Locking Your Bicycle 101
You’d think that selecting a lock and using it to keep your bike safe would be a fairly basic thing, but there’s a lot more to it. The crew over at Kryptonite are taking it upon themselves to make sure that cyclists make informed decisions with their bike security, and we’re here to help push the message.
Depending on where you live, bike security can take on a whole new meaning. I recently met some people from England who had their high end bikes taken from their house in the middle of the night…while they were in bed. I many places, folks are having to resort to drastic methods, even going as far as installing a home security system to notify of any unwelcome intruders. While something like a Safemart home security system can easily deter a would-be bike burglar, sometimes it can be as simple as a good bike lock.
Making the Right Lock Choice
As you probably know, there are a lot of different options out there when it comes to selecting a lock. Chains, U-locks, cables, and a whole variety of combinations….but how do you select the option that is best for you and your cycling needs?
Kryptonite came up with this super helpful graphic that makes purchasing the right lock a piece of cake for any cyclist, no matter where you’re located and what the situation is:
Making informed decisions is a huge part of the bike security challenge. “Knowing is half the battle” – G.I. Joe
Kryptonite
So once you determine what level of security you need for your lock, you can head over to the Kryptonite website and browse the options based on the degree you need. The Kryptonite bicycle lock product page has a navigation panel on the left side with each of the various security categories.
How to Lock Your Bicycle
There is a lot of great information on the Kryptonite website explaining proper locking techniques for each of the different styles of lock. Click here for details on Chain, U-lock, and cable locking techniques.
In addition to this, we’d like to leave you with a few more all-around helpful bicycle security tips:
- Always lock your bike, especially at home. This includes your garage, patio, yard, college residence hall, apartment building, when carrying on a car rack, etc.
- Lock your bike in a well-lit area where there are other bikes.
- Do not lock your bike in the same location all the time.
- Make sure your bike cannot be lifted over the object it is locked to.
- Create a snug fit with wheels and frame so that there is little space in the u-portion of the u-lock for a thief’s tools.
- Do not lock your bike to itself – front wheel or rear wheel to frame.
- Always position your u-lock with keyway facing down..
- If you’re only locking one wheel, it is recommended that you capture the rear wheel as part of your lock-up. Replacement cost for the rear wheel can be up to double the cost of the front wheel.
mid level is fine
I need a good lock cause daughters roommates bike just got stolen !
level 10
live and work in SF, 10 town!
At the moment bike is on indoor trainer, come spring if its not in the garage I have at least 1 foot clipped in.
I’m a 9-10, mostly when leaving the bike on the car rack on the days I commute home and for errands.
I am in a 9-10 area personally, and since I do not have a good lock, I never leave my bike alone
I never leave my bike alone in public & lock up all(9) my bikes at home w/ multiple locks
I won’t leave my bike all alone for long!
Mostly 7-8 to 9-10 I don’t want to lose my ride, so I double lock a Kryptonite U lock for the frame and a Kryptonite cable for the tires. I want to try this new lock!
7-8, I ride to work in our downtown area. It stays out side the hospital where I am a nurse for about 13hrs at a time
9-10 metro area. Would never leave it out at night!
I’m a 9-10 every time.. short or long stops, living in the middle of a major city means taking care of your bike.. cleaning it, maintaining it, and locking it.
9-10 and I would never leave the bike outside overnight.
Realistically I’m a 7-8, but I prefer 9-10 even if it means carrying a little more weight.
Metro area, for sure.
Metropolitan area
I’m on a bike commute every day to a University campus, so I’m a solid 9-10. Furthermore, there’s no reason to get anything but a solid U-lock with a high anti-theft guarantee (for your rear wheel and frame) AND another lock to use (for your front wheel and frame).
And a good demo of how to physically lock up your bike would be good. Try this: http://sites.uci.edu/bikeuci/security/parking/
Mostly I am a 7-8, but as the previous poster noted, why take the chance? There may be times when I am a 9-10.
I’m in the suburbs… rarely leave it outside long. 4-6. Been wanting something like this though…
According to the chart, I’m a 4 – 6. But why take the chance???
Inner-city Philadelphia. 9-10, probably more. Caught a kid trying to steal my bike just a few days ago. I need something more than just a u-lock. I’ve been double locking it everywhere I go.
9-10 Ultimate security… I bike to college to save $$ (5 kiddos, can’t afford a parking permit LOL)
I am a 7-8, but sometimes a 9-10 if I have to lock my bike overnight
Urban area, shady neighborhoods, working third shift, I need 9-10 ultimate security. I am not having another stolen bike..
I guess I’d need a 9-10 ultimate security for my college campus…kids these days 😛
i would definately need a 7-10 range lock for the area i live in! thanks for the opportunity to get one of these bad boys! 🙂
Most of my riding is along the city bike trails. I tend to pull off and park near some of the busier shopping and attraction areas though, so that probably puts me in the 9-10 range.
Congratulations Steve, you were selected as the winner of our Kryptonite Integrated Mini Chain giveaway. Please send your mailing address to us at [email protected] and we’ll get that out to you.
@facebook-614161413:disqus We haven’t heard from you. Please send us your contact information so we can get your Kryptonite Lock to you.
I’m a 4-6 through 7-8 level. not much bike stealing going on around these parts but you can never be too safe.
What with working downtown, and running errands during lunch, high to ultimate security 7-10 would fit the bill.
9-10 here.
Looks like I’m in the 7-10 zone.
I just wanna win!!!
Since I ride in all sorts of places, I would be 9-10. I live in the ‘burbs and don’t usually leave my bike unattended for long, but I do want to start touring a bit and would have to leave the bike out overnight in more popular areas.
This lock looks amazing. I’m in the 7-8 Metropolitan all-day, with some quick stops on campus. Campus is the worst.
I’d be a 7-8 in a my metro area. These locks are awesome!
Because I lock my bike up overnight on my patio I need a 9-10, but because I had a bike stolen 2 years ago I’d never choose anything less than that anyways. The only silver lining is that 1 of the 2 locks on the stolen bike was a NY Noose and I like to think that it gave the theif fits as they tried to get it off.
I can get away with moderate security despite being in a major metro area (DC) generally, as my bike is in a limited access, monitored, underground garage
Quick Stop in NYC: 9-10!
According to the chart i would be a 4-6 moderate. As I don;t like to leave the bike unattended long. But they did not factor in paranoia which would probably put me at a 9-10 ultimate.
I normally ride to my college campus and leave my bike all day, so my security level is a 9-10…..yikes!
Combo suburbs/college campus for me, so I’ll say 7-8. great gift idea!! thx for posting.
I love my bikes far too much to ever consider my security need not the max! Being a regular commuting, a nice bike lock is important to me, and I don’t have a nice one right now! Hoping for a Christmas present!
Major metro too. Ultimate security needs. Yep, already on the xmas list. Let’s see if Kryptonite can be santa clause 🙂
It looks like I need moderate security. Confession: I don’t have a working lock right now so I just never get off the bike unless it’s in the garage.
I would need a Major Metro Area Lock 9-10!
Dear Santa……….
Good info, about half of it I do, will have to remember the rest. I would say for me I require Moderate to High security. The bike is in the garage at home or hidden at work. But there are many times I stop for lunch / snacks while out and don’t properly lock up the bike. The minute it takes to lock it, is about what it would take for someone to take it.
Looks like I need a 9-10 -Michael
I live in a small town, so I just need something for those quick stops.