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November, 2024

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City Bikers: Lock Feedback Needed

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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,273
Hello friends. I am doing some work for a company that manufactures theft-proof bike accessories with the goal of making city bikers less susceptible to getting everything stolen. One of the main issues is people using cable locks as opposed to U-locks purely for the convenience factor. Most of us know that you can bang through a cable lock in about 2 seconds with a nice pair of bolt cutters, but U-locks require a saw or some extreme science skills, thus making them a much more viable option for protection. The problem is, as we know, U-locks come with those shitty mounting brackets, and if you don't want to use the bracket the lock is a pain in the ass to store while riding.

So here's where you can help us. Fill out the survey below (it will take 30 seconds) and/or post your thoughts on U-locks in here. I'm mainly trying to get a sense of why people tend not to use U-locks eventhough they know they are safer.

Survey: http://goo.gl/forms/UcrzsU5mgD

If you post a response in the thread or post to let me know you've taken the survey I'll enter you into a random lottery for some swag. The value of the swag will appreciate with the number of responses I get, so there could be some Jiberish in your future if this thread and survey get over 25 responses.

Thanks guys
Mar 19 2015 12:27PM
33 3
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iFlip
Posts: 4543 - Karma: 19,132
Did it.
Mar 19 2015 12:31PM
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Barefootin_Fiend
Posts: 7618 - Karma: 4,727
done. love the idea...especially if it ends up working well.
Mar 19 2015 12:36PM
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DayMan
Posts: 4704 - Karma: 8,748
Done. Interested to see what comes out of this, it seems like a cool idea.
Mar 19 2015 12:43PM
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Steezy_IN_KC
Posts: 2033 - Karma: 1,607
I did it, I did it!
Mar 19 2015 12:50PM
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Laurent.
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 25,313
For question one, Levi Commuter jeans.

Mar 19 2015 12:59PM
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ANDR01D
Posts: 1181 - Karma: 3,319
Done! Hate trying to get my U-lock to actually click into the bracket.
Mar 19 2015 1:05PM
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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,273
omnidataFor question one, Levi Commuter jeans.



I updated the survey to include hipster belts.

I also gave a couple of the questions more options and on some of them you can now select multiple answers if you have experienced several of the problems listed

Thanks for the responses so far
Mar 19 2015 1:50PM
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~bagelz~
Posts: 1105 - Karma: 1,067
Did it
Mar 19 2015 2:18PM
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ThatMNkid
Posts: 157 - Karma: 548
Did it
Mar 19 2015 2:19PM
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byubound
Posts: 1636 - Karma: 9,870
Done!
Mar 19 2015 2:40PM
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CameraWiz
Posts: 735 - Karma: 2,112
done
Mar 19 2015 3:24PM
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Big_Spence
Posts: 16177 - Karma: 4,352
u lock+chain lock ftw. NO ONE WILL EVER TAKE MY WHEELSET!
Mar 19 2015 3:32PM
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cornholio
Posts: 3952 - Karma: 3,057
done
Mar 19 2015 4:29PM
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Laurent.
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 25,313
Big_Spenceu lock+chain lock ftw. NO ONE WILL EVER TAKE MY WHEELSET!


Just two locks, it's as if you want to get your shit stolen.

Mar 19 2015 6:30PM
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notspoicey
Posts: 1167 - Karma: 1,706
done
Mar 19 2015 7:23PM
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Microcosm
Posts: 4765 - Karma: 153
Can't do anything in the city without worrying about your shit gettin stolen. I've heard of people using 2x4s to easily break u locks, so maybe that's why?

Still a good idea to use that + a cable lock though. Defeat able, sure, but a deterrent nevertheless.
My bike lives inside at night.
Mar 19 2015 10:24PM
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uyghur
Posts: 993 - Karma: 2,028
Done
Mar 19 2015 11:03PM
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NinetyFour
Posts: 8650 - Karma: 13,411
https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/762413/Hal-Grades-Your-Locks

When a guy is that hesh, you know he knows how to lock up a bike.
Mar 19 2015 11:51PM
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Blake.P
Posts: 9894 - Karma: 3,585
i use a chain lock. ive had cable locks cut in the past (like last week, not making that mistake again)
Mar 19 2015 11:53PM
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airplaneface
Posts: 219 - Karma: 685
I have had too many bikes stolen not to get a U lock
Mar 19 2015 11:56PM
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-WZ-
Posts: 3600 - Karma: 6,582
I just have the cable lock, but then again i only ever take out my 30 year old $20 mtb into the city sooo
Mar 20 2015 1:04AM
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LAME.
Posts: 5795 - Karma: 2,446
Kryptonite evolution mini 7 is my go to.
Mar 20 2015 1:05AM
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Laurent.
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 25,313
MicrocosmCan't do anything in the city without worrying about your shit gettin stolen. I've heard of people using 2x4s to easily break u locks, so maybe that's why?

Still a good idea to use that + a cable lock though. Defeat able, sure, but a deterrent nevertheless.
My bike lives inside at night.


Let's put it this way, as a professional bike thief, or basically someone who friends call upon when they lost/broke their keys:

Any lock an easily be beaten.

Even heavy bricks such as the Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit U-lock. Less then 30 sec with my overpowered angle grinder and around 9 sec with bolt cutters. Such a lock will put off opportunists thieves but not the pro's, against them you are essentially powerless.

If I can give one tip: put your lock up high.

Why? Well the bolt cutter technique relies on leverage, you can't cut through a Fahgettaboudit just squeezing both ends of the bolt cutter unless you are the Rock, they way you do it is by putting one arm on the ground and just hang on the other.

Also CCTV and crowds of people don't deter bike thiefs.
Mar 20 2015 5:09AM
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theBearJew
Posts: 10951 - Karma: 15,633
Done!
Mar 20 2015 8:13AM
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KZA
Posts: 3304 - Karma: 301
Done!
Mar 20 2015 9:35AM
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Justo8484
Posts: 3905 - Karma: 205
Done. U-lock, cable lock, and strategic placement of where I lock my bike have kept me theft free thus far. I've got a lot of friends who have not been quite so lucky though.
Mar 20 2015 12:46PM
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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,273
You guys are the best. I'm definitely giving somebody jiberish
Mar 20 2015 12:55PM
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All_Alpine
Posts: 183 - Karma: 457
Used to have a superb masterlock handcuff style lock and then brought a cable along to seal the deal. Was super fukin rad til my drunk ass decided to lose it. Would recommend.
Mar 20 2015 2:37PM
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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,273
For those of you who commented on aesthetics, does that have to do with the ugly mount on the bike when you're not riding or is it also the idea of the lock mounted to the bike while riding as well?
Mar 20 2015 2:45PM
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JOYSTICK*
Posts: 271 - Karma: 1,719
omnidataFor question one, Levi Commuter jeans.



my thoughts exactly, best pants out there.
Mar 20 2015 2:48PM
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NEPTR
Posts: 766 - Karma: 1,936
done... when you make a photo type ill test it ahah!
Mar 20 2015 2:59PM
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veng_m
Posts: 1267 - Karma: 2,720
done
Mar 20 2015 4:37PM
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miroz
Posts: 10333 - Karma: 3,945
Done!
Mar 20 2015 5:43PM
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the.hellion.
Posts: 861 - Karma: 698
Done !
Mar 20 2015 6:08PM
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Microcosm
Posts: 4765 - Karma: 153
omnidataLet's put it this way, as a professional bike thief, or basically someone who friends call upon when they lost/broke their keys:

Any lock an easily be beaten.

Even heavy bricks such as the Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit U-lock. Less then 30 sec with my overpowered angle grinder and around 9 sec with bolt cutters. Such a lock will put off opportunists thieves but not the pro's, against them you are essentially powerless.

If I can give one tip: put your lock up high.

Why? Well the bolt cutter technique relies on leverage, you can't cut through a Fahgettaboudit just squeezing both ends of the bolt cutter unless you are the Rock, they way you do it is by putting one arm on the ground and just hang on the other.

Also CCTV and crowds of people don't deter bike thiefs.


Not sure how to feel about your days bike thieving, but good advice.. thanks? My bike is old and generally shitty enough it's not going to be specifically targeted. Kind of feels like the first rule of city biking. If it's crazy nice, don't let it leave the crazy nice neighborhoods.
Mar 20 2015 10:16PM
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Dauminator
Posts: 35 - Karma: 81
Check out ABUS bike locks, expensive but worth the money.
Mar 20 2015 10:41PM
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corona
Posts: 12803 - Karma: 32,800
I don't like u-locks just cause you can't use 1 lock to lock both wheels and your frame, so they aren't the best for bikes with quick-releases. Also you're far more limited to what you can lock your bike to.

I do have a fabulous idea for a fairly cheap bike lock that is the best of both worlds.
Mar 20 2015 11:37PM
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richard.
Posts: 873 - Karma: 55
Done!
Mar 20 2015 11:55PM
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Laurent.
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 25,313
MicrocosmNot sure how to feel about your days bike thieving, but good advice.. thanks? My bike is old and generally shitty enough it's not going to be specifically targeted. Kind of feels like the first rule of city biking. If it's crazy nice, don't let it leave the crazy nice neighborhoods.


I was joking, I'm merely a situational bike thief when as said friends loose keys, etc..

Old bikes, new bikes doesn't really matter, at least in Amsterdam, nor does the neighbourhood, hell if it's a crazy nice bike, most thief's might assume it's a bait bike from the police. It should look average, and if you have a Brooke's saddle, take that with you. Even crowded places don't help, as you can see in this Neistat video, people do jack shit:

https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/762534/Bike-Thief-2012

DauminatorCheck out ABUS bike locks, expensive but worth the money.


No better then any other expensive brand, i.e. AXA, Kryptonite, etc... I'll snap their heavy cable in seconds.

One more tip: One of the best solutions against stolen wheels is Pitlock or infiniti3D lock nuts, but then even then that doesn't always help, if they want the bike or a part, they will find a way to get it. Such as just sawing straight through your fork.
Mar 21 2015 5:09AM
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shepux
Posts: 470 - Karma: 1,629
done
Mar 21 2015 5:49AM
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theBearJew
Posts: 10951 - Karma: 15,633
To those of you who own a U lock that is considered Mini, do you find any trouble locking it to posts or bike lockup areas?

Deciding between these two, I have a credit that gets me one of them.

http://www.amazon.com/Kryptonite-Kryptolok-Standard-Bicycle-FlexFrame/dp/B005YPK8G2/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8

http://www.amazon.com/Kryptonite-Kryptolok-Bicycle-Transit-FlexFrame/dp/B00PUCTCH0
Mar 24 2015 5:35PM
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crotchvent
Posts: 1527 - Karma: 2,184
Why not just get a backpack and put the lock in there. I also live somewhere where no one really locks up anything. Including house and car.
Mar 24 2015 6:41PM
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kung_powpow
Posts: 1990 - Karma: 3,671
A u-lock is required on my campus and almost everyone has one of these. Campus safety will actually put their own lock on your bike if it isn't locked up around the frame with a U lock. It's a bitch to carry without a backpack.

Mar 24 2015 11:40PM
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chrispyminis
Posts: 99 - Karma: 216
Did it
Mar 25 2015 4:24PM
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k-rob
Posts: 14217 - Karma: 2,891
never had a problem putting my kryptonite u-lock in my backpack or attaching it to a camelbak. if you don't protect your shit then it's pretty much your fault when it get's stolen.
Mar 25 2015 7:20PM
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caucasian_chad
Posts: 4078 - Karma: 3,625
kung_powpowA u-lock is required on my campus and almost everyone has one of these. Campus safety will actually put their own lock on your bike if it isn't locked up around the frame with a U lock. It's a bitch to carry without a backpack.



That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Why force people to lock their bikes? If they don't want to, who gives a shit, it might get stolen but that's their problem.
Mar 26 2015 12:36AM
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KravtZ
Posts: 6637 - Karma: 2,629
Living in NyC...many friends bikes have been stolen really nothing to do about it they can get through almost any lock. I have my real nice mountain bike, and a cheapish road bike which I ride around on sometimes. But if I need to travel somewhere and want to bike I just take a citi bike. I dont care if they make you look like a squid there cheap and easy to get around
Mar 26 2015 9:49AM
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kung_powpow
Posts: 1990 - Karma: 3,671
caucasian_chadThat's the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Why force people to lock their bikes? If they don't want to, who gives a shit, it might get stolen but that's their problem.


yeah its dumb as fuck
Mar 26 2015 3:47PM
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k-rob
Posts: 14217 - Karma: 2,891
caucasian_chadThat's the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Why force people to lock their bikes? If they don't want to, who gives a shit, it might get stolen but that's their problem.


guessing the people who did have their bikes stolen thought it was someone else's problem and that's why they're mandatory
Mar 26 2015 3:49PM
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Fuckitandhuckit
Posts: 39 - Karma: 123
Done
Mar 26 2015 4:06PM
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