Securing you bike
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this is a decent article on bike locks
http://www.slate.com/id/2140083/
http://www.slate.com/id/2140083/
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825 Posts
Never use locks!
I never use locks anymore. They give you a false sense of security. About 15 years ago I had a very expensive bike and lock. I had it locked up to a solid stand for just a few minutes while I was in a store. I came out only to find a very expensive lock cut on the sidewalk and no bike.
Since then I never lock my bike and I never let it out of my sight. I take it into the store, I take it to the coffee shop and I put it on the bike rack of my car. But I never lock it!
My .02 cents, NEVER USE LOCKS!
I never use locks anymore. They give you a false sense of security. About 15 years ago I had a very expensive bike and lock. I had it locked up to a solid stand for just a few minutes while I was in a store. I came out only to find a very expensive lock cut on the sidewalk and no bike.
Since then I never lock my bike and I never let it out of my sight. I take it into the store, I take it to the coffee shop and I put it on the bike rack of my car. But I never lock it!
My .02 cents, NEVER USE LOCKS!
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707 Posts
I've had my share of stolen and almost stolen bikes too.
I lock my bike with a thick steel braided insulated cable and a good combination padlock (I seem to forget my keys constantly). And I never park it in a public area for long. And, even if locked, I try to keep it in sight most of the time.
Park it near security guards, or where someone can see or watch it for you.
Or on your truck bed, try covering the bike with some tarp, aside from the lock. Stolen Bikes are mostly crimes of opportunity, where the thief will look around, see a nice bike, and take it. If he can't see your bike, he wont want to steal it.
Actually, what I fear more is the "bike jack", where an armed perp will block your way while riding and grab the bike off you. Had a near miss with that years ago.
I lock my bike with a thick steel braided insulated cable and a good combination padlock (I seem to forget my keys constantly). And I never park it in a public area for long. And, even if locked, I try to keep it in sight most of the time.
Park it near security guards, or where someone can see or watch it for you.
Or on your truck bed, try covering the bike with some tarp, aside from the lock. Stolen Bikes are mostly crimes of opportunity, where the thief will look around, see a nice bike, and take it. If he can't see your bike, he wont want to steal it.
Actually, what I fear more is the "bike jack", where an armed perp will block your way while riding and grab the bike off you. Had a near miss with that years ago.
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606 Posts
If you do have to use a lock, pick one like Travis's Masterlock.... with burly metal surrounding a recessed locking hoop.....
Any time the locking loop is exposed, all it takes is a long screwdriver, crescent wrench, and some muscle to snap it....
I know, because I have to do it all the time when our vehicle operators lose their keys for their HMMWVs. All that secures them is a cable with padlock through the steering-wheel.
I've gotten good enough at it that it only takes about 10 seconds to snap the lock. Less time if I'm upset or drank enough coffee.....
Combination locks can be a bit more tricky, but on ones with cast metal or plastic dials, usually a pair of vice-grips clamped on them will crumble the dials and break the tumblers.
The same thing goes for chains.... With 99% of hardware chain all I need is a crescent & screwdriver.
The best insurance against bike-theft is to keep it within eyesight.... If I ride up to a store or coffeeshop/etc, and they don't let me bring my bike inside.... Then they don't get my patronage.
Our bikes are also covered on our homeowner's insurance, so there's that.... but still.... I'd hate to lose either my own or my wife's rig.
Any time the locking loop is exposed, all it takes is a long screwdriver, crescent wrench, and some muscle to snap it....
I know, because I have to do it all the time when our vehicle operators lose their keys for their HMMWVs. All that secures them is a cable with padlock through the steering-wheel.
I've gotten good enough at it that it only takes about 10 seconds to snap the lock. Less time if I'm upset or drank enough coffee.....
Combination locks can be a bit more tricky, but on ones with cast metal or plastic dials, usually a pair of vice-grips clamped on them will crumble the dials and break the tumblers.
The same thing goes for chains.... With 99% of hardware chain all I need is a crescent & screwdriver.
The best insurance against bike-theft is to keep it within eyesight.... If I ride up to a store or coffeeshop/etc, and they don't let me bring my bike inside.... Then they don't get my patronage.
Our bikes are also covered on our homeowner's insurance, so there's that.... but still.... I'd hate to lose either my own or my wife's rig.
whoa, that bike-jack thing has me freaking out... i mean, i can totally see it being done -- just wait in the bushes in a deserted area towards the end of a climb... the rider will most likely be fatigued and cannot put up much of a fight if i run out there, push him off, and ride his bike down the way he came from...
should i get some mace for security? any thoughts? sorry to jack this thread... =)
should i get some mace for security? any thoughts? sorry to jack this thread... =)
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2,318 Posts
You can't live in constant fear...
To complete the thread jacking in progress, this reminds me of a scary moment as a kid. I almost had my bike jacked in Central Park. We lived in a somewhat sketchy part of town and my Dad and I were just riding in the park on a summer day. We were climbing one of the mellow hills (on the park drive, not dirt) and my Dad was well ahead of me by maybe 50ft. A group of kids I had noticed before basically swarmed around me and started running alongside telling me to get off the bike or they were gonna beat me down. Well, I started riding as fast as my little legs would carry me and got a litte ahead of them. At that point my Dad got wind of it and turned around. The as$holes realized we were together and stopped chasing me. I learned a few lessons in the process about being aware on the bike at all times, wether in traffic or just tooling around, and I also realized that if it comes down to it (ie: gunpoint etc) property isn't worth your life, even if at the time I don't think my life was necessarily at risk.
You can't ride if you're dead. If someone truly jumps you on the bike mace or a gun likely won't help.
Don't bother. Ride your bike and enjoy your rides. If we try to take protective measures against every possible threat to our safety and security we might as well not bother leaving the house. Common sense is the best security. Is it POSSIBLE you might be jumped by a thug in the woods... Sure, its possible. But likely enough to warrant buying mace or something... Not really, unless there is a rash of on-trail bike theft.hamachi said:
To complete the thread jacking in progress, this reminds me of a scary moment as a kid. I almost had my bike jacked in Central Park. We lived in a somewhat sketchy part of town and my Dad and I were just riding in the park on a summer day. We were climbing one of the mellow hills (on the park drive, not dirt) and my Dad was well ahead of me by maybe 50ft. A group of kids I had noticed before basically swarmed around me and started running alongside telling me to get off the bike or they were gonna beat me down. Well, I started riding as fast as my little legs would carry me and got a litte ahead of them. At that point my Dad got wind of it and turned around. The as$holes realized we were together and stopped chasing me. I learned a few lessons in the process about being aware on the bike at all times, wether in traffic or just tooling around, and I also realized that if it comes down to it (ie: gunpoint etc) property isn't worth your life, even if at the time I don't think my life was necessarily at risk.
You can't ride if you're dead. If someone truly jumps you on the bike mace or a gun likely won't help.
Benja55,
I agree with you comments. My reason for this post was to see what products might work best at securing my bike in the bed of my truck. These bikes, like I said before are expensive and I dont want someone taking it if I turn my back for 30 sec and its gone.
A diff. topic, Benja, are you still liking the 66sl. I am getting a Z1light. Not as burly, but Iam hoping it will be enogh for my 160lbs frame.
Thanks,
M.C.tigre
I agree with you comments. My reason for this post was to see what products might work best at securing my bike in the bed of my truck. These bikes, like I said before are expensive and I dont want someone taking it if I turn my back for 30 sec and its gone.
A diff. topic, Benja, are you still liking the 66sl. I am getting a Z1light. Not as burly, but Iam hoping it will be enogh for my 160lbs frame.
Thanks,
M.C.tigre
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2,318 Posts
Warning: More thread forks ahead!
Oh I hear you. You've gotta protect the goods. I'd bolt an eyelet to your rig if there isn't one and lock things in with a sizable chain. I've had $6k bikes stolen before, locked up tight and all that. It SUCKS A$$.MCtigre said:
Heh, "like" isn't the word. I LOVE my 66SL. LOVE IT. Its plush as hell and just blasts through the rough stuff. Calling it confidence inspiring is an understatement. IMHO, its the perfect fork on the Nomad.MCtigre said:
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262 Posts
Use a Kryptonite lock and as soon as you get it register it on their website. If your bike gets stolen they'll buy you a new one. Make sure you ask if there are any special rules in your city. I know in NYC the rule does not aply unless you buy the big chain and lock. Most places the Ulock is fine.
Getting your bike stolen sucks, but the bright side with a Kriptonite is you get to go bike shopping. FUN!!!
Getting your bike stolen sucks, but the bright side with a Kriptonite is you get to go bike shopping. FUN!!!
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1,585 Posts
I have a heavy chain and try to lock it to the sturdiest post I can find:
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