How big is your u-lock?

[bedrock]

I'm looking for advice on what size u-lock to buy.

I have an old mountain bike that's not worth much and will be using it to commute in to London (or at least that's the plan) until I get something better. I've read the advice in another post on how to use a u-lock and that was very helpful. However, I'd like your recommendations on what size u-lock is generally most useful. I don't know what I'll be anchoring to therefore we'll have to assume it will be a bike stand or railings or... ?

This one looks a reasonable price with a brand name:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kryptonit...BikeLocks_SR&hash=item20b546d107#ht_531wt_907

My only thought is it may be too small. What do you think?

 

[jim55]

thats the one iv got ,,itsa pretty standard size and itl b fine ,,theyres none that are bigger as far as i know ,,get that one

 

[calibanzwei]

Use exactly the same here - good price for a silver-rated piece of kit.

 

[slowmotion]

Mine is 21 x 11 cm and is big enough to go round a street sign, the frame and the back wheel.

 

[bedrock]

Thanks for the replies. I'll go for that one then.

 

[ufkacbln]

Where are you parking it... look at the street furniture you are going to padlock it to.

Nip out and measure couple of examples.!

There is too short and too long.

Too short and you will not be able to lock the wheel to a sheffield stand or similar.
Too long and there is room to insert a bottle jack to prise it open

I use the Granit X54, but have a long one for the trikes and Thorn, and a short one for the Street Machine, Bromptons and others

 

[Evil Rabbit]

16mm is the magic (minimum) thickness - by all accounts, with the exception of some of the high quality Abus 13mm U-locks, 16mm is the minimum that can not be hand cropped, i.e. it needs a power tool.

The Kryptonite you linked is OK, but it can be cropped by hand. The popular secure version is Krptonite's New York Fahg. Search around and you can get it for under £70
http://www.kryptonitelock.com/Products/ProductDetail.aspx?cid=1001&scid=1000&pid=1095

I have one and the size works well, although it is heavy and you might not want to carry such a heavy lock.

I use my Fagh in conjunction with an Abus Granit X54, which is lighter and bigger and much more transportable. And as big as I would want to use - bigger and i think you end up leaving too much gap for thieves to put in a mini-jack.
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/accessories/locks/product/review-abus--granit-x-plus-10512/

Good U-locks don't have to be expensive either, this Magnum Block is only £20 and 16mm thick (I have one as well)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Magnum-Heav...ZVLG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1312230218&sr=8-1
However, again it is heavy (heavier than the Fagh) and really big in size/capacity - so you will need to pack it.

Personally I think the Abus Granit X54 is a good compromise of weight, size and security.

 

[ufkacbln]

The other reason to ask where you are parking is that it may be possible to leave the lock at work in which case the weight is unimportant.

You can then carry a lighter "cafe lock" for emergencies on the way home.

However if you are likely to shop or leave the bike on the way home carrying is essential and weight again begins to matter.

 

[clarion]

Abus locks up my bikes. Nothing else.

I have a Granit U-lock and a big strong cable lock.

 

[bedrock]

The Kryptonite you linked is OK, but it can be cropped by hand. The popular secure version is Krptonite's New York Fahg. Search around and you can get it for under £70
http://www.kryptonit...d=1000&pid=1095

That would be 70 pounds more than the bike cost me! :-D

 

[asterix]

It is bigger than any of yours..

 

[ufkacbln]

It is bigger than any of yours..

Can we stick to the subject of locks please?

 

[fossyant]

That would be 70 pounds more than the bike cost me! :-D

Is frightening the cost of a good lock, but hopefully the tea leaf will move onto something else. I managed to get my FAGH for £55, but my bike is left in some semi secure places.

 

[Evil Rabbit]

... and a big strong cable lock.

Sadly, it seems now a days there is no such thing - they can all be hand cropped in a second.

 

[ufkacbln]

This is not nice, so bear with me.

Preventing theft is not possible.

No matter what you use a determined and well equipped thief will overcome the precautions you have taken. If your bike is being "stolen to order" by a professional thief there is little you can do.

Opportunistic theft, though is far more common, and this is where you can make it difficult. That is all you can really do is to make it take longer and be less convenient

1. Use as high a rated u lock as possible as a main lock
2. Leave as few gaps as possible to get tools in
3. Lock it so the keyhole is difficult to access
4. Use two locks of different types as this means two different tools have to be used, and prolong the theft
5. Park in view of the public and CCTV if possible
6. Make sure yours is the most difficult to access
7. If there is a lovely new bike with a cheap lock, park next it as a thief will go for the easier target.