Keen for people's view on the type of bike lock to take on a biking tour through Spain (North to South). Insurance companies demand a gold rated lock however they weigh plus 1kg. Trying to keep weight down. Staying in hotels/ hostels etc. Any recommendations or advice?
Bikepacking: what lock?
- Thread starter Gradders
- Start date
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I like Skol
A Minging Manc...
- Location
- Sunny Ashton-under-Lyne
It depends on how likely you are to be locking your bike up in public places and out of your view. If this will happen then I would think a decent mini U-lock that can go through frame and around a railing or reasonable post would be the minimum, then a cable to secure one or both wheels.
If you will always be with your bike and only need to lock it at café stops and in/at your accommodation at night then you could get away with a lighter, less substantial lock, maybe a coil/cable lock.
Doing LEJoG in the UK in a few months in a group of 4 and we are only taking cable locks for the café stops as we will always be with the bikes and won't all be disappearing off to the toilet at the same time etc.
If you will always be with your bike and only need to lock it at café stops and in/at your accommodation at night then you could get away with a lighter, less substantial lock, maybe a coil/cable lock.
Doing LEJoG in the UK in a few months in a group of 4 and we are only taking cable locks for the café stops as we will always be with the bikes and won't all be disappearing off to the toilet at the same time etc.
CanucksTraveller
Macho Business Donkey Wrestler
- Location
- Hertfordshire
It's a great question, one I've been wondering myself. I'm keeping an eye on Skol and Nickyboy's prep for their ride with interest, I'm always wondering what people do at a B+B, hostel or campsite where there's no locked garage etc! I'd kind of planned on a Gold D lock and cables as the baseline, figuring that carrying a kilo on whatever odyssey is infinitely better than risk losing the bike.
HobbesOnTour
Guru
- Location
- España
It's really a matter of personal preference and it depends on so many factors.
The first is insurance - if you don't have the correct lock you could lose your bike and your payout.
After that you're playing the odds.
I'm of the opinion that a fully loaded bike left in a visible location (when shopping for example) is not attractive to most thieves. A relatively simple lock will suffice. A lightly loaded bike may well be more likely to go walkabout.
Storage at night in hotels and hostels may require prioritising places where your bike will definitely be secure - in your room. If you're on a well travelled bike route and hotel A has an outdoor shelter for bikes, chances are that's well known to local bike thieves.
Is your bike attractive to thieves? Can you change that?
A bit of situational awareness is a big help too. I'd often circle the car park of a supermarket etc to get a feel for a place before parking up. Only a handful of times have I not parked up.
Finally, a big smile in asking for assistance in a shop or a hotel goes a long, long way.
The first is insurance - if you don't have the correct lock you could lose your bike and your payout.
After that you're playing the odds.
I'm of the opinion that a fully loaded bike left in a visible location (when shopping for example) is not attractive to most thieves. A relatively simple lock will suffice. A lightly loaded bike may well be more likely to go walkabout.
Storage at night in hotels and hostels may require prioritising places where your bike will definitely be secure - in your room. If you're on a well travelled bike route and hotel A has an outdoor shelter for bikes, chances are that's well known to local bike thieves.
Is your bike attractive to thieves? Can you change that?
A bit of situational awareness is a big help too. I'd often circle the car park of a supermarket etc to get a feel for a place before parking up. Only a handful of times have I not parked up.
Finally, a big smile in asking for assistance in a shop or a hotel goes a long, long way.
Rocky
Hello decadence
I use this when I'm touring - not too heavy and quite robust. Hopefully will fit in one you your bike packs:
https://www.evanscycles.com/kryptonite-evolution-mini-7-d-lock-with-kryptoflex-cable-EV325378
https://www.evanscycles.com/kryptonite-evolution-mini-7-d-lock-with-kryptoflex-cable-EV325378
D lock every time, often supplemented with a cable, but always a d lock at least. Also, try to place it where its hard to get a bar in there to twist it and lock it up somewhere busy with people.
Its about all you can do, thieves with cordless power tools and the brass neck to use them with a lot of people around will go through any lock.
Its about all you can do, thieves with cordless power tools and the brass neck to use them with a lot of people around will go through any lock.
I like Skol
A Minging Manc...
- Location
- Sunny Ashton-under-Lyne
Bought that exact one last year for urban paranoia situations. It does inspire confidence that your bike is likely to still be where you left it if parked sensibly. However, at 1.6kgs it is not something I would use for anything other than inner-city utility rides.
sleuthey
Legendary Member
- Location
- South Gloucestershire
nickyboy
Norven Mankey
- Location
- You want hills? We got hills
For our LEJOG we'll use @I like Skol cable locks at cafes en route. Lock all four bikes together. I also always put my bike in the highest possible gear to make cycling off with it difficult unless the thief knows how to change gear
We are staying in B&Bs and small hotels. All the B&Bs have confirmed they have secure storage. Probably a garage in which we can use Skollys locks. Premier Inns allow bikes in rooms. A couple of hotels are a decent size so I'm sure they will have an internal storeroom we can use
Never considered insurance tbh
We are staying in B&Bs and small hotels. All the B&Bs have confirmed they have secure storage. Probably a garage in which we can use Skollys locks. Premier Inns allow bikes in rooms. A couple of hotels are a decent size so I'm sure they will have an internal storeroom we can use
Never considered insurance tbh
Not sure if this is any good popped up on my twitter feed.
https://road.cc/content/tech-news/2...ilver-worlds-first-insurance-rated-flexible-u
They claim it's the world's first lock that both bends and carries a Sold Secure Silver rating 740g. Small one is 640g
From a quick look they do a gold rated one you can also take out theft protection for extra cost.
https://road.cc/content/tech-news/2...ilver-worlds-first-insurance-rated-flexible-u
They claim it's the world's first lock that both bends and carries a Sold Secure Silver rating 740g. Small one is 640g
From a quick look they do a gold rated one you can also take out theft protection for extra cost.
froze
Über Member
- Location
- Fort Wayne, Indiana
If insurance coverage is important then you need to get a gold rated lock.
The lightest gold rated lock that I know of is the LiteLok Gold Range, you can wear it as a belt or put it in your pack, but even this lightweight job weighs 2.4 pounds but it costs $135.
The lightest gold rated lock that I know of is the LiteLok Gold Range, you can wear it as a belt or put it in your pack, but even this lightweight job weighs 2.4 pounds but it costs $135.
I like Skol
A Minging Manc...
- Location
- Sunny Ashton-under-Lyne
depends on the conditions imposed by your insurance provider. Not all companies stipulate a type or standard of lock.
steveindenmark
Legendary Member
A real personal choice. Just like helmets and tyres. One lock does not suit all.
Some carry a D lock, half the weight of their bike. Personally I carry a home made 3mm stainless steel wire which is 2m long.
It will go round a post and frame, my seat, bags and wheels. I would call it a cafe lock. Easy to cut with bolt croppers, quite a bit harder with wire cutters.
I am often told on forums I will get my bike stolen using this wire. The bikes are insured and in 55 years of cycling I have been lucky enough not to lose a bike.... yet 🍀😁
I use a decent lock with the wire and it is usually fastened to jannies bike with a combination cable.
It works for me.
Some carry a D lock, half the weight of their bike. Personally I carry a home made 3mm stainless steel wire which is 2m long.
It will go round a post and frame, my seat, bags and wheels. I would call it a cafe lock. Easy to cut with bolt croppers, quite a bit harder with wire cutters.
I am often told on forums I will get my bike stolen using this wire. The bikes are insured and in 55 years of cycling I have been lucky enough not to lose a bike.... yet 🍀😁
I use a decent lock with the wire and it is usually fastened to jannies bike with a combination cable.
It works for me.
froze
Über Member
- Location
- Fort Wayne, Indiana
I use the same 12mm thick cable with the same Discus lock that I bought way back in the late 70's, no bike of mine has been stolen with it...BUT I have never lived in a high crime city except for about 8 years I was in Los Angeles, but during that time I simply took my bike into my office, the security guys for the building allowed me to do that probably because they didn't want to be responsible for watching it! But I used that lock to lock my bikes up at college and never a problem either. I'm sort of surprised that the original vinyl covering is still fully attached and not brittle after all those years.
