My lock is a nightmare to use. Thinking about maybe a cafe lock.

[Eiri]

I have a Specialized Vado 3.0 IGH Step-through, which I (try to) lock with an Abus Bordo lock, 120 cm long, made out of hinged steel bars. But it's such a pain to use! I lose 5 minutes every time getting it in place, and it's extremely challenging to get it to reach the bike (except maybe the wheel) and anything secure.

Part of the problem is my baskets. I have a Specialized front basket on the front rack, and a Thule Pack 'n Pedal basket on the rear rack. Another part of the problem is the Step-through frame. It's really convenient to use, but it also means the top part of the frame where some objects might lock easiest to is a lot lower than usual.

So usually I have to park BESIDE the bicycle parking unit, bring the bar real close to the side/back of the bike, and very delicately lock onto the rear wheel triangle, trying not to mess with the drive belt too much. On top of that, the key needs to be inside the lock even to LOCK it. And that's when the darn place even has something to lock my bike to. It takes forever every time I go do any sort of errands and my patience is running thin.

I asked around bike shops, and the only longer lock I might be able to buy would be a wire, which isn't exactly secure. But then, today, a store employee had an idea.

No lock will stop thieves who are REALLY trying. So I should focus on opportunistic thieves, and the insurance I'm paying for the bike should cover the rest.

He didn't have the exact thing he was suggesting at the store, but he figured some sort of device that's a combo of a cafe lock (something that keeps the wheel from turning), an alarm and a GPS tracker would be a fantastic deterrent.

And it's not like I need absolute protection from thieves, after all. I mean, hell, I could legit defeat the shack where I store it at my apartment building with a good kick, and I'm not strong at all. Yet I'm not really worried. The possiblity of someone brazen enough to do it is why I pay for insurance.

So... I think the guy is a genius. But I don't know what to buy exactly.

My phone is Android, so I can't exactly do Apple AirTags.

Do you have ideas? Ideally I'd like something that can lock very easily. Using the key/app/etc to unlock the bike is inevitable, ideally it would be really nice if I could do the "lock" part with just a button or something like that.

Though really I'm open to all convenient options.

 

[sc00ter]

I hated folding locks when I first started using them. Now they are second nature to use. Locks get brought up all the time and the same thing applies, buy a lock that reflects your level of security needs. Live in a good area or have a cheaper ebike, get a lower security level lock. Live or ride into "bad" areas, get the best you can afford.

But if I was in your shoes I'd try to get used to the folding lock. I like my SeatyLocks for my general needs.

If I remember I'll try to get a good picture of my Xpedition locked up. I ride the my local Food Lion and Walmart on a regular basis. Both have shady characters hanging around most of the time.

 

[Eiri]

Honestly the only way I could get used to a folding lock is if it were 50% longer. but apparently 120 cm is the longest they make.

For real I cannot find the words to convey how annoying it is to have a bicycle parking right there and be unable to use it because the lock won't reach.

 

[fooferdoggie]

I use their longest lock but still it takes some planning. try it on a tandem. I dont lock the wheels but I dont leave my bike for a long time. a chin with the lock may be the way to go.

 

[DiggyGun]

Try a long U-Lock with a cable

May give you more flexibility.

DG…

 

[Eiri]

Try a long U-Lock with a cable
View attachment 166243View attachment 166244
May give you more flexibility.

DG…

I don't intend to lock my wheels. Locking the bike itself is already a big drain on my willpower.

That said, the limiter with the approach is still the U lock. If it's huge enough to not have the same issues as my folding lock (or worse) i don't see how i could carry this around. The image shows the bike parked to a thin vertical pole. That's basically the easiest there is. There really ISN'T that stuff everywhere.

 

[Eiri]

So I found this:

Ring Lock With Flexible Mount

Ring Lock With Flexible Mount

www.kryptonitelock.com

To which you can add a chain like this:

Ring Lock 5.5mm Plug-In Chain

Ring Lock 5.5mm Plug-In Chain

www.kryptonitelock.com

The image shows the wheel secured with our, but who cares? If someone is willing to remove my wheel, they're willing to cut my lock.

The chain is 120 cm, which sounds like the same length as my folding lock, but it only needs to attach to the wheel lock on ONE side. Combined with the (probably) superior flexibility, wouldn't that effectively make it almost twice as long? Man does that sound a lot more convenient.

And it gives me an option for SOME sort of lock where there just isn't anything to lock to.

I've thought about it, and I don't think I care about alarms. For one, it might sound while someone is just trying to park their bike next to mine. And on top of that, it would either be some sort of wiring to the battery, or its own battery to keep charged. The more I think about it, the more it sounds like another dang layer of technology to be annoying.

So anyway, would the wheel lock + chain thing work with my bike?

Try a long U-Lock with a cable

I don't intend to lock my wheels. Just locking the bike itself is already stretching my patience. There's just no way I'll go that far. That said, the limiter becomes the U-lock. The image shows the bike locked to a single thin pole. That's the ideal thing to lock to, and I rarely have something that convenient available.

The only way I can imagine that not being as bad or worse than my folding lock is if it's absolutely enormous. And at that point, I'm really not sure how I should carry it around without taking up all of my "trunk" space.

 

[DiggyGun]

The image shows the bike parked to a thin vertical pole.

Sorry, couldn’t find a picture showing every scenario of how to lock a bike up.

DG…

 

[mrgold35]

I like the picture above with the pedals missing. That would be a very cool layered security feature to have quick release pedals along with some type of electric motor lock-up you can input on the password protected LCD screen. I can see stealing an ebike being less desirable with 1-3 layers of locks/alarms, password protected LCD screen, missing pedals, motor lock up feature, and having to dead lift a 50lbs-90lbs ebike to steal.

 

[Taylor57]

I also carry a small Kryptonite cable to lock my seat and seat post but have never used it. I am seeing more and more people chaining their bikes up at the grocery store when I go in to shop. I spoke to one guy with a Lectric with rack crates loaded with groceries and he said he sold his car and this was his only means of transportation...

 

[sc00ter]

I had a Abus wheel lock/cafe lock on a old ebike. Very easy to use. I also purchased the optional loop end chain. Loop the end of the chain around the rack/pole/small tree and click the other end into the cafe lock. If you go with a cafe lock be sure you can remove the key when not in use. Sounds weird but some cafe locks require you to leave a key in it when not in "locked" state. I briefly covered cafe locks in my Cero One review on the forum,

 

[steve mercier]

I have a Specialized Vado 3.0 IGH Step-through, which I (try to) lock with an Abus Bordo lock, 120 cm long, made out of hinged steel bars. But it's such a pain to use! I lose 5 minutes every time getting it in place, and it's extremely challenging to get it to reach the bike (except maybe the wheel) and anything secure.

Part of the problem is my baskets. I have a Specialized front basket on the front rack, and a Thule Pack 'n Pedal basket on the rear rack. Another part of the problem is the Step-through frame. It's really convenient to use, but it also means the top part of the frame where some objects might lock easiest to is a lot lower than usual.

So usually I have to park BESIDE the bicycle parking unit, bring the bar real close to the side/back of the bike, and very delicately lock onto the rear wheel triangle, trying not to mess with the drive belt too much. On top of that, the key needs to be inside the lock even to LOCK it. And that's when the darn place even has something to lock my bike to. It takes forever every time I go do any sort of errands and my patience is running thin.

I asked around bike shops, and the only longer lock I might be able to buy would be a wire, which isn't exactly secure. But then, today, a store employee had an idea.

No lock will stop thieves who are REALLY trying. So I should focus on opportunistic thieves, and the insurance I'm paying for the bike should cover the rest.

He didn't have the exact thing he was suggesting at the store, but he figured some sort of device that's a combo of a cafe lock (something that keeps the wheel from turning), an alarm and a GPS tracker would be a fantastic deterrent.

And it's not like I need absolute protection from thieves, after all. I mean, hell, I could legit defeat the shack where I store it at my apartment building with a good kick, and I'm not strong at all. Yet I'm not really worried. The possiblity of someone brazen enough to do it is why I pay for insurance.

So... I think the guy is a genius. But I don't know what to buy exactly.

My phone is Android, so I can't exactly do Apple AirTags.

Do you have ideas? Ideally I'd like something that can lock very easily. Using the key/app/etc to unlock the bike is inevitable, ideally it would be really nice if I could do the "lock" part with just a button or something like that.

Though really I'm open to all convenient options.

Yeah I have an abus folding lock and it is a pain to use. Often I have to struggle with the key for too long to get it to open and close. I think it is because the lock is matched to the battery so the same key fits them both but not well. I would not buy another one that is for sure! I prefer to carry this light duty lock for cafe stops.

 

[fooferdoggie]

Yeah I have an abus folding lock and it is a pain to use. Often I have to struggle with the key for too long to get it to open and close. I think it is because the lock is matched to the battery so the same key fits them both but not well. I would not buy another one that is for sure! I prefer to carry this ligh

all of their locks need lubrication. once you do that they work pretty well. try flow or such inside does wonders.

 

[m@Robertson]

All bicycle-specific insurance policies require the bike to be locked to a solid object (Markel policies sold by a most USA agents). Sundays insurance goes further and demands the use of locks only on their approved list. I noticed you mentioned insurance so you'd better have this base covered. Ask your insurance agent, if you used one, to get an opinion from a company underwriter on your locking scheme. Do not ask the agent. They only sell the insurance, and have no authority (and typically no familiarity) with niche claims scenarios like this. An opinion from an underwriter in writing (email is fine) will cput the company on the hook insofar as their answer to whatever scenario you put to them.

Cables are easily snipped. You just do it one cable thread at a time and small snips will do the trick fairly quickly. Chains are a much better solution, provided its a proper hardened chain of good size.

If as you say above you have little patience for locking then maybe the thing to do is accept the risk that goes with your minimally effective chosen method. Cafe locks are commonplace in the EU where bikes are everywhere. But... bikes are everywhere, and they tend to be super cheap vs. what we spend here, and not much of an expense if lost.

 

[BlackHand]

I had a Abus wheel lock/cafe lock on a old ebike. Very easy to use. I also purchased the optional loop end chain. Loop the end of the chain around the rack/pole/small tree and click the other end into the cafe lock. If you go with a cafe lock be sure you can remove the key when not in use. Sounds weird but some cafe locks require you to leave a key in it when not in "locked" state. I briefly covered cafe locks in my Cero One review on the forum,

Same here. I think a cafe lock w/ chain (not cable) works reasonably well and is about the right security for anywhere I'm comfortable leaving the bike - ie, coffee shops or picking up lunch, church, the local small hardware store, etc. The grocery store I'm willing to stop at has a rack right next to the entrance and a security guard at the entrance. My display is also removable so that helps too.

It helps that most small businesses around here are pretty accepting of bikes as long as they have space. The bank, pharmacy, and chiropractor all let me bring my bike inside.

 

[DiggyGun]

All bicycle-specific insurance policies require the bike to be locked to a solid object (Markel policies sold by a most USA agents)

Similar in the UK. We have a scheme called Sold Secure and locks have to meet various grades of this dependent on the value of the bike, for example;

• Up to £750 - Bronze
• £750-£1500 - Silver
• Over £1500 - Gold

Additionally where you lock the bike may also have other requirements for being locked to a solid object.

DG…

 

[Eiri]

Ask your insurance agent, if you used one, to get an opinion from a company underwriter on your locking scheme

That's great advice, thanks!

I'll definitely ask them. Because if they're going to complain about HOW I lock the bike, etc. indeed that changes things a lot.

 

[m@Robertson]

Similar in the UK. We have a scheme called Sold Secure and locks have to meet various grades of this dependent on the value of the bike, for example;

• Up to £750 - Bronze
• £750-£1500 - Silver
• Over £1500 - Gold

There is also Sold Secure Diamond, which is what my Pragmasis chain and Pragmasis DIB U locks are rated for.

Sold Secure Diamond Bike Locks: The List | The Best Bike Lock

Sold Secure Diamond bike locks offer the very highest level of security. Here's a complete list of Sold Secure Diamond locks.

thebestbikelock.com

And there is an even higher level which is the Motorcycle tier. Also in bronze, silver, gold and diamond. Thats where you see the angle-grinder-resistant U locks. When the Hiplok DX1000 finally makes it to market, I may step up. But until then I will have to make do...

The French have SRA Classe, which strictly speaking is also for motorcycles. My Xena (sadly, not the warrior princess) is listed under that standard and it is a monster with an 18mm shackle. I came across it when I was looking for something in stainless that won't rust on me in coastal weather.

This whole setup pictured below only takes about a minute to deploy. But its so heavy you have to have a big bike with a cargo bay to lug it around. I use a double-thick cordura USMC-issue hydration pak to carry the two U locks and noose chain.

For low-security on a quick stop I just use a Kryptonite brake disk lock to the back wheel, attach the memory cable to the saddle and hop into the post office or whatever. I did all of them in this pic. Maybe if you are looking for a fast deploy option and you aren't concerned with someone picking the bike up and running off with it (literally) a disc lock is worth considering. As you see here it doesn't have to be used on its own.

Security is best with layers. If you cut my Xena, you have to cut it twice cuz it won't rotate. Now the bike is free from the rack but it can't be carried. Those two cuts will also defeat the chain. But the red U lock is independent so you'll need two more cuts to get the bike rolling. Except I did the disc lock too so thats another minute or three to cut that third lock off. You could steal a car worth many times what this bike is faster.

 

[Eiri]

So I called the insurance company. Turns out they do not care. If my bike were stolen, they will treat my claim the exact same no matter what lock I had on it, and even if the answer is "none".

That's pretty reassuring. I guess I can downgrade the security level a little bit without too many worries!

FYI I'm located in Canada and my insurance company's name is Intact.

 

[Rome]

Don't worry too much about your bike getting taken. Just enjoy the ride.
Not many of us are worried about losing $10k bike.
Enjoy riding it.