How important is a good security chain and attach method?

Bike-Rich

Hi all,

I started chaining my bike up lately and i've been usining my old MTB lock, a bit like this:



I was just wondering how easy something like this is to cut through? Are there any types of locks that are 'cut proof'?

Also, is the locking method of putting the cable around both wheels the best?

sungod

can be cut in a few seconds with a light hand tool

get a chunky u-lock, this is definitive...

http://www.lfgss.com/thread17938.html

but even the heaviest chains and u-locks can't survive a rechargeable (i.e. easily portable) angle grinder

thescouselander

No locks are cutter proof - many U locks can be cut with bolt cutters. Still, they're better than cable locks - the chunkier the better. I use a cable lock at work since its a secure site and many people don't bother with any lock at all. For higher risk situations I have a chunky U lock but to weighs quite a bit.

MichaelW

Cables are often levered open with a long screwdriver. Just twist around until it snaps. This doesnt work for really thick or armoured ones.
You can remove the front wheel, place between bike and hardpoint. Place bike, transmission in, QR lever in, and lash everything together with the cable.
I generally just wrap the front wheel , frame and hardpoint together, and try and place the bike transmission and QR lever in to prevent messing around.

xenafena

Light metal cutting hand tools may not cut through even the lightest of bike chains easily. Having initially thought it would be easy, in the end 4 men struggled for ages to cut through a thin chain. Light yet sharp metal cutting hand tools left no mark on the chain. Luckily, there was a boulder on hand, so the guys tried smashing the lock. After about 10 minutes, the boulder broke in half, haha But they continued smashing the lock and finally, the lock was destroyed. This, and not cutting through the chain, was the only way we could break that chain. A very big and heavy hammer might have sufficed. Or a bolt cutter.

mac9091

Well its all personal IMO. You want your bike to be an easy target and don't mind replacing it then buy a cheap lock (or none at all)

If you value the bike or don't want it to be an easy target, get something good.

As said for the locking method: front wheel off and placed near the seat post, lock through the wheels and round the seatpost and street furniture your securing the bike to.

I came across the Litelok and am very happy with it but as with anything won't know how effective it is until i (hopefully don't) need it.

bungle73

If you're in the UK look for a lock with a Solid Secure rating (it's part of the Master Locksmiths Association). Most of the insurers require such a lock for any claim to be valid, anyway.

But no lock is going to stop a determined thief. The idea is to make their life so difficult that they either give up entirely, or pass your bike over in favour over nicking someone else's.

You can also register with a service like Datatag (some insurers give a discount if you use this). It's supposed to act in two ways: 1) if you're bike is stolen and police recover it they can get it back to you; 2) as a deterrent because the thieves will (so the idea goes) consider a marked bike too hot to handle.