Carrying a lock

[VeloVT]

When I'm commuting and have things to carry (clothes, books, laptop etc) I just stick my bike lock in my backpack and all's well... Yesterday though, I had a few quick errands to run, it was hot out, I didn't want to carry a pack since everything I needed except the lock fit in my jersey pockets/seat bag. I ended up coiling my lock up really tightly and jamming it awkwardly and not very securely into my second bottle cage (on the seat tube). This worked OK but I noticed it put some superficial scratches on my bike's finish, and I worried that if I went over a big bump, I might lose it...

So how do you carry your locks? I don't really want to use one of those quick-release type mounts on my road bike (mainly because they're ugly, but partly because I don't want the lock in a place where it will get in my way on the bike either). Currently I have a fairly hefty cable lock -- I'd consider getting a lighter-duty one, but wouldn't feel comfortable with one of the super-thin (pencil diameter) cables.

Anyone who has a cage rocket -- could you fit a small cable lock in there???

Thanks for your suggestions!!!

[KnottedYet]

I put mine in my pannier, or if I'm not taking a pannier I bungee cord it to the top of my rack.

For some racks/u-locks you can slip the u thru the margin of the rack and the barrell keeps it from falling though. That leaves the top of your rack clear for other things.

[annie]

Do you have an under-the-seat bag you could put the lock in? If not, that might be a good idea for you. They come in various sizes and you could get one just big enough for your needs. Where do you carry your spare tube/repair kit?

Annie

[VeloVT]

Hmmm... thanks for suggestions Knotted...

unfortunately I don't have a rack/panniers on my road bike though...

Annie, I carry my tubes/tools in a seat bag (a fairly large one by some standards actually, it's around 80 cubic inches), but it's still not big enough to fit my lock (I did actually TRY this yesterday :) )...

[mimitabby]

Sometimes I wrap my lock (which is covered in smooth rubber/plastic)
around the stem of my bike. This disturbs my husband because it takes so long to unwind it.

[F8th637]

I put mine in my trunk rack. Before that I have this bag that is perfect because it's a sling back and not as big as a backpack. My U-lock fit just perfectly in there.

[7rider]

Does your seat post have a quick release?
If so, you could remove the seat post, run the post through the cable loops, and re-install it into the frame (assumes you've marked your height so it's returned to its proper location).
If not, and if you have drop bars and it's just a short quick ride to the store/wherever, sometimes I've just run the loops of the cable up the handlebars (careful not to interfere with the brakes). I tend to ride in the drops, and that holds it in place.
Or unlock it, wrap it around the top tube, and relock.

[lph]

I know this isn't a good answer to your question, but I wanted to answer anyway in case it could be a tip to someone else reading this thread :)

I went and bought a Really Good U-shaped lock, the not-quite test winner but almost. Expensive, indestructible - and heavy. Great to have whenever I needed to lock my bike up somewhere nasty for a long time, like overnight, but otherwise just a pain in the behind to drag around.

So for all other purposes I bought a teensy lightweight pencilthin lock, and kept it around the stem and handlebars. Always there, always handy, and unnoticeable while riding. I used it for years, and never had anyone try to cut it.

My point is - unless you have a very desirable bike, you can often get away with a very skimpy lock, just so that bike thieves take the unlocked bike next to it instead. Locks aren't that easy to cut with regular tools, and if they have heavy duty tools they can cut almost anything anyway.

YMMV, of course.

[mimitabby]

lph, i wish what you said was true. My son had a beater bike stolen - his cable lock was cut and left on the ground. It depends on where you are. here in seattle, if it has two wheels and tires that aren't flat, it is tempting for thieves for whatever reason.

[Torrilin]

My ID/library card/cash/ibuprofen/keys don't fit very comfortably in pockets. If I really wanted to travel light, I think a belt pack, handlebar pack or under seat pack would be the way to go for a chain lock.

My U-lock came with a fitting so it could just hook on the frame... but it's for a steel frame bike, not an aluminum fatty like mine. If your bike has a lighter frame, a U-lock might be easier to manage than the chain.