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Looking for a hopefully lightweight, compact bike lock that gives flexibility for locking the bike to various items - racks, lamp posts, trees, you name it.
On recent tours/ general day trips I've been using an old combination cable lock and tbh haven't had any issues with it.
Have heard though they are terrible for security.
Any tips/ recommendations for something that isn't going to weigh me down like an anchor riding, but offer a bit more protection?
It's mainly for an up and coming tour where i'll be riding through mostly rural areas with the odd urban area in Europe.
Cafe/ shop stops, overnight stays at campsites/ accommodation and wild camping.
Z Lock Combo
A kryptonite cable and padlock of your choice?
i take a kryptonite d lock when touring.
a extra pound in weight is worth the security.
Abus. Link lock thing
They do one with alarm
a Kryptonite cable and their Evolution Disc Lock (a tiny D-Lock for motorbike discs) is a great security/weight combo
I have a Bordo Lite Mini folding combination lock. 460g compact. More versatile than a D lock. More secure than a cable.
Depends where you are parking it of course. Ive toured with a cable combination lock up to now. No thefts. But if I am in large towns or cities overnight I only stay someplace the bike is in my room or they have very good secure storage.
Its a compromise. You are really only deterring someone from just jumping on it and riding away with a light lock - so what I use is a decent cable and padlock - and for extra security the padlock goes thru the chainring and the cable gets threaded thru the frame wheels and round a post. Weighs 170g IIRC
I won't leave it out of sight in cities for more than a minute or two with that tho. For that level of security you need a full d lock that weighs kilos
I have a small Abus Titalumin lock (40g) and a Kyrptonite Kryptoflex 5mm cable, 75mm long (70g). One end gets looped through itself around the frame seaststay cluster and the other loops + locks round something solid. It's light, stashes wrapped round the frame and is as much security as I've felt needed for shop / dinner stops or overnights when I'm kipping next to it.
I'd go with TJ ... for me its one end or the other though depending where you are and the value of the bike.
Cafe/ shop stops, overnight stays at campsites/ accommodation and wild camping.
If your camping then best thing is not putting it in sight during the day of someone might sneak back in the night IMHO ... and a movement alarm might be better or as good? Cafe/Shop depends what you can lock it to.. but I use a cheap combo lock... easy to defeat with decent bolt cutters but choose somewhere that's unlikely
I used a kryptonite cable with a light-ish combination padlock, and one of those knog zip lock type things on a 6-week tour last year through europe. never really stressed about it tbh, as if someone really wants your bike, they'll get it regardless of the lock (as per here in the UK), so it's more about preventing opportunists. I did try and find the back end of underground carparks in urban supermarkets, but thats about it. oh, and as someone else said, padlock through cable loop and chainring is a good shout - even if the cable is cut, they're at least unlikely to be able to pedal your bike away.
Cheers all, pretty much confirmed my thoughts that a cable and padlock will do the trick, along with common sense.
Will look into the proximity alarm thing as well, give the scrotes a scare if they try.