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  Bike locks (12 posts)

• AnnieD said 5 months, 4 weeks ago:

  A couple of months ago I bought this lock for my bike:

  http://www.sweetpetes.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=169&category_id=34&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1

  The "versatile EZ Mount transportation bracket" is anything but EZ – after struggling with it for a couple of weeks, unable to slide the lock onto the bracket and having to rock the lock back and forth to either get it on or off the bracket, I finally noticed that the plastic that the lock is supposed to slide onto is broken. This undoubtedly doesn't help matters any, although I honestly think the way this particular bracket is made was destined for failure one way or another.

  And then last week, both my ex-husband's bikelock and my dog croozer lock failed. Both were on the front porch, and in both cases the keys would not go into the locks. After applying lots of lube, we got the key into the dog croozer lock but then it ended up breaking in the lock (time to call in the lock service from the Cycling Union). Odd coincidence, no? Has anyone ever heard of bike vandals going around pouring some kind of caustic substance into bikelocks to damage their internal mechanisms? Seems so odd that two locks failed in the same week…

  Anyway, this means I'm on the market for another bike lock. I figure I'll use my bracket-less bike lock for the dog croozer since I can just throw the lock in the croozer or hook it up to the handlebar, and buy a new one for my bike.

  Which is my typically long-winded way of asking for recommendations on bike locks – with an easy to use bracket.

• said 5 months, 4 weeks ago:

  There is only one bike lock – Kryptonite! I suggest the 'Evolution' or 'Evolution Mini.' The smaller one (Mini) is good if you're always locking to a post-and-ring and your frame doesn't have 'oversized' tubing – I got talked into getting the regular sized one and I wish I had the Mini. I'm pretty sure they are a bit cheaper at the Community Bike Network at 761 Queen West, otherwise they're available at every bike store and prices can vary $10+- … phone around.

  And while were on the topic of locking your bike, I think the best way to secure your bike is to lock the seat tube and rear wheel to the post. For the front wheel I use a 'Pinhead' skewer, as I find quick-release skewers are only good for bike thieves!

• AnnieD said 5 months, 4 weeks ago:

  But that's the one with the horrible bracket!!!!

• Joe T. said 5 months, 3 weeks ago:

  Yeah, it looks like the one Annie bought is a Kryptonite Evolution… which is the same one I have too.

  I haven't had problems with the "EZ Mount bracket" (although it was tough to get used to at the beginning)… but my size of lock is too big for my bike frame, so if I carry the lock in the bracket, my lock knocks against my bike frame (very annoying). I'd replace it with a smaller one, but the lock size I have is useful when I'm biking with my wife and we lock our bikes to the same ring-and-post. I wouldn't be able to fit a smaller one around both our bikes and the post.

• said 5 months, 3 weeks ago:

  Oh, sorry! I just saw 'EZ' and didn't realize that's Kryptonite! I've never used the mounting bracket; I just keep the lock in my back pack.
  Funny, Joe – my partner and I often do the same thing, and I suppose the 'Mini' wouldn't lock both, but she's usually got her own lock anyway .. and it's not every time we find a ring-and-post without at least one bike already locked to it.

• HappyStuffing said 5 months, 3 weeks ago:

  Annie,

  I feel for you. I have the same lock with the alleged "EZ Lock". Someone at the Kryptonite marketing department definitely needs to be fired for naming it so. I have had the exact same struggles and i finally threw the stupid thing away. I even tried putting the Dremel to it and lots of lube in hopes of easing the lock into the bracket. No such luck.

  Anyway, around the same time i got a pannier from MEC. I got this one ( http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442619352&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302693397&bmUID=1268092418954 )

  It has a hidden compartment in the back which hides the backpack straps. The lock just happens to fit in there. Although it was never intended to be a storage pocket, it is does the job, nobody is complaining, and i'm happy

  So that was my solution. I have seen others put their lock in their rear rack, but my lock doesn't fit through the rack. My lock is too thick.

  Short of carrying it in a bag, or dare i say sticking it down your pants, AnnieD, like i've seen some guys do, i'm not sure what solution there is other then finding a bracket that works.

  If you find a suitable bracket solution, please keep us posted. There are many of us struggling with where to keep a 6lbs piece of U-shaped iron we call a lock

• Joe T. said 5 months, 3 weeks ago:

  That's a cool solution, Happy. I usually stick the lock in my pannier. I used to put it in my rear rack, but it rattles around to much on the bumpy roads of Toronto.

  Even on the quiet residential roads in east end Toronto… the lock in the rack rattles around annoyingly over speed bumps and the tiniest bump in the pavement…

  I like the quiet of a bike when I'm cruising around… and a rattling lock wrecks that.

• said 5 months, 3 weeks ago:

  I saw someone the other day who had knitted a tube that wrapped around their lock. I thought it was cool, maybe to protect the frame when locking up, but I wonder if it stops the ride-rattle.
  I've always kept my lock in my backpack. No rattling but it means I always have to cycle with my backpack – that's usually ok as it's good for carrying stuff. Other times it's annoying as I have my backpack with me when I get to where I'm going.

  I love going out for a ride without lock. It's fun, even with that lingering sense that you can't leave your bike.

• HappyStuffing said 5 months, 3 weeks ago:

  Here is something else to be concerned about. I did at one point rig up this elaborate cable-tie system that held the metal on my lock up against the aluminum on my bike. The kyptonite lock has that PVC coating on it but I'm getting to that.

  Basically what happened was all the rattling wore away the PVC on the lock exposing the bare lock to my bike. The lock being a harder material ended up cutting a groove into my bike frame wherever it touched.

  So, moral of the story, if you attach your lock to any part of your bike with a softer metal – almost certainly it will be if it is a lock – be watchful that it isn't destroying your bike or rack at the same time..

• said 5 months, 3 weeks ago:

  I'm now envisaging a ring-and-post with some sort of lock-and-key built in. It costs a quarter…
  Or getting a 'second lock' and leaving it locked to something where you're always locking up.

• Bikeroo said 5 months, 2 weeks ago:

  @AnnieD
  Are your locks exposed to the elements? Since you mentioned that your locks were on the porch then most likely the rain/snow has gotten into the mechanism. Bike locks are strong, resilient things but their inside workings are kinda finicky so it helps to keep them regularly lubricated and protected against the elements.

  If you're looking for a bike lock with a good mounting bracket I'd steer away from Kryptonite. They company makes some of the best locks but they've made it obvious that their mounting brackets are just an after thought. I can't think of any of my riding buddies, or messengers for that matter, who still have their mounting bracket. But there's always a DIY solution!

  http://www.instructables.com/id/Bike-Lock-Holder/

  http://www.instructables.com/id/Simple-Bike-U-Lock-Holder/

  Having the lock mounted on the top tube instead of the seat tube (like most brackets are designed for) frees up the space for a water bottle cage or avoid having your lock bump into your front derailleur.

• AnnieD said 5 months, 2 weeks ago:

  Although the porch has a roof with a wide overhang, it's quite possible that the locks froze up because of snow and cold, and it's just a coincidence that they both died in the same week. I'd prefer to believe that than to think that some bike hating neighbour went on our porch in the middle of the night for the sole purpose of damaging our locks. That is just too sad.

  I got a front basket for my new bike (which I LOVE LOVE LOVE) and have been using it for my locks and so far, haven't had a problem with them bouncing around, though I do want to get bungee chords. I really like the do-it-yourself brackets and will look into making one of those. My bike is a step-through, though, so I'm not sure if it will be doable. Add it to my ever growing todo list!