Legal locks for bike

[mjr]

If the rider is only leaving the bike in 2 places like home and the work bike rack then it might be easier to have a 2 locks and not carry them ?
I do this with my commuter as like most where i work we leave the locks in the bike shed at work .

That's fine until someone else with access to the shed (another worker, trespasser, whatever ) Superglues your lock in the hope you then leave your bike there unsecured. Or the site manager removes it as litter.

 

[Andy in Germany]

Hi

I've offered a metal chain to someone who hasn't got a bike lock, but haven't given it to them yet. It crossed my kind that a chain could be seen as a potential weapon, and therefore both carrying it to give it to my friend and for her to use it could get us into trouble.

We're both careful with money and so the idea of reusing items appeals but not if it could get us into trouble with police. Does anyone know what the rules are regarding size, length of chain or if using a purpose made lock is the only option.

Many thanks

Considering the various heavy and pointy things I carry every day, I don't think that'll be an issue.

 

[Alex321]

That's fine until someone else with access to the shed (another worker, trespasser, whatever ) Superglues your lock in the hope you then leave your bike there unsecured. Or the site manager removes it as litter.

Never known either of those things happen, in several years (previous commute for about 10 years in te late 80's and 90's, plus current commute going on for 3 years now). Nor heard of it happening to anybody else.

I always leave my main lock locked around one of the bike stands in the office car park.

 

[classic33]

Industrial degreasers can be used to remove superglue. Downside is they'll "eat" any plastic within the lock itself.
Keeping the lock oiled prevents the glue from taking hold within the lock. It just forms another layer/layers within the lock itself.

 

[mjr]

Never known either of those things happen, in several years (previous commute for about 10 years in te late 80's and 90's, plus current commute going on for 3 years now). Nor heard of it happening to anybody else.

Your call. I've heard of it happening but I've been involved in cycle advocacy for years which at one point included getting copies of Bristol area cycle theft reports. It's probably not common because theft in total is relatively rare, but it's not never.

 

[Aescott]

If the rider is only leaving the bike in 2 places like home and the work bike rack then it might be easier to have a 2 locks and not carry them ?
I do this with my commuter as like most where i work we leave the locks in the bike shed at work .

That’s ok until you decide to take a detour on the commute and need to lock your bike when you go in to a shop. Fine if you make that plan before you set off, but impulse changes can still happen. Ive got a Krypton cable which attaches to my frame. Doesn’t add a lot of weight to the bike, although the 15 stone rider does……

 

[Mike_P]

I use to leave a lock at work, now only going in occasionally I have removed that and use the D lock I take with me shopping.

 

[cyberknight]

That’s ok until you decide to take a detour on the commute and need to lock your bike when you go in to a shop. Fine if you make that plan before you set off, but impulse changes can still happen. Ive got a Krypton cable which attaches to my frame. Doesn’t add a lot of weight to the bike, although the 15 stone rider does……

i dont carry any means of payment

 

[classic33]

i dont carry any means of payment

You don't just help yourself!!

 

[Mike_P]

I always take my debit card and a £10 note with me on non shopping rides. In a thin credit card holder that fits a zipped jersey pocket. Acts a buffer to the keys in their as well.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

i dont carry any means of payment

But the whole point in cycling is cafe stops - so how do you pay?????

 

[AndyRM]

But the whole point in cycling is cafe stops - so how do you pay?????

Ride it like it was stollen.

 

[Vantage]

It's easier to outrun a cafe owner on bike than on foot.

 

[cyberknight]

But the whole point in cycling is cafe stops - so how do you pay?????

i was talking about commuting when i posted not carrying locks, on leisure rides i carry a cafe lock

 

[froze]

There are a lot of things you carry on your person that are potential weapons, so not sure where you were going with that.

A chain for a bike lock system is very handy, tough to cut, except with an angle grinder, and will conform to whatever object you put the chain around.

If you're bike is expensive, you should be considering an angle grinder resistant lock, battery powered angle grinders have become all the rage among pro bike thieves. Locks like the LiteLok X3; Hiplock D1000; Squire Stronghold D16 Max; Abus Granit Super Extreme 2500, this lock is the heaviest of the lot and probably the toughest to cut; Skunklock Carbon, this lock will not hold up as long as the first four will against an angle grinder, but it will release a poignant odor! All of those locks will take between 3 to 5 disks to cut through, and between 2 to 4 batteries.

Another lock is the Altor SAF, this lock is actually angle grinder proof, but one look at the size of that thing is enough to want to leave it at home!

But if you have a nice bike, none of those locks will prevent someone from stealing your components. So the best method of protecting a high-end bike is to leave it at home and ride a $250 or so used bike to places that you need to lock up the bike, then just buy a cheap $40 or so lock, and use the good bike for when you're not going to leave it someplace.