A gentle D-lock

ugo.santalucia
ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,324
edited April 2016 in Commuting chat
Folks,

I have a 10 years old Kriptonite D lock which is still perfectly working, but it's slowly destroying the paintwork of my frame. Is there an equivalent lock coated with softer, maybe rubber type material, that doesn't do that?

Possibly something that doesn't require a mortgage to buy
left the forum March 2023

Comments

  • menthel
    menthel Posts: 2,484
    Not found anything yet, even when spending a pretty penny. Knog do some soft looking ones but I didn't like the look of them personally.
    RIP commute...
    Sometimes seen bimbling around on a purple Fratello Disc or black and red Aprire Vincenza.
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,324
    Maybe I should just wrap mine in gaffer tape...
    left the forum March 2023
  • menthel
    menthel Posts: 2,484
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    Maybe I should just wrap mine in gaffer tape...

    Or some bar tape...
    RIP commute...
    Sometimes seen bimbling around on a purple Fratello Disc or black and red Aprire Vincenza.
  • davis
    davis Posts: 2,506
    foam pipe insulation used for plumbing, or a few old inner tubes.

    WORKSFORME (tm)
    Sometimes parts break. Sometimes you crash. Sometimes it’s your fault.
  • dhope
    dhope Posts: 6,699
    I've got an Abus that has some rubber around the U. Does the job
    http://www.abus.com/eng/Mobile-Security ... /U-mini-40
    8c34fd7f1b259c9fd6910208c448e1e7.jpg
    Rose Xeon CW Disc
    CAAD12 Disc
    Condor Tempo
  • Snakebite the 2nd
    Snakebite the 2nd Posts: 452
    From Day one I coated my D-Lock in soft cloth.
    Also I have those brackets that go between the long arms to stop people spreading the lock, also coated those in soft material and gaffa tape.
  • alan_sherman
    alan_sherman Posts: 1,157
    Is it the lock, or is it the grit and general puling and pushing to get the thing through a small gap?

    PS My commute bike is suffering the same issue - worse than The Gate because this bike has fat Alu tubing which can make locking to a Sheffield stand harder. If space wasn't such an issue I'd think about putting some of that silver reflective tape on the area that rubs most (just above the bottle cage for me).
  • slowbike
    slowbike Posts: 8,498
    Or wrap in old inner tube?
  • N0bodyOfTheGoat
    N0bodyOfTheGoat Posts: 6,065
    I've been looking at Abus Bordo locks recently, as something that can attach to the bike cleanly, but not all of the million and one variations come with the downtube bracket.

    Anyone used these?
    ================
    2020 Voodoo Marasa
    2017 Cube Attain GTC Pro Disc 2016
    2016 Voodoo Wazoo
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,324
    alan sherman wrote:
    Is it the lock, or is it the grit and general puling and pushing to get the thing through a small gap?

    PS My commute bike is suffering the same issue - worse than The Gate because this bike has fat Alu tubing which can make locking to a Sheffield stand harder. If space wasn't such an issue I'd think about putting some of that silver reflective tape on the area that rubs most (just above the bottle cage for me).

    it is the pushing an pulling
    left the forum March 2023
  • hegyestomi
    hegyestomi Posts: 504
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    alan sherman wrote:
    Is it the lock, or is it the grit and general puling and pushing to get the thing through a small gap?

    PS My commute bike is suffering the same issue - worse than The Gate because this bike has fat Alu tubing which can make locking to a Sheffield stand harder. If space wasn't such an issue I'd think about putting some of that silver reflective tape on the area that rubs most (just above the bottle cage for me).

    it is the pushing an pulling
    Have you tried a bit of Sugru? Just spread it thinly to the inside bend of the D shape: this will give you a nice hardish rubbery finish and will protect your frame.
    Can get it from £5 for 3 small sachet.
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,072
    davis wrote:
    foam pipe insulation used for plumbing, or a few old inner tubes.

    WORKSFORME (tm)

    yep this, tiz what I do on carbon frames costs less than £1
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
  • vimfuego
    vimfuego Posts: 1,783
    oh bugger... I thought this was going to be a tale of vigilantism following an altercation with a swivel-eyed motorist or something ;-)

    Oh well - as above, old inner tubes seem to do the job
    CS7
    Surrey Hills
    What's a Zwift?
  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    I doubt that the composition of the lock exterior will make much difference - I would assume the only way to avoid damage to the frame is to ensure that both lock and frame are clean.
    Faster than a tent.......
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,324
    Rolf F wrote:
    I doubt that the composition of the lock exterior will make much difference - I would assume the only way to avoid damage to the frame is to ensure that both lock and frame are clean.

    Of course it matters: it's hard steel Vs paint, who wins?

    I will wrap it in something, old tube or tape of some description
    left the forum March 2023
  • apreading
    apreading Posts: 4,535
    Helicopter tape on the part of the frame where you usually place the lock will really help too.
  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    Rolf F wrote:
    I doubt that the composition of the lock exterior will make much difference - I would assume the only way to avoid damage to the frame is to ensure that both lock and frame are clean.

    Of course it matters: it's hard steel Vs paint and a clumsy owner, who wins?

    I will wrap it in something, old tube or tape of some description

    Fixed that for you ;). My old Kryptonite, like my modern one, has a plastic coating and it is much older than 10 years old (more like 25!) - assumed yours would be similar. But even so, ultimately, if there is dirt there, it will get scratched whatever you wrap it in.
    Faster than a tent.......
  • essex-commuter
    essex-commuter Posts: 2,188
    I have an inner tube covering mine. The lock is permanently left at work so no marks from vibration when riding but it means I don't have to be ultra careful when pushing it through the bike frame.
  • veronese68
    veronese68 Posts: 27,864
    apreading wrote:
    Helicopter tape on the part of the frame where you usually place the lock will really help too.
    That works for me. Also put helicopter tape on the bits of frame that lean against the Sheffield stand.
    Kinesis Pro6
    Marin Nail Trail
    Cotic Solaris
  • shamrock134
    shamrock134 Posts: 714
    I keep eyeing up one of these... but £80 is eye watering.

    http://www.litelok.com/

    It would be nice to have a robust, lightweight lock though.
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,324
    shamrock134 wrote:
    I keep eyeing up one of these... but £80 is eye watering.

    http://www.litelok.com/

    It would be nice to have a robust, lightweight lock though.

    How hard can it be to slice that with some big cutters? Doesn't feel safer than a cable lock to me... unless it's made of mithril
    left the forum March 2023
  • menthel
    menthel Posts: 2,484
    NitrousOxide wrote:
    I've been looking at Abus Bordo locks recently, as something that can attach to the bike cleanly, but not all of the million and one variations come with the downtube bracket.

    Anyone used these?

    I have one but don't attach it, just sling it in a bag. They are quite heavy but very robust.
    RIP commute...
    Sometimes seen bimbling around on a purple Fratello Disc or black and red Aprire Vincenza.
  • shamrock134
    shamrock134 Posts: 714
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    shamrock134 wrote:
    I keep eyeing up one of these... but £80 is eye watering.

    http://www.litelok.com/

    It would be nice to have a robust, lightweight lock though.

    How hard can it be to slice that with some big cutters? Doesn't feel safer than a cable lock to me... unless it's made of mithril

    It's a fair point I suppose. They do show them attempting to crack it on the video but they clearly aren't trying that hard. It does claim to be gold rated.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KB2ghne7sOU

    Regardless of how strong a lock I'm using, I'd at least try to put my bike somewhere that a guy holding a big set of cutters might be conspicuous! :lol:
  • imatfaal
    imatfaal Posts: 2,716
    I lock through my drinks bottle cage - the d-lock is wide enough to get outside back wheel seatpost and cage; lock doesn't touch the frame

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