Locks that work

Well as only 16-18mm will do on this thread I'd say its prolly as good as any cheap lock.

OK well I tried to post a pic but its just stupidly big and shit.

IMO if you re going to get a cheap lock then you may as well, either get those orange krypto things, or some sort of cable lock becasue its more practical.

A quick note about the Abus Granit-X 54 locks. It is sold with different length shackles which Google seems to suggest are 23cm and 30cm. I've got both and the longer one is IMO too long to lock a single bike unless you're locking to an odd-shaped object. Also at least with the one I have, the lock is quite loose on the shackle - it seems to lock securely, but will rattle if you shake it. I really only use it if I know there'll be more than one bike to lock up.
The shorter lock however I'm quite happy with - the plastic bike mount it comes with is solid and unlike the clip-in ones which come with smaller Abus locks this one you actually pass the lock through and lock it into the mount.
I've found that with a bit of fiddling it's possible to get the 23cm lock around a crank arm, through the chainring and around the seattube and rear wheel rim on a sheffield stand. Once that's all in, there's pretty much zero play if you try and move the bike.
I still don't lock the front wheel (unless I'm with a friend - then we try and lock each other's bikes together) but will probably look at the fahg mini if it'll fit around the downtube and wheel rim (they're not all that close). The bike's a Marin San Anselmo (with a super rushed and ugly conversion to SS from when I dented the rear Alfine rim) and it has this weird front wheel nut that needs a special tool to undo. A bit better than QR but I don't doubt it would deter anyone who wanted a go.
That was a bit more of a digression than I expected, but be aware that the Granit-X 54 comes in two sizes and I seem to remember when I was shopping around that lots of websites don't really seem to indicate whether it's the 23cm or the 30cm one you're looking at - you can usually tell by the price or the photo, but it's not ideal.

Saw this mega lock near my local pub the other night!
The rear wheel was also locked with a kripto D lock to the railings.

Click for full size

Right.. I bought a new bike and I need a new lock and I've settled on a Kryptonite Fahgettaboudit, I'm buying it after work from Cycle Surgery with price match the cheapest online price I can seem to find is £54.95 (from here http://www.fatbirds.co.uk/detail.asp/sku=mad-GK997986/Kryptonite_New_York_Fahgettaboudit_Mini_lock) anyone now anywhere cheaper?

Cheers

Check the first page of this thread....The List.

EDIT:
That price I think is beaten on eBay, but then you have to factor in the postage. So its a good price.
But is that the right lock for you? You HAVE to use it in conjunction with another, longer lock. As it
wont extend around wheel, frame and post on its own. The Fahg Mini is too short. If its only one lock
that you wish to use, then its better to choose another.

I got it for that price so I'm happy, I will be using it with another lock, I will be much more careful when and where locking my bike now!

Seeing as I'm moving down soon, I'm going to have to kit myself out with some londonsafe© locks.
Already got my little Evo mini D, which I'm sure will do for front wheel duties. Going to get one of those alarmed jobbies and some locking skewers for the LHT but I'm still torn on my "primary" lock.

m18
fagettaboutit
some kind of monstrous chain

I've got a feeling the fagettaboutit will be too small to be practical..?

Depends on your combination of locks. The Fagh Mini is absolutely one of the strongest locks ever, but I wouldn't use it, as its too short for what I consider to be practical. Has worked brilliantly for others though........as long as reasonable security guidelines are followed.

its too short for what I consider to he practical.

Exactly what I was thinking. I'd be locking the trick bike (big tubing, fat tyres) or the LHT (big clearences) so getting the back wheel, seat tube and something to lock to in it will be an issue I would think.

What's your preferred setup?

By the way, I spoke yesterday to the official importers of OnGuard Locks (Moore Large) about their locks, and particularly the feedback given on here about the too few key combinations.

The gentleman I spoke to will get back to me, or put me in touch with the European Operations manager. I wanted to get an official response before the Cycle Show. I felt this one issue needed clarification, as no-one has reported an OnGuard Brute being broken. That does say something.

Seeing as I'm moving down soon, I'm going to have to kit myself out with some londonsafe© locks.
Already got my little Evo mini D, which I'm sure will do for front wheel duties. Going to get one of those alarmed jobbies and some locking skewers for the LHT but I'm still torn on my "primary" lock.

m18
fagettaboutit
some kind of monstrous chain

I've got a feeling the fagettaboutit will be too small to be practical..?

M18 is the same as a Fah, only longer, but stupidly heavy to the point that I can feel the weight of it on the back of my bike (I carry it on the rack).

Chain are a nice deterrent but they won't last as long as a M18/Fah and the extra weight is a bit off putting, I use mine to lock my and the missus bike against the wall in the flat.

oh and one last deterrant, put a Tesco bag over your saddle when you lock it up - your bike will look shit in second.

Anyone got any good tips for carrying chains?
Ive got a fahg chain, but its too big to wear around my waist (I is waif-like emo skinny), and its too weighty for me to comfortably carry over my shoulders. The micro D that locks the chain together is too thick to fit through anything but the first two links of the chain so I cant make it any shorter.
Anyone have a good way round this?

put it in your bag?

Suspend it from a weather balloon and tow it behind you. (NB do not actually do this, though it would be funny)

carabiner it smaller to wear round waist?
I wear mine over my messenger bag strap.
over one shoulder- works well.

clockwork_killa, carrying heavy chains isn't good for anyone's back, or specifically, spinal posture.

D-locks are better, stronger and lighter. Also, that particular chain only has 14mm links,
despite its weight. Maybe see if someone needs a chain, and they can swap you a good D-Lock?
Unless there is a reason you choose not to go down the D-lock route?

I'd really worry about anyone that has to carry this on a regular basis.

Maybe a new thread entitled "Carrying your lock as a fashion accessory" ought to be started?

@edscoble, I'm torn between getting the fahg or M18, do you ever have much problem finding a decent place to lock your bike with the shorter fahg? or is it just not necessary to have the extra weight of the M18?

If using just one lock, then I'd suggest the M18. You can lock more of your bike with that (wheel and frame to immovable object). I'm not edscoble, but the physics of locking a bike securely is not a very changeable thing.

On another note, I noticed a bike a few years ago, that was extremely well locked up, and am now going to post the image. Just an idea, but if any of you see a bike that is really securely locked, front and back, and happen to take a photo, why not post it here. It works as a counterpoint to the How Not To Lock Your Bike thread.

http://static.lfgss.com/attachments/29753d1282288089-bioracer_well_locked.jpeg

1 Attachment

cheers GA2G, this is what im looking to do with the evo mini as well, i was just wondering wether the fahg mini would be enough

Fagh Mini + pitlocks

Chains are shit - no matter how well rated, etc, etc - they can be cut througheasily, or more likely frozen and shattered

Also i have been using this recently, in conjunction with my Fagh Mini - its a shit lock, but the alarm works a treat

http://www.yalelock.co.uk/en/yale/couk/ProductsDB/?groupId=258&productId=9400

I use one of them Bull Dog/ Onguard/ Magnum Plus Mini D's. Was really pleased with it at first. A good cheap alternative to a Krypt Fahg I thought.

I live in Norwich in a Low Crime area! This lock is shit. Really rattly. Key gets jammed/ bent etc. Used to like it, but now don't!

On the plus side I bought it BNIB off eBay for £15! They sell them in that big orange cBoardman stockist for £45, so aint gonna loose sleep over it.

When I get a new lock, I shall donate it to the cause!

clockwork_killa, carrying heavy chains isn't good for anyone's back, or specifically, spinal posture.

D-locks are better, stronger and lighter. Also, that particular chain only has 14mm links,
despite its weight. Maybe see if someone needs a chain, and they can swap you a good D-Lock?
Unless there is a reason you choose not to go down the D-lock route?

I'd really worry about anyone that has to carry this on a regular basis.

I already have a few D locks, but I may be having to leave my bike unattended while Im working next week, so I just want to take it along for a bit of extra security.