How many Bike Theft Saftey Precautions is to many?

[Penn42]

I live in a terrible area for bike theft.  The homeless population is huge, there are ample drug issues in parts of town, and there's a big state university in town.  Those are basically the three litmus tests for whether an area will have bike theft issues, haha.  We've got all three of them!  I've had two bike's stolen here before, both locked up.  One was a beater and didn't much matter; the other a nice Specialized mountain bike I got for a killer deal off CL.  It was in a locked shed in the backyard locked with a U-lock and Chain to a bike rack I mounted to the concrete pad the shed sat on...  I put it in there around lunch and it was gone come dinner time....

Anyway, those were long ago. 

My current bike is a Trek FX 7.0 I bought new in December 2014.  My employer at the time charged nearly $450 for an annual parking pass (for an employee!).  I said f*** that and used that money to buy a bike, which I rode for 18 months until I switched jobs.  I bike to work when I can now, which isn't every day because my workplace changes.  When I do ride my bike to work I normally have a place inside, safe from prying eyes, I can keep it. 

Finding MMM has inspired me to start riding around for errands and such more.  I bought a Kryponite lock and chain and some non-quick release skewers to lock it up with.  No issues yet, but I'm nervous every time.  I'm rarely leaving it for longer than 30 minutes, but I don't like it tbh.  I don't like it so much so I'm thinking of getting the Abus Granit 540 and double locking it in an effort to make it not worth someones time if they're just strolling by.  I understand any lock can be defeated with enough time and elbow grease, but I won't be leaving it for extended period of time and just want to make sure nobody could get at it quickly without some serious planning/forethought. 

If I get one that'll be about a total of 1/3 the cost of the bike (between the u locks) to keep it locked up.  Seems kinda crazy to me, but also seems cheaper than another nice bike would cost me...

What say you?

Lock mentioned above https://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=abus+540&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=178154069434&hvpos=1t1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=11238789086389621986&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9033026&hvtargid=aud-346396122458:kwd-38963960641&ref=pd_sl_5h616k2zut_e

[jac941]

That lock is overkill for that bike. It’s intended for much more expensive bikes. An Onguard Brute is only marginally easier to defeat and is a fraction of the cost. It would be a far more reasonable option for your use.

I do have that Abus lock and use it for my expensive ($2000+) bikes in my high theft area. It’s a nice lock. But an angle grinder will cut it just the same as the Brute. So I’m not sure that it was worth it even for my fancy expensive rigs.

[Penn42]

Thanks for the Onguard Brute rec.  Hadn't found that particular one.

[kissthesky]

I think double locking is smart in this situation. Whether you do it with that Abus lock or another lock is debatable. That Abus lock is one of the best locks available. It's likely overkill, but it's also peace of mind. A lock for half or a third of that price would also probably be fine.

Also you mention you already have a Kryponite lock - which one? According to their website if someone gets through their lock they will reimburse you (depending on the lock). https://www.kryptonitelock.com/en/customer-service/register-for-anti-theft.html - so combining that guarantee with a second lock would hopefully give you the confidence to use the bike for errands without worry.

[katscratch]

I use three locks - two for security, a regular U-lock and a mini U-lock, and then a cable just to be annoying (but also for the random time I can't find anything small enough for a U-lock, in which case I'll use them to lock the wheels). If I'm at a rack I'll lock up next to a Specialized or Trek (mine has no brand stickers but a cyclist would recognize the value). My goal is simply to make my bike less appealing than the bike next to mine for the average thief. A pro would get it if they wanted it.

My method is certainly overkill in most situations, but I'd rather have my car and all my electronics stolen than my bike.

I also keep my bike in my house. Thieves in my area have been organized and skilled and will hit 10 garages with power tools in just over an hour.

[BlueMR2]

I also keep my bike in my house. Thieves in my area have been organized and skilled and will hit 10 garages with power tools in just over an hour.

Wow, that's so crazy.  I can't even imagine having to live with that going on!  Around here many of my neighbors just lean their bikes up against the house and leave them, no locks at all.  Theft just doesn't happen.  Even over in the nearby business district the barber rides to work and just leaves the bike outside, leaning against the building, no locks or anything, and has been doing so for as long as I've been in the town.

[Penn42]

I think double locking is smart in this situation. Whether you do it with that Abus lock or another lock is debatable. That Abus lock is one of the best locks available. It's likely overkill, but it's also peace of mind. A lock for half or a third of that price would also probably be fine.

Also you mention you already have a Kryponite lock - which one? According to their website if someone gets through their lock they will reimburse you (depending on the lock). https://www.kryptonitelock.com/en/customer-service/register-for-anti-theft.html - so combining that guarantee with a second lock would hopefully give you the confidence to use the bike for errands without worry.

Kryptolok I think is the exact model.   I'm petty sure the reimbursement is available with it, but I'm skeptical they'd honor the offer and not slip out through some fine text loophole, ya know?   Is kryptonite known for actually following through?

[jac941]

Kryptolok I think is the exact model.   I'm petty sure the reimbursement is available with it, but I'm skeptical they'd honor the offer and not slip out through some fine text loophole, ya know?   Is kryptonite known for actually following through?

Those lock “insurance” programs are often impossible to collect on. Usually you have to produce the cut lock and it has to be within a year of buying the lock, etc. You're better off buying insurance .. or frankly self insuring for the cost of a new bike. Read the fine print before you buy in.

[Laserjet3051]

I also keep my bike in my house. Thieves in my area have been organized and skilled and will hit 10 garages with power tools in just over an hour.

Insane! Please let me know where you live as I NEVER want to live in such an area. If I were to awaken at 3am and find someone cutting into my garage with powertools I'd have no hesitation at shooting them dead on the spot. I'd claim they "came at me" in court.

[GuitarStv]

A determined thief can get through anything . . . but I figure that the odds are pretty good for you if you lock your bike properly with two or three separate locks.  Even if they're not the most indestructible locks in the world, each one is an extra chunk of effort that the thief is required to go through.

My approach has always been to use a mid range U-lock with a mid range cable lock in most low-mid crime rate areas.  If I was in a high crime area I'd add an additional mid-range U-lock and maybe a heavier chain lock.

[PoutineLover]

I love my kryptonite chain lock. Someone attempted to break it, I saw some damage so I emailed the company about it and they sent me a free replacement, without my even asking or being registered for their insurance thing. The original lock is probably still usable too, and I still have my bike. Excellent service. I've had pieces of my bike stolen or damaged (brakes, seat, etc.) but so far the kryptonite lock has prevented full theft. I always lock the frame and front wheel.

[BTDretire]

I told my bike theft story here earlier.
Long story short, my wife spotted my stolen bike, called me
and we chased the guy down, got the police and they took him to jail.
He got 4 days in jail, and a $450 fine.
I didn't hear from the prosecuter until it was all over.
I wasn't happy, the bike was only gone 5 hours but the
thief cut of my lock and chain, took off my mirror,
removed a bag I had on the handle bar, and removed a second
cupholder. I never got those back.

[FINate]

You've described Santa Cruz to a tee. We have a homeless tweaker population here like a locust zombie swarm - they roam through town at all hours stealing almost anything. They are often seen with multiple bikes in tow, operate bike chop shops in plain view, and walk around with huge bolt cutters and/or battery powered angle grinders. I live in a neighboring town with "good schools" and its own PD with ample time to patrol - they also give the homeless rides to Santa Cruz (ostensibly because that's where the services are).

In any case, my town generally has much less theft. But I still lock my electric cargo bike with a beefy chain/lock combo (https://www.amazon.com/Kryptonite-York-Fahgettaboudit-Bicycle-Chain/dp/B001SMUB7G?ref=ast_p_ep). It's heavy, but that doesn't much matter with electric assist. I use a chain because I often end up locking to trees or other awkward things because there are few bike racks in town.

When I ride to Santa Cruz I double lock (https://www.amazon.com/Kryptonite-New-U-Fahgettaboudit-Heavy-Bicycle/dp/B06XCMWW9H), in a public and visible area, and I don't leave it out of sight for very long. I figure it needs to be enough of a deterrent to move them onto an easier target, but always aware that they can also start stripping components off my locked frame/wheels.