How To Lock Your Bike

Not to rub salt, but whilst we're on the 'How To Lock Your Bike Thread', wouldn't this have been a better example of security if one of those locks was run round a stouter section of railing than that?

Looking at it again, I didn't realise they took the hubs (did they?), it was an attempt theft only to be foiled by it being well locked and took their fustration out on it.

Even though the bike was damaged (spokes), it didn't go walkie.

... what's to stop it happening again.

pitlock
pinhead
infini3d
etc

I've seen this bike locked up regularly at Tottenham Hale station and locked well; two good locks round both rims, the frame and the saddle.
Sadly, it looked like this today.
[white mtb wit two d-locks]

This is a semi-fail, because both of the locks (which seem good) are only placed around the thinner segments of the railing. These are pretty easy to break/cut.

What are people's opinions on bike covers as a deterant. Half of me thinks that a thief might just walk right past it, the other that it might make them curious and peak underneith.

Also, I have a Krypto Fahg Mini I use with a cable lock (the krypto ones that just loop into the DLock) for the front wheel. I think this is fine for most of my occasions when I only leave it out for a minute or two and I know how to lock my bike up properly etc...

But our company has just opened up the garage to everyone, so there's going to be a battle to get a space this summer I think. On the offchance that I get turfed out into the middle of Soho, pretty much the best I can do is a Krypto Fahg Mini and one of those massive Krypto chains right?

Big heavy chain around the seat-tube and through back rim, pulled tight. Fahg Mini through the front rim and downtube, attatched to one of those "N" shaped bike stands, never a pole.
There's nothing much I can do past that appart from ballbearings in seatpost bolts and chain around saddle right?

Monsta

P.s. Any adivce on safest place to lockup in Soho (Shaftesbury Ave/DeanStreet area).

I would have thought the FAHG and another d-lock such as a krypto mini/long shackle(?) would be more secure, less costly and much lighter than having the big chain.

I was just going off the "two different types of lock" rule. But I guess there's a mini DLock holding the chain together, so might not apply.

Weight doesn't come into it as I'll store them in our basement, only having to use them if I don't get in early enough to get a space (quite likely). Money... Well, I'd rather have done all I can to keep a bike safe, so I'm happy to spend the money. Most likely try and pick up a second hand one anyway.

What are people's opinions on bike covers as a deterrant. Half of me thinks that a thief might just walk right past it, the other that it might make them curious and peak underneith.

the latter, how many shitty car you've seen with a covers on it? cover implied you're trying to look after it, which also implied that the bike is worth nicking.

bike that look shit and old is a good deterrant, mine have 11 speeds hubs, disc brake, EBB, steel mudguard etc. but never get looked at because of how it look - an old red lugged town bike with fat tyres.

@ Monsta - are you going to be leaving your lock(s) at work, or taking back and forward? If you are going to leave the lock(s) there over night and at weekend d-locks would be better than chains as they are less likely to get in the way and draw attention from the council etc. If I was going to leave my bike unattended all day in soho I think I'd go for:

a really good d-lock attached to a wheel / frame / bike rack
a good d-lock attached to the other wheel / frame
a mid-range / good lock attached to the frame / bike rack

with 3 locks done like that it probably won't be worth the scumbags time to steal it as there will always be an easier option around. also if locked like that correctly the bike won't get partly knocked over or bashed around.

but it appears even with the multi lock approach some little scumbag would take your hubs

What are people's opinions on bike covers as a deterant.

Every little bit helps, but you'll need one with a hole to put the lock through, otherwise the cover will be stolen (by tramps apparently as rain covers...which made me feel better about having mine nicked).

A bike cover must be used in conjunction with all the other necessary security. My 2p would be to buy a cheap one and punch big eyeletted holes in all the relevant places where you are likey to need to pass your locks through.

Motorbikers often say that a cover reduces the opportunist element. I think the same would apply to bicycles. If it looks good enough to nick then they're still going to be just as drawn to the bike as they always were.

P.s. Any adivce on safest place to lockup in Soho (Shaftesbury Ave/DeanStreet area).

If it's on a daily basis, I guess I'd say go for a shit looking bike and the 3 locks above advice. Altho I'd say have 2 massive D-locks and something else like a chain or a rope to mix it up.

I promise I have used the search but is there a pitlock equivalent for solid axles?
It looks like infini3d might have the answer but god knows when...
(I have standard track nuts I think M9s? Halo Aerorage wheelset...)

@ Monsta - are you going to be leaving your lock(s) at work, or taking back and forward?

The locks will stay at work, not out on the street. So I don't have to carry in and I don't have to worry about council removing them. So literraly the best a man can get is what I'm after.

Every little bit helps, but you'll need one with a hole to put the lock through, otherwise the cover will be stolen (by tramps apparently as rain covers...which made me feel better about having mine nicked).

Yeah I'm quite handy with a sewing machine, or a bit anyway. So was going to mod one with two (now looks like three) holes in the strategic places to get the locks through and keep the cover on.

My main deterent is try to get out of bloody bed in the morning so I can get in early and not even have to worry about any of this! I'll have a think about the cover, not so sure about it...

Ooooo, also the cover, with the holes in, might stop some components getting nicked I recon. Saddles, brakes, probably not pedals...

Is there any way to stop your pedals getting nicked?

Only way I could think about stopping pedal theft was to use something like LockTite on the threads...

If they only have a hole for an allen key and no purchase for a spanner, then you could super glue a ball bearing into the hole.

I think most pedals have the flat bits for spanners. I've had pedals without the allen key bit, but never a pedal without a purchase for a spanner...

I've never heard of a stolen pedal.

I think most pedals have the flat bits for spanners. I've had pedals without the allen key bit, but never a pedal without a purchase for a spanner...

Keo's dont have spanner spindle, only allen.

I think most pedals have the flat bits for spanners. I've had pedals without the allen key bit, but never a pedal without a purchase for a spanner...

Its very common for clipless pedals to be allen key only.

I use these - allen key only. But yeah, I've never heard of pedals being stolen.

Fair enough, I haven't moved to clipless yet, so hadn't had experience with them.
Glad pedals aren't getting stolen, would have thought it would be the easiest thing to nick and with the price of some straps/clipless pedals would be a quick buck.

I see some people locking their bikes up in the middle of Shaftesbury Avenue across from Fopp. Looks like a clever place as long as cars dont ram into it! Wouldn't imagine any thieves would steal from there in the middle of the day...

I think your odds are a bit better than off one of the side streets, but I'm sure plenty would still have a crack. Sounds harsh, but your best bet is to make sure that your bike is harder to steal and less saleable than the one next to it.

If that's your thinking though, lock it on the fopp side as the traffic will be stopped there. If it's on the cookery shop side the cars will be driving past after the lights.

aint nobody gon steal my bike..
http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/3340/img0254ei.jpg