The Chainlink

Is there a way to raise locking technique awareness?

A while ago I was near "The Green Mill"/"Crew" and I saw 6 bicycles locked within 15 feet of each other that were locked horribly. Most of them used cheap keyed cable locks securing only their frame or frame and front wheel to rack/post. 1 had the cheapest U-lock possible securing only the frame. 4 out of 6 all had quick releases, the ones that secured their front wheel didn't have quick release.

There were 2 that were exceptionally bad though. One had a knockoff Kryptoflex cable locking his frame and front wheel, the cable was held together with a high school style Master lock to the rack. The other actually had a decent U-lock (not sure of brand) but the U-lock was only secured to the frame, the part that secured the bike to the rack was a very thin piece of cable that was attached to the U-lock going around the bicycle rack. 

The items that I linked aren't precisely the same ones but are very similar items to give you an idea of what I'm talking about.

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Permalink Reply by Davo on August 6, 2013 at 4:54pm

How expensive do you figure these bikes were?

Permalink Reply by Shawn M on August 6, 2013 at 5:01pm

1 looked rather new probably in the $700 range (only frame locked to rack with cable), none were complete beaters. They could probably sell for $100 at a stolen price. Honestly they all looked nicer than my own bike.

Edit: Not to say my bike is anything special, it's not. Old 1980's road bike but to give you an idea, they were all nicer than the picture of mine that I attached.

Permalink Reply by Elizabeth M. on August 6, 2013 at 5:10pm

I keep reading posts about this I would actually love some advice about locking my bike. I have a cruiser so it has a thick frame, fat tires and big fenders. Because of it's size I can't really get a U-lock to work properly. I use a heavy chain with a combination lock which I run through the front tire, the frame and around whatever I'm locking it to. I also have a relatively cheap cable lock that I had before I moved to Chicago that I run under my seat, through the back tire and through the frame. And, if possible, I lock that to something too. Considering the age, style and condition of my bike it's probably overkill. But I'm hoping these steps will make it look like more trouble than it's worth. Thoughts? Suggestions? 

Permalink Reply by Shawn M on August 6, 2013 at 5:30pm

A thick chain is great along with a mini u-lock to hold it together such a something like this(sorry I really only know the Kryptonite brand, I'm sure other brands make something similar.). May I suggest that you secure your back wheel and frame to post with the chain and use either 1 or 2 secondary locks to secure your front wheel and seat? Rear wheels are more expensive to replace than front if stolen.

If you look at my picture above I use my U-lock to secure both my frame and rear wheel to a bicycle rack and I use my longer cable to secure both my front wheel and saddle to the U-lock. I could do better, but for what my bike is worth, that U-lock and cable is probably worth more than my bike as it is...

Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

Edit to add: I overkill quite a bit for my old bike but I like to do everything I can to keep it. I'me used to it, don't want to have to buy a new one because I know every quirk about it and don't want to learn new ones. My locking system has worked well for this bike for 4(give or take) years and as far as I'm concerned the money I paid for my locks, has well paid for themselves.

Elizabeth M. said:

I keep reading posts about this I would actually love some advice about locking my bike. I have a cruiser so it has a thick frame, fat tires and big fenders. Because of it's size I can't really get a U-lock to work properly. I use a heavy chain with a combination lock which I run through the front tire, the frame and around whatever I'm locking it to. I also have a relatively cheap cable lock that I had before I moved to Chicago that I run under my seat, through the back tire and through the frame. And, if possible, I lock that to something too. Considering the age, style and condition of my bike it's probably overkill. But I'm hoping these steps will make it look like more trouble than it's worth. Thoughts? Suggestions? 

Permalink Reply by Michael A on August 6, 2013 at 5:34pm

The abus link locks, the granite bordo come in extra long lengths, They fold up nice and small and provide a high level of security. They can be defeated through the same means as a good U lock in about the same amount of time. If your budget can swing the price a pair of these would most likely send the thief looking for an easier target. I prefer to lock my bike up to both sides of the U shaped bike racks forcing the thief to have to defeat two locks.

http://www.abus.com/eng/Mobile-Security/Bike-safety-and-security/Lo...

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on August 6, 2013 at 5:46pm

Just so you know, we've gotten two reports at the CSBR in the past week or 10 days of the Bordo "Lite" being broken at one of the link hinges. I didn't see the locks, but the descriptions seemed pretty clear that the lock was broken rather than cut.

Michael A said:

The abus link locks, the granite bordo come in extra long lengths, They fold up nice and small and provide a high level of security. They can be defeated through the same means as a good U lock in about the same amount of time. If your budget can swing the price a pair of these would most likely send the thief looking for an easier target. I prefer to lock my bike up to both sides of the U shaped bike racks forcing the thief to have to defeat two locks.

http://www.abus.com/eng/Mobile-Security/Bike-safety-and-security/Lo...

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on August 6, 2013 at 5:55pm

This is from the CDOT website. It's a pretty good description of how to lock your bike. A second u-lock will undoubtedly make your bike the least attractive target on the block.

1. Take a picture of your bike.

2. Put a business card with your name and address inside the handlebar or seat tube.

3. Write down the serial number (Can usually be found under the bottom bracket).

4. Register your bike (CPD, CSBR, one of the National registries) BEFORE IT IS STOLEN.

5. If it is stolen, file a report with local police and post an entry to the CSBR.

Everybody likes a good recovery story, but the sad truth is that once a bike is stolen you have less than a 5% chance of being reunited with your bike. Accordingly, no steps that you take to ensure that your bike is there when you get back should be considered overkill.


Elizabeth M. said:

I keep reading posts about this I would actually love some advice about locking my bike. I have a cruiser so it has a thick frame, fat tires and big fenders. Because of it's size I can't really get a U-lock to work properly. I use a heavy chain with a combination lock which I run through the front tire, the frame and around whatever I'm locking it to. I also have a relatively cheap cable lock that I had before I moved to Chicago that I run under my seat, through the back tire and through the frame. And, if possible, I lock that to something too. Considering the age, style and condition of my bike it's probably overkill. But I'm hoping these steps will make it look like more trouble than it's worth. Thoughts? Suggestions? 

Permalink Reply by Thedutchtouch on August 7, 2013 at 2:24pm
Sounds like a great place to lock your own bike. I always try to lock up by nicer looking or more poorly locked bikes if I can find any.
Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on August 7, 2013 at 3:17pm

I've always been skeptical of the foldable locks. Aren't the joints weak points?

Kevin C said:

Just so you know, we've gotten two reports at the CSBR in the past week or 10 days of the Bordo "Lite" being broken at one of the link hinges. I didn't see the locks, but the descriptions seemed pretty clear that the lock was broken rather than cut.

Permalink Reply by SlowCoachOnTheRoad on August 7, 2013 at 3:53pm

Elizabeth, won't the long one below fit your frame, fat tire, and bike rack in one long line?

http://www.kryptonitelock.com/Pages/ProductDetails.aspx?cat=Ultimat...


It was funny on page one of these locks - it said the New York Lock M18 is only available in Europe!
Elizabeth M. said:

I keep reading posts about this I would actually love some advice about locking my bike. I have a cruiser so it has a thick frame, fat tires and big fenders. Because of it's size I can't really get a U-lock to work properly. I use a heavy chain with a combination lock which I run through the front tire, the frame and around whatever I'm locking it to. I also have a relatively cheap cable lock that I had before I moved to Chicago that I run under my seat, through the back tire and through the frame. And, if possible, I lock that to something too. Considering the age, style and condition of my bike it's probably overkill. But I'm hoping these steps will make it look like more trouble than it's worth. Thoughts? Suggestions? 

Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on August 7, 2013 at 7:21pm

This can not be overemphasized:

The folding ABUS locks are not appropriate as a primary lock in Chicago, and provide nowhere near the security of a $40 Kryptonite U-lock.  I will go as far as to say that I hope any shop that sells them in Chicago without a clear warning to the buyer goes out of business.

Kevin C said:

Just so you know, we've gotten two reports at the CSBR in the past week or 10 days of the Bordo "Lite" being broken at one of the link hinges. I didn't see the locks, but the descriptions seemed pretty clear that the lock was broken rather than cut.

Permalink Reply by Elizabeth M. on August 7, 2013 at 8:46pm

I haven't seen the long one but I bet it would. I'll have to try to find one. 

SlowCoachOnTheRoad said:

Elizabeth, won't the long one below fit your frame, fat tire, and bike rack in one long line?

http://www.kryptonitelock.com/Pages/ProductDetails.aspx?cat=Ultimat...


It was funny on page one of these locks - it said the New York Lock M18 is only available in Europe!
Elizabeth M. said:

I keep reading posts about this I would actually love some advice about locking my bike. I have a cruiser so it has a thick frame, fat tires and big fenders. Because of it's size I can't really get a U-lock to work properly. I use a heavy chain with a combination lock which I run through the front tire, the frame and around whatever I'm locking it to. I also have a relatively cheap cable lock that I had before I moved to Chicago that I run under my seat, through the back tire and through the frame. And, if possible, I lock that to something too. Considering the age, style and condition of my bike it's probably overkill. But I'm hoping these steps will make it look like more trouble than it's worth. Thoughts? Suggestions? 

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