Bike Lock Recommendations

Long_Rod_Silvers

Long_Rod_Silvers

Elder Millennial
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Recently upgraded my bike game and got an e-bike. It's nothing fancy, but with what they cost, it got me thinking I should probably grab a better lock than what I've had for my wife and kids bikes....

Yeah, I know, locks are never 100% effective, but still, curious if anyone has any advice on locks to avoid or which ones you've liked.
 
Might be a tad overkill but more so the idea of it. I use these even on my regular pedal bike and have never had an issue. I know they make a little bit smaller ones that aren't so big and bulky.

www.walmart.com

BIGLUFU Motorcycle 3ft/100cm Heavy Duty Anti-Theft Chain, Hardened Steel, 0.4inch/10mm Thick Cut Proof Chain for Motorbike, Bike, Gate - Walmart.com

Buy BIGLUFU Motorcycle 3ft/100cm Heavy Duty Anti-Theft Chain, Hardened Steel, 0.4inch/10mm Thick Cut Proof Chain for Motorbike, Bike, Gate at Walmart.com
www.walmart.com
 
TCS said:
Might be a tad overkill but more so the idea of it. I use these even on my regular pedal bike and have never had an issue. I know they make a little bit smaller ones that aren't so big and bulky.

www.walmart.com

BIGLUFU Motorcycle 3ft/100cm Heavy Duty Anti-Theft Chain, Hardened Steel, 0.4inch/10mm Thick Cut Proof Chain for Motorbike, Bike, Gate - Walmart.com

Buy BIGLUFU Motorcycle 3ft/100cm Heavy Duty Anti-Theft Chain, Hardened Steel, 0.4inch/10mm Thick Cut Proof Chain for Motorbike, Bike, Gate at Walmart.com
www.walmart.com
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My skepticism is high on this as most heavy duty lock solutions I've researched were in the hundreds of dollars. I'd question the potential quality of one that's sub-$20. (also appears to not include actual lock)
 
Evan B said:
My skepticism is high on this as most heavy duty lock solutions I've researched were in the hundreds of dollars. I'd question the potential quality of one that's sub-$20. (also appears to not include actual lock)
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I mean like I said it was more so just an example but it has done the job for myself. Another good option I have seen for my buddies and some of their dirt bikes is just going to get some heavy duty chain from the local hardware store and getting an outdoor rated lock for it and boom. Plus in Olympia, where I live having a solid bike lock is a MUST. So anything really that appears heavy duty sometimes is enough to detour the local "bike borrowers"
 
These are not cheap, but then I'm a real believer in the you get what you pay for principle.

https://www.abus.com/usa/Products/Bicycle-locks/Folding-Locks

Peyton is correct, but these will deter most garden variety low life slack jawed half wit thieves. I live in the big city and feel safe enough leaving my bike on the sidewalk for shopping trips, etc. using one. They're nice because they fold up into a compact unit for carrying.
 
Phil K said:
These are not cheap, but then I'm a real believer in the you get what you pay for principle.

https://www.abus.com/usa/Products/Bicycle-locks/Folding-Locks

Peyton is correct, but these will deter most garden variety low life slack jawed half wit thieves. I live in the big city and feel safe enough leaving my bike on the sidewalk for shopping trips, etc. using one. They're nice because they fold up into a compact unit for carrying.
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That folding lock (or one a lot like it) is what my boss uses on his sweet road bike.
 
Whatever you choose, check out any reviews by the lock picking lawyer about flaws and pickability. As for the cutting wheel issue, I used to carry multiple locks so they'd have to cut/break 2 or 3 instead of just one. The idea is to make yours less attractive to steal than the one next to it.
 
wife and I recently picked up a couple of Gazelle e-bikes, mid-drive level 1, really enjoying them, same effort at 2x the distance.
As stated pretty much any bike lock be defeated by a portable angle grinder, however, with e-bike batteries being so expensive if equipped with a removable one, taking the battery with you when locking the bike up outside reduces a lot of incentive from the pro thieves with those grinders.
Only time we leave our bikes locked outside is if we bike to the pool to swim laps in which case we use these:

 
I used to have a Road King in WA. Mainly you wanted to do enough to send these guys to the next bike, presumably an easier mark. Beyond that you either accept the risk or you don't.

Also recommend planting an air tag. At least its another layer. Just don't keep it in your quick release tool bag (actually saw that).
 
Tim L said:
I used to have a Road King in WA. Mainly you wanted to do enough to send these guys to the next bike, presumably an easier mark. Beyond that you either accept the risk or you don't.

Also recommend planting an air tag. At least its another layer. Just don't keep it in your quick release tool bag (actually saw that).
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I like the idea of an air tag. Good call.
 
Paige said:
Only 1 is his LOL
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You laugh but that’s another way they get you. They lock another bike to rack locking yours by mistake. You leave it, figuring to get it tomorrow or whenever, and they cut you off in the middle of the night.
 
You don’t have to spend a lot of money. Find a hardware store that sells “transport chain”. You see it sometimes on big rigs. Equally as effective for less money. They will cut to desired length.
 
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PhilR said:
You laugh but that’s another way they get you. They lock another bike to rack locking yours by mistake. You leave it, figuring to get it tomorrow or whenever, and they cut you off in the middle of the night.
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They ran a story on our news about this. It's a thing in Cleveland.
 
Here at Backhoes R Us, I stopped using a bike lock. Instead I aim a laser gun sight a couple feet above my bike's top tube. A sticker on the bike announces that the person standing there with a red dot on them is in harm's way. They tend not to linger.
 
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