Lock Recommendations?

[gkochner]

Hello all! I recently bought a Velotric Discover 3 as a future commuter. The one necessary item I have yet to get is a lock. I've looked into several brands and done my research, but am interested to hear what this forum uses for locking their bike up when commuting. The bike will be locked outside a large office building in a large metro area, but not necessarily a high foot traffic area.

Any thoughts/feedback is appreciated!

 

[fooferdoggie]

with e bikes its hard to use a u lock so I have this folding lock with alarm. https://www.abususa.com/collections/bike-foldable-locks/products/bordo-6500ka also because I could get matching keys that fit the locks on my bikes. but its a lot easier to get around stuff. wheels locked is a good idea too.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Welcome aboard! We love my wife's Velotric Breeze 1.

The problem with recommendations: Few here have had their lock choices tested in real life. So you're left with lock tests on YouTube.

We use ABUS folding locks. Got high ratings at the time, but bottom line: Any lock can be defeated with enough time and skill and the right tools. And you can't count on passers-by to do anything about a theft in progress.

Since the bike will be left unattended for hours a day, might a consider a lock (D or folding) AND a chain, as these resist defeat in very different ways.

Beyond actual theft protection, you also need a lock that works well with YOUR bike. The less a struggle to get on and off, the more you'll use it.

Best bet is to take your bike to a bike shop, discuss options, and try some on.

 

[RunForTheHills]

Even U locks can be defeated in seconds with an angle grinder. If you are locking the bike up in a high crime area unattended for hours at a time It will be difficult to protect it. If your employer has bike lockers available or if they let you bring the bike into the building, do that. If they have a shared bike cage, that is better than outside but you will still need to lock it up inside the cage with a good U-lock through the frame and back wheel and a cable or chain for the front wheel.

 

[6zfshdb]

The first thing I would do is ask your employer if you could bring the bike somewhere inside the building. At the very least, take the battery inside with you. A bike without a battery is a deterrent for some would be bike thieves. I would also check for bike theft reports if you're in a questionable area.
Another trick used by some is to make your bike less attractive that others parked nearby. I know one guy who sticks fake loose wiring in various locations to make the bike look jury rigged.

As mentioned above, any bike lock can be defeated by a determined thief, but they can be effective against the casual walk off theft.

 

[twy]

I use an ABUS 6 Series Tresorflex Combo Armored Cable Lock, Black, 120cm/15mm on mine. My wife uses an ABUS 4750 XL Frame Lock which mates to an ABUS Frame Lock Plug-in 12mm Cable. EDIT: There is also a chain plug-in available.

The bikes are locked together to a stationary object when left alone in the day (moderate foot traffic) or close by at night (low foot traffic).
Like others have stated, anything can be broken but our approach is to slow them down or at least require a lot of noise. Luckily these have not yet been tested.

My son's bike at college is obviously more vulnerable (outside most days and nights) and his approach for the last 2 years has been multiple heavy-duty locks (try to include the seat and wheels) with success so far.

 

[Aushiker]

Hello all! I recently bought a Velotric Discover 3 as a future commuter. The one necessary item I have yet to get is a lock. I've looked into several brands and done my research, but am interested to hear what this forum uses for locking their bike up when commuting. The bike will be locked outside a large office building in a large metro area, but not necessarily a high foot traffic area.

Any thoughts/feedback is appreciated!

With my Reise and Muller Supercharger, I use a D-Lock, in this case, an OnGuard 8001 Brute Standard U Lock. As it turned out, the first one I was sent came without keys, so it was replaced. As they didn't want it back, I tried to attack it with my Ryobi corded angle grinder. It was hard work to make a dent, and I gave up. So far, it has not been attacked, so I do not know if a better angle grinder would make a difference, but I am reasonably assured.

I generally lock the bike to a U-Rack via the rear frame, but have locked it without any issues to other structures as well.

You might find Solid Secure Lock ratings a helpful resource.


Bike Bag Dude by Andrew Priest, on Flickr

 

[Aushiker]

with e bikes its hard to use a u lock so I have this folding lock with alarm. https://www.abususa.com/collections/bike-foldable-locks/products/bordo-6500ka also because I could get matching keys that fit the locks on my bikes. but its a lot easier to get around stuff. wheels locked is a good idea too.

My Rohloff hub is locked to my bike with a Pinhead Skewer (it can be a pain for me with the key, so I suspect it would be even more so for a thief). I should get one for the seat as well, now that I think about it.

Edit: I have an earlier version of the skewer. Looking at the website the locking component has changed, hopefully for the better.

 

[fooferdoggie]

My Rohloff hub is locked to my bike with a Pinhead Skewer (it can be a pain for me with the key, so I suspect it would be even more so for a thief). I should get one for the seat as well, now that I think about it.

Edit: I have an earlier version of the skewer. Looking at the website the locking component has changed, hopefully for the better.

I used to do the skewers. but I dont leave my bike locked for long anymore. man the through axles locks are really expensive.

 

[indianajo]

I use this 1/2"x6' stainless steel sling https://www.mcmaster.com/8942T831/ through the frame wrapped around a mains power pole, a live electrical conduit, or a live pipe to a gas meter. $83 plus freight from cleveland. Stainless steel is a PITB to cut with a grinder, it won't turn orange and melt out. I use an Abus 82/60 lock, which has a rotating 12 mm pin if hit with a grinder. $65 + freight. If near the jail, bus station, or section 8 apartments, I use a second 3/8" stainless steel sling with a $15 master lock, through the power wheel. 8 years, no attempts on it. Frustrated thieves have cut the tire 3 times. I've lost 2 lights and a tool box while locked out. I now keep the light in a peanut butter jar in the bag. You need a 19"x19" pannier to roll up each sling. Make sure you locate the frame sling up in the air so it takes 3 hands to cut it with a grinder. After pushing the bike with flat 8 miles home, I now keep a Panaracer foldup tire, 2 tubes, and a Lyzene air pump in the bottom of the bag. I replaced the EZ-steal seat post fastener with a stainless steel allen socket 5/16" bolt with elastic stop nut. I replaced the EZ-steal front wheel squewer with a 10-32 x 4.5" stainless bolt and elastic stop nut. I'm 160 lb; if you weigh more use a fatter front wheel bolt.

 

[sc00ter]

I use a Flodylock when out and about locally. I also use Hexlox on my front wheel and seat/clamp. If I go into the dense city area I bring along my Litelok D-lock. My area is medium crime level and "so far" my locking methods has worked for my needs. Like mentioned above your local bike shop will know what locks are needed for your area. Oh, another tip. Lock your ebike in the garage as well. Don't assume its safe in a locked garage. Make it hard as possible to kidnap your bike!

In my garage I lock both of my ebikes together thru the rear wheels with my Litelok. I'm in the process of putting down 2 ground anchors in my garage for the ebike (only need one) and my motorcycle. Just need to be 100% sure of their parking location before installing. Idle hands are the devils play thing, and spring break has started for the local kids.

 

[mrgold35]

I was lucky to be able to store my ebike inside behind a locked door when work commuting. The outside bike rack was an option and in plain view of armed security 10 feet away. I preferred indoors because of sometimes needing to recharge the battery pack, privacy to fix the occasional flat, and keep out the weather.

I always tried a layered lock system of locks depending on the situation of how long the ebike being out of sight/out of mind. I recently added Kryptonite Disc brake lock as an extra layer (same used on scooters & motorcycles). I figured it would take more time to steal my ebike compared to the one next to mine. Plus, it would be hard to carry a 80-100lbs ebike in a hurry if they break the other 1-2 locks.