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Build a better bike lock

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01 / Original postBuild a better bike lockPatrick Herring · 9 Sep 2004 02 / This pagePosts 1–20Page 1 of 2 · chronological order 03 / Latest replyPost #28Rory · 17 Sep 2004

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UK and Europe
Published
9 September 2004
Last activity
17 September 2004
Original author
Patrick Herring
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28
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Public discussion
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1,524
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Urban riding

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  1. Original post
    Patrick Herring
    Archived post
    #1

    DSK <[email hidden]> wrote:

    |
    | If I think what you mean, most of the bicycles in India have that (come
    | standard with it fitted to my knowledge). Its a smallish device, sits
    | on the back of the frame, when opertaed by a key, a bar hoops down
    | throuh the back wheel and up into the lock on the other side of the
    | wheel. Its a Padlock to prevent your rear wheel turning really.

    I had one once, made by Raleigh. The key is locked in when the lock is
    open. One problem is when you close the lock the key can spring out,
    so you can need two hands for a really simple & quick action, which
    was irritating. I had the key on my main bunch, partly to give it more
    inertia in said spring event, but then you get drivers hooting at you
    cos they think you've left your housekeys at risk of falling off into
    a drain, which also was irritating. A rubber-band and a croc-clip
    sounds a better idea now.

    | Damn useful to prevent your cycle from being ridden away.

    Though rust-coloured paint improves the effect.

    --
    Patrick Herring, Sheffield, UK
    http://www.anweald.co.uk

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  2. D.M. Procida
    Archived post
    #2

    There seem to be two kinds of bike locks, or rather, two different
    functions for them. One is to lock the bike to something so it can't be
    taken away, and the other is to stop the bike being ridden away.

    I can't at the moment think of anything that hasn't been tried of the
    first kind, but the second type offers more scope for the imagination.

    If I'me leaving my bike outside a shop for a minute, I don't want to
    faff around with chains and things. I want something that can be
    operated quickly. It might not stop someone loading the bike onto a van,
    but if it can't be ridden away, then 99% of passing bike thieves will
    probably not bother with it.

    So, how about:

    a steering lock?

    Perhaps there's a way to incorporate a lock into the steering mechanism.
    A quick twist at the top of the handlebar stem, and it's locked.

    Or perhaps turningthe handlebars through nearly 180 degrees will lock
    them, only to be released when a small hidden button is pressed

    a geartrain lock?

    Perhaps a lock on the frame could block the movement in the geartrain -
    the chain or chainwheel

    the important thing is that this has to be quick and easy to operate.

    Daniele
    --
    Apple Juice Ltd
    Chapter Arts Centre
    Market Road www.apple-juice.co.uk
    Cardiff CF5 1QE 029 2019 0140

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  3. DSK
    Archived post
    #3

    I know what you mean, big quality chains etc can be a nightmare to lug around but I always carry 3 of the things around on the motorbike.

    As for a disc lock (you feed it through the brake disc of the bike, stopping it from being ridden/rolled away), I use a Squire ML2 (designed for motorbikes), its a like a Mini D-Lock. When out on the cycle, I use this as I can feed it round the rear end of the frame (near the cassete) and then lock it to typical railings. This way, I have a great bit of easy to use security, which prevents the bike being stolen. Only downside is, it weights a fair bit!.

    IMO, at the end of the day, if someone can walk off with your cycle, as soon as they get home they can either dismantle the bike to remove something like a steering lock etc and then put it together again and sell it. So really we need something that prevents the being taken away, a lightweight and slightly bigger version of the Squire ML2 perhaps lol.

    Oh, saw this Specialised Wedlock on Wiggle. Looks quite interesting and may fit the bill for something half decent and compact I guess. Not sure if it long enough to secure the frame to a post/thick railing though from the picture.
    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/v2_product_detail.asp?ProdID=5300005066.

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  4. elyob
    Archived post
    #4

    "D.M. Procida" <[email hidden]> wrote in
    message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    There seem to be two kinds of bike locks, or rather, two different
    functions for them. One is to lock the bike to something so it can't be
    taken away, and the other is to stop the bike being ridden away.

    I can't at the moment think of anything that hasn't been tried of the
    first kind, but the second type offers more scope for the imagination.

    If I'me leaving my bike outside a shop for a minute, I don't want to
    faff around with chains and things. I want something that can be
    operated quickly. It might not stop someone loading the bike onto a van,
    but if it can't be ridden away, then 99% of passing bike thieves will
    probably not bother with it.

    This is what they often use in the Netherlands? It sits on the frame and
    passes through the back wheel. I normally alter the gears, keep pretty
    close, and get ready to smack out the little b*st*d
    who is thinking about it. If they touch it, their fingers are broken
    already.

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  5. AndyMorris
    Archived post
    #5
    D.M. Procida said:


    a geartrain lock?

    A small padlock round the chainring and chain works

    --
    Andy Morris

    AndyAtJinkasDotFreeserve.Co.UK

    Love this:
    Put an end to Outlook Express's messy quotes
    http://home.in.tum.de/~jain/software/oe-quotefix/

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  6. DSK
    Archived post
    #6

    If I think what you mean, most of the bicycles in India have that (come standard with it fitted to my knowledge). Its a smallish device, sits on the back of the frame, when opertaed by a key, a bar hoops down throuh the back wheel and up into the lock on the other side of the wheel. Its a Padlock to prevent your rear wheel turning really.

    Damn useful to prevent your cycle from being ridden away.

    Report
  7. Andy Dingley
    Archived post
    #7

    On Thu, 9 Sep 2004 23:23:02 +0100,

    (D.M. Procida) said:

    a geartrain lock?

    Common in Europe, or even on the postie's new Pashleys. Look for a
    horseshoe-like thing mounted on the rear stays. Stops you riding it,
    doesn't stop you carrying it away.

    --
    Smert' spamionam

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  8. elyob
    Archived post
    #8

    "DSK" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:


    If I think what you mean, most of the bicycles in India have that (come
    standard with it fitted to my knowledge). Its a smallish device, sits
    on the back of the frame, when opertaed by a key, a bar hoops down
    throuh the back wheel and up into the lock on the other side of the
    wheel. Its a Padlock to prevent your rear wheel turning really.

    Damn useful to prevent your cycle from being ridden away.

    Yeah, something like this ..
    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/v2_product_detail.asp?ProdID=5360012122

    Description here of the type here .. http://www.nervouscyclist.org/Lock.htm

    Report
  9. Helen Deborah Vecht
    Archived post
    #9

    DSK <[email hidden]>typed

    Quoted message said:

    If I think what you mean, most of the bicycles in India have that (come
    standard with it fitted to my knowledge). Its a smallish device, sits
    on the back of the frame, when opertaed by a key, a bar hoops down
    throuh the back wheel and up into the lock on the other side of the
    wheel. Its a Padlock to prevent your rear wheel turning really.

    Quoted message said:

    Damn useful to prevent your cycle from being ridden away.

    I think these are known as 'nurses' locks' IIRC.

    --
    Helen D. Vecht: [email hidden]
    Edgware.

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  10. Tony W
    Archived post
    #10

    "D.M. Procida" <[email hidden]> wrote in
    message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:


    So, how about:

    a steering lock?

    My 1951 Raliegh has just such a lock. Basically a simple lock that fixes
    the steering so you can only cycle round in circles. Ver simple. Robust
    enough. Fits into the fork crown.

    Quoted message said:

    Perhaps there's a way to incorporate a lock into the steering mechanism.
    A quick twist at the top of the handlebar stem, and it's locked.

    There were others in the 60's that required you put a key into the top of
    the stem but I'm not sure how they worked.

    Quoted message said:

    Or perhaps turningthe handlebars through nearly 180 degrees will lock
    them, only to be released when a small hidden button is pressed

    a geartrain lock?

    Perhaps a lock on the frame could block the movement in the geartrain -
    the chain or chainwheel

    See other comments.

    Quoted message said:

    the important thing is that this has to be quick and easy to operate.

    A 'nurse's lock' -- again others have commented. Typical in Holland and
    India. Available here.

    T

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  11. Jack Ouzzi
    Archived post
    #11
    AndyMorris said:
    D.M. Procida said:


    a geartrain lock?

    A small padlock round the chainring and chain works

    A big baseball bat around the side of the ears works as well ....

    Report
  12. Dave Kahn
    Archived post
    #12

    [email hidden] (D.M. Procida) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

    Quoted message said:

    Perhaps there's a way to incorporate a lock into the steering mechanism.
    A quick twist at the top of the handlebar stem, and it's locked.

    Or perhaps turningthe handlebars through nearly 180 degrees will lock
    them, only to be released when a small hidden button is pressed

    a geartrain lock?

    Perhaps a lock on the frame could block the movement in the geartrain -
    the chain or chainwheel

    On the continent permanently fitted wheel locks - known as a nurse's
    lock - are common. Unfortunately it doesn't stop the bike simply being
    carried away. I'd prefer just to lock the brakes in the off position,
    especially if parked at the top of a steep hill.

    --
    Dave...

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  13. Marc
    Archived post
    #13
    elyob said:
    Quoted message said:

    If I'me leaving my bike outside a shop for a minute, I don't want to
    faff around with chains and things. I want something that can be
    operated quickly. It might not stop someone loading the bike onto a van,
    but if it can't be ridden away, then 99% of passing bike thieves will
    probably not bother with it.

    This is what they often use in the Netherlands? It sits on the frame and
    passes through the back wheel

    A "Nurse's lock"

    Report
  14. chris French
    Archived post
    #14

    In message <[email hidden]>, DSK
    <[email hidden]> writes

    Quoted message said:


    If I think what you mean, most of the bicycles in India have that (come
    standard with it fitted to my knowledge). Its a smallish device, sits
    on the back of the frame, when opertaed by a key, a bar hoops down
    throuh the back wheel and up into the lock on the other side of the
    wheel. Its a Padlock to prevent your rear wheel turning really.

    Damn useful to prevent your cycle from being ridden away.

    Yep, certainly is. (common in Holland as well) I have one fitted to my
    'utility' bike, great for around town shopping etc. stop, hop off, lock
    the lock (key stays in lock when unlocked) - I can be in and put of a
    shop almost in less time than it takes to faff with a U lock.

    No it doesn't stop someone carrying the bike away, but it's used on a
    bike and in situations when that isn't an issue.

    --
    Chris French, Leeds

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  15. Roos Eisma
    Archived post
    #15


    Quoted message said:

    Common in Europe, or even on the postie's new Pashleys. Look for a
    horseshoe-like thing mounted on the rear stays. Stops you riding it,
    doesn't stop you carrying it away.

    Yes, just lift the back wheel a bit and roll away.
    I've lost bikes during the 5 minutes I was in the shop that way.

    Roos

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  16. chris French
    Archived post
    #16

    In message <[email hidden]>, Dave Kahn
    <[email hidden]> writes

    Quoted message said:

    [email hidden] (D.M. Procida) wrote in
    message
    news:<[email hidden]
    k>...

    Quoted message said:

    Perhaps there's a way to incorporate a lock into the steering mechanism.
    A quick twist at the top of the handlebar stem, and it's locked.

    Or perhaps turningthe handlebars through nearly 180 degrees will lock
    them, only to be released when a small hidden button is pressed

    a geartrain lock?

    Perhaps a lock on the frame could block the movement in the geartrain -
    the chain or chainwheel

    On the continent permanently fitted wheel locks - known as a nurse's
    lock - are common. Unfortunately it doesn't stop the bike simply being
    carried away.

    As they say, horses for courses.

    If the bike is of the sort likely to be carried away, or if you are
    leaving the bike for long enough or in a situation where it is likely
    then another lock is the better option. Some like my AXA come with cable
    that locks to the frame lock as well.

    --
    Chris French, Leeds

    Report
  17. Just zis Guy, you know?
    Archived post
    #17
    D.M. Procida said:

    There seem to be two kinds of bike locks, or rather, two different
    functions for them. One is to lock the bike to something so it can't
    be taken away, and the other is to stop the bike being ridden away.

    Just when you think you've seen every lock known to humanity, along comes
    Tony Raven with a handcuff lock :-) I now have one for my 'bent, and very
    good it is too. But staggeringly heavy!
    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/?ProductID=5360012122 - might come in handy for
    immobilising the kids, too.

    What you need is probably a nurse's lock like the Abus Protecta, previously
    mentioned (http://www.wiggle.co.uk/?ProductID=5360012122).

    Guy
    --
    May contain traces of irony. Contents liable to settle after posting.
    http://www.chapmancentral.co.uk

    88% of helmet statistics are made up, 65% of them at Washington
    University

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  18. Simon Brooke
    Archived post
    #18

    in message <[email hidden]>, AndyMorris

    (') said:
    D.M. Procida said:


    a geartrain lock?

    A small padlock round the chainring and chain works

    At risk of doing horrible damage to your front deraileur. The simplest
    'disable the bike' lock, works with most bikes without modification, is
    simply remove the front wheel and take it with you. Still doesn't stop
    the 'carry away' thief.

    --
    [email hidden] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/

    <p>Schroedinger's cat is <blink><strong>NOT</strong></blink> dead.</p>

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  19. David E. Belcher
    Archived post
    #19

    [email hidden] (D.M. Procida) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

    Quoted message said:


    So, how about:

    a steering lock?

    Perhaps there's a way to incorporate a lock into the steering mechanism.
    A quick twist at the top of the handlebar stem, and it's locked.

    Or perhaps turningthe handlebars through nearly 180 degrees will lock
    them, only to be released when a small hidden button is pressed

    Years ago, some Raleigh sit-up-and-beg models had a lock built into
    the fork crown, but not sure of the actual details - I believe it may
    have locked the steering, then again it may have locked the front
    wheel.

    Bavid E. Belcher

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  20. Pete Biggs
    Archived post
    #20
    DSK said:

    If I think what you mean, most of the bicycles in India have that
    (come standard with it fitted to my knowledge). Its a smallish
    device, sits on the back of the frame, when opertaed by a key, a bar
    hoops down throuh the back wheel and up into the lock on the other
    side of the wheel. Its a Padlock to prevent your rear wheel turning
    really.

    Damn useful to prevent your cycle from being ridden away.

    Bit nasty on the spokes, I would imagine.

    ~PB

    Report

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