I like to bike when I can, but I’m still nervous to leave it even with a U-lock around the frame. I’ve also had a seat stolen before (not even a good one), but I’m not sure if there’s anything reasonable to do about that.
What do you do to lock up your bike for commuting?
Generally my process whenever I park my e-bike is U-lock to bike post/rack and remove the pedals. If I’m feeling a bit more paranoid, I’ll also set it to class 1 to disable the throttle.
I just pulled up this community with the intention of posting this exact same question but specifying in a city.
So far, I’ve only really seen one comment that has addressed that. I see people around town riding these multi-thousand-dollar bikes, but I don’t know what they’re doing to keep them from getting stolen because bike theft is a huge problem here. Fancy bike, cheap bike, doesn’t matter.
I would really benefit from an e-bike or, even better, an e-trike, but I’m pretty sure it would get stolen right away even with good locks. This thread very much discourages me from even trying, and maybe that’s for the best. I don’t know.
There are two ways you can approach this:
-
Get an entry level bike and decent locks like a uLock like the Litelock X1 or X3 (or Skunklock Chemical if you’re vindictive lol) and maybe supplement it with a secondary chain or folding like (Hiplok Gold or Foldylock Forever are good supplementary locks). The locks should deter most thieves and the Litelock X3 takes mutiple cutting wheels to get through (the Skunklock Chemical has an active defense of skunking anyone who tries to cut it).
-
Get a nice bike with the above locks as well as insurance, trackers, an alarm, and maybe even another lock.
If you opt for 1, I’d recommend checking out your local bike shop for brands like Lectric, Ride1up, etc. and getting whatever makes the most sense for you. Since you mentioned trikes, I want to point out that they are prone to tipping so ride slowly around corners or you’ll crash. I prefer 2 wheels over 3 for this reason (though I do have a recumbent trike that’s fun to ride but trickier to corner than a bicycle).
Ideally, in either case, it’s best to bring your bike inside: Even if you lock a bike up, people can do things like put glue in the lock, vandalize the bike, steal parts, etc. Try to limit the amount of time you leave it exposed, especially if you live in high theft areas.
Personally, I just ride cheap bikes and keep them in good repair. If they get destroyed or stolen, that sucks, but even if I never get compensated for it, I can replace it sooner rather than later.
That is some very helpful information and points to think about, thank you.
Unfortunately, the reason I would so benefit from an e-bike or trike is disability which impacts my muscles. So I would struggle with the heavy duty locks and chains, and even moreso with having to bring my bike with me everywhere.
There is a nearby light rail station which has a few bike lockers. I don’t think they’re usually taken up, but I know they are narrow. I’m thinking of renting a couple of e-bikes and seeing if that could be a good option.
Rentals could work or maybe a decent folding scooter. If you can get by at all without power, it might be worth looking at Bromptons/Brompnots or perhaps something like a Strida. There’s also folding kick scooters as well as powered ones.
The Litelock X1 sounds like it would be the Ulock for you though, it’s not super heavy, fairly compact, but still very cut resistant.
All that said, if everywhere you need to go is covered by rental bikes or scooters, I’d say at least start out using them to get a sense of what works best for you. There’s something to be said for not worrying about maintenance, theft, or storage too.
-
Hexlox for the seat, seatpost suspension, and handlebar bolts, as well as hexlox for the axles.
Abus granit x-plus u-lock, cafe lock with Abus chain lock integrated, and a cable lock for my front wheel.
Also bike insurance.
I have all these stupid locks because I have an ebike. I have an ebike to help offset all the weight of these stupid locks.
I specifically buy my bikes cheap as to not worry about theft. But i haven’t had a bike stolen yet, my last one wore out after about 10 years, before i upgraded to the next cheap bike.
What I’ve learned from Dutch friends is to have two different kinds of locks on your bike.
So when I for an electric bike I for a string u lock plus a horseshoe lock
I bring my bike into my office and keep it folded up under my desk, but when I can’t, I use a Skunklock Chemical U-lock and supplement it with an additional lock or two if I have to lock up somewhere sketchy. You can run a lock through your seat and use security bolts, or just take the post out entirely and bring it with you.
Be sure to lock the rear wheel through the frame especially if you have a hub motor. I also recommend having a tracker or three hidden on your bike, a motion alarm, and if you have a really nice bike, insurance specifically for it is a good idea (personally I just buy entry level but good quality bikes).
If you’re looking for a quality cut resistant u-lock, Litelock X1 and X3 seem to be the best but I like the active defense of the Chemical (nobody has tried their luck yet lol). It’s also good to keep self defense options on you in case you encounter a thief in the act (pepper spray is a great option - legal almost everywhere, light, compact, nonlethal, has some range, and will work equally well on aggressive animals).
What a nightmare. Seriously, this inadvertently reads as a very effective health warning against even buying a bike in the first place. Unfortunately.
Personally I share OP’s anxiety. My solution is simple: Never leave the thing in a public place for more than about 10 minutes, even locked. The fact that it’s foldable helps.
In fact, the popularity of foldables surely has something to do with this whole conundrum.
A lot of places won’t let you bring a folding bike in unfortunately.
Any bike worth more than $1k, I add to my insurance. Below that, I’m just really careful.
Crappy looking and cheap 90s road bike and one good lock has done the trick so far.
1 x Hiplok D1000(front tyre)
1 x Hiplok DX1000(rear tyre and frame)
2 x Hiplok X Chain(if needed to secure the other 2 locks to something)
I use the chain that came with my Load5 60 to secure the saddle. Sure someone might unbolt the seat but then that usually means it was a targeted theft.
My primary defense is the lock it inside limited access bike rooms - I have my own spot in a bike shed that only people paying for a bike parking spot can access at my home, and at work there’s a bike room that requires a badge to access.
Additionally, I have a folding lock that I fold around some kind of secure piece of metal, through the frame and the back wheel.
When out and about, I try to leave the bike where I am able to see it, in daylight, in places where there’s a good amount of foot traffic.
These strategies have worked out so far. I’m considering upgrading to a U-lock, but I’ve so far been reluctant as I fear it may reduce the amount of places where I can lock the bike to.
I use a thick chain on my ebike. I forget if it’s 11mm or 13mm. But it is thick AF. I also have a Ulock for extra protection. Your city might also use a locker program, which might be administered through something like Bikelink. If so, use it. The lockers are usually spread out in high foot traffic areas like transit hubs.
If weight is a concern, I’d get a ulock like the Hiplok D1000. It’s going to take thieves about 10 cutting wheels to get through.
While it hurts to do it, especially with a new bike: make it look worthless/less expensive. Make it dirty and sputter some mud on it. If thieves don’t think it is worthwhile to steal, the lock doesn’t need to be too sophisticated and you are less nervous. For commuting I would not use my best bike, but a reliable one.
I use an ABUS U-Lock to lock my bike, to answer your original question.
Kryptonite makes some solid chain locks that I like.
But I think the most important thing is to always leave your bike next to other bikes that are more desirable (I.e. both noticeably easier to steal and more expensive).
I don’t exactly live in a high crime area and I ride cheapish bikes but I usually use my Foldylock Forever or Skunklock Chemical. The lock I use depends on the bike I’m riding too, but then I also supplement it with a Hiplok Gold if I’m extra worried.
Being smart about where you leave your bike helps a lot too.
The saddle is locked with a small lock to the frame and if I leave it at the train station I put one lock through the front wheel and the frame and another through the back and frame.
The most important thing is that mine is not worth stealing.My seat has one of those quick release things so I lock it with the U-lock and take the seat with me.
