Locks when out on a ride

secretsam

How do you all lock your bike when out on a ride? I tend to take a relatively light and cheap "emergency lock" in case I need to stop - but it wouldn't resist for long (ie a few seconds)

Do you get someone to 'watch' your bike if you pop into a shop?

Note: I tend to ride alone!

Bobbinogs

Just posted this:

I would recommend taking a small combination lock or something in case you end up losing visibility of your bike whilst purchasing, etc. I know it won't stop a proper thief but it will delay an opportunist or put them off:

http://www.ukbikestore.co.uk/product/28 ... -lock.html

I don't take it for shorter rides or training rides where I am not planning to stop but I always take it on audaxes, sportives, club runs and the like.

DaveHudson

Oddly enough I had this thought today, I usually just commute so the bike is safely stored in the stockroom but this year I am determined to do more long rides out on my days off.

I think I'm going to order one of these: Link

They should do for short periods and as above mainly secure against opportunists.

CiB

To answer the question, never carry a lock. 23g of uber-bike made of Fairy Wings & anti-matter with tyres fashioned from pixie condoms is wasted carrying a big lump of heavy lock around just in case you decide to pop into Marks & Sparks to buy a suit half way round your ride. If you need to stop for a leak, you're probably not in an urban environment anyway so can turn your back on it for as long as it takes.

Headhuunter

CiB wrote:

To answer the question, never carry a lock. 23g of uber-bike made of Fairy Wings & anti-matter with tyres fashioned from pixie condoms is wasted carrying a big lump of heavy lock around just in case you decide to pop into Marks & Sparks to buy a suit half way round your ride. If you need to stop for a leak, you're probably not in an urban environment anyway so can turn your back on it for as long as it takes.

Yes, it depends on the sort of riding you're doing. When I'm out on longer club rides I tend not to stop much at all. We regroup at the top of hills, take a sip of water, scoff half a banana, confirm the route and then we're off again. We don't go into shops or stop at cafes. However I knows some people do, in which case a small, light-ish lock would probably worth carrying...

mask of sanity

I don't stop unless it's a quiet village in which case I keep it in sight and put it into the top gear. Chances are they won't know how to change it (especially with SRAM) so they won't be able to get very far.

yeachan153

Had a jammed ABUS combination code today, and some spare time so got about finding out just how much resistance cable locks do give. Quite worryingly, it took me just 16 seconds to cut through the metal. If only D Locks were lighter!

Peddle Up!

CiB wrote:

To answer the question, never carry a lock. 23g of uber-bike made of Fairy Wings & anti-matter with tyres fashioned from pixie condoms is wasted carrying a big lump of heavy lock around just in case you decide to pop into Marks & Sparks to buy a suit half way round your ride. If you need to stop for a leak, you're probably not in an urban environment anyway so can turn your back on it for as long as it takes.

Absolutely!

All Bikes Weigh 50 Pounds

30 pound bikes require a 20 pound lock.
40 pound bikes require a 10 pound lock.
50 pound bikes don't need a lock!

balthazar

yeachan153 wrote:

Quite worryingly, it took me just 16 seconds to cut through the metal.

What on earth with?!

yeachan153

balthazar wrote:

yeachan153 wrote:

Quite worryingly, it took me just 16 seconds to cut through the metal.

What on earth with?!

Quite a small saw which I saw in the shed hopefully someone will call the police if a thief did this in public

christurbo

I dont stop - period!

rake

i just dont let the bike out of my sight. if the shop doesnt have a large window i dont go in. i always take the chain off at the front so if someone jumps on they cant ride off before ive felt their collar.

thegreatdivide

mask of sanity wrote:

I don't stop unless it's a quiet village in which case I keep it in sight and put it into the top gear. Chances are they won't know how to change it (especially with SRAM) so they won't be able to get very far.

That made me LOL :-)

It's a great idea.

AndyF16

The chain idea, although good, doesn't stop a scumbag throwing your pride and joy into the back of his Transit van though - always a bigger threat in my mind than somebody riding it away

I use a cheapish Knog Party Frank for popping into a shop for a drink when I can see the bike, but wouldn't trust it any further than that

Lightning

mask of sanity wrote:

I don't stop unless it's a quiet village in which case I keep it in sight and put it into the top gear. Chances are they won't know how to change it (especially with SRAM) so they won't be able to get very far.

Epic!

oldwelshman

if your going for a ride why do you need a lock?
I never leave my bike I ride it.

Bar Shaker

If I am likely to stop I take my little snowboard lock.

Ironically, I would never use it for my snow board as it is too weak but it would delay an opportunistic bike thief. These weigh very little and fit in a jersey pocket.

bendertherobot

I only ever stop if on a long ride with mates, then only for a bacon sarnie, then only in a shop with a large glass window.

And I put mine against the window first then everyone elses can go next to it.

FocusZing

I don't tend to bother, just keep and eye on my bike. I like the tip about the bike gears.

cougie

Never needed a lock in 30 years or so of cycling. Pop stops are fine just keep an eye on it. Or find a bike cafe. Obv don't try this in a city.

Va Va Boom

If u want a light, effective, easily carried compact lock check these out -

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/nettools/all ... xt=cameleo

rolf_f

You could probably do as well as the little lightweight locks using a piece of string. Even just looped over a crank and into the chain would probably stop the bike quickly in a way that would take a minute or two to untangle!

ThatBikeGuy

FocusZing wrote:

I don't tend to bother, just keep and eye on my bike. I like the tip about the bike gears.

I thought i was the only one!

piquet

SecretSam wrote:

How do you all lock your bike when out on a ride? I tend to take a relatively light and cheap "emergency lock" in case I need to stop - but it wouldn't resist for long (ie a few seconds)

Do you get someone to 'watch' your bike if you pop into a shop?

Note: I tend to ride alone!

I tend to work on the principle that at a pub/cafe out in the sticks, I'm trying to stop some chancer jumping on the bike and riding off*, so an ABUS combination lock is sufficient (plus i tend to keep the bike in sight.

In town, I use a chunkier combination lock, but again keep an eye on the bike.

* A friend arrived at her front door, went in, out through side door and gate to bring bike in and it had gone!

1littlevictory

Peddle Up! wrote:

Absolutely!

All Bikes Weigh 50 Pounds

30 pound bikes require a 20 pound lock.
40 pound bikes require a 10 pound lock.
50 pound bikes don't need a lock!

I love that!

I agree with the suggestion that thieves might not know how the gears work, so leave it in the biggest gear?

I can remember being a nipper and taking the quick release brake off my mtb whenever I popped into a shop for a can of fizz. I hoped that the thief would ride off and crash at the next point that brakes wee needed. I might not see the bike again, but there would be a bit of karma heading their way.