http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Locks en Sat, 18 Apr 2026 19:46:12 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12069#post-140366 Mon, 20 Jan 2014 11:44:08 +0000 I were right about that saddle 140366@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I went to unlock my bike this morning and discovered that I hadn't locked it on Friday night. I guess I just proved that I don't actually need a lock. However...I can offer a bit of crossover knowledge from the world of motorcycling. </p> <p>Chains and locks for motorcycles are obviously much more serious affairs than those for bicycles. They are regularly tested independently in the light of advances in materials and the techniques used by thieves. A 'good' arrangement is one which resists the most up to date thieving techniques for at least two and a half minutes. Standard bicycle locks (ofetn used as auxilliary locks on motorbikes) only last a few seconds under that type of assault. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12069#post-140361 Mon, 20 Jan 2014 11:13:28 +0000 EddieD 140361@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I spoke to security, they have access to an industrial angle-grinder and to quote "none of them put up much of a fight..." </p> <p>I suppose if you're not trying to be discrete, brute force will overcome... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12069#post-140355 Mon, 20 Jan 2014 11:00:12 +0000 chdot 140355@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"Don't suppose you quickly noted the distribution of blows per lock"</p> <p>Presume angle grinder was involved(?) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12069#post-140354 Mon, 20 Jan 2014 10:52:59 +0000 wingpig 140354@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><blockquote><em>"...a very large pile of smashed locks near the door..."</em></blockquote></p> <p>Don't suppose you quickly noted the distribution of blows per lock manufacturer/type to get an idea of how much each resisted being forcibly opened? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12069#post-140351 Mon, 20 Jan 2014 10:39:54 +0000 EddieD 140351@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>This isn't the right thread to reply in, but it does concern locks - I mentioned that the bike shed at work was going to be cleared of abandoned bikes that will be donated to the Bike Station for those looking for a reasonable 2nd hand machine - I came into work today to find a very large pile of smashed locks near the door, and a lot more space in the shed... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12069#post-140336 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 21:17:28 +0000 allebong 140336@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Have the basic silver/grey kryptonite u-lock that has seen plenty of use over 5 years. On several occasions it has jammed up, I solved this by cleaning out the internals I could reach with a cloth, then dripping chain lube down the keyhole and lock slide bit. Revived it every time. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12069#post-140333 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 21:04:50 +0000 gembo 140333@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Had quite a good combination lock malfunction on me so back with keys. I have a heavy lock not used for a while, Buffo brand with a buffalo logo. I am using lighter twisty cable types at moment that would not cause thieves any problem. I am also quite often just leaving my old crossroads with sturmey 3 spd unlocked at Scotmid or roundthensideof the church hall. I have become lax and expect I will get my comeuppance shortly </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12069#post-140319 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 16:34:46 +0000 wingpig 140319@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>My first U-shackle was a Citadel but I had to stop using it when I found only half of it lying in the garden of my old flat, with the bike it was supposed to be securing also still there, but the other half of the lock apparently stolen. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12069#post-140318 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 16:14:45 +0000 Nelly 140318@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I have a bog standard ABUS U Lock which is permanently hanging outside at the bike racks at work.</p> <p>Must be 2-3 years old and still works a treat despite my zero maintenance regime. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12069#post-140316 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 15:26:21 +0000 Kenny 140316@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>GT85 on my Kryptonite D-lock has helped. I'm sure I have WD-40 somewhere, I just can't find it. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12069#post-140314 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 14:51:17 +0000 panyagua 140314@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>My Citadel (anyone remember those?) is 29 years old and still works perfectly with an occasional drop of WD-40, despite having been left outside for months on end in all weathers. Although I'm not sure how secure it is by today's standards... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12069#post-140313 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 13:40:46 +0000 Focus 140313@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>My similalry-old Kryptonite U-lock (low-medium priced at the time) still works and has only once needed a drop of oil to ease the mechanism. No longer used as a primary lock though due to the design flaw in the barrel lock style.</p> <p>My Abus Granite-X (2 years old) may weigh a tonne but it's proved very reliable and stood up well to flying off the bike when I hadn't quite fitted it properly onto its frame mount. The key with a light built in is a nice touch, as is the code card for ordering replacement keys </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12069#post-140309 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 11:27:57 +0000 Arellcat 140309@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I have many locks, one of which is a 24-year old Kryptonite U-lock that still works great. In contrast, my Abus Steel-o-flex has a recalcitrant lock barrel and is less than two years old. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12069#post-140308 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 11:26:42 +0000 wingpig 140308@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>My two-year-old long-thin-key-type Kryptonite, besides having a stupid unusable mount system, has started looking like it might be trying to rattle itself open, though it's hopefully just the rotating plate with the key slot in it rather than any of the mechanism. I shall be trying Abus when it eventually expires. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12069#post-140302 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 11:04:48 +0000 SRD 140302@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I've tried wd40 and graphite. Has worked to keep some of them going longer than others. </p> <p>One - from bike co-op - has never worked properly. :(</p> <p>tried to return it and was told 'i wasn't doing it properly'. </p> <p>:( :( </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12069#post-140301 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 10:59:07 +0000 chdot 140301@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>My cheap D lock (about 5 years old) stopped working recently (key wouldn't turn). </p> <p>WD40 sorted that. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12069#post-140300 Sun, 19 Jan 2014 10:40:15 +0000 SRD 140300@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>We've had to bin several locks this year because they malfunction to the point of being I openable/unclose-able. The most recent is a fairly well used Kryptonite d-lock - in the £30-40 price range,</p> <p>Are more expensive locks are more reliable? Or are they just harder for thieves to cut? </p>