Lightweight Lock Suggestions Desired

[grognaak]

I need a lock for the following use case:

*expensive bike
*riding alone
*medium to low crime areas
*leaving bike out of sight for 5-10 minutes tops
*mechanism cannot be easily hacked like most combo locks (tool required)
*must be lightweight and compact enough to fit in a jersey pocket

Thank you for your recommendations. :)

[jb_11]

Cycling Tips just wrote up an article on this a few weeks ago. It's a pretty good overview of what's available.

[Heisenberg]

i bought an ottolock (first gen that can be cut with tin snips) a few weeks back.

it offers a bit of peace of mind when my bike is out of sight. bike thefts on the street in sf tend to be opportunistic, and i feel like a lock that can be defeated with one specific tool is a great defense against the typical junkie. it's quite light, and adds little to my long-ride carry kit in a jersey pocket, handlebar bag, or around my seatpack.

that said, it CAN be defeated with a $12 tool from home depot in about three seconds. and the lock mechanism is a bit craptacular, if you ask me. i've used it for about a month, and it often jams/get stuck with unlocking. haven't bothered to warranty yet, but if it ever become something i can't figure out in about three minutes i will.

i use it maybe once every four rides. it's not amazing, or really worth the retail cost, tbh. i'd sooner get a tiny ****ty cable lock with a cheap combo. honestly, if a dedicated individual has a chance ot have more than 20 seconds alone with your bike, they'll easily defeat any of the "lightweight" options. it's really about dissuading opportunistic thieves who will snatch an unlocked bike without a second thought.

[AngryScientist]

i occasionally carry a cheap ($10) snowboard lock when i know i'm going to leave my bike for a couple few minutes unattended. it's not going to stop a real pro thief for a second, but it will stop someone who would just grab a bike leaning against a wall.

https://www.boardworld.com.au/uploads/content/product/Dakine/Dakine_Snow/_feature-4x/dakine-micro-lock-green.1434752414.jpg

[bart998]

+1 on the Otto lock. Simple, fits in your seat bag, don't leave your bike for long. Does the job, no one is going to hop on and ride away while I'm inside a corner market buying water... I also open my skewers.. just in case.


i bought an ottolock (first gen that can be cut with tin snips) a few weeks back.

it offers a bit of peace of mind when my bike is out of sight. bike thefts on the street in sf tend to be opportunistic, and i feel like a lock that can be defeated with one specific tool is a great defense against the typical junkie. it's quite light, and adds little to my long-ride carry kit in a jersey pocket, handlebar bag, or around my seatpack.

that said, it CAN be defeated with a $12 tool from home depot in about three seconds. and the lock mechanism is a bit craptacular, if you ask me. i've used it for about a month, and it often jams/get stuck with unlocking. haven't bothered to warranty yet, but if it ever become something i can't figure out in about three minutes i will.

i use it maybe once every four rides. it's not amazing, or really worth the retail cost, tbh. i'd sooner get a tiny ****ty cable lock with a cheap combo. honestly, if a dedicated individual has a chance ot have more than 20 seconds alone with your bike, they'll easily defeat any of the "lightweight" options. it's really about dissuading opportunistic thieves who will snatch an unlocked bike without a second thought.

[Blue Jays]

"...I occasionally carry a cheap ($10) snowboard lock when I know I’m going to leave my bike for a couple few minutes unattended. It’s not going to stop a real pro thief for a second, but it will stop someone who would just grab a bike leaning against a wall..."

Agreed. That is same low-tech technique I employ and stored in a jersey pocket.
I need it to protect the bike outside a coffee/water/snack place for literally 90 seconds.

[mcteague]

Cycling Tips just wrote up an article on this a few weeks ago. It's a pretty good overview of what's available.

https://cyclingtips.com/2019/03/best-pocket-locks-reviewed-and-cafe-bike-security/

Tim

[charliedid]

This is an option. One thing it has going for it is that it "appears" to be a much heavier duty lock at first glance. It's light as hell.


https://mobil.abus.com/int/on-road/Highlights/BORDO/Folding-Locks/BORDO-Lite-6055-60-black?type=pdp

[trener1]

For something very light and very basic you cant beat the Z Lock
https://www.hiplok.com/product/zlok1/

[unterhausen]

I was thinking about getting an aluminum u-lock for my trip to France. Hopefully not leaving the bike out of my sight much.

[exapkib]

When facing a similar situation, I ultimately decided on a TiGr lock. Pricey, but it was the right blend of light, sturdy, and well-designed. Bought it on a sale around the holiday, and couldn't be happier.

I use it in circumstances like those you describe, and haven't had any issues yet.

In action:

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1964/30814814937_841023c8ff_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/NWZYUH)

[eddief]

heavy duty, unpickable, well designed:
dueling lock pickers:

https://locklab.com/high-security-and-challenge-locks/1280-review-knog-strongman-bike-lock-nice/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzDflLiEBEA

[jtakeda]

I use this. https://express.google.com/u/0/product/6257937404655850666_3202227924089650305_9273173?ut m_source=google_shopping&utm_medium=tu_prop&utm_content=eid-lsjeuxoeqt%2Ceid-vqiqlmovzs&gtim=CKH1iqGPvsOr_QEQg5D-w5ma7d5gGLD1kgciA1VTRCiQgLXlBTDV_rUE&utm_campaign=9273173&gclid=Cj0KCQjw7YblBRDFARIsAKkK-dJcLLr3LXSVAzKs83yStdHpcBUkuIpwTS4KpqKpmYcbceMcmok nbt0aAvYnEALw_wcB

It acts as a saddle lock on my city bike and a lock on my road/rando bike when making quick stops