Comments on: Grade your bike locking job

By: Siel

Siel — Fri, 15 May 2009 22:00:05 +0000

I’m wondering if I should make a trip to Bikerowave to have my seat and handlebars secured somehow. But right now I don’t even take any of the accessories off — basket, lights — which are easily removable…. Am I tempting fate? My bike’s not that fancy….

By: Don Hosek

Don Hosek — Wed, 13 May 2009 18:29:05 +0000

I use a cable lock and a U lock. Generally U lock through frame and rear tire, cable through frame and front tire. I replaced the quick-release mechanism for the seat and put in a standard bolt after I had a seat stolen. I lost a rear wheel once when someone cut the cable and stole the wheel (presumably after discovering that I also had the U-lock on the bike). Since then, I try to always hit the back wheel with the U-lock. Don Hosek’s last blog post..Mary, recapitated

By: Jenn (TinyChoices.com)

Jenn (TinyChoices.com) — Tue, 12 May 2009 22:32:36 +0000

I've got my wheels and seat locked on with a proprietary locking system which needs a special key to get these things off, and I use a ridiculously heavy Kryptonite "NYC" chain and lock. Seems to be working, as I leave my bike locked up outside my apt and work buildings 24/7/365... that chain sure is heavy, though! Jenn (TinyChoices.com)’s last blog post..Bike Commuting Jumpstart

By: How Green Is My Valley

How Green Is My Valley — Tue, 12 May 2009 18:35:21 +0000

It depends on where I am, but when I’m leaving it in an exposed location, my locking system would get a B+/A-. I don’t lock the seat, but I do everything else he recommends.

That’s based on the earlier videos–I haven’t watched this one yet.

By: M

Tue, 12 May 2009 17:53:34 +0000

I’m with Gary on this one. I have a variety of locks and the number and which I use depends on how long I intend on leaving my bike and where it is. I got tired of worrying about my seat so I replaced the quick release. I also try to have a variety of locks, especially if I am going someplace I am not familiar with since some of the racks or lack of bike racks, can make locking up a bike more challenging. I actually find my panniers to be the most annoying part of locking my bike on a normal basis though. I sometimes have to strategically plan my errands so my panniers aren’t filled with stuff after my first errand stop. Otherwise I have to worry about dragging the stuff along with me to the next destination or risking leaving it outside with my bike.

By: Gary K.

Gary K. — Tue, 12 May 2009 17:44:16 +0000

How thoroughly I lock my bike depends on where and for how long it will be locked. Sometimes I forgo the full wheel locking for quick stops, but I always u-lock the frame. On message boards I hear tons of stories of stolen bikes, but what I don’t hear is stories of stolen bikes that were u-locked. Nearly every story is a bike that was not locked at all for a second, or cable locked. Cable locks can be broken in a few seconds by someone with the right cutters. If two bikes are side by side and one is u-locked and one is cable locked, the cable locked bike will be the one stolen.

If I’m riding one of my nicer bikes and will be locking for an extended time, I’ll u-lock the frame, wrap a heavy cable around both wheels and use a mini cable on my saddle. For special occasions I also have a heavy duty reinforced steel chain link lock that can only be broken with heavy power tools, the kind of grade of lock you see on motorcycles or scooters. I like locks, :). So far no bikes stolen, knock on wood. I did have a seat and seat post stolen once in Venice though, but that was before I was as thorough with my locking.