700.jpg

Mcofferon

Not sure if this video has already done the rounds???
http://youtu.be/UGttmR2DTY8