I would like suggestions on what bike lock to buy..?

Question

Worried about getting my bike stolen when I lock it up, I have seen those heavy duty rope locks get snipped, the u-locks seem to get picked, so I'm not sure what to buy that is actually going to keep my bike safe on Vancouver streets! Any suggestions?

Answer 1

U-Lock is still your best bet brothah.  And they've improved the "lock-pick-proof" features.  Most people by too much U-Lock though.  The best way to open a U-Lock is with leverage so a bigger lock provides more leverage for a crowbar to brace against a pole (or your bike - thieves don't car about riding it).

So check it... go with both.  A U-Lock and Cable lock.  You see each requires different tools to break and thieves don't usually carry both - too bulky and obvious.

Check out the late, great Sheldon Brown's take on locks.  It's eye opening!

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/lock-strateg...

Answer 2

I own a $1500 Cannondale touring bike that is 18 years old, so I think I did some things right, but there is no absolutely safe lock.

1) I used the $90 Kryptonite Evolution 2000 U-lock to always lock my frame and back wheel, and a cable to lock my front wheel.  A lot of the time, I have locked the front wheel with the back wheel.  They say don't buy a huge U-lock because they can more easily fit car jacks in them; however, a very tight fit will leave you having a hard time finding parking spots, so my U-lock was not very wide, but it did have some extra length, just enough to fit the front wheel if I wanted to.  U-locks can be broken too, but a good steel lock is going to slow them down.  Just type "U-lock" in Youtube, and you can see people breaking or trying to break their own U-locks.  

For example, I have some hacksawing experience.  Once my $2 Dudley brand name combination lock from high school jammed.  It took literally 2 seconds to hacksaw it -- like butter.  I'm in Edmonton, Alberta, so I see a lot of cheapskates, who don't want to waste a $2 lock, use these pieces of c**p to lock their bikes???  I also hacksawed the ends off of some bed frame braces for reinforcing a table.  That was very hard steel, and it took me hours to do it, so my point is using good steal in a U-lock will slow them down, and in the lock business you generally get what you pay for.

2) I engraved all the parts and the frame a million times.  Buy a good engraver not a $10 jackhammer.  I have the EasyMarker  brand engraver.  It can engrave the smallest items like bolts or rivets.  I am thinking of buying a Dremel tool, since it has many bits for engraving, grinding, cleaning etc.  Remember, nobody is going to check the serial number under the bottom bracket in front of the thief, and you will possibly lose this number anyways.

3) Whenever my bike was out of reach, I locked it.  I kept it inside my apartments.

4) I registered it online at Canada's http://www.personalpropertyregistry.com/ .

5) Usually I've taken off the accessories, but after being lazy a few times, they stole my bear bell and my Cateye cycling computer ($20) twice.  I don't know why they do this because they left the mount on my bike?   My seat posts are not quick release.  Seats don't need to be quick release unless you are having monthly growth spurts.  I think both wheels should be quick release for ease of maintenance; otherwise you are ripping yourself off.

6) Take a picture of your bike if it looks unique.  Likely, you can rely on manufacturer website photos.

I had a good experience with Kryptonite when my bike lock was jammed on Whyte Ave, Edmonton, Alberta, where all the bars are.  Yes, bikes and bar jerks on Friday night don't mix, since I already had one bike vandalized by bar jerks.  I emailed Kryptonite, and they emailed me back saying they would pay for a locksmith to cut the lock, and that they would send me a new lock.  The locksmith charged $70 and used a rebar saw, which only took 2 seconds, so next time I'll just find a buddy who works with concrete to do it.  I haven't heard of any thieves using rebar saws.  They make a lot of noise and sparks, not too discreet.

Cheap and ugly helps, but you still have to lock your bike when it's out of reach.  A senior citizen friend of mine had his adult tricycle stolen in front of a 7-11, so they will take anything.

Don't buy bikes from a pond shop (Sorry pond shop owners, but that 60 Minutes story on pond shops was pretty bad) or on the street unless the seller is prepared to let you give the money to his favorite charity.  I don't care what the story is.  Don't do it.  If you do know someone is stealing bikes, buy the movie Donnie Brasco, so you know how to go undercover to bust the jerk.

Answer 3

Your best bet would be a U Lock.  Take a look at Krytonite http://www.kryptonitelock.com/Products/L... My Kryptonite U Lock is working fine for me.  What you want is to do is(obviously) find something secure to lock your bike to, then take your cable (you'll need one) and run it through your front wheel and fork, then take your U Lock and lock it to the cable, your frame, and the secure object.  That's about as secure as your bike will get :P