Bicycle Locks

sillybilly · August 2008

All you cyclists out there:

I need a bicycle lock and am thinking about purchasing (on line) a Kryptonite NY Fahgettaboudit U-Lock (http://www.seasonaloutfitters.com/product/faghetulock.htm).

Do I need a chain with this lock too? Or will this lock secure to say a parking meter, seat post and rear tire? Do I need more than 1 lock? (They're really expensive so I would rather not purchase more than 1 lock.) I can't seem to find the answer to this. Or should I get the Kryptonite mini with a heavy NY chain?

More generally, what do you use to secure your bikes?

daver · August 2008

I would get the Kryptonite quad or hex chain with a good lock. That U-lock is good, but it is really short and you may run into issues. Also, you need a plan for your seat and front wheel, some secure their front wheel to the frame with a second U. And don't lock your bike to a parking meter. In a perfect world, I would do one short U and one short quad chain with a separate lock. Actually, in a perfect world, I wouldn't leave my bike outside at all.

mantic · August 2008

This is old news, but....

The short and sweet, no lock is secure. It's more of a where and when and is it safe there.

bohuma · August 2008

Subject: The Insurance they offer is limited in NY

Check out Kryptonite's website www.kryptonitelock.com/Default.aspx, due to state law, the insurance they offer in NY is limited to one year's cover and is not renewable.

Unfortunately, there is no such thing as an unpickable lock. Personally, I don't leave my bicycle locked up anywhere except in the basement of my building. When I need to use it for transport (rather than recreation) I like to take it off the street. I would probably be okay leaving it locked up while I went into a store, but I wouldn't be surprised if my bike got stolen in the five minutes I was in the store.

Most of the delivery guys in Manhattan use the fahggetaboudit chain with a different lock. They only lock up they're really crappy bikes though, if you have an expensive bike I wouldn't lock it up anywhere unless you're only a few feet away.

sillybilly · August 2008

To clarify: I actually keep my bike locked in the basement of my building. My lock query was more about the best locking options for when I ride around locally or if I ride across the Brook. Bridge into Manhattan. Capiche?

Thanks!

daver · August 2008

sillybilly wrote: To clarify: I actually keep my bike locked in the basement of my building. My lock query was more about the best locking options for when I ride around locally or if I ride across the Brook. Bridge into Manhattan. Capiche? Thanks!

daver wrote: I would do one short U and one short quad chain with a separate lock.

To elaborate. A U-lock to lock a wheel to the frame, possibly around an immovable object. A short quad chain to lock a wheel to the frame to an immovable object. Wrap up any excess chain on the frame to reduce the chance of someone being able to apply leverage to it. You will likely upgrade the lock the chain comes with. Seats are a custom job. It is likely that the fat quad chain will not work through there. Put on whatever works for your setup.

sneaky flutes · August 2008

a new york kyptonite U-Lock will do you just fine. they also sell those locks in a slightly longer version but the small one that i have fits around most things (bike racks, street posts, parking meters etc).

carnivore · August 2008

daver wrote: [quote=sillybilly]To clarify: I actually keep my bike locked in the basement of my building. My lock query was more about the best locking options for when I ride around locally or if I ride across the Brook. Bridge into Manhattan. Capiche? Thanks!

daver wrote: I would do one short U and one short quad chain with a separate lock.

To elaborate. A U-lock to lock a wheel to the frame, possibly around an immovable object. A short quad chain to lock a wheel to the frame to an immovable object. Wrap up any excess chain on the frame to reduce the chance of someone being able to apply leverage to it. You will likely upgrade the lock the chain comes with. Seats are a custom job. It is likely that the fat quad chain will not work through there. Put on whatever works for your setup.

What daver said. Don't forget to put the chain through the frame AND the wheel, not just the wheel. You don't want an epic fail like this:

carnivore · August 2008

And whatever you do, don't secure your chain with a Master Lock No 5.

They look tough, but they're an absolute joke to pick (I can demonstrate for you at the next happy hour if you like). I see this all the time around the neighborhood and am always incredulous that the bikes are still there.

A good rule of thumb is to search you tube for the lock model and name before buying it and see how many videos there are of someone picking it. The more videos you see, the less secure it probably is (unless it's just some really obscure no-name lock).

filmlover44 · August 2008

Subject: Re: The Insurance they offer is limited in NY

bohuma wrote: Check out Kryptonite's website www.kryptonitelock.com/Default.aspx, due to state law, the insurance they offer in NY is limited to one year's cover and is not renewable.

Unfortunately, there is no such thing as an unpickable lock. Personally, I don't leave my bicycle locked up anywhere except in the basement of my building. When I need to use it for transport (rather than recreation) I like to take it off the street. I would probably be okay leaving it locked up while I went into a store, but I wouldn't be surprised if my bike got stolen in the five minutes I was in the store.

Most of the delivery guys in Manhattan use the fahggetaboudit chain with a different lock. They only lock up they're really crappy bikes though, if you have an expensive bike I wouldn't lock it up anywhere unless you're only a few feet away.

So, my son locked up his bike at Umass Amherst and lost the key about 2 years ago. Not the kind you can use a pen on. I sure would love to get it off before he graduates. How do I pick the bloody lock? Hmmmm. You mean the answer has been on You Tube this whole time? Who knew?

daver · August 2008

Subject: Re: The Insurance they offer is limited in NY

filmlover44 wrote: So, my son locked up his bike at Umass Amherst and lost the key about 2 years ago. Not the kind you can use a pen on. I sure would love to get it off before he graduates. How do I pick the bloody lock? Hmmmm. You mean the answer has been on You Tube this whole time? Who knew?

You don't mention what kind of lock it is, many of the U types can be defeated without a lot of trouble applying some leverage to pop them. Worse to worse, nothing out there is going to last more the five minutes versus a power grinder, rent or borrow one. I'm surprised the school doesn't have something to help you out here, have you asked them? Their maintenance will generally handle this sort of thing.

carnivore · August 2008

bean · August 2008

For what it's worth, I have that lock you're thinking about buying. I left my bike out one night with a cable run through the wheels. My seat got stolen, but nothing else.

mantic · August 2008

Carnivore wrote:

Ha ha ha... thats funny... Looking at it for what it's worth, in today's society, no one is really going to question a white guy "stealing" a bike. The implanted assumption is that it is his.
I would like them to get a minority and try the experiment again and compare the results.

Sorry, not race baiting for an flame. Just my observation of reality.

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