About to start my first tour next Friday and was wondering whether anyone had any advice on buying bike locks. I am required (by the insurance company) to have a Bronze Sold Secure lock.
I want to cut down on weight as much as possible but trying to find a compromise between weight and security is obviously very difficult!
Any suggestions welcome!
As you say, it's a compromise: I wouldn't dream of leaving my bike in London with anything less than a Sold Secure Gold lock, but equally, I'd rather have the increased risk of having my bike stolen than carry an extra kilogramme and a half (I appreciate that other people think that that extra weight is worth carrying).
If you are touring abroad I would say that a cable is essential - yes with a certain amount of ingenuity you can find something to lock a d-lock to, but a cable makes life a lot easier. Take both if you prefer, but a d-lock on its own is a pain. Bear in mind that your insurance policy probably requires you to lock your bike to an immovable object - so putting the lock through the rear triangle alone is a waste of time.
The fact that your insurance company is happy to accept a Bronze Sold Secure lock seems very generous - too generous in fact: check the small print, will the policy cover the full cost of replacing the bike? (It almost certainly won't cover the costs of cutting short your tour, but that's another issue),
If you do go for a lighter, but less secure, lock there are a number of steps you can take to reduce the risk - eg if you stop for a meal, park the bike where it's in sight. If you can't keep it in sight then hide it away. Campsites in the middle of nowhere are generally pretty safe - but if you are in or near a big city it's worth trying to find somewhere to lock it away.
