Hey all! I am looking for some recos on bike locks for my work commute. My building does have an underground bike locker/end of trip facility which is pretty secure and needs a key card to enter, so that does fill me with some confidence – though not quite enough to leave my bike in there completely unshackled.
So, I am looking for something relatively lightweight and offers a solid amount of security that I can bring to and from work.
I do have a beefy U Lock + cable already, but would prefer something a bit lighter. I also use this lock at home/other places, so I can't just bring it to work and leave it locked on one of the bike stands there.
I have been told to steer away from cable locks. A few have also suggested folding steel locks but I don't know much about them.
So I'm thinking either:
- Try and find a decent light-ish lock, or;
- Just cop it and get another solid U Lock that I can leave at work.
Recos/advice would be much appreciated, thanks!
Edit: Bike storage at work does have a dedicated bike lock bar which we cna use to leave locks overnight and out of the way. So getting an extra U Lock and leaving it at work is an option (https://imgur.com/a/zaGG2lp)
by MisterBonesy
7 Comments
Unless the size is an issue, Litelok X1 Mini.
Why not just carry your usual lock setup with you? Handy to have for any stops on the way home, or errands at lunch.
If you’re only going to/from work and don’t wanna help the usual setup, just get another U-lock or heavy chain lock to leave at work.
FoldyLock is nice. A bit lighter than my usual u lock, but definitely smaller.
Just get another lock to leave at work. You say it is pretty secure already, so doesn’t seem like it needs to be particularly expensive or hard core locking solution. Hard to imagine someone doing angle-grinding in such a place.
I use the ABUS Granit Plus 54 Mini U-Lock. It’s about $140 (but you can find it cheaper), weighs about 3 pounds, and has a Solid Secure Diamond rating. If you’re willing to spend the money and can go slightly heavier, the Litelok X1 has better angle grinder resistance.
Both of these are mini U-Locks, so if you have quick-release wheels, you might want to pick up some anti-theft skewers (I use the Velo Orange ones). I’d rather carry around a small proprietary Allen key than a second cable to lock my wheels.
Definitely get another U-Lock to leave at work.
Another thing I would suggest. Get a length of heavy chain from the hardware store and add that to your locking strategy.
Realistically, I have heard so many theft/vandalism stories here on Reddit from people who used secure bike storage, I would only store a bike there that I was willing to lose.
Here are some URLs that I repeatedly share when bike lock topics come up on Reddit.
[https://www.sheldonbrown.com/lock-strategy.html](https://www.sheldonbrown.com/lock-strategy.html)
[https://thebestbikelock.com/how-to-lock-your-bike/](https://thebestbikelock.com/how-to-lock-your-bike/)
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owhPCeYNQ3Q](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owhPCeYNQ3Q)
[https://sfbike.org/news/video-how-to-lock-your-bike/](https://sfbike.org/news/video-how-to-lock-your-bike/)
Folding lock all day. They’re easier to use and much lighter. Plus they fold up into smaller package than u-locks.