What bike lock for the trails?

jimbo255

jimbo255

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Hi Guys,

I was wondering what you guys were using to secure your bikes for when you go to a pub or cafe? My insurance just says that it needs to be locked so theoretically I could get away with a £6 crapper but that is not my intention. So D Lock in a bag or a wearable?

Also I have a Thule Velo compact bike carrier. Do any of you lock it to the bar during transport?

Thanks
 
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The thing with locks is no matter how good they are, they'll rarely ever stop a determined thief. It boils down to where & when you leave a bike. Parking up at a country pub for a pint is not the same risk as leaving it outside a town centre 'Spoons for three hours.

I have in the past locked my bike outside a busy Sainsbury's only to lose the key, then had to buy a big set of bolt cutters to cut the lock in half while dozens of passing shoppers didn't bat an eyelid!

Any lock is better than no lock though, worth looking through sites like MBR & MBUK who regularly do decent group tests.

www.mbr.co.uk

Best bike locks, and top tips for avoiding bike theft - MBR

Rated: four of the best mountain bike locks. We’ve probably all suffered from scallywags stealing bikes, or know someone who has. Here's how to prevent it.
www.mbr.co.uk www.mbr.co.uk
 
We have Foldylock Compact, heavy but strong.

www.emtbforums.com

I'm thinking of getting a Foldylock Forever/ 90 - good idea?

I realised I need to get a bike lock for my Cube Reaction Hybrid Pro. It would mainly be for locking in a garage, locking at people's houses and locking in remote areas while taking photos or camping. I'd like something I can carry with me all the time on the bike - so I don't have to be...
www.emtbforums.com www.emtbforums.com

Edit: this is a Foldylock Compact on Mrs bike on Monday.

20250120_134511~2.jpg
 
Last edited:
The EMF said:
It never leaves my sight !!
Click to expand...
I agree but even popping in to the bike shop at peaslake for 5 min is too long. I was thinking one of the liteloks or hiplok around the waist but the Onguard locks look good value and as long as I have it locked I'm not bothered. I'd rather upgrade my lights to Exposure or Magicshine!
 
I use a one-metre wire cable with a combination lock. It is designed to secure helmets and bags to your bike, or even as a suitcase lock. I would not trust it for more than five mins, but when you absolutely have to leave the bike, it's much better than nothing. One day, five of us parked up at a pub and four of us had the same type of lock, so we interwove the cables through the bikes, sometimes connecting one cable into a different lock. The guy without a lock had his bike in the middle.

Very light, very cheap, quick and easy to use. But only for short stays. All it has to be is enough to make the thief go elsewhere, or spend more time than they want.

Google "Retractable cable lock" and see what you get. I just did this and found one by ABUS from Amazon for £9.85

Edit: Hmm Amazon links don't show up.
The ABUS lock is the

ABUS Combiflex 2503 cable lock​

 
Thanks guys, I went with the basic £30 hiplock that is wearable as for a family ride I can just wear it and when on the trails it fits my backpack easily.
 
The limbo between light weight / easy carry and security level.

I had the same question but did not find the answer yet. Aim is to prevent quick take away by someone carrying a multitool like a Lestherman while in a bakery or on the trail. Maybe „spontaneous steal“ is the english saying? This goes with the likelyhood such guy is passing by while I left my bike. No doubt there is no chance if a bicycle thief with the right tools in his backpack passes by and takes the chance for a quick take away.

The Abus 2503 is light but with a thin cable that might be cut by a Leatherman tool, I do believe.

There are also Abus cable locks:
Combilfex Adventure, it has a 4mm cable:

Combiflex Travelguard:

Not being convinced I ended up looking at various test and locks. But the more secure the heavier & bulky. Need to go on a diet…….😂
 
Arminius said:
But 1.3kgs, what I do not want on bike or dancing in my daypack while on tour.
Click to expand...
Agree 100% with that... I'm still working on a way to strap it into my backpack so it doesn't move/jump around too much. Cheers!
 
steve_sordy said:
I use a one-metre wire cable with a combination lock. It is designed to secure helmets and bags to your bike, or even as a suitcase lock. I would not trust it for more than five mins, but when you absolutely have to leave the bike, it's much better than nothing. One day, five of us parked up at a pub and four of us had the same type of lock, so we interwove the cables through the bikes, sometimes connecting one cable into a different lock. The guy without a lock had his bike in the middle.

Very light, very cheap, quick and easy to use. But only for short stays. All it has to be is enough to make the thief go elsewhere, or spend more time than they want.

Google "Retractable cable lock" and see what you get. I just did this and found one by ABUS from Amazon for £9.85

Edit: Hmm Amazon links don't show up.
The ABUS lock is the

ABUS Combiflex 2503 cable lock​

Click to expand...
Dont let it out of my sight - but if necessary (comfort break, etc.) then I use the same type of cable lock x 2. I also use them if bike stored in a hotel bike shed or secured on the bike rack if hotel doesn't have secure shed.
 
kla456 said:
Dont let it out of my sight - but if necessary (comfort break, etc.) then I use the same type of cable lock x 2. I also use them if bike stored in a hotel bike shed or secured on the bike rack if hotel doesn't have secure shed.
Click to expand...
Ditto with the sight comment.
If I'm going to a hotel, B&B etc, then my full-on Kryptonite New York Noose and combination lock goes with me (in the car). I'll use that to secure the bike to something solid, if I can't it goes in the car.
Plus my 1.5m 1/2" thick nylon covered braided steel wire cable. That secures the fork to the bike and/or anything solid.
 
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