Bike locks: How to properly lock up a bicycle

[soberpunk]

why not just put the U Lock around the rear wheel and frame and take the cable and lock the front wheel and frame around the fence....who carries their front wheel with them??

[MisterMadcap]

Great work!

[animacs1]

that was not safe at all. what about the saddle? why take the front wheel, instead of locking it? and also, what if you have a rack, for example? those must be secured as well.

[TheBum642]

He wasted soo much benifit by locking just the frame.. lock the frame.. and the back wheel and your crank together..

then the front wheel and the frame all to the fence or bike post

[faribx1]

Frankly, all you need to cut any lock is a battery operated angle saw (30-100$ at any hardware store), which any true bike thief has in their toolbox so the two separate lock theory holds little ground; better to get two of the thickest most annoying locks one can find

[Renotech]

I came up with this video by watching how insecure the U-locks are. ;D

[julianv987]

120 people got their bikes stolen after this video

[UltraHunts]

Why don't you lock the frame and the back wheel with the u-lock then the front with the cable...

[nathantnnguyen1]

he could have put the cable through both wheels and on worrying about balancing the bike and risking the fork

[Sidowse]

NO! With that D/U lock you could have also locked the back wheel AND the frame to the railings. The cable apparently is easy to cut.

[thecastman97]

things wrong here:

he is using a kryptonite lock that can be picked with a bic pen

cable locks will be cut right threw

he should get 2 u locks, lock up from the front wheel threw the frame, and onto what hes locking it to, and for the back wheel, lock up the rim to the frame

[jobeanie123]

@thecastman97 Cable locks and U-locks require separate tools to break; thieves usually only carry one lock. What he did was somewhat okay, but he should have put the U-lock THROUGH (not threw) he frame and the rear wheel. The cable lock should secure both wheels to the frame and whatever you're securing the bike to.

[dreonyoutubification]

how to protect your bike: put your dog next to it XD

[azmanntoz]

i chain the wheels and take the frame lol

[aMasterSmoker]

this guy is wrong he missed his seat you go thru both wheels the seat and the frame i live in L.A. do you know how crazy it is i know people that would steal you quick release seat just because they can!!!!!

[thecastman97]

@aMasterSmoker i live in L.A. too!:D, but how would you lock up your seat? (even tho mine is not quick release)

[joshblom08]

Surely lock the front wheel with the locks after you remove it!!!????

[lxdavies9]

pick it with a pen

[elstado1]

This is a terrible guide.

[HereIsScott]

Arcteryx MX Gamma hoddy FTW!!!!!!!!

[emforty2]

U locks of any brand or thickness can be breached so easily nowadays with thieves equipped with manual[ not electric] hydraulic shear cutter it takes less than 45 seconds to do so. I've heard of many bikes stolen in a short time using U-locks.

they work as a team they backup a van near your bike to hide the fact that they're stealing it and 1 guy looks out the other cuts and throws it at the back of a van and their gone In 60 seconds or less !

so what do we do ? sorry I don't know

[elstado1]

@emforty2 easy solution = Strong lock + Shit beater bike + Park it next to a nicer looking bike.

[lemthro]

Bike theft should be considered just as severe a crime as grand theft auto, a felony. After all, for many of us, it is stealing our primary mode of transportation and bikes often cost more than a used car. Well, sometimes even a new one, but I don't know why one would leave a bike like that chained anywhere, anyways. I also wish the police would do a bit more to catch bike thieves.

[PinoyPogiman]

why not use the U-lock to hook the wheels and frame together.

and the cord lock for the front wheel.

but your only concern is someone trying to take the seat and the handlebar. but thats going to be an issue when you SHOULD be there if you see someone tampering with it

[Mysynapses]

I dont like that type of lock if i saw it right its the one with circular key

[Commando303X]

This video is the work of an enterprising idiot:

1. Looks like a low-end model of Kryptonite U-lock.

2. Why in hell would you not use the U-lock to secure the frame AND the rear wheel? There's no good reason not to.

3. Why the fiddledy fuck didn't you take the cable around the front wheel, as well? Carrying a front wheel around with yourself might be a bit of a pain, no?

4. Your saddle still isn't secured.

There's good reason for which ~half the thumbs for this video are red.

[mojojojoe100]

@Commando303X i never secure the saddle, people really steal those?? wow disgusting...

[PolarisUSMC]

@mojojojoe100 That's the problem with quick release seats. It's also why (I believe) you're seeing them less and less.

[mojojojoe100]

@PolarisUSMC quick release seat? oh ive never seen one before...but still its not like its difficult to carry an allen key with you

[lemthro]

@mojojojoe100 I've had my shitty $10 seat stolen from a department store bike while in college. Actually watched the guy riding away with it as I was walking out of a friend's apartment building. It was a pain having to ride it home. Some people really suck.

[mojojojoe100]

@lemthro what? you saw it being taken?? even if it wasnt worth the money i would chase that mother fucker and at least try to beat his ass..

[lemthro]

@mojojojoe100 I wish I could have, but I didn't realize what was happening until he was half way down the street, riding away on his bike. No way I would have caught him on foot, and by the time I unlocked my lock he was gone.

[10forRP]

@lemthro Stealing the seat, that's just fuckin mean. You can pawn it off for what, like 5 bucks, and cause someone to have an uncomfortable and pissed-off ride back home. Guess it's better than stealing the whole bike, but still...

[killerwill55]

What about the seat?

[jamwar13]

what a bummer

[jokib88]

if someone really wants to steal your bike they will do it regardless of how you lock it up

[batthatisbat]

@jokib88 Curious question: does that mean you shouldn't try locking it up? Surely, that will put off the lazy people. In theory, no bike is 100% thief-proof so was there a point to your statement that "if someone really wants to steal your bike they will do it regardless of how you lock it up"?

[TR4351]

I thought this was a joke, as for an "expert" his locking was very poor. Firstly, with the D-Lock, he should have locked the frame and rear wheel spokes and LOCK LOW DOWN!!! With the cable he then could have secured the front wheel AND seat to the fence with that length of cable. Also, they are "thieves" not "thefts" as he says at 1:16. And his overall "balancing" of the bike against the railing was poor. All it would take is for a pedestrian to knock the bike over and theres a bent component!!!

[Aradena]

Where on earth can you park bikes on pavements locked to fences or lamp posts? You are certainly not allowed to do so in my country. A ridiculous video.

[odinperceo]

thanks man

[cinematikwoo]

I usually prefer putting the cable through both wheels with a U-Lock. But I think this video is right in that this is the most secure way to lock a bike by taking the front wheel with you. I would do that if I were in a less secure area. Maybe thieves are more prone to stealing bikes with both wheels? Would hate to come back to my bike and see the front wheel missing and my tube thrown up onto a lamp post like in San Francisco (saw a homeless person do this with my own eyes).

[baquero22]

stupid method... you can lock the rear wheel with the ulock too and move the front one and put all together using the same U-lock.... anyway you can use 20 U locks or those flexible bad locks... and your Pinarello would be gone by the time you come back... best way is keeping your nice bike always inside and getting an ugly/old bike to roll in the city and park it anywhere without fear.

[SamSatan666]

There is an easier method with out detaching your wheel. use the u lock is a good method, but buy a different chain as that he have but with out the number, there is one you can attach it to the u lock while it goes through your wheels.

[jinxpr00f]

an angle grinder would cut through the bars of that fence in less time than it took him to lock the bike up...

[scottharriger]

why didn't he use the rest of the length on the cable lock to lock BOTh wheels? Isn't that quick er than taking the wheel off and putting it back on?

[huyhuyhuytae]

Here in Montreal , Most of the bicycle get their seats stoled :S

[jazzx251]

I think stealing a bike should carry an automatic 4 years in prison (first offence). Then 365 days of community payback upon release. (Electronically tagged until the time is done).

PLUS - the criminal owes the victim 2000% victim payback.

So - a £300 bike costs the criminal £6000 which comes out of their bank account immediately - or out of their benefits until it's paid off.

Juveniles should get the 4 years in detention - their parents should do the victim payback.

[thecastman97]

@jazzx251 and my bike is worth ~$1,000 do, ho, ho, ho

[SoldierCyfix]

man.... am a MT biker, my bike is already packing pounds, a set of two locks if overkill

[nikeballin]

Doesn't matter...All u need are vice grips -___-

[pogodude101]

Today I turned into a statistic.

[jazzx251]

@pogodude101

Me also (sort of).

My bike broke on Tuesday - it was terminal. That old thing served me well, but it was time for something new.

I wheeled it home and left it unlocked at the opening to my driveway. It's a fairly quiet street for passers-by. The thing was unrideable.

It didn't even last until the end of the day. Somebody stole it - saving me a trip to the dump!.

[mpopo123]

lamo.... why don't u lock the front wheel and the frame with the U lock and lock the rear wheel with the snake lock.???!!!

[specialxkae]

if he's wrong, can someone tell the right way to lock a bike without anyone breaking the lock? I have a master lock U-lock and Chain.

[plebedeanaidd]

That u lock fucken sucks just use a pen to open it

[jazzx251]

@plebedeanaidd

Wrong sort of lock. Those ones used a funny circular affair.

They sucked - I found they had an annoying habit of seizing up, so you couldn't get the lock off and no locksmith would touch it, looking at you as if you were a criminal.

[WhiteWitchBmore]

Dude, WTF are u doing? I can fit my frame, rear wheel and front wheel all in the same U-lock simply by removing the front wheel and locking them together. Also, my bike is customized with my own creativity.

Keep this in mind: there are 2 kinds of thieves, the pros and the tweekers. A tweeker will try to steal any part they can get their claws on and a pro will find a way to cut ur lock without damaging anything and just take the whole bike, so personalizing your small parts helps too.

[jamesisbetter245]

bolt cutters and a pen will solve that problem

[SublimePsychedilics]

You can open the U-lock with a pen and cut the other with bolt cutters.

FAIL

[TheLeVanman]

u need a bike for this shit?!

[hawkejm]

I just ride a POS bike and leave it unlocked. Nobody seems to want it. I'm not sure he is a real bike rider anyways since all the cool guys where the serious looking spandex with all the logos. I'm like the only guy I know that just rides a bike in jeans.

[Funkyfreshjointz]

BOTH THESE LOCKS SUCK -- the Kryptonite D-Lock can be jacked by inserting a pen into the lock and twisting, while the cord can be snapped with bolt cutters.

He needs to lock the frame AND THE BACK WHEEL against the gate, and to have a better lock. He's almost got it, but he just needs to go a bit further.

[jezzce]

If you ride an expensive bike, every part of the bike worths a lot of money and can easily be taken off. Unless you put the bike in an enclosed box, you have no way of safely locking it up. My policy is never to leave the expensive bike out of my sight. If you have to commute with your bike, select an older bike, that you have to pay someone to take away. I have a 20 year old, use-to-be expensive bike, and I am very happy to properly lock it up and go into the mall to shop for a couple of hours.

[NeKoShinn666]

that ant ganna stop me from stealin the seat,bars,pedals,cranks and VAVLE CAPS SON!!!

[pawolNaxyi]

those locks are sh*t

[JimexJimex]

You've just locked your Pinarello to a PRIVATE PROPERTY STRUCTURE.

People in there can confiscate your bike.

Please, do your demo on a proper bike rack.

[EXTREMRAPIST]

very poor method

[JokerPokerUberSmoker]

lol he could have locked the back wheel with the frame to the fence with the U-lock and then lock the front wheel with the frame to the fence with the cable-lock ahahaha xD thats what i do...

[Bassman018]

you had room to put the back tire in the u lock too

[urkingod]

In Japan, there are Bike parking lot where you pay monthly for it to be taken care of by an employees, also they have computerized / security camera parking system all over the street.

[urkingod]

Look at the NOSY guy on the back ground pretend like he is talking on the phone. I hate that guy.

[boringgrass]

@urkingod lol yea

[keiran6]

where do you get these lokas from

[urkingod]

I like carrying along U-Lock, on the bike at all time. I am thinking of New York min or Evo mini version, which is better? Men they are over priced too ??

[huyhuyhuytae]

we all lock our bikes properly like u use a cable lock and a u lock and once tht ppl have done tht thing the bike seat is gone

[Ofor012]

Dude gets a B minus .. he didn't lock the friggin seat

[ChucoBabies]

@Ofor012 how do you lock a seat??

[Ofor012]

@ChucoBabies

Well, if it's the type of saddle I have, there's a couple places to run a short cable lock under the seat, through the part that connects to the seat post and around the bike frame -- that's the same type of saddle (seat) that is on the bike in this video ... If it's a good bike like the one featured here or what I have, the saddle can cost over $100 bucks and well worth securing.

[Typhoon10UK]

That U lock is of fail.

[NexusRebellion]

Use the U lock for the frame and the rear wheel, them just get a cable and wrap it around the front wheel and lock it up with the U lock. Then you just shed some weight on locks and you don't have to carry the wheel...

[Bulomehra]

Thx for the useful advice. My neighbor's cycle was stolen 6 times!

I had a fear that my 10 year old bicycle would be stolen. Thx again for video.More videos wanted

[millzmillie]

um... does anyone have any tips on how not to get kicked of a bike cos I can lock my bike pretty well but my greatest fear is getting getting kicked off... unfortunatey it happens quite often where I live =S

[localSickened]

@millzmillie carry a bat? aluminum one!!! well i think thats illegal so probably not a good idea, can people carry bats?

[blindcrackhead374]

@localSickened If its not concealed I don't see the problem just say you are going to go play baseball haha

[rvera1]

and what about the seat?

[slayerkid0196]

What a shame...that looks like a good bike too.

[rippleway123]

Does he say there's no bigger boner???

[soshimizu]

need captioning!



[Typhoon10UK]

3 errors with that video. 1. Use the D lock to go through the wheel. 2. Cable locks are a waste of time, they are so east to break. 3. That D lock has a cylindrical lock which can be easily unlocked with a pen.

You really need a 12mm+ strengthened chain with a very good padlock. Preferably 16mm with two strong padlocks for extra security.

[guardianista]

What a load of crap. You could've locked the rear wheel with that D-lock through the chain-stays.

Cable locks are rubbish. And that D-Lock looked like 10mm. Easy to break. Such poor advice.

Locking skewers would be worth a mention too.

[tmad40blue]

Is it just me or does the guy speaking look and sound like Greg Proops from Whose Line?

[domcho101]

I got lots of length to play with...

;)

[splitlenz]

Put the U-lock around frame and back wheel, use the cable lock to lock front wheel to frame and / or cable lock to secure the seat as well.

Taking the front wheel is good, but you forgot your seat. Secure the seat and front wheels! :D

[ohdaddy1219]

What about the seat, thieves steal them too.

[botchok5]

Hahah they should change the title "How NOT to lock up a bicycle".... Firstly, he should've included the rear when he used the U lock. Then used the cable one for the front wheel.

And he used a round key U lock which can be easily opened up with a Bic pen!

[vasgeorge]

you never locked the rear wheel to the bicycle frame as you said. , you idiot

[vasgeorge]

U locks can be opened with a pen ..

[xOCPx]

i got my bike :(

[CaneFu]

This guy is an idiot - watch the video again as he never locked the rear wheel to the bicycle frame as he said. Also, no one wants to carry their front wheel around the mall with them or into school!

Run the cable through both wheels and through the frame. The U-lock going around the post is sufficient because if a thief has the ability to cut the stronger U-lock they can easily cut the weaker cable too.

[gabrielito88]

this sucks, not very effective method...

[MCgrindz]

the strong lock suckks!

[robert8077]

I dont argee with u because an expensive bicycle will definitely get stolen or take it indoors or just take a cheap bike!!

[opticage]

Am I missing something or would all a thief need is some sharp bolt cutters to cut through the cable lock and get the rear wheel. He didn't put the cable through the frame.

[mightyPants]

Probably not the best idea how to demonstrate how to lock a pinarello bike in the streets, with a expensive bike like that people will literally remove anything they can get their hands on, either get a cheap bike or take it with you. If you leave a bike like that on the streets you are almost asking for it.

[chammpuzz]

man you are dumb..

[nandoGdog]

No need to take your bike apart, use the u-lock to secure the rear wheel through the rear triangle of the frame, and use the cable lock to secure the front wheel to the frame or nearby object. As far as your saddle goes you can remove the quick release and put in an allen head bolt.

[info2k8]

well theres ways to hack everytype of bike locks now such as Kryptonite-U's, dobermans, standard combination ones so you would need at least one of every different type of bike lock coz your theif might not know how to hack every type of bike lock

[disisbruno]

very useful info... thanks

[jerryXatrick]

Please, I urge you not to follow this method. If you put the D-lock around the frame, someone will try to use the frame itself as a lever. The lock won't break but the frame will be bent. If you leave your forks exposed they WILL get damaged. Look at 2:04 how carefully he places the handlebars onto the railing to stop the bike from falling over. Even an innocent passer-by could easily knock it off. Put the D-lock around the WHEEL RIM ONLY but make sure it's within the rear triangle of the frame

[michaelvandromme]

@jerryXatrick and notice he is using an awful lock i can open it with a pen!

[2ndAsstJizzMopper]

jerryXatrick, here's your and sheldon's big method debunked in 25 seconds:

H9fLtdZyX-A

[jerryXatrick]

@2ndAsstJizzMopper

Why would a thief want to ruin the back wheel of a bike? He won't be able to ride away and can't sell it without buying a new rear wheel and tyre. Rear wheels are a large part of the cost of a bike and stolen goods command cheap prices. It's not an economically viable option.

[2ndAsstJizzMopper]

jerryXatrick, a thief might want to ruin the back wheel of a bike for the same reason many thieves simply leave the back wheel behind if not locked through the triangle -- to get the rest of the bike.

"economically viable"! i'm laughing at you and your naive assessment of a $1,500 bicycle, less the rear wheel, for the cost of a hacksaw blade, no ethics, and some risk. relying upon thieves matching your version of viability is butt stupid. sheldon's assumption stinks.

[jreacher79]

@jerryXatrick Why would a thief want to damage the bike before he has stolen it? Using the frame of the bike is fine. 

[jerryXatrick]

If you value your bike, ignore this video. Most of his bike will still be there when he returns, but it won't be rideable (missing seat and rear wheel, bent frame, damaged forks). A scum-bag will kick it over just for a laugh. Never use a D-lock around the frame. Never leave room for crowbars. If you want to know how to do it properly visit Sheldon Brown's site. (Note to Bicycling Magazine - sack your editor or pull this video. On second thoughts do both!)

[LunaBunnies]

That's a U-lock.

[jerryXatrick]

U- lock / D-lock. Two names for the same thing. It depends on which way you look at it!

[thekudos]

I had my cable lock cut off my new Marin (1 day old) a few days ago but the Abus Granite U lock that was attached to the front wheel and the fact the wheels have security skewers prevented the thieve taking it. I have been cycling for years and usually just use the cable lock but I will think again from now on...I cannot trust cable locks anymore - there were three of them next to my bike so the thieve had obviously cut them off diff bikes and stole somebody elses

[Tektribe808]

removing the front wheel never thought of that!

Locks with insurance are worth investing in, since most locks can be defeated. I've also seen small alarms for bikes that either go on the bike itself, or incorporated in the pad lock that attaches to a chain

[CompGeekStudios]

there is only ONE 100% way to stop your bike from getting stolen, DONT OWN A BIKE!!!

Actually, make that TWO, kill everyone else on earth

[Luvanicebum]

Buy some PITLOCK skewers for your wheels and you won't have to carry around your wheels.

PITLOCK also sells a stem lock and seatpost lock.

Good stuff.

[shikakahh]

Don't do it like this.

Kyptonite locks are very easy to crack.

look it up on youtube!!!

[Robandall]

Thanks for not only advertising that fact but pointing potential thieves in the direction of a how to.

[LethalBoxM]

That was many years ago...they fixed that real quick haha.

[huxley309]

And yet he forgets to mention the seatpost and saddle and as already said he could of got all the wheels with that u lock.

Doesn't matter as those old kryptonite locks can be defeated with a biro, they had a mass recall years because of those rounded locks they used to use.

[PaperArrows899]

imho with the first U lock get the wheel in there too

[SophistAtheist]

thanks!

[Jmanmadness23]

You could just lock the front wheel too with the cable, or use a different axle (not quick release).

[123kensington]

can't u tell the different kinds of lock maby ????

[sw33tiexkiwi]

wow his wheels are cool..it can come off unlike mine..lols