I need a new lock

downfader
downfader Posts: 3,686
edited September 2008 in Commuting chat
Usually I just ride in and out of work - where it is secured in a massive cage lockup and then internally to a rail with a cable lock. Theres little chance of it getting nicked at work as staff are in and out all day, but its parking it in the real world that has made me look at a decent lock.

I was looking at the Abus Steel o flex 80cm but have just seen THIS The reviews I read seemed quite positive up until this point. :lol:

Infact, I'm all for freedom of information but I've just realised youtube is a thieves training manual. :? Hmmm so what are my options..? I'll spend up to £100 if its definately worth it.

Comments

  • daintonj
    daintonj Posts: 18
    I've just bought the Abus Granit X 54 which seems to be one of the best u-locks around. Feels like I could trash a volvo with it.
    Genesis Vapour w/mudguards - FCN 6
  • always_tyred
    always_tyred Posts: 4,965
    I figure - if someone really wants your bike, they can get it. Locks are there to deter most thieves.

    The need to carry 3 foot, 20kg cable cutters would deter most thieves.
  • timothius
    timothius Posts: 61
    I tend to carry multiple locks. One D-lock for the rear wheel and frame. A cable lock for the saddle and top tube and a chain and padlock for the front wheel and frame.
  • downfader
    downfader Posts: 3,686
    I will be carrying two locks. I will have a look at the U lock mentioned for weight and size - if it fits in me bag or on the frame ok then it might be a possibility.

    Yeah I know locks are really a deterant but it doesnt stop you thinking :lol:
  • meanwhile
    meanwhile Posts: 392
    Use the search: I shoved a load of lock links in a thread a few weeks ago. The best simple solution is to a use a mini D lock around the frame and rear rim. Does right this leaves no room for a bottlejack (Mortal Enemy of D locks) to be inserted without destroying the rim or frame, causing a thief to hop it unless he has a van handy.
  • downfader
    downfader Posts: 3,686
    meanwhile wrote:
    Use the search: I shoved a load of lock links in a thread a few weeks ago. The best simple solution is to a use a mini D lock around the frame and rear rim. Does right this leaves no room for a bottlejack (Mortal Enemy of D locks) to be inserted without destroying the rim or frame, causing a thief to hop it unless he has a van handy.

    Cheers for that, will do that this afternoon! 8)
  • cntl
    cntl Posts: 290
    Cable locks are a big NO-NO. You can get a decent D-Lock at around £80. I use one similar to this:
    http://www.tredz.co.uk/products-Granit- ... k_3156.htm
  • dazzawazza
    dazzawazza Posts: 462
    A mini D-lock with Pinhead or Pitlock locking skewers on the wheels is the way to go.
    It is the most hassle free, weight and space saving solution; and in the city there is always something to get the mini D around.
    Or, if you want a larger capacity D-lock go for the Granit 54 X-Plus, but you should be able to get it for around £40 these days, not £75 like in the last post.
    The mounting brackets are excellent on the Abus locks. It's a shame they don't sell a mini D-lock using the same components as the Granit 54 X-Plus.
  • downfader
    downfader Posts: 3,686
    dazzawazza wrote:
    A mini D-lock with Pinhead or Pitlock locking skewers on the wheels is the way to go.
    It is the most hassle free, weight and space saving solution; and in the city there is always something to get the mini D around.
    Or, if you want a larger capacity D-lock go for the Granit 54 X-Plus, but you should be able to get it for around £40 these days, not £75 like in the last post.
    The mounting brackets are excellent on the Abus locks. It's a shame they don't sell a mini D-lock using the same components as the Granit 54 X-Plus.

    This has all been very useful, cheers guys! 8) I will see what the finances hold in store this thursday when I get paid. 8)
  • Parsnip49
    Parsnip49 Posts: 205
    Kryptonite NY 3000 D lock throuh frame, 12mm cable through both wheels and onto the D.

    Abus Cable lock (dunno which one, was about 20 quid) through saddle and rear triangle.

    Hasnt failed me yet - My bike doesnt need to be impossible to steal, it jsut needs to be harder to steal than the one its parked next to.
  • daintonj
    daintonj Posts: 18
    I'd be worried about the 3000d due to some of the plastic internals being senstive to blowtorches.
    Genesis Vapour w/mudguards - FCN 6
  • meanwhile
    meanwhile Posts: 392
    daintonj wrote:
    I'd be worried about the 3000d due to some of the plastic internals being senstive to blowtorches.

    I wouldn't worry about that: a thief could snap the D lock in just a few seconds with a bottlejack. A blowtorch is far too much like hard work and likely to get him caught. Anyway, the Health & Safety people would come down on him like a ton of bricks.
  • daintonj
    daintonj Posts: 18
    meanwhile wrote:
    daintonj wrote:
    I'd be worried about the 3000d due to some of the plastic internals being senstive to blowtorches.

    I wouldn't worry about that: a thief could snap the D lock in just a few seconds with a bottlejack. A blowtorch is far too much like hard work and likely to get him caught. Anyway, the Health & Safety people would come down on him like a ton of bricks.

    That's why you lock the bike so that there's no space to get a bottle jack in. Definitely more likely to get done by H&S than the police though.
    Genesis Vapour w/mudguards - FCN 6
  • That's why you lock the bike so that there's no space to get a bottle jack in. Definitely more likely to get done by H&S than the police though.[/quote]

    Hi, they're the most effective police of modern day :D

    Anyway, I have a further question. I us an Abus Steel-o-flex for locking up at work but find it overly heavy/awkward to cart around when moving around and locking up for short periods. I'm looking for a 'lightweight' lock to cary around.

    I'm looking at this
    http://www.abus.de/us/main.asp?ScreenLa ... 3318203626

    cheap and not the best I know but I'm looking for the best compromise
    Thanks
    http://twitter.com/mgalex
    www.ogmorevalleywheelers.co.uk

    10TT 24:36 25TT: 57:59 50TT: 2:08:11, 100TT: 4:30:05 12hr 204.... unfinished business
  • I'm also want it to be flexible so logically a chain lock would be the best compromise.
    Is this right?

    If this helps, I'm locking up an On-one Pompino.
    http://twitter.com/mgalex
    www.ogmorevalleywheelers.co.uk

    10TT 24:36 25TT: 57:59 50TT: 2:08:11, 100TT: 4:30:05 12hr 204.... unfinished business
  • downfader
    downfader Posts: 3,686
    That's why you lock the bike so that there's no space to get a bottle jack in. Definitely more likely to get done by H&S than the police though.

    Hi, they're the most effective police of modern day :D

    Anyway, I have a further question. I us an Abus Steel-o-flex for locking up at work but find it overly heavy/awkward to cart around when moving around and locking up for short periods. I'm looking for a 'lightweight' lock to cary around.

    I'm looking at this
    http://www.abus.de/us/main.asp?ScreenLa ... 3318203626

    cheap and not the best I know but I'm looking for the best compromise
    Thanks[/quote]

    I had a look at one of those (still havent got my locks sorted :oops: ) and they seemed quite good. A little dubious about the plastic but i guess if the internals hold up... They're about £60 arent they?
  • Right now, you can get the Abus Steel-O-Flex Cable Lock 1050/100 for £20 at Tesco.

    http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.100-9790.aspx

    The price is £24.50, so buy something else cheap like batteries to get the price over £25 and qualify for free pick up at a local store. Then use the code TDX-NCCL to get £5 off. This will be sold out pretty soon though.

    Edindevon
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    I don't see the point in cable locks, even the Abus, they are too easy to break - even Abus rate it as level 6. The Granit X Plus 54 is rated by them as 15, it has a square section D so it requires 2 cuts to remove it, and Captain Cropper himself rates it highly. The weight will be little more than a cable lock, but it offers genuine security. Even if a cable lock survives an attack by an ill-equipped thief, your bike will surely attract attention from thieves as an easier bet than a serious D lock will. A lock is something I will not scrimp on money or weight wise.
  • that's one hell of a deal
    http://twitter.com/mgalex
    www.ogmorevalleywheelers.co.uk

    10TT 24:36 25TT: 57:59 50TT: 2:08:11, 100TT: 4:30:05 12hr 204.... unfinished business
  • Cunobelin
    Cunobelin Posts: 11,792
    May or may not be true, but I was old most small bottle are oil filled and don't work as well vertically. Where you can locking the bike with the shackle horizontal limits the effectiveness.
    <b><i>He that buys land buys many stones.
    He that buys flesh buys many bones.
    He that buys eggs buys many shells,
    But he that buys good beer buys nothing else.</b></i>
    (Unattributed Trad.)
  • RC21
    RC21 Posts: 166
    Edindevon wrote:
    Right now, you can get the Abus Steel-O-Flex Cable Lock 1050/100 for £20 at Tesco.

    http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.100-9790.aspx

    The price is £24.50, so buy something else cheap like batteries to get the price over £25 and qualify for free pick up at a local store. Then use the code TDX-NCCL to get £5 off. This will be sold out pretty soon though.

    Edindevon

    Many thanks for this! I just got myself a a bargain :)
    I bought a £1 shaving adapter to push it over £25.
    Thanks again.
    RC
  • DonDaddyD
    DonDaddyD Posts: 12,689
    I've seen a few riders have a chain lock around there waist when riding. Is this a particular model of lock or just a number of bike locks in that style. Is the lock any good?

    Reason I'm asking is for the convenience of being able to carry the lock on my road bike without the need of bag.
    Food Chain number = 4

    A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game
  • AndyManc
    AndyManc Posts: 1,393
    TESCO B******* , :evil: , if you want one of those locks you have to join their clubcard crap and divulge all your personal info.

    What a bunch of w****** :evil:
    Specialized Hardrock Pro/Trek FX 7.3 Hybrid/Specialized Enduro/Specialized Tri-Cross Sport
    URBAN_MANC.png
  • Cunobelin
    Cunobelin Posts: 11,792
    AndyManc wrote:
    TESCO B******* , :evil: , if you want one of those locks you have to join their clubcard crap and divulge all your personal info.

    What a bunch of w****** :evil:

    Personal details - Yes

    Your Personal details - well that is another matter
    <b><i>He that buys land buys many stones.
    He that buys flesh buys many bones.
    He that buys eggs buys many shells,
    But he that buys good beer buys nothing else.</b></i>
    (Unattributed Trad.)
  • downfader
    downfader Posts: 3,686
    DonDaddyD wrote:
    I've seen a few riders have a chain lock around there waist when riding. Is this a particular model of lock or just a number of bike locks in that style. Is the lock any good?

    Reason I'm asking is for the convenience of being able to carry the lock on my road bike without the need of bag.

    The chain locks I looked at seemed quite good, but you need to spend a fair bit, as you do with DLocks. There were a few good reviews online and in mags.