Stolen bike or lost keys ?

[Dag Hammar]

I cycled to my local Waitrose and proceeded to lock my bike to their bike rack just outside their entrance.
On the ground lay a cable that had been cleanly cut and had the Squire padlock still attached to the two loops. It made me wonder if someone’s bike had been stolen or had the owner lost his key and returned later with a cutter ?

 

[annedonnelly]

Well if it was the owner it's a shame they didn't pick up their rubbish and dispose of it properly.

 

[fossyant]

Likely stolen, what did you lock your's with

 

[Big John]

Shows just how pointless those locks are.

 

[johnnyb47]

I'm betting it was stolen.If the owner went away to get something to cut the lock off I'm sure they would taken the lock with them too.

 

[Cycleops]

That's a very clean cut, likely an axle grinder, the preferred tool of the experienced scumbag. Wanted the fastest getaway so not bothered with the cable.

 

[Dag Hammar]

Likely stolen, what did you lock your's with

I use a similar looped cable and a very strong padlock. It has made me think about getting a heavier duty cable as I like the flexibility that cable offers as opposed to a D lock.
Any recommendations from readers to guide me towards a really tough cable ?

 

[HLaB]

I use a similar looped cable and a very strong padlock. It has made me think about getting a heavier duty cable as I like the flexibility that cable offers as opposed to a D lock.
Any recommendations from readers to guide me towards a really tough cable ?

I'd avoid a cable lock altogether and get a D'Lock thats rated sold secure gold (mines OnGuard but the a few others out there, the 'sold secure gold' is the important thing) there's no real tough cable; there is Litelok but they are dear. There's 'sold secure gold' chains if you really want flexibility but IMO it also give the crook flexibility. https://thebestbikelock.com/best-bike-lock/sold-secure-gold-bike-locks/

 

[andrew_s]

You can get armoured cable locks like the Abus Steel-o-Flex. Unlike a basic 6 mm cable, you won't get through them with pliers or side cutters, but an angle grinder will chop them pretty quickly.

There are angle grinder resistant U-locks available now (Litelok X1 & X3, Hiplock D1000), at a price. These are resistant in that cutting them is likely to use up a few cutting discs, need more than one battery, and take 15 minutes or so.

 

[Gwylan]

That's a very clean cut, likely an axle grinder, the preferred tool of the experienced scumbag. Wanted the fastest getaway so not bothered with the cable.

Just heavy duty bolt croppers.

 

[fossyant]

I use a similar looped cable and a very strong padlock. It has made me think about getting a heavier duty cable as I like the flexibility that cable offers as opposed to a D lock.
Any recommendations from readers to guide me towards a really tough cable ?

Cable locks are very easy to cut through. Only use them to secure a wheel in conjunction with a d-lock. I don't use a cable at work, not secure enough. D lock for frame and rear wheel and an Abus Bordo for the front wheel

 

[cyberknight]

the only place i leave the bike unattended is at work where i have a thick motorbike chain + lock and a d lock , wouldn't like to cart them about .