Recommendations on Bicycle Locks
When getting your first bicycle it is also incredibly important to think about the security for your bicycle, so that one does not quickly end up in a situation of having to buy a second first bicycle 🙃 In this article we will cover the do-s and don't-s of bicycle locks and other security measures as well as a few quick recommendations. Let's dive in! Firstly - ""Do I need a lock? The bicycle is already expensive as is." Yes. Yes you do my friend. Especially if you live in an urban area. Bicycles are underground gold, because they're easy to roll away from people who don't lock up and sell for a quick yet significant street profit. Don't be a sad panda and plan ahead. The right lock wont set you back as much as a stolen ride. Secondly - "What should I consider when buying a bike lock?" The cheaper and more beat up your bicycle, the less security you generally need (especially if you manage to park next to something very expensive and shiny). In general the go-to is a U-lock. As it sounds this is a U-shaped lock that fits around your frame and the object you're locking your parked whip to. As long as you have your frame locked to a solid object you should be fine most of the time. Bonus is that many of these ulocks come with a standard frame mount to carry the lock as you ride. However if you have quick-releases and/or pricy wheels, those may need a second lock. The general solution for this is to buy an additional light chain-lock. It does not have to be very strong. Just strong enough so that passerby's don't walk off with a set of wheels to put into a compatible frame they've found elsewhere U-locked just by its wheels. The nice thing about such light chain locks is that they can be carried wrapped around the frame top-tube ( or in a pinch, your neck ) Wheel quick releases/axles can also be upgraded to locks. There are a number of design solutions where instead of a quick-release lever the heads of the quick release are locked so that they require a specialized key. Some are magnetic, while others have unique key patterns or other schemes without which the wheels can not be removed from the frame. This can be a great solution for a commuter bicycle if you do not plan on removing your wheels often and would rather forgo the hassle of carrying/using a second lock in leu of carrying a second key. Lastly seats also have quick release levers. Sometimes theyre on the frame where it meets the seat tube and sometimes on the assembly that holds the saddle rails. A generally well regarded solution is to use a bicycle chain to connect the saddle rails to the top of the seat stays. Any old chain can be used and used ones can be gotten free from your local bike shop. The idea is that basically thieves don't usually walk around with chain breakers to steal saddles. In addition the chain can be wrapped in an old inner tube or a fancier leatherwork to prevent damage to the frame paint job. So - "What locks do you recommend I buy exactly?" The two brands this author recommends are Kryptonite and ABUS. The Kryptonite u-locks come in a variety of sizes depending on your needs. Register your lock and you can have replacement keys sent to you - as well as in some cases be insured against having your lock defeated. ABUS is interesting in that they have great u-locks as well but most importantly these folding type Bordo locks which can be a little more difficult to break through For wheel chain locks try the Kryptonite Keeper or ABUS Steel-O-Chain Lock. You dont need a heavy chain but you do need a lock long enough to go through both wheels and your frame. If in doubt ask to test it in a local bike shop. For wheel axle/quick-release locks and seat locks try the Pinhead brand. Theyre well proven and use a random combination of magnets to unlock their quick releases thats too much of a hassle for thieves to lug around. Final thoughts - "What not to do with locks" Don't leave your bike around for 'just a second' while you run in without locking. Thats a very easy way to come back out to no bike. In many cities don't leave your bike unlocked in the garage as well. Either you or your housemates may forget to lock the garage or thieves will come up with a way to defeat or bypass the garage door. That goes without saying, lock your bike to something in your house if possible, not just itself. If you don't have a wheel lock, consider quick releasing your wheels and locking them through the same u-lock. If your saddle has a quick release, be mindful and take it inside with you. You can even attach a carabiner to the rails and attach the saddle to a backpack or a belt-loop while inside. If you don't have a u-lock mount on your bike frame or a bag/backpack you can shove it into your waistband in the back in a jam ( always have it with you ) Instead of locking an expensive bike somewhere where it can have parts stolen off of it or have your lock angle-ground through and get banged up, consider getting a second junker whip. This way you can have a not $3000 carbon frame that you can leave at a bar corral and not worry over. Save the expensive bike for fun rides and weekend rides instead. Never use a cable lock because they can be easily cut through. Most importantly, remember to lock to something thats solid that the lock cant be navigated/rotated off of AND lock the frame through the frame and the object you're locking too. Thats all there is to it! PS: Its also a good idea to register the serial number on Bike Index or some such registry because many bikes get recovered but then sold at police auction since the frame numbers don't come up in any anti-theft databases Share what locking solution you use and how its working out for you in the comments so we can all learn what works best