Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by daWillinChi on April 29, 2015 at 4:47am

It's as safe as any other more expensive locks out there. U-lock and cable is a good combination, too.

Just be mindful of the following:

• Learn to lock your bike the right way
• Environment and time of day of location
• Be mindful of the post you are locking up to - some are fake posts
• Most locks are defeat-able, depending if the thief has the time, or there are other more attractive options with easier to defeat locks.
• If you lock over night in most places, something or everything is bound to be stolen

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Permalink Reply by Yasmeen on April 29, 2015 at 5:20am

Thanks Will, great tips! 

I'd also add, be careful not to always lock/park the bike the same spot every day when you go to work. Bikes can be watched and if they are always in the same spot, potential thieves can figure out how long you have the bike locked every day.

I use two U-locks for frame and wheels and a cable on my seat (and an ugly seat cover). 

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Permalink Reply by daWillinChi on April 30, 2015 at 4:38am

With that said, I carry 2 locks always: an Abus Bordo XPlus and a Abus Mini.

The Bordo XPlus is in a carrying case and permanently mounted on to my daily commuter and the Abus Mini will either be carried in my back pocket or in my bag, depending on the ride/day/condition/etc.

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Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on April 29, 2015 at 4:59am

Do you consider an angle grinder a saw? If not, then the answer is definitely yes.

Local transportation hero Steve Vance did a survey of locks a year or two ago and roughly drew the line for Kryptonite locks via the colors. (if i recall correctly?) The locks with orange or yellow were worth the investment and the locks with grey were not sufficient for locking up a bike in a city with a bike theft problem as bad as Chicago's. You might want to get an upgrade and use your Series 2 also to lock up one of the wheels. 

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Permalink Reply by Haddon on April 29, 2015 at 5:08am

Personally I use 2 ulocks of different types - one through the back wheel and frame to the post and one through the front wheel to the frame.

Some if it is relative though, if there is a more expensive bike with a cheaper lock next to yours then you will be fine. If you have a spendy bike and a cheap lock for the neighborhood your in trouble.

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Permalink Reply by mweerd on April 29, 2015 at 5:28am

Thanks for all the tips. Is it me - or does the yellow of a Kryp Fuggetabouit Ulock send a bit of a signal?

I never leave the bike anywhere overnight and take it in my office during work. Sometimes I read through the stolen bike registry and the number one and two no-no's are cable lock and porch/garage.

Found this thread interesting- guy got his bike stolen from Cali Blue Line a couple years ago.

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Permalink Reply by Rich S on April 29, 2015 at 5:48am

If I'm not mistaken that u-lock bolts only on one side while their orange and yellow locks bolt on both sides. Meaning that you need to make two cuts with an angle grinder as opposed to the one cut needed for the lock pictured. Also that it's more susceptible to breaking from leverage attacks with a crowbar or tire iron. 

I recommend what others here have said about using 2 u-locks. I use a larger one to secure my frame and one of my wheels. Then I use a smaller mini u-lock to secure the other wheel to the frame. My locks are a combo of Kryptonite Orange, Abus Folding, or Abus mini. The krypto lock I just leave at my job so I don't have to lug it back and forth. 

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on April 29, 2015 at 4:05pm

I would think your lock will be just fine for running errands. If you were leaving your bike out overnight or at a Metra station during the day, you might get something different.

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Permalink Reply by Greg Valent on April 30, 2015 at 4:11pm

Just an example of how I lock my bike daily. From her description, I think this is similar to Yasmeen's method. A standard heavy Kryptonite at the rear, a lighter Kr. long shackle at the front. Frame, wheel and rack in both. (If you look close, you can see a seat-leash cable at the top of the rear triangle.)

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Permalink Reply by Greg Valent on April 30, 2015 at 4:21pm

The 'seat leash', is first looped through the frame triangle. It has another loop that is then bolted to the top of the seatpost with the clamp that holds the seat. I also replaced the mountain bike seatpost quick-release with a standard nut and bolt. Also, the seat is pretty beat up, as it sits out in the weather for ten hours, or more, a day.

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Permalink Reply by daWillinChi on May 1, 2015 at 1:41am

The first thing that was ever stolen off my bike was a saddle. After that, I made sure that my saddle was never a quick-release - not really stolen-proof, but would take them a bit longer if they really wanted it.

Now I ride with Brooks saddle everywhere and I use an old chain looped around the railing of the saddle to the seat stays. I also cover it with one of those 312 saddle covers they used to give away at a bike-to-work week rally at Daley plaza. Again, not really stolen-proof, just a bit more work for the would-be thieves.

And it was nice meeting you last night, Jeff!

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