What’s wrong with this picture?
Yep, that’s right. The rider has locked the bike by a removable component. All I need to do to remove the bike is whip out my handy multi-tool and remove the seat post. I then slip the post out of the cable lock, re-insert the post, tighten it up and ride the bike away. Job done.
So here’s a cycling tip that might save you having to buy a new bike. Put the lock through a non-removable part of the bike, ideally the frame itself, and if you have sufficient cable, also loop the lock through your wheels.
I generally lock my bike at work with a single Kryptonite U-lock through the down tube. But at work it’s in a lockable communal cage, on a rack designed for the purpose. Outside of that scenario, though, I observe a few common-sense rules
- Take away any removable items like lights, saddlebag, bottle, Garmin and so on. Chuck them in your bag or throw them in your helmet and carry that.
- Lock the bike to a sturdy bar, making sure to leave as little room inside the U-lock as possible – this is to defeat the possibility it may be attacked with a hydraulic jack. Although lock tech has come along a lot, it’s still a good general rule – make it difficult for anyone to attack your lock.
- Don’t lock your bike to a post if there’s a possibility it can be lifted over the top by one or two determined people. I’ve done this to save a bike from a lost key scenario. No, it wasn’t my bike.
- Also don’t lock it to any object that’s thin enough for someone to cut through – I’ve seen bulky krypto locks threaded through fencing wire. Why not just snip the wire? Oh yeah.
- Put it in a well-lighted area where there’s some foot traffic – you’d rather have it in public view than down an alleyway where a thief may have privacy
- Carry a second lock. The main lock takes care of the frame, the secondary cable takes care of wheels and other detachables.
- Don’t merely thread the second loop through a couple of spokes. Spokes can be snipped and the bike ridden away with a few missing – and thieves know this.
- If you run a QR saddle, consider taking it with you.
- If you can lock it within your own field of view, more the better – if I take my bike to the pub, I lock it where I can see it, and I often ask the bar staff if they have a spot I can put it inside the building.
- Consider taking your bike with you if it’s just a quick visit. I often take mine into the local supermarket to just grab a few things. If challenged by staff, I just offer to put down my shopping and leave. I’d rather sacrifice a few bucks of shopping than a few thousand bucks of bike.
- Give your spare keys to someone you trust who you can call on should you lose your copies. And make a note of the key numbers, so you can get replacements if necessary.
I’ve had a bike stolen once. I don’t want that happening again – especially now that my bike is more expensive than my car. SO a word to the wise – don’t do what you see in the picture. Lock your bike properly.
