Lock and security choices for Vado 5

[Nxkharra]

Hi all. I realize this topic has been discussed in length.
Let’s try it one more if OK.
I use a Otto lock to secure my bike. I live in California and don’t park the bike in city for long term. I try to take the bike inside if the establishment allows it.
I also use a cheap alarm that I have placed under the seat which sounds loud if the bike is touched and continues louder if it is taken away. I realize by then the thief (if professional) has discovered the location and will take it off.
I hesitate to take the battery off as I am concerned taking the battery off and on often might affect the connections (I know most of you take exception to this).
As a last resort I have full insurance on the bike.
could you share your security techniques?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Well, that's a hard matter. Wherever the level of crime is high, all we are in trouble. I avoid leaving my bike alone while on a ride, even if the level of theft in the neighbourhood is low. For my touring e-bike, I use a large 2013 Kryptonite Keeper U-lock. The benefit is, it is easily mounted on the top tube of the frame. When shopping, I attach the bike to the next sign-post.

I bought a Litelok Gold for my Vado. I am dissapointed. As strong as it is and with an Abus lock, it is too stiff and too short. I hardly use it.

 

[Nxkharra]

I went for a swim this morning at our local YMCA and while I was locking my bike a man wit eBike next to me started conversation. I asked him if he has had any experience wit safety of bikes there. He stated his previous bike was stolen from there.
i locked my bike with my Otto lock and armed my alarm. I kept worrying a bit about what could happen. When I returned the good news was the bike was still there. There were few ladies sitting outside who told me my bike alarm was sounding for 5 minutes when another person was locking his bike. I apologized.
I just ordered an Abus Bordo Granit X plus 6500 From Amazon ($135) to combine with the Otto lock to use so I dont have to use the alarm.
Hopefuly this combination detract some (not all) bad guys.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Congratulations @Nxkharra! I might buy an alarm myself.

 

[Nxkharra]

Anyone has any experience with Abus Tectic cafe lock?
I am going crazy with locks. In addition to Abus Bordo Granit X plus 6500 I ordered one of these. Not sure if it fits my Vado and if it is a keeper. Like the European look. Used to have one on my bike when I was a teen (loooong time ago)

 

[Sierratim]

Anyone has any experience with Abus Tectic cafe lock?
I am going crazy with locks. In addition to Abus Bordo Granit X plus 6500 I ordered one of these. Not sure if it fits my Vado and if it is a keeper. Like the European look. Used to have one on my bike when I was a teen (loooong time ago)

Take a look at this thread;

Which frame lock mounts to the Specialized Turbo factory mounts?

Any mount a frame lock to the factory mounts on a Turbo bicycle? I tried the ABUS 4960 but the mounting hardware was too narrow. Wondering if the XL sized ones will work.

electricbikereview.com

Abus frame locks seem to have a tolerance problem mounting on the 2020 Vado 5's. I got mine to fit with a bit of grinding in the widest Abus mounting slots. I combined the frame lock with the plugin cable. Makes for a good combo for quick errands. I use an Abus folding lock for higher security lockups. My best solution is to take the inside the lobby, etc, of wherever I'm going.

 

[Nxkharra]

Take a look at this thread;

Which frame lock mounts to the Specialized Turbo factory mounts?

Any mount a frame lock to the factory mounts on a Turbo bicycle? I tried the ABUS 4960 but the mounting hardware was too narrow. Wondering if the XL sized ones will work.

electricbikereview.com

Abus frame locks seem to have a tolerance problem mounting on the 2020 Vado 5's. I got mine to fit with a bit of grinding in the widest Abus mounting slots. I combined the frame lock with the plugin cable. Makes for a good combo for quick errands. I use an Abus folding lock for higher security lockups. My best solution is to take the inside the lobby, etc, of wherever I'm going.

Sierratim, I think this method of security makes sense and I will be using the same.
I might need your experience for making the frame lock to fit.

 

[Nxkharra]

Take a look at this thread;

Which frame lock mounts to the Specialized Turbo factory mounts?

Any mount a frame lock to the factory mounts on a Turbo bicycle? I tried the ABUS 4960 but the mounting hardware was too narrow. Wondering if the XL sized ones will work.

electricbikereview.com

Abus frame locks seem to have a tolerance problem mounting on the 2020 Vado 5's. I got mine to fit with a bit of grinding in the widest Abus mounting slots. I combined the frame lock with the plugin cable. Makes for a good combo for quick errands. I use an Abus folding lock for higher security lockups. My best solution is to take the inside the lobby, etc, of wherever I'm going.

Another place to put the HUGE lock.

 

[Jimbo08]

Although they are considered a fairly low security level, amsterdam/frame locks are pretty easy to operate and store right on the bike. The more locks a thief has to deal with, the better...is my way of thinking. Because of mis-alignment of mounting holes between the lock and mounting bosses on my 2020 Vado 5.0, I will be making an aluminum adapter plate, like a saw in another posting.

 

[Ebiker01]

most of the locks are useless esp. in a big city.

i'm armed with 500$ worth of Abus locks 15 and 20 sex . level but those values are complete BS as here in Ny they cut them with a grinder in 90seconds. 7-10seconds for the other locks.


Abus Granit xtrme 59 is spot 15 and poor performance for grinder cut.

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The only really good lock is a Titanium thick chain or U lock. Those are very hard and dangerous to cut.


Or the SAF lock: https://altorlocks.com/collections/saf-lock/products/altor-saf-lock-single-pre-order


Or very heavy moto locks: Allmax, Pragmasis, etc

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[Nxkharra]

My new set up. I am sure it can be compromised.

 

[Sierratim]

My new set up. I am sure it can be compromised.

I agree that two locking systems are the way to go. I don't have personal experience, but I've read that it's also a good idea to lock the bike to a sturdy, fixed "anchor" so it cannot be simply loaded up and hauled away. The suggestions include heavy duty steel bike racks, tall steel fence posts, steel fencing, etc. Wood posts, wood fences, trees, etc, are discouraged since they're comparatively easy to cut.

Locally, I've found a dearth of locations secure enough to lock up a decent bike, despite the fact that our community is rich in cycling history. I'm always on the hunt....

 

[Nxkharra]

I agree that two locking systems are the way to go. I don't have personal experience, but I've read that it's also a good idea to lock the bike to a sturdy, fixed "anchor" so it cannot be simply loaded up and hauled away. The suggestions include heavy duty steel bike racks, tall steel fence posts, steel fencing, etc. Wood posts, wood fences, trees, etc, are discouraged since they're comparatively easy to cut.

Locally, I've found a dearth of locations secure enough to lock up a decent bike, despite the fact that our community is rich in cycling history. I'm always on the hunt....

Thanks Sierratim. If you look closer in the picture I was able to loop the foldable lock around the heavy bike post. I tried to loop it through the frame, front wheel, and the post all together but lock wasn’t long enough.
my Otto lock is long enough to loop around both wheels and also through folding lock but I wanted the new Kinekt seat post to be safe too so I looped it through seat post and rear wheel.
May be another shorter Otto lock for seat post would be needed.

 

[Sierratim]

Thanks Sierratim. If you look closer in the picture I was able to loop the foldable lock around the heavy bike post. I tried to loop it through the frame, front wheel, and the post all together but lock wasn’t long enough.
my Otto lock is long enough to loop around both wheels and also through folding lock but I wanted the new Kinekt seat post to be safe too so I looped it through seat post and rear wheel.
May be another shorter Otto lock for seat post would be needed.

No intent to critique your technique, just trying to offer my $0.02 worth to expand a useful thread...