Help me choose a bike U lock & chain set up

Deedsie

Hi,

I know this has been asked a thousand times I have spent the morning trolling through countless old threads on bike locks and stolen bikes. Educational and scary reading.

My bike will be parked in a relatively safe car park at work. I want to get as good a locking set up as I can all the same for peace of mind. Kryptonite and abus seem to be highly regarded. I was going to get this one:

Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit Mini Lock

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B000OZ9VLU/ref=ox_sc_act_image_2?ie=UTF8&m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

But I think it will be too small to fit around the back wheel, frame and around a post. Does anyone have this lock? Is it large enough? Would the Kryptonite M18 lock be a better option?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B000AOA3W6/ref=s9_simh_awgw_d0_g200_i5/279-1712083-2676769?pi=SL115&aid=aw_gw&apid=437521927&arc=1201&arid=0JGDJ8QZ37SSK8PSFQA4&asn=center-6&pf_rd_i=aw_gw&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_p=437521927&pf_rd_r=0JGDJ8QZ37SSK8PSFQA4&pf_rd_s=center-6&pf_rd_t=1201

Or the NYU Standard?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B005YPK9SY/ref=s9_simh_awgw_d0_g200_i1/279-1712083-2676769?pi=SL115&aid=aw_gw&apid=437521927&arc=1201&arid=0JGDJ8QZ37SSK8PSFQA4&asn=center-6&pf_rd_i=aw_gw&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_p=437521927&pf_rd_r=0JGDJ8QZ37SSK8PSFQA4&pf_rd_s=center-6&pf_rd_t=1201

I have no idea what chain to get to secure the front wheel? Any suggestions would be appreciated? 7ft or 4ft kryptoflex?

I was going to change the quick release mechanism on my wheels to the more traditional two nuts either side one. Are these universal size for all road bikes?

I keep all the other bits in the pockets of my cycling jacket, the saddle and stem are not quick release.

Even in work I will change where it's parked everyday.

Anything else I should consider?

Seaswimmer

I would get these for the quick release wheels. No need to get a cable then except for extra security.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/brand-x-lightweight-xc-allen-key-skewer-set/rp-prod6282

Why not get a full size Kryptonite lock if you want to lock frame and wheel. I assume you could leave it in work to save carrying it.

You dont need to lock frame and wheel. Just locking the wheel between the down tube and seat stays is usually enough.There are plenty of you tube videos and opinions on here on the best way to lock your bike.

tomasrojo

The Fahgettaboudit is not big enough to secure the back wheel, frame and part of a post. Not so you could rely on being able to do it anyway.

You can nearly always use it Sheldon-style though:
http://sheldonbrown.com/lock-strategy.html

I often lock this way with a Fahgettaboudit, but I also lock the frame with a Series 2 Kryptolok.


If you have quick-release wheels, you can't easily replace them with nuts. You could try Pitlock security skewers though, which I've switched to recently for the front wheel. Much more secure than nuts.
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/pitlock-set-04-anti-theft-front-wheel-skewer-silver-prod24296/

The shorter kryptoflex is sufficient to secure the front wheel (you loop it through the wheel, back through itself and back to your primary lock).

People sometimes dispense with a lock for the front wheel if they have security skewers. However, if you have a threadless headset, it is easy to remove the fork and therewith the wheel. There are strategies for minimising this risk as well.

Matt Bianco

Another option for the wheels are the Zefal lock 'n roll which can only be opened when the bike is upside down but would still recommend a D lock on frame to rear and cable on front as deterrent

http://www.zefal.com/en/locks/81-lock-n-roll.html

browsing

I have the kryptonite fahgettaboudit. I think it's pretty good as I think anybody lurking about will just be put off by the shear size of it!
I can get it around the back wheel and frame on a defy 4. It can be tight at times but the "normal" size bike stands usually fit it fine whereas the poll for a stop sign usually won't fit. I also have a series two for locking the front wheel to the frame and possibly to the rack.
For example, at the bike rack at pierce st. garda station I lock the bike frame and rear wheel to the rack.
The bigger new york might suit you better though as I'd say they're more forgiving for locking. However, I think the bar is marginally thinner on this one.

For me, the fahgettaboudit suits me fine where I lock it every day and usually I can find a suitable rack in town. I think it's also pretty intimidating.

browsing

Also, regarding the kryptoflex cable, you can cut through them like butter. I went to get one for the fahgettaboudit but for 2-3 euro more you can could get the cable and series2 lock for 20 I think. I just use the two locks now.

bloomfield

One down side of the Fahgettaboudit lock is that it doesn't have a bracket to attach it to your bike. I find the New York Standard perfectly fits my needs and provides very good security.

tomasrojo

This is very quick to attach and detach and very secure and quiet:


(If I need a second pannier, I have to put the Fahgettaboudit in the pannier.)

(EDIT: The pie plate is long gone, before anyone points it out.)

browsing

tomasrojo wrote: »

This is very quick to attach and detach and very secure and quiet:

(If I need a second pannier, I have to put the Fahgettaboudit in the pannier.)

I do the exact same except without the bungee chord! Do you not find that your foot clips off it that far forward? I have to hang mine on the back.

With regard to hanging the lock to the frame, when I got into cycling, I used to hang the series 2 from the frame with the mount supplied but it developed cracks in the steel frame where the cable went internal. Maybe I shouldn't have hung it from the top tube but there was no space on the seat tube with bottle cages.

tomasrojo

It's a touring bike, so I guess the geometry puts the rack further back.

Deedsie

Thanks for all the replies.

I am googling bike security all weekend. I think I will forget about the chain totally and just go for two kryptonite D locks.

Could anyone tell me why there is such a price difference between these two locks? £21 in the difference is quite a lot of money?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000AOA3W6/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kryptonite-York-Standard-Flexframe-Bracket/dp/B005YPK9SY/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Would anyone know of any websites they can be bought cheaper?

wolfpawnat

I use two Kryptonite New York D locks. Weigh more than the bike, but it is a great deterrent seeing both wheels locked up.