Bike Locks?

XtotheZ

Hi, im moving up to Dublin in 2 weeks and as im going to be cycling into college will need a good lock or two. Itll either be the mountain bike or old winter road bike ill be using and have absolutely no idea with what locks are the best to use and id rather use other peoples experience than have another bike stolen as its only 2k im not too bothered about weight or size. Ideally cheap enough as money is tight atm but dont mind spending abit for quality.

So does anyone have an recommendations as to whats best or what ye use yourselves?
Cheers

desertcircus

XtotheZ wrote: »

Hi, im moving up to Dublin in 2 weeks and as im going to be cycling into college will need a good lock or two. Itll either be the mountain bike or old winter road bike ill be using and have absolutely no idea with what locks are the best to use and id rather use other peoples experience than have another bike stolen as its only 2k im not too bothered about weight or size. Ideally cheap enough as money is tight atm but dont mind spending abit for quality.

So does anyone have an recommendations as to whats best or what ye use yourselves?
Cheers

If you're carrying a bag all the time, then the Kryptonite Kryptolok is a good bet - it's got a terrible mounting bracket, but that won't matter if you use your bag. Should be 40-45 euro.

XtotheZ

desertcircus wrote: »

If you're carrying a bag all the time, then the Kryptonite Kryptolok is a good bet - it's got a terrible mounting bracket, but that won't matter if you use your bag. Should be 40-45 euro.

ah ok thanks. I have seen that mentioned a good bit around the web.


Another question, how likely is it bike thief's will use angle grinders?

cdaly_

If the wheels are quick-release, you'll need something to lock both with. That can either be a small D-lock locking the front wheel to the down tube with a bigger D-lock locking rear wheel and frame to a stand. Or you can go with a D-lock and a cable lock.

The crucial thing with a D-lock is to fill the opening as much as possible so that it is not possible to insert any levering device.

Strip everything off the bike when you leave it, lamps, computers etc. Make sure your saddle is secured by a bolt, not a quick release.

If thieves are using angle grinders, your bike is gone anyway. Best bet there is to look crappier than the other bikes...

XtotheZ

cdaly_ wrote: »

If the wheels are quick-release, you'll need something to lock both with. That can either be a small D-lock locking the front wheel to the down tube with a bigger D-lock locking rear wheel and frame to a stand. Or you can go with a D-lock and a cable lock.

The crucial thing with a D-lock is to fill the opening as much as possible so that it is not possible to insert any levering device.

Strip everything off the bike when you leave it, lamps, computers etc. Make sure your saddle is secured by a bolt, not a quick release.

If thieves are using angle grinders, your bike is gone anyway. Best bet there is to look crappier than the other bikes...

Thanks for the help, can you explain what you mean by this?

cdaly_

Read http://lifehacker.com/5942301/the-proper-way-to-lock-your-bicycle and http://www.lockyourbike.org.uk/how-to-lock-a-bike-guide/

This is too loose, there's loads of space to get a lever into the D of this lock.

XtotheZ

ah i get you know, thanks never thought of that!

beauf

cdaly_ wrote: »

Read http://lifehacker.com/5942301/the-proper-way-to-lock-your-bicycle and http://www.lockyourbike.org.uk/how-to-lock-a-bike-guide/

This is too loose, there's loads of space to get a lever into the D of this lock...

Take a note of what you lock it to.

Too many people lock their bikes to poles and stands which themselves are soft metal, easily cut or broken. Bike is grabbed and thrown still locked into a van. They can cut the heavy lock off later.

the.red.baron

Anyone have any real world experience of how their bike was taken?

1. Item that they locked to was cut
2. Daycent quality U-Lock was compromised
3. Cable lock was cut?
4. Bike was unlocked at house/apt/just going into shops

I'd reckon the last 2 provide the vast majority of the cases.