This video is from http://quickrelease.tv/?p=327. I’ve published it here with thanks to its author Carlon Reid. It’s a super comprehensive run down on locking your bike effectively. Click the like to quickrelease.tv and read Carlton’s full writeup on that page about locking and bike security.

Cyclists sometimes come in asking for a “cheap lock”. Cheap bike locks are a false economy. They give a false sense of security and they jam up and break.

The questions to consider when working out a bike lock include:

1. how much did the bike cost?
2. how much is having the bike worth to you?
3. where do you lock it and how long do you leave it there?

We don’t carry really cheap locks. We’ve got quality locks. We’ve got some cable locks starting at around $35 which are good as secondary locks but for a good lock you need to spend more than this.

Locks we sell

A wide range of Abus and Kryptonite locks. Abus is a quality German security brand with a super tough bike security range and Kryptonite has a top name and reputation for quality bike security equipment. I’ve also added a shot of Gazelle’s AXA chain lock (available as plug-in to suit the Gazelle rear wheel frame locks or as stand alone with padlock as shown).

Abus Granit Futura: quality standard D lock

Abus Tressor "steel-o-flex" armoured cable lock, lighter than a full size D lock

Kryptonite Evo Mini... classic courier lock. Throw it in your back pocket!

Kryptonite KryptoFlex in a range of lengths. Good as a secondary lock for wheels/saddles/etc.

Also, the Gazelle AXA CH95 heavy duty chain and padlock

City Rider Guide

We’ve also got a stack of the free City Ride Guide in the shop at present. These neat little booklets go through security and safe riding with a focus on Melbourne. They talk a bit about how to lock safely.

Quick release

Another thing to think about is having quick release on your bike. Lots of modern bikes have quick release on wheels and seats. These can be really handy if you need to frequently remove wheels to fix punctures or to put the bike in a car etc. Seat quick release can be handy too for easily allowing multiple riders to use the one bike. But if you have quick release, the parts can be quick released at times you’d prefer them not to (ie by thieves).

There are a range of options for helping reduce this risk including:

1. replacing the quick release with non-quick release (sometimes simple, sometimes complicated and expensive)
2. replacing the quick release skewers with 5 sided security skewers (though many thieves would carry this tool), or a uniquely coded Pitlock or Pinhead skewer set. We carry the 5 siders always however may need to order specific Pitlock or Pinhead sets to suit your needs.
3. using a lighter cable to lock the quick release components to your main d or chain lock. This may be the most effective for the price however it can be somewhat inconvenient.