There was a NoStupidQuestions post about properly locking bikes to avoid theft and it got me thinking. I’m in a rural area so I never leave it anywhere. Any advice or rookie mistakes to avoid if I do plan to ride around a city?
Get a strong chain or a beefy cable. Fuhgeddaboutit locks are very reliable (they also make a fine weapon in a pinch). Make sure to wrap the chain/cable so that there is as little free space to get a set of chompers around it as possible. Make sure to include at least front wheel, if not both wheels, in the wrap. Lock should ideally wrap around the post, front tire, and frame. Try to make sure yours is either better secured or less valuable, or both, than your neighbor’s. Install a discreet gps locator. Don’t leave valuables attached to the frame while it is not directly in your custody.
Be careful not to include another’s lock/frame/chain in your wrap. Not only is it extremely inconsiderate and inconvenient, it is a common tactic for thieves to lock someone’s bike and come back to it later on the expectation that someone who doesn’t know better will assume good faith and come back tomorrow, by which point the thief has had all night to work.
Back wheel is costlier to replace (due to gearing, assuming it’s not a fixie/single speed), so I prioritize locking the back wheel if I can only do one.
If you have quick-release axles and don’t want to worry about having your wheels stolen, most bike shops have security axles, which have a special key to loosen the axle. I’ve used them in the past for some extra peace of mind. Just dont lose the key(s)!
EDIT: if you get a LONG, beefy chain lock, you can carry it around your torso like one of those ammo belts. Convenient to not need a backpack or pannier for short trips. Be prepared to spend some $$ on a good lock. It’s a great investment.
