Bike locks for touring
- Thread starter blackrat
- Start date
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steveindenmark
Legendary Member
As we all know, no matter what you get. If a thief is determined, they can get your bike.
Having said that. In my experience, there is not a scrote around every corner with a set of bolt croppers or portable angle grinder.
I make my own stainless steel wire cables (I have the tools to do it). They are 1.5 - 2m long and can go through the back wheel and the straps on my bags and round something solid and locked with a good Yale lock.
I would be looking for something like that. Anyone who deals with yachts, yachting or sails, should be able to make one.
Having said that. In my experience, there is not a scrote around every corner with a set of bolt croppers or portable angle grinder.
I make my own stainless steel wire cables (I have the tools to do it). They are 1.5 - 2m long and can go through the back wheel and the straps on my bags and round something solid and locked with a good Yale lock.
I would be looking for something like that. Anyone who deals with yachts, yachting or sails, should be able to make one.
Emanresu
Senior Member
Will the bike be insured and what does the insurance policy say? Mine said a diamond level lock and they are not light.
As @steveindenmark says (and from experience) they will get your bike if they want it. You just need to be able to recover the cost, if it does go, by meeting the insurance terms. Or take something you're happy to risk. Have done 7 European countries in the last 7 years and never had a problem using a simple D-lock. The only place I've had issues is here in the UK.
Are you thinking about the Lejog?
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As others have said, nothing will stop someone determined. However, if it’s just popping into shops whilst touring, I’ve used an Abus Bordo Lite folding lock for similar whilst bikepacking. A step up from a simple cafe cable lock and looks a little more substantial to the casual observer but light enough not to add too much weight to your packing. Will actually go in a jersey pocket or can be attached to the frame somewhere
I use a relatively small Abus D lock which I attach to my handlebars with Polaris fixie straps when I'm riding. When parked up, I put the lock around something solid and wrap the fixies around other parts of the bike to the stand/gate/fence or whatever which are less obvious. This at very least add 30+ seconds to the time they'll need to take it. Minimal I know but I try to make it as much hassle as possible. There have also been occasions where I've taken my front thru axle with me but left the bike intact otherwise so if someone does take it, they're not riding far.
mjr
Comfy armchair to one person & a plank to the next
- Location
- mostly Norfolk, sometimes Somerset
Some towns do seem to have every scrote kitted with wire cutters, so a cable isn't good enough any more. A D lock or something like a Bordo is pretty much the minimum in a town now IMO, unless you are OK with a higher risk of ending your tour early for the sake of carrying a kilogram.
- Location
- The TerrorVortex
I use a small D-lock just big enough to go round a wheel, the frame and a stand or fence.
This was fine on my recent Welsh tour.
I usually stored the bike inside overnight, and I had the battery up in my room for charging.
This was fine on my recent Welsh tour.
I usually stored the bike inside overnight, and I had the battery up in my room for charging.
steveindenmark
Legendary Member
It will only be insured if you can prove you have a Diamond level lock. I have and have a reciept somewhere. I rarely use it as they are heavy. But if I made a claim, I would say it was on the bike.
I would also suggest a tracker somewhere on the bike. I use a tractive pet tracker.
All uphill
Still rolling along
- Location
- Somerset
I take a different approach which may not suit you, or be suitable for your tours.
My bike is probably not attractive to most thieves, I only leave it unattended for a few minutes at a time and, as I stay in hotels or B and Bs I make the most of their secure storage.
I accept that my bike could be stolen and live with that risk. I tell myself that a replacement wing mirror for the car we used to have cost £400, and that my bike is worth less than that.
I use a cheap chain and padlock.
My bike is probably not attractive to most thieves, I only leave it unattended for a few minutes at a time and, as I stay in hotels or B and Bs I make the most of their secure storage.
I accept that my bike could be stolen and live with that risk. I tell myself that a replacement wing mirror for the car we used to have cost £400, and that my bike is worth less than that.
I use a cheap chain and padlock.
Dogtrousers
Kilometre nibbler
Not really touring, but the same use case - popping into a shop - I use a cable lock on my rides around the UK. My view is that it's relatively low risk - I tend to be in small towns/villages where there won't be that many passing bolt-cropper welding scrotes and the bike is only briefly unattended, and I try to leave it in sight of as much as possible.
A picture of my ancient cable lock:
https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/oldest-bit-of-kit.288717/#post-6848411
Come to think of it I used it on my last (mini) tour. That was really low risk as there were two of us, so one would watch the bikes. It was only locked overnight when inn B&B/Hotel storage.
A picture of my ancient cable lock:
https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/oldest-bit-of-kit.288717/#post-6848411
Come to think of it I used it on my last (mini) tour. That was really low risk as there were two of us, so one would watch the bikes. It was only locked overnight when inn B&B/Hotel storage.
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matticus
Guru
Can I just point out that if a theif is dertmined, with a set of bolt croppers or portable angle grinder, you will not stop him/her.
Right, carry on ...
Right, carry on ...
mjr
Comfy armchair to one person & a plank to the next
- Location
- mostly Norfolk, sometimes Somerset
My insurance doesn't specify that the lock has to buy any of the labels like "diamond". Doesn't even have to be locked if in a locked room. Not insured if left unlocked outside or in a shed, though.
Main reason I lock is not to walk or taxi.
mjr
Comfy armchair to one person & a plank to the next
- Location
- mostly Norfolk, sometimes Somerset
Bolt cutters? A decent pair of butcher's scissors would cut that, although slowly. Still probably OK in most villages to deter casual theft.
Good advice -as always - so I'll give the "Abus Bordo Lite" a look. All I am wanting is something light which will deter (hopefully) the casual thief.
I ride about 8,000 miles a year where I live and have never felt the need for a lock nor experienced any negative reaction when leaving my bike outside a shop, but reading these files on this and other UK cycle sites, I am concerned. Yes, I am riding LeJog in a few weeks. Looking forward to it. I grew up in Norwich and have previously traveled over much of Britain, but this will be the first cycle tour there.
BTW: If anyone has the means to travel to the states for a cycle tour, I recommend Colorado - I have cycled many tours there- and RAGBRAI.
Ken.
I ride about 8,000 miles a year where I live and have never felt the need for a lock nor experienced any negative reaction when leaving my bike outside a shop, but reading these files on this and other UK cycle sites, I am concerned. Yes, I am riding LeJog in a few weeks. Looking forward to it. I grew up in Norwich and have previously traveled over much of Britain, but this will be the first cycle tour there.
BTW: If anyone has the means to travel to the states for a cycle tour, I recommend Colorado - I have cycled many tours there- and RAGBRAI.
Ken.
