Bicycle Lock Recommendation

euronorris

Hi All!

I'm about to purchase my first bike in Holland and, due to the high theft rate of bikes, am aware that I need to first obtain a very good lock to at least deter would be theives.

However, I'm not really sure where to start. What is considered a good bike lock? How thick does the chain need to be etc?

This one looks quite good: http://www.slotenonline.nl/abus-kettingslot-steelochain-910140-10mm-p-75.html but is also quite expensive.

Do you think it would sufficient? Or can I go for a slightly cheaper one?

The other thing to bear in mind is that the bike itself is only going to cost €149.

Thanks for your help.

x

johnfarquhar74

Regardless of how much the bike costs, in Holland you have to ask yourself 'do I want the hassle of replacing my bike every week?'

You didn't say exactly where you were going, bit in tha Dam there is a massive black market in bikes. So much so, that even if you have the best lock in the world, the thieves will take a hacksaw to the frame of your bike, cut the top tube(or wherever) and seperate the lock from the frame at the cut, then either tape it back(honestly!) or a quick spot weld will suffice if the frame allows.

My advice, get a bike that runs well and tatty it up. Different coloured electrical tape all over the frame, scuff up the paintwork, make what's called a 'rat' bike so the resale value is worth less.

By all means, get a good lock, but if the bike looks good, then chances are it will get stolen(certainly in Amsterdam).

P.S Your going down the right track with a heavy chain and padlock, much more flexible to use than the traditional u-lock, and IMO safer too, u-locks can be easily opened with a car jack, it would take a good sized pair of bolt cutters to get through the links on the chain you posted.

euronorris

johnfarquhar74 wrote: »

Regardless of how much the bike costs, in Holland you have to ask yourself 'do I want the hassle of replacing my bike every week?'

You didn't say exactly where you were going, bit in tha Dam there is a massive black market in bikes. So much so, that even if you have the best lock in the world, the thieves will take a hacksaw to the frame of your bike, cut the top tube(or wherever) and seperate the lock from the frame at the cut, then either tape it back(honestly!) or a quick spot weld will suffice if the frame allows.

My advice, get a bike that runs well and tatty it up. Different coloured electrical tape all over the frame, scuff up the paintwork, make what's called a 'rat' bike so the resale value is worth less.

By all means, get a good lock, but if the bike looks good, then chances are it will get stolen(certainly in Amsterdam).

P.S Your going down the right track with a heavy chain and padlock, much more flexible to use than the traditional u-lock, and IMO safer too, u-locks can be easily opened with a car jack, it would take a good sized pair of bolt cutters to get through the links on the chain you posted.

Thank you.

I'm in Haarlem, and can't see a need to cycle much in Amsterdam itself, and work is too far for me to cycle (or rather, I'd either have to take a very long route or cycle on the motoway! lol).

The main reason I want it, is to make carrying the shopping back easier, and recreational reasons (cycling to the beach etc). I can either store the bike in front of the apartment, or in the shed at the back, but to be honest, getting it to the shed is a bit of a hassle, and unlikely to happen often (if I'm honest).

But, I know what you mean about scuffing it up.

It's odd, for all the bikes I hear about being stolen, I see just as many that are abandoned completely! lol. The council even has a 'cull' of the bikes outside the station every few months. They stick a bright warning sticker to each bike, leave it a week, and then go back. If the sticker is still there, then the bike is removed.

Maybe I should just get a second hand one from one of the second hand shops instead. Bike that is, not lock! lol

charlea

my sons bike got stolen last weekend in Bristol in broad daylight in cabot circus shopping center
one thing i would say is that if you are thinking of insuring your bike or any bike keep all the reciepts for proof of purchase of the bike or pay using credit card and especially keep the reciepts for the lock if its insurance approved lock that is required
insurance companys wont pay out if you dont have the lock or the reciept of the lock

I_luv_cats

http://www.soldsecure.com/search?show_all=1

mcduff16

I use Kyrptonite locks for my £700 bike which are approved by my insurance company

http://www.kryptonitelock.com/

whatajoke1

johnfarquhar74 wrote: »

P.S Your going down the right track with a heavy chain and padlock, much more flexible to use than the traditional u-lock, and IMO safer too, u-locks can be easily opened with a car jack, it would take a good sized pair of bolt cutters to get through the links on the chain you posted.

I use Armored Cable lock. Used to have the same lock on my motorcycle when some **** tried to break it by placing the metal barrel against concrete and hitting it with a metal hammer. :rotfl:The noise was so loud it woke the neighbours.

The lock wraps around the seat post (on my 22 year old tatty muddyfox)

geri1965_2

charlea wrote: »

my sons bike got stolen last weekend in Bristol in broad daylight in cabot circus shopping center
one thing i would say is that if you are thinking of insuring your bike or any bike keep all the reciepts for proof of purchase of the bike or pay using credit card and especially keep the reciepts for the lock if its insurance approved lock that is required
insurance companys wont pay out if you dont have the lock or the reciept of the lock

Mine got stolen outside of the Galleries. I had literally popped inside for 10 minutes, and when I came out it was gone. Gutted as I loved that bike, I have a replacement which is supposedly the same but I don't love it half as much.

I have an Abus lock now, insurance company approved.

euronorris

Thank you all