What bike lock?

Donga said:

Here's the application:
Working at a university where bikes are known to be nicked. Riding a
flash-looking bike and have been told I can't keep it in my room any
more

Just curious - did they give a reason? Danger to others using the room?
They didn't want to be held responsible if it were stolen?

In article <[email hidden]>,

Donga said:

I have an old Kryptonite U-lock but have heard about opening these
with a Bic pen. New styles have better keys.

I thought they offered some kind of update program.

--
Shane Stanley

Donga said:

Riding a
flash-looking bike and have been told I can't keep it in my room any
more, have to put it in the lock-up (not monitored, basically anyone
can get a key card). OK, I could ride one of the beaters in the shed,
but I love my bling. So what's the best lock?

Hmmmm, challenge the no-bike inside policy first. Or start riding the pub bike or look into Cycle Cover insurance or some of the re-jigged CA Ride It licences.

Locks for bling? You could try this:
http://www.andysinger.com/bikesample16.html

Donga said:

Here's the application:
Working at a university where bikes are known to be nicked. Riding a
flash-looking bike and have been told I can't keep it in my room any
more, have to put it in the lock-up (not monitored, basically anyone
can get a key card). OK, I could ride one of the beaters in the shed,
but I love my bling. So what's the best lock?

Same deal here but luckily our "bike shed" is sufficiently locked ( we
use a combination lock that gets changed occasionally) and I use a
standard generic U-lock on my roadie within the shed. We can't keep our
bikes in offices, labs because of exit hazards they may cause in case of
fire or other evacuation.

We have had a couple of thefts but they were all overnighters and people
who were clearly intent on getting into a locked shed. Changes to locks
accessibility were made and things seem quite safe.

The campus has quite a few of these sheds now and they are well used. It
might be worth speaking to your Uni green office (or equivalent) about
leaning on building services for some sheds in useful areas.

--
Bean

Remove "yourfinger" before replying

Donga said:

OK, I could ride one of the beaters in the shed,but I love my bling.

Ride the old beater. Anything with bling is a target just waiting for
the appropriate level of sophistication for relocation.

I did four years at uni on an old beater, then a new bike with a
deliberately awful paint job with no problems when bling bkes are riding
away.

Quoted message said:

Cables can be cut too easily and are out, except for a quick dash into
the shop.

What size cable?

Quoted message said:

Any tips for a good all-round, strong but not too heavy, not silly $
lock?

The usual trick is ot to cart the cable, chain, lock each day, but to
leave them locked around the item that you are going to lock it all to
each day. That way you can have a humungous chain and cable and multiple
locks.

Donga said:

Here's the application:
Working at a university where bikes are known to be nicked. Riding a
flash-looking bike and have been told I can't keep it in my room any
more, have to put it in the lock-up (not monitored, basically anyone
can get a key card). OK, I could ride one of the beaters in the shed,
but I love my bling. So what's the best lock?

I have an old Kryptonite U-lock but have heard about opening these
with a Bic pen. New styles have better keys.

Cables can be cut too easily and are out, except for a quick dash into
the shop.

Any tips for a good all-round, strong but not too heavy, not silly $
lock?

Lastly, I might lash out for insurance now.

Donga

My standard approach with that sort of thing is to smile and reply
"Sure, no worries" and keep doing whatever it is I just promised I
wouldn't do anymore, eg parking my bike in the office. Normally
everyone ends up happy. Is that an option? I got no advice re locks
as I use a cheap [censored] cable lock from Kmart.

Donga said:

Here's the application:
Working at a university where bikes are known to be nicked. Riding a
flash-looking bike and have been told I can't keep it in my room any
more,

Sounds like a good reason for loss of productivity. Unless there is a
really good reason for it, then you obviously have stupid management and
can look forward to more stupidity there.

In aus.bicycle on Tue, 09 Oct 2007 14:58:34 -0700

Donga said:

Any tips for a good all-round, strong but not too heavy, not silly $
lock?

Leave the lock there, so weight isn't an issue.

I use an Abus cable, it's about15mm thick and armoured, they;d have to
work to cut it.

The Bic scare was a couple of years ago, the locks are better now. So
go t your LBS and buy a U bolt big enough to do the job.

Zebee

Yes,

Ask for forgiveness - never for permission.

Even then, make them explain to you exactly why you can't do it.

If they say it is a safety hazard, that blocks the way then, you point out that so too is the photocopier etc.

Scotty

PS. My lock (can't remember the brand atm) is a chain about 4ft long, and 4 inches think - weighs several kgs. Just leave it where I intend to tie it.

quote=''On Oct 10 said:

Here's the application:
Working at a university where bikes are known to be nicked. Riding a
flash-looking bike and have been told I can't keep it in my room any
more, have to put it in the lock-up (not monitored, basically anyone
can get a key card). OK, I could ride one of the beaters in the shed,
but I love my bling. So what's the best lock?

I have an old Kryptonite U-lock but have heard about opening these
with a Bic pen. New styles have better keys.

Cables can be cut too easily and are out, except for a quick dash into
the shop.

Any tips for a good all-round, strong but not too heavy, not silly $
lock?

Lastly, I might lash out for insurance now.

Donga

My standard approach with that sort of thing is to smile and reply
"Sure, no worries" and keep doing whatever it is I just promised I
wouldn't do anymore, eg parking my bike in the office. Normally
everyone ends up happy. Is that an option? I got no advice re locks
as I use a cheap [censored] cable lock from Kmart.[/QUOTE]

Donga said:

Here's the application:
Working at a university where bikes are known to be nicked. Riding a
flash-looking bike and have been told I can't keep it in my room any
more, have to put it in the lock-up (not monitored, basically anyone
can get a key card). OK, I could ride one of the beaters in the shed,
but I love my bling. So what's the best lock?

I have an old Kryptonite U-lock but have heard about opening these
with a Bic pen. New styles have better keys.

Cables can be cut too easily and are out, except for a quick dash into
the shop.

Any tips for a good all-round, strong but not too heavy, not silly $
lock?

Lastly, I might lash out for insurance now.

Donga

Not quite within your parameters, but a motorcycle chain lock? Heavy, but you can leave it chained up at QUT to whatever you lock the bike to when you're not there. I can loan you one for the duration, you supply a padlock for it though.

Hope the new job is working well for you 🙂

DB

Quoted message said:

Donga said:

Here's the application:
Working at a university where bikes are known to be nicked. Riding a
flash-looking bike and have been told I can't keep it in my room any
more, have to put it in the lock-up (not monitored, basically anyone
can get a key card). OK, I could ride one of the beaters in the shed,
but I love my bling. So what's the best lock?

Quoted message said:

I have an old Kryptonite U-lock but have heard about opening these
with a Bic pen. New styles have better keys.

Quoted message said:

Cables can be cut too easily and are out, except for a quick dash into
the shop.

Quoted message said:

Any tips for a good all-round, strong but not too heavy, not silly $
lock?

Quoted message said:

Lastly, I might lash out for insurance now.

Quoted message said:

Donga

My standard approach with that sort of thing is to smile and reply
"Sure, no worries" and keep doing whatever it is I just promised I
wouldn't do anymore, eg parking my bike in the office. Normally
everyone ends up happy. Is that an option?

ditto here.. I had a similar issue at my last place of work. I think
he asked me to stop about 1/2 doz times over the year or so I was
there. All the cyclists in the office smiled nicely and said they'd
comply. Only other option was a rail to lock to down in the (open)
basement carpark.. yeah right.

It's usually some officious building manager who doesn't like bikes
going through the front door/stair well/lifts.

Michael Warner said:

Donga said:

Here's the application:
Working at a university where bikes are known to be nicked. Riding a
flash-looking bike and have been told I can't keep it in my room any
more

Just curious - did they give a reason? Danger to others using the room?
They didn't want to be held responsible if it were stolen?

It's the rules, silly! No other reason needed. The last refuge of the
bureaucrat - if we do it for you, we have to do it for everyone.

Donga

On Oct 10, 9:50 am, cfsmtb <cfsmtb.2y7...@no-

mx.forums.cyclingforums.com said:

Donga said:

Riding a
flash-looking bike and have been told I can't keep it in my room any
more, have to put it in the lock-up (not monitored, basically anyone
can get a key card). OK, I could ride one of the beaters in the shed,
but I love my bling. So what's the best lock?

Hmmmm, challenge the no-bike inside policy first. Or start riding the
pub bike or look into Cycle Cover insurance or some of the re-jigged CA
Ride It licences.

Locks for bling? You could try this:http://www.andysinger.com/bikesample16.html

--
cfsmtb

I loved that! Changing the topic, note how the bikes are hung over the
top of the toaster rack, rather than the wheels slotted in. I saw this
as common practice when near Boston earlier in the year. It makes the
toaster rack useable, versus nearly worthless.

Bean Long said:

Donga said:

Here's the application:
Working at a university where bikes are known to be nicked. Riding a
flash-looking bike and have been told I can't keep it in my room any
more, have to put it in the lock-up (not monitored, basically anyone
can get a key card). OK, I could ride one of the beaters in the shed,
but I love my bling. So what's the best lock?

Same deal here but luckily our "bike shed" is sufficiently locked ( we
use a combination lock that gets changed occasionally) and I use a
standard generic U-lock on my roadie within the shed. We can't keep our
bikes in offices, labs because of exit hazards they may cause in case of
fire or other evacuation.

We have had a couple of thefts but they were all overnighters and people
who were clearly intent on getting into a locked shed. Changes to locks
accessibility were made and things seem quite safe.

The campus has quite a few of these sheds now and they are well used. It
might be worth speaking to your Uni green office (or equivalent) about
leaning on building services for some sheds in useful areas.

--
Bean

Remove "yourfinger" before replying

Yep they have actually got such a room, with swipe card. But if 100
people have access, who's to know which one walked my bike out the
door?

Donga said:

Here's the application:

<SNIP!>

Quoted message said:

Any tips for a good all-round, strong but not too heavy, not silly $
lock?

1. Go to a hoisting supplier, get a length of hardened chain (around $10/m)
2. go to a locksmith and get a hardened padlock (around $40+)

Gives you a lock that will need powertools or stupidly large boltcutters
to brake, but can still wrap around most objects (unlike U locks), pull
and old inner tube over the chain to save your paint and use a couple of
old toe straps to carry it on the bike.

Cheers

Joel

--
Human Powered Cycles | High quality servicing and repairs
[email hidden] | Affordable second hand bikes
(03) 9029 6504 | Bicycle reuse centre
www.humanpowered.com.au | Mechanical and on-road training and instruction

On Oct 10, 4:22 pm, Duracell Bunny <Duracell.Bunny.2y8...@no-

mx.forums.cyclingforums.com said:

Donga said:

Here's the application:
Working at a university where bikes are known to be nicked. Riding a
flash-looking bike and have been told I can't keep it in my room any
more, have to put it in the lock-up (not monitored, basically anyone
can get a key card). OK, I could ride one of the beaters in the shed,
but I love my bling. So what's the best lock?

Quoted message said:

I have an old Kryptonite U-lock but have heard about opening these
with a Bic pen. New styles have better keys.

Quoted message said:

Cables can be cut too easily and are out, except for a quick dash into
the shop.

Quoted message said:

Any tips for a good all-round, strong but not too heavy, not silly $
lock?

Quoted message said:

Lastly, I might lash out for insurance now.

Quoted message said:

DongaNot quite within your parameters, but a motorcycle chain lock? Heavy,

but you can leave it chained up at QUT to whatever you lock the bike to
when you're not there. I can loan you one for the duration, you supply a
padlock for it though.

Hope the new job is working well for you 🙂

Loving it thanks, DB! So peaceful! And I get to look at my lovely bike
every time I turn around. )))

quote='Donga'On Oct 10 said:

Donga said:

Here's the application:
Working at a university where bikes are known to be nicked. Riding a
flash-looking bike and have been told I can't keep it in my room any
more

Just curious - did they give a reason? Danger to others using the room?
They didn't want to be held responsible if it were stolen?

It's the rules, silly! No other reason needed. The last refuge of the
bureaucrat - if we do it for you, we have to do it for everyone.

Donga[/QUOTE]Really,

1) Get them to show you that rule - in writing. No, a sticker on a door is not good enough.

2) Conduct a poll in your office (via email) asking who else is itching to bring their bike, or lawnmower etc up into the office each day. I think the results will support your case.

SCotty

Joel Mayes said:

Donga said:

Here's the application:

<SNIP!>

Quoted message said:

Any tips for a good all-round, strong but not too heavy, not silly $
lock?

1. Go to a hoisting supplier, get a length of hardened chain (around $10/m)
2. go to a locksmith and get a hardened padlock (around $40+)

Gives you a lock that will need powertools or stupidly large boltcutters
to brake, but can still wrap around most objects (unlike U locks), pull
and old inner tube over the chain to save your paint and use a couple of
old toe straps to carry it on the bike.

Cheers

Joel

--
Human Powered Cycles | High quality servicing and repairs
[email hidden] | Affordable second hand bikes
(03) 9029 6504 | Bicycle reuse centrewww.humanpowered.com.au | Mechanical and on-road training and instruction

Yep I think that is the ticket - following the "yes boss whatever you
say (yah boo sucks)" approach!
One mega-lock I saw in a bike shop was $199!!! Mostly the U-locks go
from $40 to $70 (less one cent).

Donga

Donga said:

I have an old Kryptonite U-lock but have heard about opening these
with a Bic pen. New styles have better keys.

Cables can be cut too easily and are out, except for a quick dash into
the shop.

Donga

I had an old Kryptonite lock and last year I heard about the recall that
had been done. I rang the Australian distributors and asked if I could
get a new lock.

They said I could and after a few months I rang back wondering where it
was. They apologised and sent me two.

They even sent me the express mail envelope to post it in!!!!

One thing, you MUST have both the lock AND key.

Good luck.

Wilfred