What color is best for deterrence in bike locks

[Funpilot]

I am looking at purchasing the Litelok Core Plus and I have a choice of orange or black. The orange really stands out and I am not sure that will be seen as a challenge to the thief or a deterrence. Any thoughts?

 

[Asher]

Like asking "What color of underwear is best for an office job interview?"

 

[Funpilot]

Fair comment, but I am also quite curious what others may opine as well.

 

[indianajo]

Stainless steel. PIT* to cut with grinder. Nobody has messed with my 1/2" cable, 4.3 years. Your litelock won't wrap a power pole or gas meter pipe, my 6' cable will. Weighs 7 lb, rolls up in a 21"x21" pannier. https://www.mcmaster.com/8942T15 Litelock shows locking to a sheet metal bike tether, that I could cut in 5 minutes with a $6 hacksaw. I won't use 1/2" steel post bike racks, either. No idiot saws down a live electrical pole. Nor a meter full of pressurized natural gas.
Lock, chrome plate. Abus 92/80 looks better than it really it. Pin is 12 mm steel, spins if you try to grind it. Body is 2.5 cm square, looks like steel but it is brass. Weighs over a half kilo. https://www.ebay.com/itm/383864725103?epid=1300986808&hash=item59601ede6f:g:5NEAAOSwY2Zf3Mpn:sc:ShippingMethodStandard!47130!US!-1&amdata=enc:AQAHAAAA4LmrcZTxDg6bSA77cHSdLxlAWP3Ow4ZVWK0yUbRM+QM5DbNMdQlWFlBPbv7nEXch5pyY6zj+b4CvepXQIejh6oO0+CZxglDWkLvhhFI37shgynkuixobfF0SHRvHRPXeWOaFJFzEGZ6zp+vnTpLaZ7jdB8UE2TMFgNP0J23w0W4LnWVCPNZJ6ZsyCGn4pfoYT+lStixCWNLiHzV5pKg8PgKR7xpBpqv2Sg7xvtZOYpgBRJMcKq8ei4aTMlPAo+nrsl73zH+eQnLI8+4QbjD+xLAdVkel3KWRWFP92FA3Bx3j|tkp:BFBMwqSYruZh
Abus 37RK80 looks as if the eye wouldn't clear two sling loops.

 

[Gionnirocket]

Maybe paint it camouflage... this way the thief won't be able to figure out why he can't just roll it away

 

[m@Robertson]

Color doesn't matter. The first thing the thief will look for is a lock, so its not like its going to slip past their notice. Buy a lock based on its likely efficacy and your ability to conveniently - and always without fail - carry it with you. Don't consider color unless you want a specific aesthetic for personal reasons.

The fact that the LiteLock Core Plus has good Sold Secure ratings makes the lock construction worthwhile, but I think its short reach makes it highly questionable. You aren't going to be locking both wheels and frame to anything substantial with that. The 100cm model is sold out, and the 75cm model will only create a loop that is at a theoretical best - 37.5cm, less than 15 inches. Even the 100cm lock if you can find it creates less than a 20" loop.

Thats OK for a motorcycle where locking the front wheel only is good enough, but on a bicycle? You can protect your frame and nothing else... assuming you can loop that tiny length around something fixed that will anchor the frame.

 

[rich c]

The cordless grinder used to cut if off doesn't care.

 

[Marcela]

I have a red cable lock that I’ve used on bikes and now use to lock s helmet to s motorcycle. I like that the red stands out. May keep s percentage of prospective curious thieves at a distance.

 

[Dave Rocks]

This is funny. Bike thieves don't care what color a bike lock is.

 

[Mike TowpathTraveler]

I recommend BOTH Orange and Black. The Orange one will immediately attract the thief, who will promptly cut it off with his 18 volt Harbor Freight cutting tool. But he will be thwarted by the black one, serving it's purpose, but unknown to him cause it's strategically placed low, on the chain stays. Confused as to why the bike is not freed after cutting the Orange lock, there is a 9 in 10 chance he walks away and vows to give up his life of crime.

 

[Chibbie]

I disagree with most of the comments to an extent. A brightly colored lock might in fact deter a casual thief: they’ll notice immediately that it’s locked and then stroll on looking for one that’s not locked. So, I agree that the color would make no difference to a planned or determined thievery: but many crimes are just “crimes of opportunity,” so making it less opportune by making your bike less attractive to a casual thief definitely can’t hurt and might well help.

(Also, although I’m new to this forum, I hardly think mocking the OP for a simple question is helpful or appropriate: just ignore it if you think it’s not a worthwhile question.)

 

[PDoz]

I disagree with most of the comments to an extent. A brightly colored lock might in fact deter a casual thief: they’ll notice immediately that it’s locked and then stroll on looking for one that’s not locked. So, I agree that the color would make no difference to a planned or determined thievery: but many crimes are just “crimes of opportunity,” so making it less opportune by making your bike less attractive to a casual thief definitely can’t hurt and might well help.

(Also, although I’m new to this forum, I hardly think mocking the OP for a simple question is helpful or appropriate: just ignore it if you think it’s not a worthwhile question.)

I'm not very experienced with thieves, but would have thought that if a casual thief was put off by seeing a lock, they'd also be put off when the invisible lock stopped them wandering away?

In fact....go stealth but long so the scum hurt themselves when the bike surprise stops....

 

[Dave Rocks]

I disagree with most of the comments to an extent. A brightly colored lock might in fact deter a casual thief: they’ll notice immediately that it’s locked and then stroll on looking for one that’s not locked. So, I agree that the color would make no difference to a planned or determined thievery: but many crimes are just “crimes of opportunity,” so making it less opportune by making your bike less attractive to a casual thief definitely can’t hurt and might well help.

(Also, although I’m new to this forum, I hardly think mocking the OP for a simple question is helpful or appropriate: just ignore it if you think it’s not a worthwhile question.)

Bike theft is organized crime in big cities. I will ignore what I want, thanks for the advice.

 

[JedidiahStolzfus]

Yellow Black and Red. Get yerself a coral snake. Teach it to stay on the bike.

 

[Chibbie]

Bike theft is organized crime in big cities. I will ignore what I want, thanks for the advice.

Whatever you say, big man.

 

[Dave Rocks]

Exactly.

 

[Funpilot]

No worries about the comments. I have actually continued my research for another lock and am now looking at the Hiplok DXC (the one with the Diamond certification)and will continue looking for a more angle grinder resistant one to pair with it.

 

[Dave Rocks]

Are you worried about were your bike needs to locked up?

 

[Marcela]

There is a YouTube channel called lockpickinglawyer. He can pick about any lock in s minute or two. There are ones interested in your bike not too far behind.

 

[Funpilot]

Are you worried about were your bike needs to locked up?

Having grown up in the New York area, I am very aware of what can happen if one does not plan for "unusual events." I now live in a "resort area" that can have its own issues, so my inclination is to be guarded about expensive toys ...