Chain lock discussion wanted
- Thread starter TumaloTed
- Start date
smorgasbord
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
Generally, you want 10mm or thicker chains. 8mm chains can be cut with medium size bolt cutters.
Here's one decent article on options: https://thebestbikelock.com/best-chain-lock/ There are many others, and you can check out the Lock Picking Lawyer on YouTube if you want to get scared.
Here's one decent article on options: https://thebestbikelock.com/best-chain-lock/ There are many others, and you can check out the Lock Picking Lawyer on YouTube if you want to get scared.
Handlebars
Well-Known Member
- Region
- Canada
That article pointed out something important that I had not considered:
" However, the chance of of your chain being cropped can be significantly reduced by keeping the chain as far off the ground as possible when you lock your bike. In order to crop a chain, the thief will need to use one arm of the bolt cutter against the ground as leverage. The further your lock is off the ground, the more difficult and less effective this will be."
My strategy after watching video of how easily they steal locked bikes became this: with a $200 USD budget for locking up, I'm going for a bunch of different locks cable and chain combos.
Got an Abus U-lock immediately for through the triangle or frame, to the rear wheel
I also ordered 3 from here because it was much less pricey than Canada gets...we'll see how that works out later.
I got 2 of these just in time, sold out now
www.probikekit.ca
I also bought 1 of these
OnGuard Pitbull Mini Standard Shackle U-Lock/Cable - 90mm x 140mm x 14mm
It's like $20 USD !
https://www.probikekit.ca/cycling-accessories/onguard-pitbull-mini-standard-shackle-u-lock-cable-90mm-x-140mm-x-14mm/11725528.html?utm_source=ecrm-dispatch-confirmation&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ecrm-dispatch-confirmation&affil=thgemail&ecrmcid=lX2YdBwJ6z5MQ2kAqZYrOq14KxDbGpjE&shae=nf3gRjQ96dTTdk3ZMgpQRp+LMuWQumVMgB0LGxD7FB4=&sendTime=1567575552
Add another cheap cable lock I already owned.
All to go in the pannier boxes if I'm going to lock it for more than 5 minutes. So far nobody has stopped me from walking my bike into stores like Walmart or Sportcheck or CanadianTire, that have bike supplies.
And Home Despot, Lowes, etc.
" However, the chance of of your chain being cropped can be significantly reduced by keeping the chain as far off the ground as possible when you lock your bike. In order to crop a chain, the thief will need to use one arm of the bolt cutter against the ground as leverage. The further your lock is off the ground, the more difficult and less effective this will be."
My strategy after watching video of how easily they steal locked bikes became this: with a $200 USD budget for locking up, I'm going for a bunch of different locks cable and chain combos.
Got an Abus U-lock immediately for through the triangle or frame, to the rear wheel
I also ordered 3 from here because it was much less pricey than Canada gets...we'll see how that works out later.
I got 2 of these just in time, sold out now
On Guard Mastiff Chain With Boxer U-Lock
Buy On Guard Mastiff Chain With Boxer U-Lock here at ProBikeKit CA. We have great prices on bikes, components and clothing, with free delivery available!
www.probikekit.ca
I also bought 1 of these
OnGuard Pitbull Mini Standard Shackle U-Lock/Cable - 90mm x 140mm x 14mm
It's like $20 USD !
https://www.probikekit.ca/cycling-accessories/onguard-pitbull-mini-standard-shackle-u-lock-cable-90mm-x-140mm-x-14mm/11725528.html?utm_source=ecrm-dispatch-confirmation&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ecrm-dispatch-confirmation&affil=thgemail&ecrmcid=lX2YdBwJ6z5MQ2kAqZYrOq14KxDbGpjE&shae=nf3gRjQ96dTTdk3ZMgpQRp+LMuWQumVMgB0LGxD7FB4=&sendTime=1567575552
Add another cheap cable lock I already owned.
All to go in the pannier boxes if I'm going to lock it for more than 5 minutes. So far nobody has stopped me from walking my bike into stores like Walmart or Sportcheck or CanadianTire, that have bike supplies.
And Home Despot, Lowes, etc.
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As mentioned above by smorgasbord, this site seems to have a ton of good info on bike locks and I used it to make my decisions: http://thebestbikelock.com
mbouck
Member
3' of 10mm Pewag security chain secured by a Viro Panzer double shutter lock. If you go to Amsterdam you'll see Viros and security chains all over the place and there's a reason for that. They work.
TheAntidote
New Member
Honestly an angle grinder will go through any of those locks like butter in less than 5 minutes. A good strategy is as many as you can, rather than the thickest. Best you can do is make it really annoying.
Oliverjane
New Member
- Region
- USA
Chain locks, in my opinion, are the most popular approach to protect a bike against theft. +1 for the ABUS security square chain. The cover appears to be quite robust and of high quality. The mix of thickness, weight, strength, and size is a decent compromise for a somewhat secure bike lock.
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I use a heavy chain and magnetic lock (keyed to my home lock) when my bike is on my truck or trailer, and two more. As to the heavy chain I asked the locksmith how hard it was to cut. He said, "I am going to tell you it can't be cut, and then go into the back and cut you a length on my grinder. But, a bold cutter is not going to work." It is all about slowing them down. I also ALWAYS lock my bike on my truck no matter how short my travel. There are stories here about bikes being snatched off trucks at stop lights. My brother drives and delivers cars for a living and he has often had his dealer plates whipped off at traffic lights.
rawlus
Active Member
- Region
- USA
IMHO anything under $50 is essentially worthless outside of very rural areas.
ideally you want multiple locking approaches working together, it’s all about relative difficulty to persuade would-be criminals to seek an easier target.
myself i am combining Kryptonite 14mm chains (forgettaboutit models) with mini U lock (fugettaboutit) for approx $200+ in locking solution with a motion-activated alarm to draw attention to anyone messing. also will use hexlox for certain allen bolts like stem and seat. i don’t live in a metro area and intend to rarely leave bike out of sight. but i’d personally be too nervous to leave the bike with only a $20 or $50 lock in it. ymmv.
ideally you want multiple locking approaches working together, it’s all about relative difficulty to persuade would-be criminals to seek an easier target.
myself i am combining Kryptonite 14mm chains (forgettaboutit models) with mini U lock (fugettaboutit) for approx $200+ in locking solution with a motion-activated alarm to draw attention to anyone messing. also will use hexlox for certain allen bolts like stem and seat. i don’t live in a metro area and intend to rarely leave bike out of sight. but i’d personally be too nervous to leave the bike with only a $20 or $50 lock in it. ymmv.
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