locking your bike

[ShawnKing]

How do you lock your bike when you go out? I can't carry the heavy chain with me, and I heard disk locks are useless (is that true?). What do you guys do?

Not useless but not as effective as other things.

If someone wants your *particular* bike, there's not a lot you can do to stop them. But the more "layers" of protection you have, the less likely an opportunistic thief will come after your bike and the more likely he'll move on to the next guy's bike.

Later this week I hope to do an interview with the folks from LoJack but in the mean time, you might want to download their Bike Smarts Tip Sheet.

[Bubba]

I use a large Kryptonite lock when ever I travel. Hooks through the frame onto the front wheel. Then I cover to bike with a bike cover which I also lock underneath.
I feel that if they're going to take the bike or parts. I'm sure going to make it hard for them.

[Bubba]

ok, back on topic. What do you guys think of this disk lock with alarm:

http://street-bikes.ridegear.com/cgi-bi ... ?E+scstore

oh, and have you bought anything from ridegear?

thanks.

Lock with an alarm? If a tree falls in the woods and no one is there to hear it does it make a noise?
Most bikes to be stolen are simply picked up by three or four guys and put on a trailer or pickup truck. No alarm or lock can help you there.
They would have a problem with my 700 lb bike. At least I hope they would. If they didn't I wouldn't want to mess with those guys anyway. They can have it.

[DivideOverflow]

I saw a old bike with a sign on one of the side covers that said "Caution: Prone to random electrical fires!"

I know I wouldn't want to steal it... hehe.

As for protection, I usually am able to garage my bike at the end of the day. If I bring it to my apartment by school, I always park it in front of my roommate's car, so it is a pain to get out for someone in a hurry, and the fact that my bikes are from 1984 and 1979 also prohibit most people from considering jacking them.

[ninja79]

ok, so what's the solution then? For me, parking the bike at home or at work is not the problem. At home, it's in a locked parking garage. And at work there is a gate & security guards. The problem is parking the bike when I go out. I can't possibly carry a heavy chain with me. So disk lock is just about the only option.

[Skier]

I saw a old bike with a sign on one of the side covers that said "Caution: Prone to random electrical fires!"

That is a great idea! Perhaps add some fake scorching with a propane torch to complete the effect.

[Locopez]

well here is my two cents...I use the fork lock, u-bolt lock through the front wheel, set the igintion kill, shut the fuel off, and cover it. If I am traveling with someone....I also try to lock the two bikes together. Safety in numbers.....

[ShawnKing]

ok, so what's the solution then?

Did you check out the LoJack Tip Sheet? It has some great advice.

[NorthernPete]

Just make sure your carbs are messed up enough that the plugs foul after 30 KM's, that what I do...

[Kal]

Yes. Although in the end it didn't help if I'd have relied on the steering lock it would have gone a lot earlier...

My Gold Standard Cable lock (which should have been on CeeGee) has been on trike duty since I pushed the Trike backwards...

with the Oxford Trojan lock still on the brake disc, leading to a shattered lock lying on the road.