locks for touring thread

[Ferdie]

I've read a few threads on different forums regarding locks, and I think the general consensus is that anything more than a cheap cable lock is an overkill.

The only reason people give for wanting a gold certified lock is for insurance purposes. I'd add to this the fact that I will be riding through some major cities in France and then spending 2 weeks in Barcelona leaving my bike outside festival grounds in a city where 2 D-locks is common due to the popularity of bike wheel theft.

I feel a bit silly buying the lightest tour gear I can find but then lugging along a 2kg heavy duty lock but I don't think I have any other choice considering the my route and destination.

It'll make my trip of the Pyrenees even more of a struggle but I think I don't think I'll regret taking my abus granit xplus 54 (even if it makes up for the weight savings I made with my tent ).

I may add some pitlocks for my front wheel and seat too.

What have you done on tour that includes going through cities with cycle theft cultures?

 

[rollinstok]

Post the heavy lock to your hotel in Barcelona for your 2 week stay then post it home on last day

 

[jay clock]

buy one there?

 

[GrumpyGregry]

buy one when you get there.

 

[jay clock]

also look on warmshowers.com - best option even if you could not stay is to find someone who can look after your bike while you are there and just use metro etc instead

 

[jonathanw]

Tricky

I'd carry the 2kg personally, but it's a very personal thing how much you worry about security.

Keep the bike indoors, where possible, and enjoy the trip most of all

 

[TheDoctor]

Buy a lock when you get there, and use the metro rather than leave the bike anywhere really dodgy.

 

[stephenjubb]

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._-Product_Details_Zone_1-_-Blank&iozone=PDPz1

ditch the cable and the D lock weights 1 kilo and is gold rated.

 

[andy_spacey]

The fact is locks are no good to you if someone wants your bike. Watch gone in 60 seconds
View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=rhPzF-hyC7Q


Now I have and am again going on tour with just a 7ft cable/ 2ft seat cable and mini u lock,( 800grams) for locking bike up out side shops and when in a camp site.
But I know that will only stop some people just walking off with it.
I could take my New York d lock but a pair of 42" bolt croppers go straight though them, Just like every other lock out there.

After watching gone in 60 seconds I changed how I lock my bike up. I still you the cable and mini u lock but what i do now is lock the u lock though the front wheel spokes and forks or the rear wheel spokes and frame.
This means that you cut hack saw though the cable but you would have to carry the bike as you would not be able to ride it away. Make it a bit more less tempting.

I am going to invest in a GPS tracker for the bike, For a £100 the price of a good lock, it give you a good chance of getting it back soon after it gets nick. http://www.integratedtrackers.com/GPSTrack/

The fact is. If they want your bike they will have your bike. So make your bike less attractive to them.
thefts are like magpies, They like shiny and something there can get money from.
So a ugly bike helps.

Don't let it take over your tour, use the same rules as you would in the uk,
You could just but a extra lock when there if you cant Take it in doors.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

any other methods for preventing 'ride aways'? Motorcyclists use locks on their brake disks, I guess a padlock on the rim could serve the same purpose?

 

[ceepeebee]

If I'm in an area I'm particularly nervous about I chuck a small (but big enough) padlock through the chainring. A tiny U that went round the crank/through the chainring/round the seat tube would be a handy immobiliser.

 

[andy_spacey]

when you use a SRam power link on your chain you can just take it of,,put it in a bag and take it with you,,, no peddling away.

Only a idea.

 

[sabian92]

I suppose you'd need somewhere to keep it where the oil wouldn't go everywhere. If you had a mucky chain as well it'd just cover your bag in gunge.

Not a bad idea though.

 

[Fandango]

Interesting film. No wonder cycle theft is rife when someone who steals over 100 bikes gets a pathetic suspended sentence, where is the deterrent?

Personally I bought a New York D type lock but it weighed so much I began to hate the thing. It is also hard to lock it to things as it is short and inflexible so you really need a wire too so more weight. I gave up with it and now use a combination lock which will put kids off nicking my bike while I am in a shop, but I accept that if a bike thief wants my bike he will have it. I pay about £20 a year to insure all my families bikes, the rule is that as long as it is locked to an immovable object such as a lampost etc. the bikes are covered. I lose a £50 excess but I'll take that chance.

I have locked my fully loaded touring bike up in city centres but never had a problem. I do normally try and keep an eye on it but not always. Although it's a nice bike - Ridgeback Panorama worth about £1200 - I suspect that a thief would be a bit wary of having to ride off with piles of gear on the bike. It can take a while to get the hang of and with an extra 30KG to pedal he might not make as quick a getaway as he would hope.