Mrs

[Sheilaz]

ED had been cycling in London (insert nailbiting emoticon for her parents) for only a few weeks when the bike was stolen.

The thieves were seen on CCTV using boltcutters through the bikelock, really quick apparently.

Next day at work a customer leant his bike against the till to pay and ED said "good idea" to bring it in.

It was his 7th bike, others all stolen.

 

:shock:Locally, ES had his bike stolen from a residents only gated carpark

 

ED can't afford another bike, the thieves all had new trainers Any ideas for future? She carried it up awkward stairs to her flat every night, this was near work in the evening.

[Tutti Frutti]

Blimey

 

Take a look at the Sold Secure products - it's a scheme that was set up for motorbike security but they do bike products as well.

 

Failing that, would the rent-a-bike scheme work for her? That depends on having docking stations at both ends of her journeys though...

 

I was going to suggest buying an old second hand bike - but it could've been nicked itself.

[Geoid]

To make your bike properly secure you need 2 locks, that are different types. There are 3 main types of lock.

Cable Locks:

D locks (also known as U locks):

and chains:

 

I used a cable lock and my bike was stolen, the police said they are easily cut though, some thieves have even used a pair of pliers to break through cable locks.

2 types of lock is needed because thieves normally only bring tools for opening one type of lock.

 

 

I recommend the Abus Granit X-Plus 54, but it is expensive (£80), but it is also tough.

[majorbloodnock]

As Fred has demonstrated, securing a desirable bike against thieves requires fairly extensive and expensive measures. The alternative that many people use is to avoid using a desirable bike in the first place. Anything that looks like a mountain bike will be a target, as will anything looking like a reasonably new and clean road bike. On the other hand, anything that looks untrendy, hand painted, dirty and with specks of rust on the chromework is far less worth a thief's time. Moreover, it's perfectly easy to keep one of these "rat bikes" mechanically sound so the apparent imperfections are only skin deep, and freecycle and small ads will mean you're unlikely to have to spend much to get one. It's still worth getting a lock to avoid it being nicked for the hell of it, but total outlay I would expect to be about the same as one of the decent locks Fred suggested.

[Shirl]

Maybe a folding bike?They fold up so small that you can take them anywhere. The OH bought one when his work place moved offices because it meant he wouldn't have to get the underground. They can be very expensive though. I know the OH paid £700 but you can get cheaper.

[Sheilaz]

As Fred has demonstrated, securing a desirable bike against thieves requires fairly extensive and expensive measures. The alternative that many people use is to avoid using a desirable bike in the first place..... On the other hand, anything that looks untrendy, hand painted, dirty and with specks of rust on the chromework is far less worth a thief's time......

That's the galling thing, it was rusty and not worth nicking for resale, they may have got £20 at a boot sale. OH had just said exactly what you have; he'd made the tyres and brakes safe but left the rest looking unattractive!

DD2 has seen groups that go round on bikes, with one pillion who jumps off with boltcutters.

The saddest thing is the set back to her well being.

Yes Shirl, we'd thought of that but so expensive.

As are the locks. Oh dear, back to square one.

Thanks everyone for the input, it's one of those things. I do appreciate the help here.

[keyhole kate]

Teabag

 

I have my old Raleigh Alaska bike sitting doing nothing (I think OH said it needs a new tyre) if your daughter wants it let me know and I can drop off to you I was going to post on freecycle anyhow How you stop the nasty little thieves is another matter I think the D lock is probably the most robust though

[squiffs]

When I was at university the campus police officer warned us a lot about bike thieves - they said the best lock is the D-lock (as the poster above mentioned) and to do things like remove the front wheel of the bike and take it with you - if it's not easy to cart off they're less likely to want to nick it, and carrying the front wheel of the bike is a lot easier than carrying the whole bike itself.

 

[Sheilaz]

Thanks, it's just that even if you take the front wheel into work, there'll be other places where it's not practical, sometimes it's awkward just having a helmet to carry. Feeling gutted that it was a new lock that was cut, so that's another expense, she'd be better off paying bus fare. I think I will get her a D lock for next time, although OH thought the one she had was a good one. It's incredible that being on a shop's outside CCTV didn't deter them, it felt one of the safer places she left it.

 

Keyhole Kate, that's such a kind suggestion! It would be lovely to have a cuppa and you could say hello to Spangles & Marble who are both keeping well. I'd love to take you up on the offer if you're sure, what an unexpected suggestion, aren't Omleteers lovely?

[Aunty e]

I always use a D lock and a thick cable lock - my only stolen bike was the result of a supposedly armoured cable lock. I had a dahon for years and years though, they fold up small and if you get one of the really dinky ones (like the sweetpea or the curve) they don't weigh anything to carry around. I loved my sweetpea.

[Sheilaz]

Thanks, I do feel encouraged by all these ideas.

[Tutti Frutti]

D locks are brilliant - we have them on all our motorbikes. If you decide to buy one with the circular-type key, take a bic biro with you to test them as, a few years back, there was a brand (not cheap either) that could be opened with just the blunt end of a biro

 

Click

[Geoid]

D locks are brilliant - we have them on all our motorbikes. If you decide to buy one with the circular-type key, take a bic biro with you to test them as, a few years back, there was a brand (not cheap either) that could be opened with just the blunt end of a biro

 

Click

 

Kryptonite changed all their lock designs after that flaw was found, and gave all the customers new locks.

Abus locks are excellent, and a generally regarded as the best lock (brand) you can buy.

Edited June 6, 2011 by Guest

[Tutti Frutti]

I was thinking of another brand aimed at motorbikes and they also replaced with new locks - but cheap knock-off versions might not be so scrupulous though

[Sheilaz]

Good point, we'll look out. Thanks for the tips and links, Tutti Frutti and Fred.

There's a danger that the lock will be worth 4 times her bike value at this rate, but I do have much more info now.

How do I stop lock thieves?

[Tutti Frutti]

There's a danger that the lock will be worth 4 times her bike value at this rate

 

You're not wrong there! You can spend £150 on a top of the range U bolt!

 

But you can get cheapers ones for around twenty quid

 

Kryptonite at £15 plus £5.50 shipping

 

Abus £18 plus £5.50shipping

[Sheilaz]

Ooooh, great links, thank you.

[emily95]

Just seen this and remembered this thread.

http://www.firebox.com/product/3832/OnGuard-Brute-Lock?via=whnew

 

A bit pricey, but the guarantee is impressive!

[Sheilaz]

That does sound impressive, thanks Emily.

[squiffs]

I bet you could get it cheap on Amazon or Ebay!

[Sheilaz]

Thank you. Ahead of having a bike, I have been researching all the alternatives, looking for the best price for a good standard, and this thread has been very helpful.

 

Meanwhile, wonderful local Omleteer KeyholeKate has been over with her old bike for my daughter! She warned me it needs new tyres and an overhaul, but I'm so grateful. What a kind and generous act.

It was lovely to see you again and have a good chicken chat, we must keep in touch.

Thank you so much for the bike, OH is looking at it right now, and becoming quite practised at restoration, having overhauled mine before it was stolen.

 

This one will have Fort Knox locks.

[Geoid]

A bit pricey, but the guarantee is impressive!

 

Those guarantees are useless, as you need to have the lock to show it was the lock that failed, but most thieves take the lock with them (so there is no evidence).

 

This one will have Fort Knox locks.

[keyhole kate]

Thank you. Ahead of having a bike, I have been researching all the alternatives, looking for the best price for a good standard, and this thread has been very helpful.

 

Meanwhile, wonderful local Omleteer KeyholeKate has been over with her old bike for my daughter! She warned me it needs new tyres and an overhaul, but I'm so grateful. What a kind and generous act.

It was lovely to see you again and have a good chicken chat, we must keep in touch.

Thank you so much for the bike, OH is looking at it right now, and becoming quite practised at restoration, having overhauled mine before it was stolen.

 

This one will have Fort Knox locks.

 

Teabag It was lovely to see you too hope the bike is of some use there is def a redundant mountain bike in the shed If only I could get past all the chicken stuff to get to it you could have that too even if only some use for spares I will get OH on the case at the weekend tis about time we had a right good clear out then perhaps the chicken stuff could go in the shed instead of piled up outside the door KK

[The Dogmother]

I agree with the Major.. I cycled around London for many years and always had a decrepit old bike; it was never stolen. I then graduated to a rusty old Bedford Rascal van... funnily enough that was never stolen either Thus began my love affair with vans and undesirable cars.

[majorbloodnock]

...I then graduated to a rusty old Bedford Rascal van... funnily enough that was never stolen either...

Or defaced either, I'll bet. Presumably it's a bit disheartening to think one's best vandalistic efforts might not make a discernable difference. I've had several cars like that.