Recommend me a bike lock, budget around £30.
Discussion
Hey guys, I need a decent bike lock for my cheap £200 mountain bike. Obviously there's no point in going overboard, if it were to get stolen I'd rather just be upset about the bike and not the lock as well! Already got a cheap combination lock, but it doesn't inspire much confidence.
Would something like this be any good?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0010XTIB8/ref=...
I'd probably only be locking up the bike for an hour or so at a time, just looking for something that'll be a relatively effective deterrent to opportunists.
Would something like this be any good?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0010XTIB8/ref=...
I'd probably only be locking up the bike for an hour or so at a time, just looking for something that'll be a relatively effective deterrent to opportunists.
I'd be tempted to stretch to this one and use the combination lock you've already got in place of the cable on the series two to secure your front wheel:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kryptonite-Evolution-Serie...
FWIW I have a series 2 that I use more to stop people moving my bike around in the bike racks at work rather than a something that will properly stop theft. It looks like a quality secure item in pictures but feels less so in the flesh.
However I live and work in areas where you really need to be spending £60+ on locks to have any hope of finding your bike still there when you get back to it.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kryptonite-Evolution-Serie...
FWIW I have a series 2 that I use more to stop people moving my bike around in the bike racks at work rather than a something that will properly stop theft. It looks like a quality secure item in pictures but feels less so in the flesh.
However I live and work in areas where you really need to be spending £60+ on locks to have any hope of finding your bike still there when you get back to it.
I've got one of these:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00AW8F7HQ/ref=...
It weighs the same as a small dog, but it's very confidence-inspiring. It's also Sold Secure Gold rated, so you can insure your bike up to £3k.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00AW8F7HQ/ref=...
It weighs the same as a small dog, but it's very confidence-inspiring. It's also Sold Secure Gold rated, so you can insure your bike up to £3k.
garrykiller said:
Disco You said:
Before I clicked your link, I was going to recommend that lock. I have one for my town bike and it does the job, having the cable to secure your wheels is nice for peace of mind.
me too. i have it and its superb. Either of the 2 mentioned look good to me --- but then I'm not a bike thief 
From experience I'd NOT recommend a combination lock, I'd always go for a key. The story.... Clubrun all in Cafe, mate wants to leave early, so I said 'you'll need the lock number, cos I chained my bike to yours' His reply 'no need I've already got it off and put it back on yours'. I don't know if the lock I had was typical, but it was very easy to do..... and I hasten to add he's not a bike thief.
Talking security in general, many years ago I went into Halfrauds to buy a steering lock, another mate had warned me about one 'with a nice yellow plastic shroud' and lo-and-behold the salesman directed me towards that saying it was the 'best you can get, plod approved'. I pointed out the thin plastic shroud, and the circlip behind which was clearly visible, and holding the lock barrel in place. Any fool could see how easily this could be overcome - needless to say he said I was mistaken etc etc.
I bought the solid steel one which looked a bit less likely to be an easy entry, but probably gave him less commission!
From experience I'd NOT recommend a combination lock, I'd always go for a key. The story.... Clubrun all in Cafe, mate wants to leave early, so I said 'you'll need the lock number, cos I chained my bike to yours' His reply 'no need I've already got it off and put it back on yours'. I don't know if the lock I had was typical, but it was very easy to do..... and I hasten to add he's not a bike thief.
Talking security in general, many years ago I went into Halfrauds to buy a steering lock, another mate had warned me about one 'with a nice yellow plastic shroud' and lo-and-behold the salesman directed me towards that saying it was the 'best you can get, plod approved'. I pointed out the thin plastic shroud, and the circlip behind which was clearly visible, and holding the lock barrel in place. Any fool could see how easily this could be overcome - needless to say he said I was mistaken etc etc.
I bought the solid steel one which looked a bit less likely to be an easy entry, but probably gave him less commission!
Mr Will said:
but that's probably overkill unless you have a decent pair of wheels.
You say that but my cousin recently had a worthless 26" wheel taken from an old 5hitty MTB. I'd imagine it was taken to put on another old 5hit MTB but getting a replacement with the right cassette was a total PITA and caused a headache with regards to buy the bits or buy a whole new old bike. Unless you've got security skewers always securing both wheels is a good habit to get into. Thanks for all the replies, definitely a few to think about there. I've previously been a bit wary of the brightly coloured locks as I felt they might somehow 'draw attention' to a bike, possibly leading to it being vandalised or targeted. I suspect that's probably a bit of irrational pessimism on my part though.
Magog said:
Thanks for all the replies, definitely a few to think about there. I've previously been a bit wary of the brightly coloured locks as I felt they might somehow 'draw attention' to a bike, possibly leading to it being vandalised or targeted. I suspect that's probably a bit of irrational pessimism on my part though.
That made me remember - Talking of drawing attention, I recall seeing 'movement alarms' for bikes, so any attempt to move it during a theft lets out a high DB screaming sound. If they're small /light could be a worthwhile avenue (in addition to the lock)Or tie a big dog to the bike!
Magog said:
Thanks for all the replies, definitely a few to think about there. I've previously been a bit wary of the brightly coloured locks as I felt they might somehow 'draw attention' to a bike, possibly leading to it being vandalised or targeted. I suspect that's probably a bit of irrational pessimism on my part though.
It can be a deterrent sometimes. Think of it like saying "Hey, thief, don't bother with this bike. It's all locked up".Either of these would serve you very well.. £5 over budget but it's a very well rated D lock and the loop can go through your wheels as well to keep those safe too.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/abus-sinus-plus-d-lock-and...
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/abus/ultimate-...
Viperzs said:
...D lock and the loop can go through your wheels as well...
You are better off carrying a second lock (even an extremely cheap one) than an extension cable. Different locks require different tools to beat so a combo of d-lock plus cheap cable will keep a bike secure when a d-lock alone or a d-lock + extension wouldn't.Mr Will said:
You are better off carrying a second lock (even an extremely cheap one) than an extension cable. Different locks require different tools to beat so a combo of d-lock plus cheap cable will keep a bike secure when a d-lock alone or a d-lock + extension wouldn't.
Like the logic - On my car I don't have a very expensive alarm, but I do have 2 other systems which are independent - so just defeating the alarm is (hopefully) not going to reward the thief!Usget said:
I've got one of these:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00AW8F7HQ/ref=...
It weighs the same as a small dog, but it's very confidence-inspiring. It's also Sold Secure Gold rated, so you can insure your bike up to £3k.
Ended up going for this in the end, it does seem tough. I'd say it's more like a medium sized dog though!http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00AW8F7HQ/ref=...
It weighs the same as a small dog, but it's very confidence-inspiring. It's also Sold Secure Gold rated, so you can insure your bike up to £3k.
Thank's for all the suggestions.
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