Somewhere visible to street traffic is a good idea since thieves don't want to be seen stealing the bike. What you lock your bike to is as important as what you lock it with. If a thief can take the locked bike away, the lock won't do you any good. Street signs don't work because they can just take off the sign and slip your locked bike out off the top. Parking meters are the best, since they can't get the head off. Also, never leave you bike locked outside on the street overnight, as this would give the thief a lot of time to work on your lock, or strip the bike.
Unfortunately, not all locks are created equal, even if they look alike. Many of the locks on the market today can be snapped like a twig with the right tools because of design and the type of metal used in its construction. Likewise, a cable lock alone can be cut pretty easily.
The ABUS Sinus are the minimum lock that you will need if you are going to lock your bike in places like University or shopping centres. These locks are not cheap, starting at about $55, but they are worth it.
To prevent the theft of your wheels and seat, you will need a flexible cable or chain to attach to the U-lock. The advantage of the curly cable is that it can be quickly and easily coiled up and stored under the seat. To set up the curly cable:
- Feed one end of the curly cable through the saddle rails
- Pull the cable end through the eyelet of the other end.
- Pull the cable all the way through so that it closes the noose on the saddle rails.
Stretch the cable out and feed it through the spokes of the rear wheel.
Put the free cable end through the front wheel.
Stretch the cable out and feed it through the spokes of the front wheel.
Slip one end of the d lock through the eye of
the cable and lock the bike frame and cable to a
parking meter
Now your bike is properly locked. It is a good idea to double check
your U-lock to make sure you locked it in the closed rather than the open
position.