Bike lock ideal - why didn't I think of it earlier?

[Fastpedaller]

This needs a Dragon's Den behind it
Problem - securing bike with a lock which is also lightweight.
D-lock is known to be tougher, and therefore thief may bypass a bike with one.
Solution........ Lightweight plastic D-lock replica, light to carry, and thief may go elsewhere!

We never know what stops the thieves (very little?), but as an aside, has anyone fitted "tracker fitted" stickers to their bike. Of course we only know if such things work if we have the bike stolen (it didn't work) or observe the bike for ages and see if anyone appears interested until they see the sticker. They could help (for little outlay), like the 'alarm box' on a house that is just as effective as an alarm unless someone makes the next bold move of breaking in!

 

[MontyVeda]

This needs a Dragon's Den behind it
Problem - securing bike with a lock which is also lightweight.
D-lock is known to be tougher, and therefore thief may bypass a bike with one.
Solution........ Lightweight plastic D-lock replica, light to carry, and thief may go elsewhere!

We never know what stops the thieves (very little?), but as an aside, has anyone fitted "tracker fitted" stickers to their bike. Of course we only know if such things work if we have the bike stolen (it didn't work) or observe the bike for ages and see if anyone appears interested until they see the sticker. They could help (for little outlay), like the 'alarm box' on a house that is just as effective as an alarm unless someone makes the next bold move of breaking in!

D locks used to be very easy to crack by using a small roll of card as a key. A thief may inspect the lock and immediately realise it's a plastic fake.

Best solution: don't carry a lock and you won't leave your bike anywhere.
Second best solution: a lock that works.

When the thieves have huge bolt croppers or angle grinders, the bike has gone.

Is there any data on the effectiveness of fake home alarm boxes? I suspect many homes without and alarm box; real or fake... have never been broken into.

 

[Punkawallah]

You mean to say you -leave- the bike? Alone?
Someone call the RSPCB! We have a monster among us!

 

[MontyVeda]

You mean to say you -leave- the bike? Alone?
...

I only take my lock with me if I'm planning on locking it. If I'm just out for a ride I don't carry the lock.

 

[cyberknight]

I only take my lock with me if I'm planning on locking it. If I'm just out for a ride I don't carry the lock.

The only place i leave the bike for any length of time is at work where my d lock and chain resides permanently , i do carry a cafe lock with me on fun rides and i do try to go to places out of sight of scrote eyes if i can .

 

[teeonethousand]

I use a cable lock if I have to leave my bike out of sight..say a shop. My thoughts is that if someone is going tooled up to nick it then what it is locked with doesn't matter. If they are not tooled up, just a chancer, then it might put them off. I have the same attitude to my motorbike..although that is better insured.

 

[numbnuts]

Locks made by man
Cut by criminals
No lock is safe if they want it.
I'm using this one weighs a ton
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/22490266...mHAxtc4hxDrqp8EbbqODaOXQ==|tkp:Bk9SR97xgZn2ZQ

 

[DaveReading]

Locks made by man
Cut by criminals
No lock is safe if they want it.
I'm using this one weighs a ton

Strong. Light. Cheap.

Pick any two.

 

[Fastpedaller]

Is there any data on the effectiveness of fake home alarm boxes? I suspect many homes without and alarm box; real or fake... have never been broken into.

I suspect you are correct (but how will we ever know). Is an alarm box on a house an attraction or a deterrent?

My late MIL had an alarm on her house, and it kept going off (we suspect she wasn't cancelling it with the correct code on returning home). One neighbour of hers came along one day and asked if it could be silenced - she said the alarm people were due to arrive shortly. The neighbour said "If they don't - I'll stop it for you!". She said he was such a nice man (we didn't want to spoil the image she had ). The alarm was permanently disconnected by the alarm co. She then got a personal pendant alarm (in case of a fall) and added the 'nice neighbour' as an emergency contact - we don't know if he consented to this.

 

[MontyVeda]

Locks made by man
Cut by criminals
No lock is safe if they want it.
I'm using this one weighs a ton
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224902662637?_skw=heavy+chain+lock&epid=9019667134&itmmeta=01JYRS0F334SGBJJ2XGEMAP3K9&hash=item345d3e49ed:g:aVsAAOSwxOBiFRFn&itmprp=enc:AQAKAAAA8FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1dFgu2rwPdPRnQN76siuJ20zF6ZNyUPJRm9x6IMUDAEY4Uiu7XZETnG84Lg3ltlSC14hjH8GvZzv8+h0ZZhzHAlzSHnc6cNlCuMfTcIHiMvHG06c4vU7KlG2zPgBnpAg+luSQIm2aopNacjnEM9YJ/cqQu7JaMEBnmEa9Ywcb4ScEj61zeVmdf80/+++2JBZmDSLljpl8i+CdU3lxAv8wJcTm4Rb7hOjpxECZaEN4Go0cn4hqSwHMMkNSnGPgUhI3+4qPZNPxhmM+h45iowUomHAxtc4hxDrqp8EbbqODaOXQ==|tkp:Bk9SR97xgZn2ZQ

my lock is similar, only shorter but still heavy... hence me only carrying it when i'll need it. Rest of the time I don't let my bike out of my sight.

 

[andrew_s]

I also thought about imitation U-locks 3 or 4 years ago, and got as far as finding aluminium U-locks on Alibaba or somewhere.

On the other side of things, there are now angle grinder resistant U-locks that work on the basis of destroying the cutting discs.
They also generally have a thick enough shackle to be effectively bolt-cropper proof.
https://thebestbikelock.com/security/angle-grinder-proof-bike-lock/
The disadvantage is that you are looking at around £200 & 2 kg

 

[StuAff]

I also thought about imitation U-locks 3 or 4 years ago, and got as far as finding aluminium U-locks on Alibaba or somewhere.

On the other side of things, there are now angle grinder resistant U-locks that work on the basis of destroying the cutting discs.
They also generally have a thick enough shackle to be effectively bolt-cropper proof.
https://thebestbikelock.com/security/angle-grinder-proof-bike-lock/
The disadvantage is that you are looking at around £200 & 2 kg

Litelok X1 is £150 RRP & 1.6kg.

 

[Time Waster]

The Oxford lock linked to upthread is sold secure silver. Usually that is sufficient for bikes up to £1500 according to insurance companies (not all of them but some that have the diistinction have that sort of range). Back when I bought my last main lock Sold Secure Gold Rating was the best. We now have diamond which is usually grinder resistant locks.

Litelock X1 is 1.7kg and £139 right now.
Texlcok eyelet textile rope with D-lock is diamond rated with the extension of the eyelet. or gold rated if the eyelet textile rope is used with the duo of a small shackle or the Gold rated mini D-lock. You get both in the package. The diamond combo is £189 the gold version is less.

I would rather get either of those over the heavy Oxford but then you are paying for them. However with the exception of my recumbent which is not easily replaced without buying new. Bought it for £550 but it is probably going to cost me what £2500 new which is what I insured it for based on new for old because they are very rare secondhand. So for most of my more often used bikes one is £750 or was when new. The other is an absolutely battered Brompton that cost £1300. So most of my bikes a silver rated is needed. I think I would get a Bordo for them especially the Brompto as they work well with the fold.

IMHO and the advice police once gave to our school lock your bike up in a busy location where the theif has to operate with people walking past It might not stop thee theft but it is better in a hidden location where they have all the time in the world to attack the lock or strip it of components. The other thing is if you are leisure riding do not leave bikes on their own. Cafe stops somone stays with the bikes until you all come out with the drinks to sit with them in sight for example. I never take my locks with me when leisure riding because I am dling a round trip from home and never leave it at all. Do not need a lock because I cannot envisage a reason to need it. I am not doing a cafe stop. If I am going to stop then I take two types of locks so the thief needs to attack methods. That is the current best practise.

I note that people with bikes are more aware these days. When I was younger it was common to see bikes, sometimes good ones too, locked to a signpost such that a thief could lift it off the top to cut the lock at their own pleasure in a safe place for them. You see that sort of thing less and less these days.

 

[Punkawallah]

The nice boys at Cade Media have put a number of locks to the test for your information:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gAc6IA2hl4

 

[YMFB]

View: https://youtu.be/w6dvBMV37e0