What's the best way to lock your bike?

With a heavy chain, horseshoe shape lock, a coil lock or combination of two?

Where's the best place on the bike to chain - through the wheels, frame etc?

I try to carry at least one good bike lock when riding. Sometimes I use the two lock method. When I remember to, I also put the bike in the lowest possible gear. (If I were to catch someone in the act of swiping my bike, I'd like to see them try to make a quick getaway while spinning furiously while I run up and bludgeon them with a cut cable.) One is a coiled cable and the other is a straight cable. Having had to cut locks (for work purposes), I find that the vinyl coating takes longer to cut than a plain chain, and cables mash a good deal before they sever, while a chain and/or padlock simply snaps with the application of a pair of boltcutters. Also the cable should be fairly stout, I'm not a big guy and can fairly easily break those 5 dollar department store locks, by either giving a good yank and letting the weak part of the chain fail or just the quick application of a hammer to bust a padlock. So when I lock up, I make the cables hold the bike tight against the post, rack or tree to prevent yanking. If I am planning on being away for the day, I would thread the cables around the frame and through both wheels due to the quick release hubs as well and in a place where someone would be very conspicous attempting to steal something. I'm not to keen on those big horseshoe locks, because they don't fit on my bike's frame and they dont always fit where I would lock my bike up. They do seem very secure, I've seen lots of bike frames attached to parking meters. I would always assume no one would ask any questions about someone cutting a lock due to the apathy of the average individual. I also use both locks when using my car's bike rack. One I thread around the rack itself, and another will run through the tie down point under the bumper. The idea is to make it as difficult as possible to be worth the bother. If I were a lowlife scumbag who steals stuff, I would much rather steal something easy to get. If you have ever cruised around the 'hood, you would see lots of people riding bikes that do not fit them.

A four digit combination lock has 10,000 possible combinations, a five digit 100,000 have fun cracking it in a public place Report Abuse

Hi,
I am a Cyclist myself and have been for about 10 years.
There are a range of locks out there, but I have listed the most common factors below

1. Strengh of lock, thickness
2. The Key barrel, Most important, how complexed is it
3. Can you carry it easily whilst cycling

Locks available
- 'D' Locks - I often find these too big or the bracket wont fit on My crossbar as the bike has suspension etc.

- Cable lock with multiple coils, the coils are endless
- Cable lock with No coils

I have a cable lock with no coils, and a slightly more complexed key system. The key is different. The thick cable, and someone has actually tried to get a knife in, but the lock still stands.

Try to buy items with the "Sold Secure" Logo.
Any More information, email me.
Gemini_DJ.

Post Script :

I always lock the Centre Frame area, Not the wheels. If you are leaving it unattended for a longer period of time, lock the wheels Aswell, or even remove them. Quickrelease.

I suggest you get your self a Gold rated sold secure D U Lock and lock the rear wheel and the frame, and also carry a flex lock with you to lock your front wheel to the frame

no lock is unbreakable the best thing to do is lock up your bike in the most visible place and do not leave it unatennted for too long, come back and check on your bike every couple hours, this may put off bike thieves if they see you doing that.

if you have quick release wheels you will need a flexible lock

if not 2 D U locks will do

Having had two bicycles stolen, I now use two bike locks, take the wheels off and lock them and the frame together in a disassembled mass to a post WHICH I TEST TO BE SURE IS ATTACHED, since I once saw a thief pull a pole out of its base and walk away with a stolen carbon frame street cycle. I haven't lost a bike in 1.5 years.

Combination of two different locks to slow down the culprit. No bike lock is unbreakable. Make sure you lock it up in a well lit area too. Chains are the easiest to snip. Use one heavy gauge coil lock and one horseshoe lock, tying one to frame and front wheel and the other to frame and rear wheel. If your seat is expensive, take it off.

i dont have a seat, so knowone nicks mine, but use a combination of the two, one through frame and one through back wheel :) - to above - combination locks arnt the best as eventually they'll crack the code.

Best place is through the frame and into the rear wheel. But put a small ropelock on the front wheel too so that the wheel cannot be stolen. Wire rope lock is best with combination lock.

yes a lock which has numbers and well as keyhole so that the culprit cannot unlock it.I use these both locks.

A D lock through the rear wheel and frame works for me.

Take the seat off and carry it with you everywhere you go. :)

Edit: It's a joke, jeez. (To whoever rated my answer down.)

Bring a big box, then put your bike in it and weld it shut..Make sure it's over a ton so no one can steal it. lol