Bicycle Locks
Keep your wheels safe
One of the most commonly stolen items is a bicycle – a bike lock is a necessity for any dedicated road warrior! While many have their doubts about how secure these devices are, if you pick the right one and use it properly you’re less likely to find yourself victim to the sticky fingers of a bike thief.
You’ll generally find yourself choosing between two popular types of bicycle locks:
- Cable locks
- U locks
Cable locks are the original bike security device. They used to be called bike chains because they were made of a metal chain encased in a vinyl tube. Bike chains were very popular in the 1980s and were even made into a fashion statement when people started wearing them around their shoulders while out riding.
However, bike chains were quick to be proven unreliable because all it took was a hacksaw to bust them open. People tried all different ways of locking up their bicycles with these chains – double locks, locking the tire to the frame – but it was just too easy for thieves to break through.
Cable locks are a natural replacement for the bike chain. They’re made of a number of intertwined steel cables that are covered with a vinyl casing. It’s pretty well impossible to saw through these devices!
The weakness of the cable lock is the lock mechanismitself. A considerable amount of research and innovation is being invested in how to make the mechanism stronger and harder to pick.
U Locks
U locks were developed in the late 1980s and early 1990s in response to the disappointing performance of the bike chain.
U locks are a steel shackle in the shape of a ‘U’. Some bicyclists use the lock to secure their bike frame to a stand or post while others simply lock the back tire to the bike frame, making the bike immovable. They’re resistant to sawing and the reinforced key lock is tough to pick.
This kind of device is easy to carry because it’s quite small. You can even equip your bike with a U Lock attachment that allows you to carry it on the frame of your bike.
Extra Security
Regardless of the type of lock you choose, you’ll want to keep these extra security tips in mind:
- If you’re at home, lock your bike in your house or garage. It’s harder to break into a building then it is to pick a bike lock.
- In public, keep your bike locked in plain view. Most thieves try to remain inconspicuous and won’t go for a target that will leave them in sight of people.
- Position your lock. If you’re using a cable lock, wind the cable tight to your bike so that there’s no leverage available for thieves to pry or strike at the lock. Put the locking mechanism in an inconvenient spot – a thief won’t want to take the time to mess with it. If you’re using a U Lock, lock the tire to the frame and the frame to something secure. Also, always make sure to double check that the bicycle lock has been engaged properly.
