Best lock?

[Deserted]

Hi all, I need to buy a new lock. I don't mind paying a bit more for something strong as my last one literally fell apart in my hand! Can anyone suggest a lock that is strong but not too heavy like a D-lock for example.

I can purchase on-line if necessary.

Thanks

[fdimike]

I'm currently using a coil cable lock with a 4 digit combination. I bought it here in Udon Thani from my LBS. It provides just enough security for a short stop to pick up something at a 7/11. I still use the time tested security of bringing the bike into the hotel lobby/room when I'm touring. If the hotel staff objects I ask to speak with the manager who will normally quickly agree to bringing the bike inside for the night. In 6 years of touring through 6 countries I've never had a problem.

[Deserted]

Leaving it inside obviously helps. You can't use that kind of lock to leave a bike overnight somewhere if you had to.

I was thinking of buying one of the kyrptonite locks, they look pretty good.

[fdimike]

Inside is the only sure way to protect the bike. Even kryptonite locks can be disabled with a shot of CO2 gas and a quick blow from a hammer. additionally, they're heavy.

[GirlDrinkDrunk]

yeah, buying a lock it really depends on what you hope to achieve with it, security, temporary deterrent? how much is the bike worth? Where will you leave the bike and for how long? do you want to lock both wheels and frame to something? take of front wheel and lock it to something?

kryptonite locks are decent, but you are limited on how thick a post you can lock it to and need to remove the front wheel. and they can be frozen and broken. we tried.

locking it on your porch, carport or balcony, a heavy chain, with rubber sleeve is perfect, but sucks if you are out running errands etc.

I use a 1.5 meter abus coil lock and always leave my bike by a security guard, but i paid 3k us for it 10 year ago and i love it. sub 15k and i would just lock it and leave it anywhere. th coil lock is great because i can wear it around my wrist, it keeps the wight off the bike and i forget it is there.

if somebody wants your bike they are gonna have it.

[Deserted]

if somebody wants your bike they are gonna have it.

It's true but few people fit into that category in Thailand in my experience. There are plenty of opportunists though, and it is these that I want to deter. Not too fused about the weight, its mostly the locking mechanism I am more concerned about. Yes I have also heard about freezing locks and wacking them with a hammer but most people don't carry chemicals around.

Is it better to buy your own lock. A super padlock perhaps with a decent cable? Maybe with a D-lock.

[GirlDrinkDrunk]

i dont like key locks for the bike because i hate carrying keys

i us this in bkk, but more as a deterrent. Abus, less than 1000 baht

Edited August 16, 2013 by GirlDrinkDrunk

[fdimike]

I'm using a similar coiled cable lock. I also don't like carrying keys so the combo works for me. A friend and I toured numerous countries by bicycle and found this kind of lock ok for temporary stays. ie lunch, drinks etc. However, for the most part we always had our eyes on the bikes even when locked. We always took the bikes inside the hotel/resort for the night and nearly never received an objection from the staff who now seem to realize they don't want to be responsible for the theft of the bike. Even in tiny Singapore where the affordable hotels are small they permitted us to bring the bikes inside for the night, often in full view in the lobby. The only place we ran into a problem was Malaka Malaysia where we were turned away by a number of hotels before we found one who would accomodate us.

[Deserted]

Yeah very wise. The thing that puts me off with the combination locks is that it only takes a few hours to open it if you have the time and patience. Why don't they make them 6 or 7 digit, that would be much more effective than 4 digit.

[GirlDrinkDrunk]

well a few hours i pretty dam_n good, and if you have ever tried to hacksaw a cable, it is no fun.

bolt cutters are a different story and a good set of those will open most padlocks as well.

there are keyed versions of these coils in bkk as well.

combo locks with this heavier coil are also available

Edited August 17, 2013 by GirlDrinkDrunk

[chiangmaiexpat]

For my expensive bike I don't use any locks at all. The saddle alone is 4,000 THB, a wheel is 15,000 THB, and in order to protect these, I would have to carry three locks. So, the bike simply goes where I go. Always. If I have to do errands by bike, I use a cheap bike and a standard cable lock.

Cheers, CM-Expat

[GarryP]

I use a kryptonite cable lock, an abus U lock (D lock) and a cheap and cheerful cable lock. If in public areas where there are dedicated parking areas such as shopping centers, I always fasten up close to the securtity guard/bike park attendant.

I have found that the U lock is too short/narrow in some cases (when the railings are very thick), so in those cases I use the U lock to lock the back wheel to the frame and the cable locks to fasten the bike to metal railings, not forgetting to lock up the front wheel. It gets quite heavy though carting all the locks everywhere you go. The abus weighs a tonne, but at least bolt cutters won't get through it.