Advice on a bike lock, on campus

[39cross]

My son asked me what's a good bike lock to use at school. I had to admit I have no idea. Kryptonite u-locks come to mind, but I haven't bought a bike lock in 35 years. The bikes are kept near a dorm but can be accessed by the public. Your thoughts are much appreciated.

[dsteady]

Kryptonite U-Lock is still probably the best, with a cable for the rear wheel. Campuses are favorite targets for bike thieves.

[MarcusPless]

Campuses are favorite targets for bike thieves.

That's for sure. A good lock is a necessity; another idea is to have a bike no one would want to steal. I work at a large University. We've had surprisingly ordinary bikes stolen from outdoor racks that were located within 8 feet of an office window in broad daylight. My bike goes into my office. Sadly, that's not an option for most people. Ugly it up with stickers and bad paint if you really want to discourage theft.

--Marcus

[wc1934]

That's a tough one - had some rugged locks and they still got my bikes - probably a huge chain with a padlock is the best, but heavy. Google Kryptonite and bic pen and you will see how easy it is for the a@#$ to steal your bike.

[Ken Robb]

I see campus folks carrying their saddles away after they lock their bikes. I would only leave a bike on campus that I could afford to lose.

I think the best system for locks is a good u-lock and a heavier weight cable lock. This may require a thief to have two types of tools:one for the u-lock and another for the cable.

[Point Grey]

Abus makes a nice strong easy to carry hard to break...

Abus Bordo (http://www.abus.de/us/main.asp?ScreenLang=us&sid=630703151021440230420109649138140&select=0104b11&artikel=4003318450532)

[Don49]

Google Kryptonite and bic pen and you will see how easy it is for the a@#$ to steal your bike.

That was years ago. Kryptonite recalled those locks and we got new ones with a revised lock cylinder.

For the OP:

Read this by Sheldon Brown on how to lock a bike:
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/lock-strategy.html

I use this U-lock and cable and recommend them:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FL3E9I/ref=oss_product

[Hard Fit]

The Bordo looked appealing until I found this:

http://road.cc/content/review/16663-abus-bordo-granit-x-plus-link-lock

[steveymcdubs]

I just use a standard Kryptonite U-Lock for when I'm on campus, but I never, ever leave my bike outside overnight.

I'd recommend that he figure out a way to keep his bike inside. It's just too easy for people to steal stuff when left outside.

[fiamme red]

http://www.slate.com/id/2140083

[false_Aest]

No lock is unbreakable/unpickable.

Locks just serve to slow the theft down to the point where its not worth the risk.

If your kid wants to keep his stuff from getting stolen:

1) hose clamp all quick releases.
2) cable lock looped through front and rear tire-secured by independent lock.
3) u-lock or better between frame and solid object (I personally like the NY chain). If it's a u-lock, the smaller the better (a thief has less chance of using leverage to break the lock).

Part of me says that if the bike is worth all that trouble, buy a POS and use a cheaper U-lock and cable. Keep the nice bike somewhere safe.

[39cross]

Thanks for all of the advice, I really appreciate it.

[auto_rock]

buy a POS and use a cheaper U-lock and cable. Keep the nice bike somewhere safe.

+1. If you live somewhere bike theft is a real problem, and you can't bring your bike inside, the best option is to ride a bike that you don't mind losing. It's endemic where I live and no bikes I like ever touch a lock, or a fence, or a campus bike rack.

[pbjbike]

Might I suggest a tag sale bike: Seriously, either an OLD MTB, or a three speed, anything else, and you might as well by lottery tickets with the dollar value... Here's the best lock for urban/campus environments:

https://www.kryptonitelock.com/products/ProductDetail.aspx?cid=1000&scid=1002&pid=1194

[Marcusaurelius]

You could do what the bicycle couriers do: they paint their frames black with a can of spray pain and then wrap tape around the tubes. It looks ugly but makes the bike less attractive to thieves.

[thegunner]

just an fyi, my friend had his saddle and seatpost stolen from his bike (we later found and recovered it from a delivery bike), and it was stolen a second time from another location. never underestimate the underhandedness of thieves.

[AngryScientist]

this is the method i use with a kyrptonite lock. remove front wheel and lock everything together:
http://www.missinglink.org/Images/DontSteal2.gif