Bike Lock Recommendations?

[Name Redacted]

1) go to hardware store.
2) find an employee
3) say "I'll have 12 feet of chain, please."
4) ????
5) profit

The "fahgettaboudit" chain and others like it are six sided, hardened steel, security chains that can't be cut through by bolt cutters and would be difficult to cut with a grinder. A quick internet search finds only 4 sided chains available in bulk, which could suffice, but are actually more expensive than the 6 sided. I haven't seen the 6 sided available for purchase separately. I like the idea of using old tubes as the frame protector, but these come with a fabric one that works well. Only downside is they weigh a lot.

A round link chain from the hardware store is about as worthless as using a cable with a master lock. Bolt cutters will snap it right off.

[toast2266]

Only downside is they weigh a lot.

Well, that and the fact that they only come in short lengths that aren't long enough to lock 4 bikes. And a length that is long enough to lock 4 bikes would cost like $500.

A decent chain from a hardware store is going to dissuade any casual thief. If you're really worried about it, security chains can be bought for far less than the kryptonite that'll hold up to any hand held bolt cutter. If you need more than that, then maybe you shouldn't leave your $9k bike locked to a sign post in Newark.

[Name Redacted]

Well, that and the fact that they only come in short lengths that aren't long enough to lock 4 bikes. And a length that is long enough to lock 4 bikes would cost like $500.

A decent chain from a hardware store is going to dissuade any casual thief. If you're really worried about it, security chains can be bought for far less than the kryptonite that'll hold up to any hand held bolt cutter. If you need more than that, then maybe you shouldn't leave your $9k bike locked to a sign post in Newark.

However you want to look at it. Square link chains run about $16 a foot, so not $500 but not cheap for 10' or so. It really all comes down to what you are comfortable leaving your bike with. I figure our bikes are worth a $100 locking system, I mean I think I have $600 into the rack, so why not?

My other solution is that I ride a raw aluminum bike that doesn't look like much (but is awesome, GG!). I stack it in front of the wife's fancy turquoise Yeti.

[SumJongGuy]

The "fahgettaboudit" chain and others like it are six sided, hardened steel, security chains that can't be cut through by bolt cutters and would be difficult to cut with a grinder. A quick internet search finds only 4 sided chains available in bulk, which could suffice, but are actually more expensive than the 6 sided. I haven't seen the 6 sided available for purchase separately. I like the idea of using old tubes as the frame protector, but these come with a fabric one that works well. Only downside is they weigh a lot.

A round link chain from the hardware store is about as worthless as using a cable with a master lock. Bolt cutters will snap it right off.

Pros use freon to freeze and shatter chains, The Club, etc.. DIY with canned air..

[toast2266]

Pros use freon to freeze and shatter chains, The Club, etc.. DIY with canned air..

Your video led me to this video. Kryptonite Fahgetaboutit lasted 29 seconds. Against bolt cutters.

[sethschmautz]

At the end of the day I located a cycle gear about four hours into our trip. They come in 6' lengths with cinch ring for $70 ea (yikes!) With mini U locks included. While a bunch more than I want to spend, I think I'll feel better about this solution when away from the car.

Seth

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[Shredhead]

Car manufacturers should integrate the alarm system with the trailer hitch.

[El Chupacabra]

At the end of the day I located a cycle gear about four hours into our trip. They come in 6' lengths with cinch ring for $70 ea (yikes!) With mini U locks included. While a bunch more than I want to spend, I think I'll feel better about this solution when away from the car.

Seth

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Those locks used to be on permanent sale at around $35... Wonder if that still happens or if the price has really changed.

[sethschmautz]

Those locks used to be on permanent sale at around $35... Wonder if that still happens or if the price has really changed.

Man. I like that price much better... Did you see that price at cycle gear or online?

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[GeezerSteve]

would be difficult to cut with a grinder.

What magic makes them difficult to cut with an abrasive cut-off wheel?

[jm2e]

Trimax THEX50 THEX Super Chain - 5' Length with HEX 11mm Links https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000W0RQY6..._d13XBbSET5VA7


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[GeezerSteve]

Trimax THEX50 THEX Super Chain - 5' Length with HEX 11mm Links https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000W0RQY6..._d13XBbSET5VA7

1-star reviews include following comments:

Not hardened. I cut through both sides of a link of this chain in less than 60 seconds using a standard hand held hacksaw.

This chain is made of SOFT , NON HARDENED steel. I was able to cut it with a hacksaw within a few minutes - see image. Saw cuts through it like through butter unlike the "hardened" steel.

The chain metal is very soft and easy to cut with a hacksaw. I have to agree with other negative reviews that this is NOT a good security chain. I was able to saw off a link by hand in under two minutes. A professional could likely significantly reduce that time and your bike is gone in a minute or two. The welds on this chain are very poor, and good welds are a must for a security chain. This chain can be sawed through about as quickly as big box hardware Grade 30 chain, which is of little value as security chain. I regret this purchase.

[Name Redacted]

What magic makes them difficult to cut with an abrasive cut-off wheel?

I don't know, use the google. I have just been told that they are the most secure way to lock you bikes. But if you have a shitty lock, they can just grind that.

And the video of the guy chopping the moto chain doesn't really apply to a bike chain on a rack if the chain isn't at ground level where he can body weight the bolt cutters which also happen to have 4 foot arms.

Please, if the hex chain isn't the best way to lock multiple bikes to a rack, tell me what would be.

[GeezerSteve]

I don't know, use the google. I have just been told that they are the most secure way to lock you bikes.

A quick Google search yields nothing to support the conclusion that hardened hex section links are difficult to saw with an abrasive cutoff blade on an angle grinder. There is a video of a guy sawing a Kryponite Fahgettaboudit lock in less than 1 minute. I've been working with various steel alloys with various hardening treatments for 40+ years, and I've never encountered any hardened steel that could not be cut relatively quickly (i.e., 2 minutes or less for <3/4" cross section) with the right cutoff blade.

. . . if the chain isn't at ground level where he can body weight the bolt cutters which also happen to have 4 foot arms.

I'm talking about an abrasive cutoff blade on an angle grinder, not bolt cutters. Bolt cutter-proof bike locks have been around for decades, e.g., burly U locks, although most of the early designs could be defeated in seconds with a hydraulic jack.

Please, if the hex chain isn't the best way to lock multiple bikes to a rack, tell me what would be.

Hardened hex section link chain may well be the best, but they nonetheless can be defeated in a minute or two with the right tools and technique. The most you can hope for is to prolong the time it takes a thief to cut through the weakest spot (link or lock) by a minute or so. That extra minute may well deter some thieves, especially in areas with frequent foot traffic.

If there something better exists, it's not hardened steel because even the hardest steel is softer than the properly spec'd abrasive metal cutoff blade.

Is an electronic car alarm-type gadget available?

[toast2266]

In college, on my crappy commuter, I never locked it but I would always disconnect the brakes. That way, whoever stole it would get hit by a car. No one ever stole it, so apparently my plan worked.

[SumJongGuy]

Is there an SUV version of the Trunk Monkey?

[El Chupacabra]

Man. I like that price much better... Did you see that price at cycle gear or online?

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I've seen it both places - I bought mine at a store in CA, when I was driving through once. It was a couple of years ago though.

[jm2e]

The one constant I've noticed is that when people post up on Facebook that their bike was stolen off their car, they almost always neglect to report whether it was locked. Usually when pressed by other posters, they start by getting defensive and asking why the questioner is calling them out as being "at fault" or "stupid". Eventually some of them relent and disclose that the bike was either unlocked or that they used the shitty cable that came attached to their Yakima/Thule rack. I have yet to read one of these anecdotes where someone used a solid lock. I actually find it fascinating. Seems like eventually I'll see a FB post where someone shows pics of their cut up chain or shattered U-Lock. But I haven't seen it yet.

For what it's worth, I don't consider NYC stories in the same category as the rest of us traveling with mountain bikes. The answer to all NYC stories is: bring your bike inside and only leave it in your personal owned and secured space.

[SumJongGuy]

Doesn't matter what you do with a roof tray. They just pull up next to your car with a pick up truck, rip the rack off the top of your car, and toss it all in the back of the pick up. Chains and locks can be frozen and shattered in under 2 minutes with the nitrogen in canned air or freon. Bring the gear inside or at least have it out if site if left outside. I'll leave skis in a ski box, but would NEVER leave good skis on a rack for more than a quick stop in broad daylight.. same goes with bikes..

[Shredhead]

https://www.aspentimes.com/news/alle...sted-in-calif/

Locks don’t seem to stop this guy.

The landlady did.

[sethschmautz]

https://www.aspentimes.com/news/alle...sted-in-calif/

Locks don’t seem to stop this guy.

The landlady did.

I'm having a tough time getting my head around this. It seems like one landlady is good for two bikes and some parts. I have four bikes. How many landladies do I need and how do I attach them to my rack?

It also seems like this is a good secondary solution. She didn't turn that guy in after the first bike, it wasn't until she saw him with several new bikes that she raised the alarm. I'm thinking that's not acceptable for my current situation. I need something that will prevent the first bike from being stolen in the first place. Something like this:

https://youtu.be/fDrzMGdYWZc

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[Name Redacted]

A quick Google search yields nothing to support the conclusion that hardened hex section links are difficult to saw with an abrasive cutoff blade on an angle grinder. There is a video of a guy sawing a Kryponite Fahgettaboudit lock in less than 1 minute. I've been working with various steel alloys with various hardening treatments for 40+ years, and I've never encountered any hardened steel that could not be cut relatively quickly (i.e., 2 minutes or less for <3/4" cross section) with the right cutoff blade.

I'm talking about an abrasive cutoff blade on an angle grinder, not bolt cutters. Bolt cutter-proof bike locks have been around for decades, e.g., burly U locks, although most of the early designs could be defeated in seconds with a hydraulic jack.

Hardened hex section link chain may well be the best, but they nonetheless can be defeated in a minute or two with the right tools and technique. The most you can hope for is to prolong the time it takes a thief to cut through the weakest spot (link or lock) by a minute or so. That extra minute may well deter some thieves, especially in areas with frequent foot traffic.

If there something better exists, it's not hardened steel because even the hardest steel is softer than the properly spec'd abrasive metal cutoff blade.

Is an electronic car alarm-type gadget available?

So the Hex chain is the best, but still not perfect. Gotcha. Maybe a chain made from a bunch of small U-locks that are too small to be defeated by a hydraulic jack?

[detrusor]

Jebus, leaving bikes on a car in Portland and Eugene is a bad idea no matter what lock you use. Bring them inside


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[SumJongGuy]

So the Hex chain is the best, but still not perfect. Gotcha. Maybe a chain made from a bunch of small U-locks that are too small to be defeated by a hydraulic jack?

Freon or even canned air nitrogen will defeat any metal chain or lock in under two minutes, freeze to dry ice temp and shatter with a hammer. Only truly safe answer is to not leave anything worth thousands of dollars used and only weights 10 pounds outdoors anywhere unsupervised for more than a few minutes.

[Name Redacted]

Freon or even canned air nitrogen will defeat any metal chain or lock in under two minutes, freeze to dry ice temp and shatter with a hammer. Only truly safe answer is to not leave anything worth thousands of dollars used and only weights 10 pounds outdoors anywhere unsupervised for more than a few minutes.

So my bike weighs 30 lbs, so I should be good?