Locks
Thread started by
brittany at 07.22.09 - 7:35 pm
I'm buying a U-lock today.
I've only ever heard to get Kryptonite but I'm really antsy to get out on my bike soooo since all the special bike shops are closed I'm looking at like...Sports Chalet.
My question to you is, is one brand really better/different than the other? I'd rather protect my bike. Are brands like Bulldog, Master lock, etc, the same thing orrrr should I just stick to what's good.
Thanks!
Brittany
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Kryptonite has a patented design that resists a certain method for breaking u locks. If I was going to spend $50 on a bulldog, id spend $55 for a kryptonite. Most inportanty, get the smallest lock you need. The bigger the lock, the more spaces for thieves to stick their tools.
Good luck!
tortuga_veloce07.22.09 - 7:43 pm
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Word.. I get the Kryptonite Evolution Mini... the smaller the gap... the harder it is for the thief to get leverage. Plus... the Sheldon Brown method.... you should be cool.
digablesoul responding to a
comment by tortuga_veloce
07.22.09 - 8:09 pm
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oh goodness are there enough of these things?
i'm kind of a perfectionist so i'd want the BEST LOCK out there.
I"m thinking I'll get this tomorrow?
http://jaxbicycles.com/itemdetails.cfm?libid=32433
I'm in long beach right now so I don't really have the luxury of a bunch of bike shops. I'm probably trippin. That's good right?
so down with the key safe program. I'm replacing my lock since I lost my keys :(
brittany07.22.09 - 9:50 pm
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for get about it
Gav07.22.09 - 9:55 pm
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yup... that would be the premium of the locks... it's pretty heavy though
digablesoul responding to a
comment by Gav
07.22.09 - 10:01 pm
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Best way to approach buying a u-lock, is first to base it on the worth of your bike.
If your bike is a piece of crap... are you worried someone is going to take the risk or take the effort to steal it?
Bike worth...
$200
$500
$1000
$2000
Basically, no U-lock will guarantee a peace of mind if your lock is wrapped around a dope ride.
My suggestion: if your bike is worth $500 - $800 buy a mid-range u-lock, the On Guard Bulldog Mini, or Kryto Mini... and call it a day. Maybe a cable to lock up your front wheel.
$1000 and up, it probably worth getting a New York lock, or Fahgetaboutit (forget how its spelled)
But securing your bike is more than just about a lock though... Sheldons method is generaly good, but if they can cut your spokes out and pull your bike thorough the real wheel in most situations...
life sucks.. i know...
It would be nice if others didnt want your goods....
md207.22.09 - 10:02 pm
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actually i spoke a little quickly about Sheldons method... I recalled reading about an incident that pointed to cutting spokes... but I still dont know how that would work... i still use sheldons method.. anyway good luck
md207.22.09 - 10:13 pm
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his method relies on the spoke tension to clamp the rim onto the hacksaw if you try to cut it, free it from the lock, and take the bike. Cut the spokes and you can cut the rim, but I don't think most thieves are smart enough to do anything except go straight for the lock.
Gav responding to a
comment by md2
07.22.09 - 10:29 pm
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Yes... what md2 said. Definitely lock vs. worth of bike...
My set up. I ride a road bike/gears so I have Onguard locking skewers on both the front and back wheel. A bicycle chain around the rails of my saddle and seatstays.
I've been wanting to do the "bb pellet on my stem/fork" thing so they can't jack the front end. But... maybe too drastic?
But... for the fixie rider... the Ongaurd skewers aren't strong enough to hold the rear wheel in place... but that goes for the horizontal drops. Track drops should be ok in theory? Anyone done this?
@md2...
On the "cut spokes" and "pull bike through the rear wheel"... I have never thought of that! I'm trying to picture it in my mind. I don't think it's possible. Really? Man now you got me thinking! The rim in itself is hard to cut through. You're saying that one would have to unbolt the rear wheel from drops... cut spokes... then taco the rear wheel and have it pass through the seatstays/seattube/rear dropout triangle?
digablesoul responding to a
comment by md2
07.22.09 - 10:30 pm
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Also make sure to get a length of cable to lock up your wheels and stuff.
The smaller the u-lock, the more important this is, and wheels DO get stolen pretty regularly.
JB07.22.09 - 11:37 pm
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Also, Sheldon's method of locking the bike via the wheel through the rear frame is fine, as long as the lock goes around the rim and not just through the spokes. Cutting through a rim /tire is a pretty time consuming effort.
JB07.22.09 - 11:39 pm
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Actually found the article (well the original article was posted on the same site, but another author couldnt figure out what happened)...
Take a look...
Im inclined to think a couple things happened in the picture:
1. it was the front wheel as the author notes... this is weird, but also note the direction of the tire tread indicates it was most likely the front, unless the rear tire was on wrong.. but again why the front wheel wasnt just removed????
2. joke
Overall, II still think you could cut all the spokes out... get away with a hub, and even remove the tire (which is quick and easy) and taco the rim to fit through the triangle. Maybe im wrong, but thats a lot of work
heres the article:
http://lockyourbike.wordpress.com/2009/03/06/sheldon-brown-locking-method-potential-flaw/
md2 responding to a
comment by digablesoul
07.23.09 - 10:35 am
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I had a bulldong mini before I left it on the train.
It seems good enough for most situations.
It was about $20 less than the kryptonite and a little lighter too.
which is good because I 2 U-locks is Ideal in bike-theft prone areas.
trickmilla07.23.09 - 3:23 pm
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