Best bike lock to use for my new bike - are smart locks any good?

arnieA380
arnieA380 Posts: 59
edited October 2017 in MTB general
Hi all

i recently got my carrera vulcan mountain bike and would like to purchase a good lock for it for when i leave it out in public.

Now i know no lock is 100% but i want to do the best i can to deter people from thinking about it.
Iv seen some locks can have GPS built in and tamper things.

what do people use or can recommend for me please.

Comments

  • Lock it next to a more expensive bike that has a cheaper lock on it.

    More seriously there are plenty of good locks about if you're prepared to pay for them, abus and kryptonite spring to mind. But you really don't want to be leaving a bike unattended for any length of time. Bike locks are a deterrent more than a solution.

    Personally I use a kryptonite mini 7 with a kryptonite cable to secure the front wheel, but as 'D' locks go it's pretty small so it's limited as to where I can lock it.

    A bigger D lock would be better but it's heavier to carry around so you just have to make a judgement call on what's best for you really.
  • veronese68
    veronese68 Posts: 27,252
    mattyfez wrote:
    A bigger D lock would be better but it's heavier to carry around so you just have to make a judgement call on what's best for you really.
    Bigger is not better when it comes to D locks. You want the smallest one that you can get round your bike and what you lock it to. A large D means a jack or lever can be got in more easily and used to force it open. Abus are better than most Kryptonite as they lock both sides of the lock rather than just having a hook at one end and the lock at the other.
  • Fenix wrote:

    thank you thats an interesting read
  • I have two Abus U-Mini 401 D Locks.

    Good lock site:

    http://thebestbikelock.com
  • swod1
    swod1 Posts: 1,639
    Veronese68 wrote:
    A large D means a jack or lever can be got in more easily and used to force it open. Abus are better than most Kryptonite as they lock both sides of the lock rather than just having a hook at one end and the lock at the other.

    I did wonder if kryptonite used the same method on the higher end new York locks?

    I tend to use a mixture of d and cable locks if I even leave my bike outside a shop for a few minutes.

    Anyone use those hiplocks its like a heavy duty chain inside a belt that you can wear?
  • im looking at getting the new Linka Leo smart lock with their chain lock when it comeso ut
  • fenix
    fenix Posts: 5,437
    Its only 9mm thick - that can be cut.

    Get one of these.

    https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Kryptonite-New ... ysEALw_wcB
  • Fenix wrote:
    Its only 9mm thick - that can be cut.

    Get one of these.

    https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Kryptonite-New ... ysEALw_wcB

    Just got one myself which was on offer for £44.99.

    Sorry, sold out at that price.
  • swod1
    swod1 Posts: 1,639
    Fenix wrote:
    Its only 9mm thick - that can be cut.

    Get one of these.

    https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Kryptonite-New ... ysEALw_wcB

    Just got one myself which was on offer for £44.99.

    Sorry, sold out at that price.

    Back in stock but £60.99
  • I use an Onguard Pitbull D lock with a cable. Don't think the cable would be up for much but the pitbull d lock part has done well in some lock tests. Also locks on both sides and is big enough to do a fat tire and seatpost round a good bike lock stand. Cable for the front wheel. Its also sold secure Gold standard and comes with some kind of bike insurance. Its only £30 ish on amazon and i thoroughly recommend.
    Framebuilder
    Handbuilt Steel 29er https://goo.gl/RYSbaa
    Carbon Stumpjumper https://goo.gl/xJNFcv
    Parkwood:http://goo.gl/Gf8xkL
    Ribble Gran Fondo https://goo.gl/ZpTFXz
    Triban:http://goo.gl/v63FBB
  • The Kryptonite Fahgettaboudit lock you can register, and it offers cover up to £3000: no brainer for me.
  • ok thank you everyone.

    as my carrera vulcan has quick release wheels on both the front and back, what cable would you guys recommend for me to use with a D lock - i know these can still be cut but at least i can try protect my wheels from theft,
  • Cable locks are next to useless: locking skewers instead of having quick release.

    Also consider getting 2 D locks for securing both wheels.
  • ok thank you everybody for your advice.

    so isit best to put a d lock around the main frame and seat post to whatever im securing it to and then a chainlock os somekind looping through