Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB - Locking bike and valuables

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- Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else (https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/travellers-questions-dont-fit-anywhere/)

- - Locking bike and valuables (https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/travellers-questions-dont-fit-anywhere/locking-bike-and-valuables-72003)

I agree. Best way is to take valuables with you!

Quote:

Originally Posted by DR650Bandit (Post 435147)

Yes I said it was pointless if we are locking up a bag, as the bag can be just cut. I was talking about securing the actual bike. I really don't know what you mean by a padlock it a false sense of security? yes a crappy cheap or poorly made padlock can be broken with a hammer. so can a cheap anything. Yes steel is stronger than brass - However as i mentioned myself and 3 others spent 45 minutes smashing a brass lock with an axe. After 45 minutes, our axe was stuffed, the gate was bent and one of us had a blister the size of a 50c piece where a bit of hot metal flew off and lodged in his arm. I am over 100kg (just ;) ) and would like to think I can swing an axe pretty hard. This was a $50 lock from Lockwood. I'd like to meet a thief who would spend 45 minutes trying to cut through a lock with an axe and not be heard. You also say the wedge only engages the bolt on one side, also not always true (true for cheapo locks yes), see picture. this is A $40-$50 lock which peeled the teeth off my bolt cutters when i lost the key and it was stuck on my boat trailer. You might be able to get through it with a $300-$400 set of 36-48inch cutters, maybe. But then again a $60 battery powered angle grinder will cut through anything, but it wont be quiet.

Yes you are right that the shank diameter isnt that important. It's more important what its made from. when traveling I take a AssaAbloy with boron shanks and when im locking stuff up at home its an Abus Rock and 16mm high tensile chain. Also no point buy a amazing lock if its stuck on a rubbish chain, both have to be as strong as each other.

Cable locks can be good - But again, if you pay peanuts, you get a monkey. a $15 cable lock will break with a hammer, a $200 one won't, same story with pad locks. Difference is a good quality pad lock is a shite bit cheaper than a good quality cable lock, then then you have to buy the chain :D Nothing is 100% proof, but if you can stop people doing it quietly, either with cutters or a hack saw then its a big win. I dont know many thieves, but im sure most wouldnt want to use an axe, oxy cutter or angle grinder.

While my bike security is heavy to carry i prefer it to anything else as i know i can walk away and feel confident it will be there when i return. Horses for courses really.

We can keep arguing the strengths of padlocks all day long. And I already agreed that the bigger the lock the less hitting tools become effective but massive locks aren’t appropriate in this scenario.

I’m not familiar with your background or if you’ve already done a similar trip to the one you’re currently planning, so I’m not sure about your points of reference and am not trying to tell you how to suck eggs.

I find the level of street crime and vandalism in Australia ridiculously low, thankfully. I grew up in Holland where street theft is huge and the use of cordless angle grinders more common than you think. Walter Colebatch bike, chained from the luggage rack to a fence in a small town, was nicked simply by dissembling the rack. Luckily he managed to get it back. I consider that an unplanned crime still. Regardless of the use of tools.

In London it’s very common to see bikes chained with these.

http://allmoto-online.com/media/cata..._lock_1.2m.jpg

I’ve done exactly that (and they are heavy in kilo's, not grams), but even then you hear nothing but anecdotes of theft. Here is how little time it takes. An no, no one would tap that dude on the shoulder. You could even be more obvious any they still wouldn’t. I now prefer to simply leave it with a simple disk lock like the Xena style, not the 2 piece style and not with the circular key which can be opened with a ball point pen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cpf35C7wu6Q

So if this image below gives you sense of security I hope this post made you rethink it. If it didn’t, that’s fine too.

http://d136nqpz68vrmx.cloudfront.net...e-locks-sm.jpg

Some might think after reading this thread that this is the answer.

http://images1.revzilla.com/product_...cover_zoom.jpg

But seriously, are we really going down that route for a bit of a walk? It’s easy to slip into a situation like this

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...lly_kitted.jpg

When you’re much better focussing on this

http://www.basherdesigns.com/wp-cont...1020758da.jpeg

There is no reason you can’t both cater for remote riding and city stops, but rather than plan for dealing with theft by locking it on or onto the street why not plan for staying somewhere overnight with a locked premises? That makes much more sense to me, and with the internet this has only become easier.

I enjoyed that video thanks! Good point that the safest option is finding a place that is locked up. yes all theft is possible on chain or cable, whether it be with a battery powered grinder or 4 ft cutters and a beef cake sitting on them.

If its planned then it will happen and you cant do anything about it except put your bike in a shed. All you can do is stop the impulse or unprepared thieves, not those who walk around with battery powered grinders or 4ft cutters of course. Im certainly not doubting the number of people using battery grinders on locks. If I was in the business of nicking things that would be the first tool i'd buy.

In my opinion i prefer the chain as its uncuttable with cutters that can fit in a thief's back pack as well as resistant to a hacksaw (for a while). but then again so are some cables depending on quality. Also a good point so spend more time worrying about the sights your going to see and not bike theft, i got my lock and key packed and I wont be thinking about it anymore! :thumbup1:

I recently used a 2 metre cable and padlock with my Giant loop in Laos.
I just looped it through the ring on top of the Bag then through my helmet and jacket and around the frame and usually anchored to a pole or similar.

Sure they could cut the Ring away but they cant see where it attaches to the giant loop,all they can see is the cable with the helmet on top.Also I had the lock inside the helmet so they could not see what type of lock it was.

Just used this if I was away from the bike for a short time having lunch or shopping. Enough to deter the opportunistic thief hopefully.

On a bigger trip would still take the cable and lock(quite light) but definitely take a cover.

Quote:

Originally Posted by realmc26 (Post 435327)

Did you lock up the contents of the bag or simply cable the bag to the bike?

No I just put the zippers together under the magnet that closes the storm flap.
And had the helmet on top.
I was going to get a small lock for the zip but didn't get around to it. Laos is considered fairly safe apart from petty pilfering and I never had the bag on after dark.
Also there was only 1 night where the bike was outside on a porch and just cabled it to a pole.

I wondered how the adjustment mechanism works. One of the reviews says it's just a plate which friction-clamps onto the cable, and that it wears out after a bit, allowing the cable to slide freely. Presto! You need a new lock.

You nuked it? How?

edit: Fixed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by croissant_warrior (Post 434597)

I am looking into a solo RTW and since I have had my bike stolen off the streets once, want to make sure I do the right thing. I am using soft luggage.

Here are some thoughts open for commentary/advice:

I read in my threads the advantages of a bike cover; I have one but it is a small Aerostitch one, covers mostly the top half of the bike, and not even sure it would cover luggage that was left on bike while shopping at the street market.

I could pack a 1/2" braided cable and small u-lock so the bike is attached to something, if hotel does not have covered/secure parking

I don't think a Packsafe will work when using the Giant Loop Great Basin luggage; maybe a small deterent

I also have a small 3/8" braided steel cable I could use to "secure" the luggage on the bike.

Open for debate.

Alain

This is what I did and it worked for me....

Steering lock so front wheel is secure (depending what model bike you have?)

Screamer Disk lock on the rear disk (The Oxford Screamer Alarm Disc Lock is a brake disc lock for motorcycles and most scooters. It features an attack activated alarm, helping to deter thieves and opportunists. The loud siren produces up to 100dB when fitted to a brake disc. ) if anyone moves it slightly everyone around will know about it

pretty dodgy video for a disk lock sorry:rolleyes2:

Oxford Screamer Disk Lock Alarm product video - YouTube

I also had a thick cable type lock I put around the frame and would lock it to a steel fence ect ect so basically if someone would try to cut it when they would move the bike to get close to the cable the screamer would sound and put them off (in theory!) however I never had any issues with bike theft on my trip I just recently done

I use soft luggage but just take them off when needed.

Passport, Wallet/bank cards, hard drive with your pictures backed up, note book with people I meet contact details & bike documents the most important things I always keep on my self in a small ruck sack with me at all times if I leave my bike as what is in the bikes soft luggage in a worst case scenario can be replaced

Should have read the cable lock reviews. D'oh.

Good concept though, but with poor execution apparently.

I like the look of that oxford screamer. Except the battery housing appears to be plastic. Is that right?

I had a xena alarm one, but it didn't have the 4x warning tones, so when you tried to unlock it with your keys it gave you hearing damage right away.

Disk locks are a bit of an unknown item in the developing world it seems. Lots of people didn't understand what it was or how it worked.

Alarms are great. But in Mongolia and Kazakhstan locals set ours off for amusement. They all stood around giving it a kick over and over again. :funmeterno::funmeteryes: at the same time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmotten (Post 436507)

Alarms are great. But in Mongolia and Kazakhstan locals set ours off for amusement. They all stood around giving it a kick over and over again. :funmeterno::funmeteryes: at the same time.

Too funny. Have read about this happening before. Depends where you're riding but I wouldn't bother with an alarm in Sth America or Africa for that very reason.

Personally I wouldn't want to carry around a large cable lock that ways 3/4 of a kilo either because I'm counting my grams (yes I am losing it off the gut too lol :offtopic:). Guess I'm relying on them not being able to start my beemer without a key. All they can do is roll it away and use it for parts. So maybe a disc lock is an option but not with the screamer.

PN

Bike ignition locks are the biggest joke around security wise. All you have to do is cut the cables just below the mechanism and connect two wires and away you go. The TTR has the mechanism housed in the frame so it doesn't work on that one, but most are just at the handlebars.

I agree with chains. I don't mind a thin one though to add a nuisance to tie both bikes together or put through my jacket etc.

Can't say I've heard issues related with disk locks, so I'm holding onto that concept with some confidence.