Silly question about locks on a road bike

[OakLeaf]

I think for a lunch stop what you need is pretty minimal. Depending on the neighborhood of course, but our groups only sporadically lock bikes for a breakfast or lunch break. It's actually more common that we don't.

I actually feel more comfortable leaving my road bike unlocked than I do my commuter - just for the simple fact that, given the clipless pedals, some kid isn't going to be able to see an opportunity and just ride off with it.

I've considered the same question, and so far I haven't bought a lock for the road bike, but I'm thinking along the lines of a very light coiling cable. When I'm in a restaurant - looking out the window at my bike - and many people are walking in and out in view of wherever the bikes are parked - all I really need to do is create a teensy disincentive or obstacle. If someone backs their van up to my bike I'm going to know about it - if someone pulls out a bolt cutter I'm going to know about it - and I'll have enough time to get out and confront them.

[KnottedYet]

Oh, man, that bike parking tower is AWESOME!

Seattle needs one of those. (we do have a Bike Station, but it's in an awkward place)

I have a U-lock with a cable to add to the irritation and time-delay experienced by thieves.

Usually I take my utility bike inside with me wherever I go. The little neighborhood grocery store is cool about it, they figure it's like a shopping cart. Home Depot didn't even bat an eye as I rolled it around the aisles.

But if someone really wants to steal your bike and you aren't hovering over it, I kinda think it's gonna go.

(which is why my Waterford doesn't leave my hands. When I lock up my utility bike (my Surly) I feel a pang of anguish, but my utility bike is meant to be USED for utility things.... so it gets locked up sometimes.)

[redrhodie]

Yeah, that Japanese conveyer thing is too cool. There were a lot of bikes in there! Wonder why no Japanese man has ever won the tour de France?

[Grog]

Thanks all!

I think I will go for a small coil lock, either combination or key, and try to have it hold on my saddle somehow, or fit it in one of the water bottle cages, maybe? I am going to get a bigger saddle bag sometime soon but probably not until I go to France in July, so that's not a solution for now. My problem is really "lack of real estate on the frame". I don't want to go to club rides with a backpack!

I know very well that no lock is theft-resistant, having myself been involved in breaking expensive ulocks (after a long winter outside). It took less than 90 seconds to an unexperienced "thief" (my dad) to figure it out. I'm getting a lock mostly for "social" reasons, so I can contribute to the mass of inter-locked bikes. I never lock my road bike otherwise, and don't really plan to start doing it (except on that occasion).

If it gets stolen one day, well, so be it. (Most likely the thief is going to have to actually push me off the bike!!!)

[kat_h]

I always try to lock up beside a nicer looking bike. I've also covered my frame with reflective tape so brand names are hidden, it's kinda ugly, and it's really distinctive.

For carrying the lock - I keep a u-lock in my panniers and a cable lock wrapped around the front of my topbar with one pass around the front of the bike so the lock doesn't slide along the bar. It stays still quite well and doesn't get in the way of anything as long as I don't get it around the brake cable in the front.

[GLC1968]

I've heard it said that you only have to lock your bike better than the one next to it! Personally, I don't ride my road bike when I'll have to leave it alone. It's not replaceable, so I'm paranoid. I reserve my touring bike or my mixte for those type of rides and I keep a cable lock in a bike bag. I have seen many thin lightweight cable locks though, some that you could even put in a jersey pocket. They won't deter a real thief, but they'll keep joyriders and jokers from making off with your bike.


Did anyone else think of the Matrix when you saw that bike tower video? It reminded me of the scene where they show all the humans as 'batteries' in big towers...

[F8th637]

Did anyone else think of the Matrix when you saw that bike tower video? It reminded me of the scene where they show all the humans as 'batteries' in big towers...

I must admit I did think that exact same scene. LOL