Secure Good Bike Locks

yoshi on 08/11/2010 - 08:17
Last edited 08/11/2010 - 20:23

Hi Guys

I just recently bought a mountain bike and would like to purchase a really good bike lock. I am very new into this and have been reading on locks. Recommended good lock is the 'Kryptonite New York Standard'. Does anyone have any thoughts or recommendations about other locks? Also where can i purchase a good price lock?

edit: the bike is worth $450. So i guess spending about $100-$150 would be the most for me? Bike would be ridden to neighborhoods, shopping malls, beaches, pubs (around beaches).

Thanks in advance.

General Discussion

Comments

  • zhenjie on 08/11/2010 - 11:38

    Are you ok carrying a D-lock? or you want something that is easier to carry like a chain/cable?

    • yoshi on 08/11/2010 - 20:19

      i dont mind any carrying locks as long as it secures my bike? like it has to be of a good grade quality though?

  • ESEMCE on 08/11/2010 - 11:48

    The New York Standard and Mini are the most recommended for actually deterring a proper bike thief. Anything else is either easily cut, broken or picked.

    However, for a lock that will just keep someone from strolling off with your bike (ie not someone who has come prepared), I bought a Basta D lock with cable for about $20 from Cellbikes.com.au
    Torpedo7 might have some OK, cheap stuff and bikes.com.au do good specials too.

    • ESEMCE on 08/11/2010 - 14:06

      Cheap cable lock $5 available from Cell for 2 days..
      http://www.cellbikes.com.au/Bike-Rider-Cable-Key-Lock-10x180…

      • neil on 08/11/2010 - 14:48

        Good price but the $15 shipping kills the deal.

      • Davo1111 on 08/11/2010 - 19:41

        these things are good (masterlock is around $10 from officeworks) however they're only good for accessories like wheels/seats. A solid kick can remove them easy

    • anthony on 09/11/2010 - 18:01
      +1

      The New York Standard and Mini are the most recommended for actually deterring a proper bike thief. Anything else is either easily cut, broken or picked.

      So is a D lock which is what the New York Standard is.

      All it takes is a car jack which is easier than bolt cutters if you are leaving your bike in or near a car park.

      If a thief likes your bike then they will take it from you.

      My $500 bike was being protected with a $100+ cable lock and it was still taken. All I was left with was some pieces of my lock where the bike was left.

      Leave your bike somewhere where you know a camera is watching and put any lock on it which looks big and strong.

      • zhenjie on 09/11/2010 - 22:39

        Krypotonite has bike insurance for some particular models, the New York might be one of them. A bolt cutter isn't going to easily cut through a proper chain (not cable) or well rated D-lock (10/15 or higher rating)

        • Davo1111 on 09/11/2010 - 23:33

          but lets look at chances here. As far as i've seen on campus, there are three types of bike damage/thieft

          1) Drunks steal parts off bikes or kick the wheels
          2) Professional thieves come past with bolt cutters
          3) Opportunist thieves.

          1 - tough locks cant stop this
          2 - heavy lock may stop this
          3 - using a reasonable lock can stop this.

          Imho just go middle ground, get a "decent" lock, and park the bike inside overnight. If the bike is really that valuable, get insurance or something. But really imho you need to weigh up practicality/feasability of buying and using a $150+ kryptonite lock (that will be heavy)

  • StewBalls on 08/11/2010 - 12:47
    +3

    Check out this dude's bike security videos too http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Den2TJcbPf4
    :)

    • Tenebrae on 08/11/2010 - 20:37

      Enjoyed watching that video. Thanks for posting it!

      • StewBalls on 10/11/2010 - 00:57

        No probs, that dude's awesome! :)

  • Davo1111 on 08/11/2010 - 19:35

    You can buy these from most stores - even officeworks for around $10 each. These are VERY weak, becareful, a solid kick to the bike, when the cord is taught will undo them.

    I have one of these and its a very solid product. Despite it been given a low lock "rating", its very secure.

    I use both, the D lock for the frame and pole, and the cord around accessories like wheels etc. Also i park it next to other bikes that are less secure. At the end of the day, it's impractical to spend $500 on a bike lock when the bike is only worth a few hundred.

    My university also subsidises the locks.

    EDIT: OP how much is the bike worth? and how much do you want to spend securing it?

    EDIT: OP where abouts is the bike being stores/ridden too? dodgy downtown? university? neighbourhood shops

    • neil on 08/11/2010 - 21:01

      Aren't those D-Locks the ones you can open with a pen?

      • Davo1111 on 08/11/2010 - 21:19

        nah, the old ones could be opened with a pen, but kryptonite realised there was an issue, provided a fix, and allowed a free trade in. If you're buying anything new i don't think its a problem.

        PS - my D lock is actually key based, not cylinder based. It has a double edge, so it's harder to pick

        • neil on 08/11/2010 - 21:28

          Cool, any recommendations of stores? Worth looking on Ebay? My bike cost $300 new, so doesn't need to be a great lock.

        • Davo1111 on 08/11/2010 - 22:19

          ahh sorry, i bought my lock from uni $35, and the cord lock from officeworks $10.

          http://www.wiggle.co.uk/au/cycle/bike-locks/ i think people from ozb have ordered from here

          This looks like my lock (as my specific model has been superseeded)

          Re kryptonite pen issue here is an article

  • infernal_max on 10/11/2010 - 02:42
    +1

    ahh the memories of riding home trying to remember not to sit down, or walking into the bike shop in shame, asking for a new wheel lol

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