Do you have security?

GoldenMotor.com

NerpAngel

New Member
Sep 28, 2009
141
0
0
Ellensburg,WA
Hello everyone, I just wanted to start a thread asking you all what some of you use for locking up your bikes if you ever ride to city places. See I'm a college student up in Washington and I plan on riding my bike to classes some days, to the store every once and a while, etc... For those of you who lock up your bikes, what exactly do you do to feel safe? Maybe just wrap a cable around your bike to a bike rack or do you have some crazy gps locking tracking system? I know I love my bike just as much as the next person, and I'm sure there's people out there that would love to steal it. (Maybe I'm being paranoid :) )
 

Finfan

New Member
Aug 29, 2008
871
2
0
Tucson, AZ USA
I just have a cable lock but I make a point of locking it up in high traffic areas. I also have a padlock for my "trunk" that is bolted to my rear rack.
 

rbrtlndhl

New Member
Jan 27, 2010
53
0
0
La Crosse, WI
Hello everyone, I just wanted to start a thread asking you all what some of you use for locking up your bikes if you ever ride to city places. See I'm a college student up in Washington and I plan on riding my bike to classes some days, to the store every once and a while, etc... For those of you who lock up your bikes, what exactly do you do to feel safe? Maybe just wrap a cable around your bike to a bike rack or do you have some crazy gps locking tracking system? I know I love my bike just as much as the next person, and I'm sure there's people out there that would love to steal it. (Maybe I'm being paranoid :) )
OK people here's the thing. I have "some close friends" who know a LOT about locking systems, esp. for bikes. I am probably the person to come to for advice on this topic. Or at least, many of my friends are.

Bike lock types:
Standard Master Lock and Chain:
Bolt cutters make these useless. Bolt cutters are readily available.

Master Lock and Braided Cable:
more resistant to bolt cutters, esp. if you have a specialized lock for this purpose. DO NOT LOSE KEYS FOR THIS TYPE OF LOCK!

Braided Steel Cable with Rotating Cylinder Style Combination ("barrel style):
Very resistant to all but the most determined and repetitive operation of bolt cutters. HOWEVER: A quick, hard blow from a hammer, right on the numbers, will cause this type of lock to spring open.

Rotating style Combination with clear plastic cover over a thin chain:
I laugh whenever I see these. Makes theft more fun than simply not locking the bike up. These combination locks can EASILY and QUICKLY be de-coded with minimal hand effort. They can also be grasped in a person's hand, yanked good and hard, and broken. Congratulations. You just donated your bicycle to a person in "need."

Handcuff-style (about 60-80 bucks at a good bike store):
These are fantastic. Better brands come with a bicycle-replacement policy if they fail or someone gets it open or broken. The only downside is that these types of locks are very limited in the ways that you can apply them to your bicycle or other objects. You need something to lock it to that fits into the cuff piece.

"Python" style locks:
These locks work by a frictional system, which holds a loop of braided steel cable together. I do not recommend these, but only because I have seen one wear out, and no longer hold tightly to the loose cable end. However, if this was an isolated incident, this lock style offers a great array of options for use, and is available in various lengths to suit your individual need.

"U" style locks
These hardened locks are almost impenetrable. Bolt cutters (unless very long-handled, and operated by a very strong person, and containing VERY hardened teeth) hacksaws, hammers, and maybe even bullets:confused: have shown no way to break or force these open. However, clever use of an automobile service jack can force them open over an extended time and a good amount of work.

So, long story short, if someone clever wants your bike, they're gonna get it. The trick is to anticipate their ambition, park in an area with easier targets, and if you're gonna lose your baby, make 'em work for it at least.:-|| And when you see that fool riding your s**t around, clothesline that fool off of it, kick him in a strategic area, and ride off, reunited with your love. That's my advice, anyway. Or you could always rig up some electric fencing:zpt
 

Cabinfever1977

New Member
Mar 23, 2009
2,288
1
0
Upstate,NY
i use a braided cable lock with key and i lock it to a large display cart or metal picnic table right in front of a store or a metal pole and fence, in the store for just minutes then im out,no one even touches my bike or even thinks about it.

I guess if you live in a larger city or u are gone longer u might want a stronger lock like a aircraft cable with lock for motorcycles.
 

NerpAngel

New Member
Sep 28, 2009
141
0
0
Ellensburg,WA
that lock alarm looks interesting.. but what happens when someone accidentally bumps your bike? Or does the movement have to be pretty obvious for this thing to go off? Anyone use one of these before?
 

Earthman

New Member
Mar 24, 2009
82
0
0
Pittsburgh, PA
I repeat...

1) Get an alarm.
2) Chain a mean dog to to your bike.
3) Install a solar-powered electric fence doohickey on the MB with one terminal connected to the frame, the other to a handy earth ground.
4) Chain a big sack-O-dead skunks to it.
5) Put a big puddle of [fake] blood and some spent shotgun shells next to it with drag marks off toward a nearby dumpster.
6) Get insurance.
7) Some combination of the above.
 

civlized

New Member
Apr 28, 2009
689
1
0
Alabama
OK people here's the thing. I have "some close friends" who know a LOT about locking systems, esp. for bikes. I am probably the person to come to for advice on this topic. Or at least, many of my friends are.:zpt
I won't ask where all of this very informative knowledge comes from.