Locks and security
We stock locking solutions from ABUS Mobile Security, PitLock, and some special secret in-house tricks.
Ask us for advice on securing your bike. We're happy to talk with you about meeting your needs and budget.
Chain locks start as low as $25
U-locks start at $40
Folding locks start at $60
U-locks
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Folding locks
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Chain locks
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PitLock keeps your wheels and other components locked to your bicycle frame
Properly securing your bike is a function of the equipment and your strategy.
The three main types of bike locks are U-locks, folding locks, and chains. Each type of lock has its pros and cons:
U-locks are the most intuitive to identify and to use, as they've been around a long time. Two simple pieces, one U-shaped and one straight, disengage and engage, trapping your bike and an immovable object inside the loop. There's a large range of security levels and sizes available.
Folding locks secure your bike similarly to U-locks but store more compactly since they fold up like a folding ruler. Many come with a clip mount that allows efficient cartage on your bike. Like U-locks there are different levels of security and sizes available.
Chains are an old invention but bike-specific chains provide far higher security than the spool chains sold at hardware stores. Their proprietary metallurgy, protective fabric cover, and sophisticated lock mechanism make them very difficult to crack, but somewhat more cumbersome to transport. They come in different lengths and security levels, just like the styles above.
Axle and skewer locks keep your wheels locked to your bike frame. PitLock makes a variety of small devices that replace your stock wheel retention mechanism with a locking variety. Other brands offer similar devices but we have found the PitLock to be superior in just about every way; these are fairly difficult to crack even in a well-appointed repair shop environment. When used properly you can be assured that a thief will not be able to casually steal your wheels while your bike is locked up.
Strategy is crucial to keeping your bike yours. Remember that a determined thief is likely to liberate your bike from its mooring no matter how tough the lock, so follow these suggestions to make your bike look like it will put up more of a fight than the next nearest opportunity. Yes, it's sad someone else will likely get theirs stolen, and to them we offer the same advice.
High risk locations for bike theft seem to be garages, transit stations, busy commercial or mercantile areas, deserted areas like schools or manufacturing areas on weekends, and shared storage spaces like bike rooms. If you can carry two locks, perhaps one high security primary lock and a cheaper secondary one, it will make nearly twice the amount of work for a thief. That's a pretty good deterrent, especially if there's a more enticing nearby target.
Use the immediate environment to your advantage. Can you position your bike where you can easily see it most of the time it's locked up? Can you make it blend into the background of other bikes or keep it obstructed from easy view from the street or sidewalk? Can you engage the lock(s) in such a way as to make it physically awkward for someone to defeat them with portable power tools?
If possible, remove, secure, or effectively conceal attractive accessories and parts after you lock up your bike. Theft from bikes seems as common as theft of bikes. Lights, bags, quick-release fenders, expensive or trendy saddles (looking at you, Brooks of England), and even bells and racks are attractive items to thieves if the parts can be quickly removed. It's a lot less work to steal and toss a couple lights and a saddle into a backpack than a complete bike. We have a few inexpensive tricks we can employ to help you keep those items attached to your bike, or at least in your possession. Just ask!
Again, it's sad that we need to think so intently about how to keep wayward people from taking our beloved bikes but a little forethought and clear observation helps, and it makes us better advocates and teachers with our hard-earned knowledge.
The three main types of bike locks are U-locks, folding locks, and chains. Each type of lock has its pros and cons:
U-locks are the most intuitive to identify and to use, as they've been around a long time. Two simple pieces, one U-shaped and one straight, disengage and engage, trapping your bike and an immovable object inside the loop. There's a large range of security levels and sizes available.
Folding locks secure your bike similarly to U-locks but store more compactly since they fold up like a folding ruler. Many come with a clip mount that allows efficient cartage on your bike. Like U-locks there are different levels of security and sizes available.
Chains are an old invention but bike-specific chains provide far higher security than the spool chains sold at hardware stores. Their proprietary metallurgy, protective fabric cover, and sophisticated lock mechanism make them very difficult to crack, but somewhat more cumbersome to transport. They come in different lengths and security levels, just like the styles above.
Axle and skewer locks keep your wheels locked to your bike frame. PitLock makes a variety of small devices that replace your stock wheel retention mechanism with a locking variety. Other brands offer similar devices but we have found the PitLock to be superior in just about every way; these are fairly difficult to crack even in a well-appointed repair shop environment. When used properly you can be assured that a thief will not be able to casually steal your wheels while your bike is locked up.
Strategy is crucial to keeping your bike yours. Remember that a determined thief is likely to liberate your bike from its mooring no matter how tough the lock, so follow these suggestions to make your bike look like it will put up more of a fight than the next nearest opportunity. Yes, it's sad someone else will likely get theirs stolen, and to them we offer the same advice.
High risk locations for bike theft seem to be garages, transit stations, busy commercial or mercantile areas, deserted areas like schools or manufacturing areas on weekends, and shared storage spaces like bike rooms. If you can carry two locks, perhaps one high security primary lock and a cheaper secondary one, it will make nearly twice the amount of work for a thief. That's a pretty good deterrent, especially if there's a more enticing nearby target.
Use the immediate environment to your advantage. Can you position your bike where you can easily see it most of the time it's locked up? Can you make it blend into the background of other bikes or keep it obstructed from easy view from the street or sidewalk? Can you engage the lock(s) in such a way as to make it physically awkward for someone to defeat them with portable power tools?
If possible, remove, secure, or effectively conceal attractive accessories and parts after you lock up your bike. Theft from bikes seems as common as theft of bikes. Lights, bags, quick-release fenders, expensive or trendy saddles (looking at you, Brooks of England), and even bells and racks are attractive items to thieves if the parts can be quickly removed. It's a lot less work to steal and toss a couple lights and a saddle into a backpack than a complete bike. We have a few inexpensive tricks we can employ to help you keep those items attached to your bike, or at least in your possession. Just ask!
Again, it's sad that we need to think so intently about how to keep wayward people from taking our beloved bikes but a little forethought and clear observation helps, and it makes us better advocates and teachers with our hard-earned knowledge.