A good bicycle lock

A good bicycle lock can mean the difference between a great bike ride and a long, miserable walk home.  Whether you’re a hardcore mountain biker, a long-mile road rider, a daily commuter or the occasional weekend rider, you’re going to need a reliable bike lock.  Even if you’re only stopping into  the convenience store to grab a granola bar, a thief only needs a few seconds to ride away on his or her new bike.  It happens everywhere too.  Though New York has the highest number of bikes stolen per capita, bicycle theft is increasing all over, especially in college towns and in suburban areas.  All kinds of bikes are being stolen, from thousand dollar carbon fiber race machines to  weekend clunkers.  Sometimes it’s for the money; the bikes are resold and the profits are pocketed.  Other thefts come from opportunistic thieves who either need to get across town or who are just looking for a joyride.  A cheap lock may not deter the first category of thieves, but the second group, the opportunists, will usually be dissuaded by the cheapest chain or cable lock on the market.

Though a cheap lock may serve you well for awhile, if you’re living in an area with a high rate of bike theft or if you have a particularly nice ride, you’re going to want to invest in something a little more bomber.  U-locks are a popular choice as they attach quickly and carry relatively lightly.  Few people use them properly however, as to be effective a U-lock needs to clamp around both wheels of your bike along with the rack or pole you’re locking it to. 

Heavy chain locks are also good for deterring thieves, as the case hardened versions are extremely tough to cut or disarm and they can fit around larger and more awkward structures than U-locks can encircle.  They’re heavy though, and can be bulky for anyone who carries one around for a great deal of time or is trying to go fast and light; it doesn’t make much sense to worry about 15 grams of weight in your pedals when you carry around a ten pound chain.  Larger locks do bring with them greater security though, and some manufacturers like Kryptonite will even insure your bike if it’s stolen while locked up with their heavy locks, providing that you register your ride first.  With a good bike lock you’ll be able to ride just about anywhere with impunity, though it’s generally a good idea to register your bike’s serial number, usually located near the bottom of the down tube, with local police in case disaster strikes.