This is mostly Gregory's fault. He is still a bit concerned about leaving his bicycle locked up outside for any length of time and that has me concerned again. We're both using the Kryptonite New York U-Lock and some cables for the saddle and front wheel. But now, I'm thinking about upgrading to a chain and dedicating the U-Lock to the front wheel.
Originally, I didn't buy the chain because I realized that it's just a U-Lock extender. The chain is locked with the same Kryptonite U-Lock. I don't know why I didn't realize this before - but when I was sitting there at the bike shop looking at the locks, I suddenly realized that the chain isn't any more secure than the U-Lock because the only thing holding the chain together is a U-Lock.
We made sure that our renters insurance would cover the theft of both of our bicycles, and it does - the Agent assured me of that. But the problem is loosing a wheel or the saddle or something that's less than the deductable. Now, if I could get my hands on the ABUS lock, that would be a different story, as that's a different beast altogether. I had originally planned on getting the Granit CityChain X-Plus 1060 - but the Dutch Bike Co. Seattle no longer has these. Anyone know where to get one?
So, how do you lock your bicycle? Have you ever had one stolen? What did you do differently after? Do you lock your saddle, or take it with you? What about your wheels?Amusing Bike Lock Pages I've Read:
Slate.com's "Avoiding the Bicycle Thief" is kind of how i might go about testing locks if I could afford to.
Bikeforum.net "2005 Bike Review Thread" is old, but pretty interesting discussion.
Transportation Alternatives "Locking your Bike - Do's and Don'ts" from '92, check out the 'crack' reference...and the strange logic 'u-locks are useless, so use a chain with a u-lock instead...' huh?
Got any others? Post them in the comments.
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11 comments:
Upgrade to a chain. With a chain and u-lock you can pretty much lock to anything and be pretty secure that it is not going anywhere.
This advice is worth considering:
http://sheldonbrown.com/lock-strategy.html
For securing wheels and other components, locking skewers provide some added security:
http://www.pinheadcomponents.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=35&Itemid=56
Also, the reason a chain would provide more security (as recommended by TA) than a large U-lock is that there is no way to fit a jack into the little U-lock used for securing the chain. Mini U-locks are more secure for the same reason. A mini U-lock is small and light. A chain let's you lock to bigger objects and to secure more parts of the bicycle.
I use a mini U-lock through the rear wheel inside the triangle made by the seat post, the chain stays, and the seat stays, as recommended by Sheldon Brown. My front wheel is secured by a locking skewer.
thanks for posting this, i definitely heard a few things i hadn't considered before.
Story: My friend locked up her bike outside the path station with her NY Kryptonite chain, and went to work. Halfway through the day she gets this nagging feeling, and when she gets off the path after work, realizes that though she chained the wheels to the frame, she didn't lock the bike to anything. No one took it, either because she was lucky, or because thieves realized that they might walk away with the bike, but they'd never get the lock off.
James - thanks for the links and the great explanation! I suppose it makes sense that a smaller opening provides less leverage - I guess I wonder how many bicycle thieves are going to pull out a jack and try to break a Kryptonite New York U-Lock in the middle of the day on a crowded street. But maybe that's more common than I imagine?
Lily - great story!
I suppose that most bicycles aren't even looked at, they just sit there all day safe and sound... or in this case - it may have appeared that the bicycle was locked because there was a lock.... Maybe we should all get little flashing LEDs for our bikes so they think we have security systems....
having worked in a bicycle shop, this is what i know: the yellow and orange (series 4) kryptonite locks cannot be leverage broken with a 2 x 4. one would need a wheel saw to get through these. the gray ones can be leverage broken.
here's how i lock:
rear wheel: axa defender rear wheel lock
front wheel: axa 1.5m chain into the rear axa defender
seat: kryptonite cable to kryptonite orange series 4 lock
frame: kryptonite orange series 4 lock to meter or bike rack.
i use an abus chain when i am leaving my bike for longer periods of time or in higher risk areas. in addition, one cannot use an abus chain to a parking meter or sign in chicago - thieves will lift the bike over it or undo saw through the sign.
I use a kryptonite lock on my front wheel and frame to a solid object (not a sign post). And an Axa real wheel lock to lock those the rear wheel to the frame. Those locks are the best! Both these locks fit in my rear pants pockets when I ride.
I'm not saying I couldn't have a bike stolen from me. But I never have.
But I don't think it's because of my locks. I think it's because I almost always remember to lock my bike.
I suspect that many if not most stolen bikes are actually not locked. The rider may put key in lock and turn, but then actually do nothing and leave. I've done it. I've seen other bikes unlocked. I suspect we've all done it. I urge everyone not to do it.
the number one way bicycles are stolen in chicago? unlocked on rear decks, in back yards, and from garages. "i didn't think he could climb a fence." "the garage was locked." "how could they see my bike from the alley?"
and the number 2 way? cable locks. those kiddos bring their cable locks from the suburbs when they move here, and bam - their bike is gone.
bottom line - i agree with pcm.
Alex (I have seen in person) creates a veritable Chinese puzzle game for a thief to solve - not worth any thief's effort - so they move on...
We have a variety of the heavy duty ABUS locks in stock again.
Hal is well loved, I see him all over the place (on the web, that is, as I live in Old Amsterdam), check this out.
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