May 13, 201015 yr My current bike isn't really worth nicking, but I still use a decent lock to save the inconvenience of walking home. (And in fact the various add-ons which help with my disability are worth more than the bike itself). But now that I'm moving rapidly towards electric bike ownership the picture changes. So, any good ideas on security, both for the bike itself and just as importantly for the battery, which doesn't look over-secure on the machines I've seen so far (i.e. a good crowbar would make short work of getting off a part worth several hundred quid)? I suppose it's tempting to carry an Oxford-type chain around, but the better ones are SO heavy... Allen.
May 13, 201015 yr The general recommendation is to dual lock with a D lock and a heavy duty chain or cable lock, and also avoid repeat parking in the same places, on the same days, at the same times. Others will advise on the locks they recommend. So far batteries have not proved a problem, the locking on most bikes proving sufficient, only the odd cylindrical clip on type of battery being vulnerable since they aren't locked. I've been riding bikes all my life and e-bikes for a number of years. Living in London boroughs and only ever single locking I've never had a bike or battery stolen. Since London is a hotspot for bike thefts, I think that illustrates that the risks are perhaps not as great as one might think. Personally I think that avoiding repeat parking (place,day,time) and choosing the parking location with some thought are the most important aids to security. .
May 13, 201015 yr Two good locks, maybe one chain and one D lock as thieves need different tools to break, maybe an alarm? handy if within earshot and may put of inquisitive scrotts:rolleyes: and above all else decent insurance:)
May 13, 201015 yr ...and smile ... agree with all the above, (except i don't have the insurance) plus, i always try to park the bike within sight of a CCTV camera, i have a small sticky label on the lock which reads "Smile... you're on camera" if no camera available, i'll lock it near a Police station, Fire station or other 'official' building, or try to lock it where it can be seen by someone seated, then catch their eye & give them a big smile, But as Mr Flecc says, vary the location, location, location. Edited May 13, 201015 yr by Beeping-Sleauty
May 13, 201015 yr Bikeaway http://www.bikeaway.com/images/d-mixedrow.jpg Got one of these at the railway station - I had to wait 18months to get it but now it only costs £30 a year. Frankly if I didn't I wouldn't dream of leaving 'lecy' all day.
May 14, 201015 yr Author Thanks for the replies, which I will certainly take on board. Digging around old files, came across this set of "hard tests" on some cycle locks. It's 3 years old, but I think both the makes and the principles are still most valid. (The tests involve taking large crowbars and bolt-cutters etc. to the locks in question, and do NOT rely on the dubious claims of the manufacturers). http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1503128/tested%20locks%20part%201.pdf http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1503128/tested%20locks%20part%202.pdf I certainly don't want to encourage paranoia (enough of it already) but carrying a big stick (in this case chain) has always seemed sensible. Allen.
May 14, 201015 yr Look, if they want your bike they will take it......All you can hope to do is frustrate and delay them. there are loads of videos on you tube...these guys don't muck about they attack the locks as if there life depends on it!
May 14, 201015 yr Does anyone have experience of Welcome bike register ? In the past I bought a datatag, but when my bike was stolen it made no difference with the police.
May 14, 201015 yr Author Look, if they want your bike they will take it......All you can hope to do is frustrate and delay them. Quite agree eddieo. Those tests that I'm pushing tell you, in fact, just how LONG it takes to nick the bike! (And some of the times, down to seconds flat, would be worrying if you were a worrier. I'm not. I'm just talking about taking those precautions to frustrate an delay!) A
May 14, 201015 yr All you can hope to do is frustrate and delay them. A canister of propane in the saddle bag and piping to gas nozzles in the frame and bars is my preferred method. They use this to protect valuable cars in South Africa, apparently. Video of it in action shows a would-be thief retreating hastily in flames as he is hit with a wall of flame from all around the car. I suppose some bleeding heart liberal will tell me this is illegal now
May 14, 201015 yr Author I suppose some bleeding heart liberal will tell me this is illegal now We have special dispensation for such things in NW London. Using a mobile in a car is also legal around here, as it is for cyclists for jump red lights, car drivers to take no notice of speed limits, etc. Good place to live. A.
May 16, 201015 yr I have opted for one of these to protect my new bike as I have no choice about varying where I park, it will be attached to a 4 inch Square Oak post. NEW HD CABLE LOOP LOCK WITH ALARM MOTORBIKE BIKE CYCLE on eBay (end time 17-May-10 23:09:26 BST)
May 17, 201015 yr Author I have opted for one of these to protect my new bike as I have no choice about varying where I park, it will be attached to a 4 inch Square Oak post. I think eddieo's point is valid here, too. An opportunist thief will look at a lock, however badly rated by Cycling Plus magazine, and walk on by looking for an easier nick. A professional, similarly undaunted by Cycling Plus magazine's reviews, will park his Transit van near your bike, use an angle grinder, and be away in 2 minutes flat. Quoting again from those reviews, "Any lock is better than no lock!" Allen.
May 17, 201015 yr Bob that lock looks rubbish.......£1000 bike shackled to 4 inch wood post? Err......2 minutes with a cheap saw from a pound shop? bye bye new bike.... Here are some threads on security and there are loads more;) http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/4830-any-bike-lock-recommendations.html?highlight=bike+locks http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/4491-security-chain-locks-2.html?highlight=locks+security http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/2302-electric-bike-security.html?highlight=locks+security Edited May 17, 201015 yr by eddieo
May 17, 201015 yr Somewhere in Amsterdam. Apart from that a site with an interesting view of an American on the Amsterdam cyclists. http://www.ski-epic.com/amsterdam_bicycles/pu8b_user_contrib_bike_with_20_locks.jpg Regards, Hugo
May 17, 201015 yr Author Bob that lock looks rubbish..... But don't be put off, bobo. MOST locks are rubbish. (I really haven't got shares in the damned thing, but DO look at those Cycle Plus reviews I stuck up earlier. MOST expensive locks, and I'm talking £75+ 3 years ago, took well under half a minute to bust, with pretty basic tools). Their basic test had a five-minute limit; thus, if any lock survived more than 5 minutes, it had passed. Much more than that and you are in the grubby hands of the professionals, against which there is little defence... A.
May 17, 201015 yr you are in the grubby hands of the professionals, against which there is little defence... Exactly. A neighbour of a friend of mine had two or three quite valuable paintings in her flat. On her insurance company's advice she had a Banham steel door and frame fitted. The door was impregnable. Unfortunately, the wall was not. A van with 3 workmen in their overalls turned up one morning, put dust covers all up the central staircase and set about 'repairing cracks in the wall'. Actually, they removed bricks, went into the flat and left, taking their dust covers and the paintings with them. The Banham door stood there, secure as ever it was.
May 17, 201015 yr But don't be put off, bobo. MOST locks are rubbish. (I really haven't got shares in the damned thing, but DO look at those Cycle Plus reviews I stuck up earlier. MOST expensive locks, and I'm talking £75+ 3 years ago, took well under half a minute to bust, with pretty basic tools). Their basic test had a five-minute limit; thus, if any lock survived more than 5 minutes, it had passed. Much more than that and you are in the grubby hands of the professionals, against which there is little defence... A. Whatever......We know that already;) but not all thieves are pro's most bike thieves are either kids, opportunists, and have basic tools. Your attitude is daft which is fine by me, as they will ignore my reasonably secure bike and probably nick yours and bo bo's:) incidentally Bo Bo was my daughters nick name when a baby:) there are just not enough choice of emotions on here! lol Edited May 17, 201015 yr by eddieo
May 17, 201015 yr Actually sawing through a 4x4 Oak post is not 2 minutes work without a chainsaw. My bike is parked out of line if sight but within easy earshot which is why I have gone for an alarmed lock as well as a fairly normal lock. The alarm goes off if the lock is moved and I can be there in 30 secs.
May 17, 201015 yr I use an Abus Granit lock which from the tests I've read required a mechanical cutter to get through it. Is anybody seriously surprised that wire cutters can go through that flimsy cheapo item in the YouTube sequence? But if it takes several minutes to get through any lock - or the post it's attached to - that makes any thief pretty obvious and unless the bike is specially valuable not worth the risk. The pro is going for high value cycle parts and frames to sell. The safest thing if one is really paranoid is a folding bike and take it indoors with you. Then you have to guard against burglars....
May 17, 201015 yr I keep my Wisper indoors anyway... at work it often gets parked in a corner of the office or somewhere where it can be watched - I do work out in the sticks though where locked bikes are left alone (as too many overly optimistic folk leave bikes unlocked or in insecure sheds )
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