Let's Talk Bike Security!

Nix

Nix

Nix

Soldato
Joined
26 Dec 2005
Posts
19,841
I know a lot of you have quite expensive bikes that would bring tears to your eyes if they were pinched, but how do you go about securing them on a daily basis?

Indeed, what do you use your bikes for? Those who commute every day, do you have a cheaper alternative for such a purpose? As I understand some individuals only take out their expensive kit without it ever leaving the sight, solely to ride on trails, etc. and not commute.
 
I'm trying to decide if it's worth me getting a cheap commuter bike also.

Currently looking at an ~£800 Cube which I want to use for fun, but also commuting to work (not a problem as I take it inside) but also for locking up at the local woods whilst I go for a run as it takes a good 45 minutes to walk there. It's namely locking such a bike up every morning at the woods which concerns me. But it would be covered on household, so perhaps I should just stop thinking about a cheaper second bike, buy a good lock instead and go with the flow?

As for 'cheaper' bikes, I was looking at these:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/falcon/nevada-2009-mountain-bike-ec018769

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/mongoose/switchback-2010-mountain-bike-ec020890

They'd be quite handy for if/when I pop to town/pub/whatever as there's simply no way I'd want to risk locking the expensive kit up in town. However, I'm so used to walking now, I don't think there's any point anyway! I think I'm literally just looking at a bike to play with, commute to work and to get to the local woods and the only security risk is the latter.
 
I use a Kryptonite Evolution mini 9 D lock to secure the rear wheel to a railing/post/etc. I also use a cheap cable lock to secure the front wheel to the frame and, if there's enough reach, to the railing/post/etc. This seems to be the recommended way to secure a bike if you're going to be leaving it for a while, as it means any would-be thief needs two different tools to get your bike.

I've only ever left my "best bike" locked up outside once, and even though it was in the middle of Brighton on a very busy bank holiday in full sight of dozens of people, I still felt uncomfortable about it. The bike I commute on is either in the office or the garage when I'm not riding it, so I don't carry a lock with it. Seeing as anybody with enough determination will eventually break even the best lock, I take the view that it's best to make your bike look as much of a pain in the arse to steal as possible. That way, they'll go and look for an easier target.

Getting a cheap fixie/single speed is a pretty good idea if you haven't got to deal with too many hills, especially if it's used and looks a bit tatty.
 
I went to the local car boot sale last Thursday and paid £10 for a battered old bike, there's no way I'd lock up my main bike and if it gets nicked I'll just buy another.
My main bike stays in the garage and comes out when I go biking.
 
I just never leave the bike outside. At home its in the house, at work it goes in the bike room and if im at the shops it comes in the shop with me, never had a shops say no to me.
 
My bikes are kept in the Garage. The car has tinted glass so you can't see them in transit. My current work place has dedicated bike lockers under CCTV, we also share the building with the Police. So I would expect it to be pretty secure here. The commuter is plain looking so not to draw attention to it.
 
I have 3 bikes and they are all stored in my house.

The road bike I use to ride to work is New York Fahgettaboudit U-locked up.
The lock stays at work so I don't have to worry about the weight :)
 
SDK^ said:
I have 3 bikes and they are all stored in my house.

The road bike I use to ride to work is New York Fahgettaboudit U-locked up.
The lock stays at work so I don't have to worry about the weight :)
Click to expand...

Same except I ride a brommy to work :) I keep my bikes in my kitchen when they're at home.
 
I had mine nicked today :(

Secured to bike rack at local leisure centre. CCTV recorded the crime. But I'm not positive that the punks will be caught or the bike returned.

I had, what I thought was, a heavy duty combination lock, which was purchased from a well known bike / car store.

It took them around 3 minutes to unlock it. How did they do it?
 
Last edited:
Frank_Rizzo said:
I had mine nicked today :(

Secured to bike rack at local leisure centre. CCTV recorded the crime. But I'm not positive that the punks will be caught or the bike returned.

I had, what I thought was, a heavy duty combination lock, which was purchased from a well known bike / car store.

It took them around 3 minutes to unlock it. How did they do it?
Click to expand...

I'm hoping it's not a 'Bike Hut' combination lock because i've just bought one for £38.
 
It looks similar. I bought the lock 5 years ago. Cost about £25 then.

I know no lock is infallible. And in this case it did take 3 minutes to break / unlock.

It's so brazen though. CCTV aimed right on the rack, which was 20ft away and in view of the main entrance.

Would a £50/£100 lock, which would have taken, say, 10/20 minutes to break still be a deterrent?
 
My Hardrock got nicked from outside my University building a couple of years ago when I was still using a normal combination lock from Halfords. Thank God for the University security officer that tackled the guy off my bike and detained him till the Police arrived! And at 60 no less!!!

Safe to say I got myself a substantial D lock with laser cut keys that also comes with insurance. Don't really like leaving my bike out in public but I don't really have a choice most of the time. Lesson learnt! Don't buy crap locks :/
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom