@@eddygci8 I don't think it matter which cable lock you buy too much because they all can be snipped in a few seconds. It's just recommended that you use it for the other wheel that didn't get locked with your U-Lock. The relative low value of the front wheel combined with the thief needing to bring a pair of cable cutters is pretty effective at protecting your bike, as long as you don't leave your bike overnight.
@@daisydaisy2104 As a viewer, I don't care how challenging it was to find it or to set up the scene. I care about the final effect. And having all of them in one street was spectacularly cool.
@@daisydaisy2104 I was amazed by that shot. But then again I live in Sweden in a town of 15k people, still someone i know gets a bike stolen almost every week 🤷
@@Kufunninapuh Bike theft is a thing because the cops do not care. The thieves know this and act with impunity. People are afraid to confront thieves too.
The golden rule is to add time to any theft attempt. The reality is if they want it bad enough they'll have the tools to remove it, but if it takes time to cut through a combination of locks any thief will move on to an easier target.
Have two visible locks. Any professional thief will immediately look for another target because he knows there might be more trouble he's not seeing from across the street (such as that seat securing chain). Total game changer!
@@fahrradmittelfranken8207 chain securing the seat he didn't show us how he hero's it there. I'm assuming bolt croppers would probably get into that. I'm looking at hexlocks to secure accessories
This was great! Open streets has been a bit of a blessing in NY for bike lockups. I always try to find a busy cafe or restaurant with people sitting outside and lockup as close as possible. Thieves rarely steal when people are around. Also NEVER leave your bike locked up overnight outside in NYC.
Ive been riding fixed daily to work/pub/market in seoul south korea for over 2 years. I dont lock my bike. I literally drop the thing anywhere sometimes even overnight. They dont steal! Its magical!!
Another good technique if you have quick release wheels is to take out the front wheel and lock it together with the frame and back wheel using a u lock
@@ro63rto ya they certainly don't care about noise lol. it's not like if anyone hears or sees someone grinding a lock away they're going to stop them and police aren't going to care much. they'll have the bike stolen asap if they really want it, so at best you can only make it more inconvenient. an alarm is a ridiculous idea
I live in a medium sized town ( 350 K ) an hour outside of Tokyo, Japan. For more than two years, I left my bicycle completely unlocked everywhere I go, hoping that someone will take it, because I needed an excuse to get a new bicycle. No such luck ... In fact, one night, it was taken from a spot in front of the station, but it was returned to the same spot, the next morning. There is also absolutely no litter and no graffitti, anywhere on the streets. It is not the locks that need improvement, it is the attitude of people that needs adjustment.
In Japan if you get a job it's nearly impossible to be fired. In the US, exploitation and financial instability have been institutionalized. The attitudes that need to be adjusted are those who defend the way we do business, like right to work laws. The name of the law is literally deceptive, it should be "right to put you on food stamps for any reason or no reason at all."
For protecting wheels, seats, and other components, I would recommend the German made HexLox. They fit into where your Allen key goes into a hex bolt. It blocks someone from using a tool to loosen the hex bolt. They are not cheap, but work very well. For high risk areas, I would suggest using 2 locks rated Gold or Diamond by Sold Secure (British testing company). They basically go from Bronze (least secure), Silver, Gold, and Diamond (most secure). Of course never use cable locks, unless you want an excuse to buy a new bike... 🚴♂️
Fire. I know this was high effort but I love this type of content. Didn't even learn anything new but it was enjoyable AF lol. Wonder who the bleeped-out sponsor was at the end...Vice?
I must confess that from the beginning of the video I was thinking of the Brompton solution, which is the one I've been using for years. So you can imagine my big smile at the end when I saw you come up with one. The best anti-theft solution ever!
@@TerryB my neighbor rides one and loves it, but had many issues with it in the beginning. probably just ordered it without setup. i don't think it's a brompton though. it has a belt drive iirc. i forgot the brand name. same folding principle as a brompton, but a bit more futuristic.
Won’t ever cycle in NY (live in the Netherlands) but this is probably the best informational video I’ve seen all year. Love the tune in the background, great editing and the presenting is effortless and on point! New sub gained!
Great information! Thank you. Lived in New York (City) for over 10 years. Thankfully, didn't lose a bike even though I would lock it up outside overnight in the East Village. Rode it pretty much every single day. The weather did beat it up pretty badly, though, so I would find a way to take it in at night going forward. Used an expensive U-lock and heavy chain, linking frame and wheels. Also used the seat-bike chain-inner tube trick! Yes, the chain lock was a bit heavy, but it made my legs stronger. My pedals were stolen once in midtown, though. :)
Know your bike's serial number. That way, if your bike is stolen, you can file a police report and prove it belongs to you. Also, be careful about locking to a street sign, because they can remove the sign and lift your bike off the pole. That actually happened to my friend once. I've seen several of those Orange Kryptonite locks recently cut on my local stolen bike group. I might have to upgrade to the Yellow one.
Bro u have absolutely no idea how easy it is to cut through any loco with the right tools. The yellow one would just add about 30 second more to the cutting time... all u need is the right grinder technique and anything melts like butter. U can lock it up however u want it only takes about 120 seconds max for me to go through your lock. I save old abandoned bikes from the streets. Those yellow kryptpnite locks aren't that much better. The worst ones are the bell locks those melt instantly lmao kryptonite locks melt a little slower but they melt regardless.
Bike serial numbers - here in southern Ireland every house address has a unique postal code (eircode), every few months the local police station advertise open days where they stamp/engrave the eircode number to the frame...makes recovery easier when a bike is 'half inched'
Absolutely right. I never fasten. My bike is always with me. In the store, in the barbershop, at work, in the clinic. Good thing it folds in 2 seconds. That is why I chose Strida.
I just visited NYC for the first time. I went up there to ride because of your hotline videos. It was an amazing trip, bombing broadway felt a little surreal. Thanks Terry.
I had a $220 Schwinn in front of my New Orleans Hotel with U-Lock + chain. I got 16 months out of it. The nearby smoking area probably helped. When the rear wheel was finally stolen, I smiled and just took off the other lock. Still cheaper than Soulcycle. 😁
Locking your back wheel and your frame does take up volume of the lock (limiting leverage attacks) but those little u-locks are designed to be locked just around the back wheel, but inside of the rear triangle. It isn't intuitive, but that way you don't have to set the lock at "just the right angle", and your frame is effectively locked. And there is enough room if you want to remove and set your front wheel next to it inside the lock shackle. Just make sure the lock is inside the area bordered by your chain- and seat-stays, and your seat tube. Try it, you'll see.
Another one is if you have an allen key seatclamp and not a quick release one you can superglue a ball bearing in there so you cant get an allen key in there to loosen it. Works for stem bolts too
When I was in London we would super glue ball bearings into hex bolts. Nail polish remover gets them out when you need. Two different locks like the D lock and a cable is handy as (I was told) thieves tend to carry one tool to break a specific type of lock. Now I'm in Finland and locking bikes is so much less stress. So long as there's a lock you're good.
@@buckofazoo Hexlox are a good option for all the little bits and pieces like seat clamps and seat posts. I even got thru axles that work with hex wrenches (replacing the ones with handles that came with my bike) so that I can use Hexlox on my wheels also, so there's no need to carry a separate lock to keep someone from stealing a wheel (which honestly doesn't even seem to be a thing anymore, thieves just cut locks with angle grinders instead).
To prevent the wheels being stolen I replaced the quick releases with locking skewers. They come with a special key wrench to remove the wheel. Also have a locking seat post clamp that also comes with a special key wrench. Not 100% secure but will deter an opportunist thief. These parts were quite cheap.
Preach my friend! If you can take your front wheel off, you can get it in with the back wheel in a 9" U-lock. Just go around the rear wheel in the rear A-frame without the seat tube.
Love the chain idea on the seat and the hose clamp for the quick release. I don’t commute via bike as I live in a community that’s not bike friendly so it’s cool to see the attention to detail.
Awesome video! After my nice bike was stolen in Miami (with a lock) after I left it alone for 15 minutes, no good bike of mine leaves my sight in a city anymore. I will bring it inside, wheel it around a store, or lock it up where I can see it at a cafe or restaurant.
Great video! Pro tip: You don’t even need to lock the frame -- as long as you lock the back wheel to something, INSIDE the frame, it will have the same effect. This is sometimes useful, like when the object you’re locking to requires a few extra inches of your U-lock.
YES! THANK YOU! I just mentioned that in my comment as well, something that needs to be more spread within the cyclist community as it is essentially better because you can use a smaller lock which is safer having the same security effect. Like an ABUS Granite Plus 640 in 6" instead of the 9" version for example.
Never do this. Someone who doesn't realize how this works will come alone, unbolt your wheel from your frame, and then kick / thrash your frame around trying to get your bike free. Bending and permanently destroying both your frame and your wheel.
@@BeaverTerror I've always locked my hybrid bike using the seat stays, to fill the gap so a bottle jack could not be used! I've caught someone twice having a look, I didn't alert them but just watched them from a distance! A 3rd time look like there was an attempt on the lock, the shackle has a small dent in it. I still have the bike, this was years ago. But I've just gotten more locks and registered it with a bike scheme so there's visible stickers on it. The tubing on my hybrid bike is very thick and heavy they couldn't bend it by hand without some sort of large tool. I'm going to look at hex locks too. I would expect them to go for the more modern desirable bikes, yes my bike is unique looking styling but it was cheap I got it in a sale so its not as expensive as it may look.
I'm in Nova Scotia , Canada and this is what I did. 1 kryptonite cable,the long one and three quality sleeve theft proof locks. If i had 6 locks and two cable i would have used them as 30 pounds in a backpack on a bike was normal for me , even on the trails.i know there is no such thing as a sleeve theft proof lock yet three good locks with the cable tight and around certain needed areas means that it is harder and it takes much longer for a thief to steal the bike. Lock it in front of a bank,jewelry store and/or any place that you can confirm that has cameras or near a place that does pointing in that area. if someone wants the bike they gonna get it. Best to slow them down as much as possible for witnesses and cameras.
There is also the possibility to use hex keys or similar for the saddle/wheels so stealing them will be a lot harder and only possible with the specific tools and not a simple wrench or Allen key.
Worth mentioning, you can actually just lock the rear wheel through the rear triangle and you don't have to go around the frame too, the wheel can be unbolted but it can't be removed, and the frame can't be removed with the lock going through the rear triangle.
This is like how to secure your bike in the year 2010. All the way in the year 2021 we have security skewers, security seat clamps and security bolts for anything bolted onto the bike.
Bike chain locking bike seat is freaking great! I used to use a small braided cable and loop it through the seat and then a padlock to lock to my chain which was locked by my 2 u-locks. Great video!
YES! Brompton! Just got one a couple of months ago. I don’t even bring a lock with me any more. Ride it to work and take it inside and fold it up and put it in a corner away from everyone. I’ve taken it into a few businesses so far, but not many (not going to to many places because of the pandemic). A little worried I might be rejected from some place and then not able to lock it up (but wouldn’t want to under any circumstances anyway), but so far so good. Also, because they are expensive, I am a little worried about having it taken from me by muggers, either right on the street or while carrying it onto public transportation. We’ll see.
Long time NYC bike commuter here, EV to Midtown mainly, but ride everywhere and will leave my ~$600 fixed gear out overnight. If you use a u-lock make sure it locks on both sides of the U. That orange one you have only locks one side and can be popped with a crowbar. I've had bike locks ruined from crowbars, but never popped and bike never stolen. A good U- lock around the front wheel, frame and good pole hasn't failed me. Personally I use the expensive, but dependable ABUS Bordo XPlus as it gives me a little more flexibility to fit around the aforementioned.
Great advice, speaking as someone who's had a bike ripped off in NYC (and several in CT). One topic not covered is that NYs take it for that as a rider you'll keep your bike INSIDE at night. Not always possible (how many stairs do you want to climb with a loaded touring bike?) As for u-locks - they work. One attempted theft in New Haven wanted to steal my bike, but the lock held. They destroyed my bike (scrap), but the lock held.
Saddle is indeed important. I’ve never had a bike stolen, but once the saddle and once the rear wheel (back then I only used to secure the front wheel because I assumed dismounting the rear wheel was too cumbersome).
In my experience the most important aspect to keeping your bike safe isn't the locks, it's the time and and location aspect. Don't leave your bike out on the street over night. Don't leave it parked outside for more than a few hours. It all depends a lot on the specific spot and neighborhood where you park it, at what time you park it, and for how long. How likely it is that a potential thief may walk by and consider it safe to attempt stealing something? (How busy is the area? oddly, in my experience, more busy is more dangerous - unless it's constantly completely packed, like in a nightlife district)
The hole in my quick-release lever lines up perfectly with the disc brake mounting hole on the fork, so I can slide a small padlock through there and have it locked even while riding.
Also a good idea to set a good example for kids. But I dig the person's logic where we all take risks in life and precautions are sometimes more effective in helping your cause.
i got pitlocks which means i can lock around the top tube and stay further from the ground (harder to brace those big ass bolt cutters that will go through everything against it)
I always found that two u locks and a cable were the best. Get a backpack and use a long cable and the u locks to do both wheels and frame to anything that will hold the entire bike down. Use star lugs to lock in the wheels and saddle. It’s always harder for them.
Short story: Get a proper Ulock, I use an Abus Mini ulock with dual bolt feature (requires 2 cuts to open/ 2x the time required for a thief) If your bike has Quick Release at the wheels or seatpost REPLACE them with more secure options .
Sometimes street sign posts have been damaged or replaced. In that event, the sign post may have been cut down close to the ground to avoid the work of a full replacement, and the replacement post is simply bolted to the old post near the ground. No matter how thorough your locking solution, a thief could simply unbolt the sign post and take you whole bike. BE SURE TO CHECK!
That why I prefer foldable bicycle for my daily commuting so I can fold and secure both the wheels and frame using chain and cable lock along with some sensor devices which make noise on any movement on bike :)
Added tip. If your bike is in an area where people try to steal parts make sure you tighten things up or you can get in a wreck from loose handle bars for example.
That's the good thing you teached about bike locking really want this lesson in India keeping the bike safe is also hard task it is only safe while you are riding on otherwise it will be disappear if you make your eyes off from your bike thank you again
Have quick release levers on the wheels, so you can remove the front wheel and lock it up against the frame next the back wheel when you U-Lock everything up. Also, if you have a quick release seat post clamp, use it and take your post/saddle. A little Saran wrap in your backpack to put on your greasy post and into the pack it goes.. or get a bolt on seat post clamp. Find the proper thread and length torx bolt to replace the standard hex bolt. Most thieves will not have torx head tools. Great vid overall. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
The first method shown at about 04:50 in the "How to Lock" section won't work for all combinations of bike geometry, sign post shape, and lock dimensions. A lot of bikes that can't be locked that way can be locked with just the rear wheel captured by the U-lock, which effectively captures the frame as well. I'm surprised that wasn't included somewhere in this video.
Great tips! Another tip...and I know it's obvious, but never leave your bike overnight outside. Locked or unlocked all your parts will be gone. Also if you ride your bike and lock it up a lot just have a sleeper bike that's fun and people won't want to steal.
Great video. Do you think you could share the name of that backpack with me or you like it? I have a similar one but it’s getting old and some internal seams are coming apart.
I live in Warsaw, Poland. I have 40 yo Releigh. I havent secured it for 2 years and i leave it every day under my workplace. Cheers and come to Poland 😊
You guys might need some of the dutch bike locks, which lock your back wheel to your frame. Then you can use a simple lock to lock the front of the frame and front wheel to something anchored
Good info, thanks. The street sign is not the best choice, or the scaffolding. Also check the street bar bike lock setup very good before locking your bike as it can be good enough for someone to give a slight to medium tug only for you to find out it was there to fool you by a bike thief.
Be careful of the bike hoops shops or even Dr surgeries install A lot of the ones near me (London) are bolted to the anchor points they've cemented into the ground BUT the bolts are not security ones and are above ground. Only use the ones that are fully embedded into cement and check that a small section hasn't been cut out and placed back often with a decal to hide the cut.
Pro Tip from Germany: You can buy the Pitlock (r) System and secure your Wheels and Seat-Post. I hope you can get it also overseas. My girlfriend has this system because she can only lock her bike at the wheels. Burglars tried to steal the bike but only damaged the front wheel.
the advices are top notch, but the reality of the situation is pretty sad if people don't care about what's not theirs to take, I don't want to imagine how the NY traffic could be for a cyclist
I’d highly reccomend something like the kryptonite keeper or some type of lock like that. Kryptonite is the best lock brand I have found in the bike lock market. They use a magnesium steel alloy that gets harder when heated or attempted to be cut. Also they use a square link chain instead of a circle link which makes it harder for thieves to get a firm grip and clean cut on. Also the outside material on the bike lock chain is flammable and melts into like a goop that just makes it even harder and more ridiculous. They could get through it with an angle grinder and a couple diamond blades but I don’t know many people who carry that around on them at all times. And it’d take at least 30 min of pure loudness and obviousness hopefully someone would report all the sparks flying and noise
A few more tips and expounding on some you offered: 1. Never Ever lock your bike up overnight. No matter how many locks you use. If thieves won't get to it, the elements will and you'll have a rusted and downtrodden quality bike in no time. 2. Using a cable lock is only ever acceptable as an ADDITION or SUPPLEMENT to a sturdy U-Lock or Chain Lock if you have the energy to carry one around. 3. Contrary to popular belief, locking up your bike in a dark alley or out of sight only helps potential bike thieves. Better is to lock in broad daylight out in the open and preferably in the eyes of many passerby or diners. This is certain to dissuade scrupulous thieves. 4. Be mindful of the space your bike takes up and that it doesn't have a wheel jut out into a street. I've seen many a bike wheel be bent all out of place by parallel parkers and the like.
For legal reasons I’ve SEEN people take bikes locked up outside restaurants or in highly trafficked areas with a hacksaw or angle grinder, nobody cares, especially the nypd, so you’ll probably have to stop someone stealing a/your bike yourself and that sounds like a hell of a time for someone who uses the word scrupulous
Can you link the locks used in the description?
Locks used in video (I get a small cut when you purchase items through these amazon links)
U lock: amzn.to/3nAnP2h
chain: amzn.to/3EFDQen
@@TerryB what was the pike at the end that he folded up??
@@grey.7828 Brompton!
@@TerryB what about the cable lock?
@@eddygci8 I don't think it matter which cable lock you buy too much because they all can be snipped in a few seconds. It's just recommended that you use it for the other wheel that didn't get locked with your U-Lock. The relative low value of the front wheel combined with the thief needing to bring a pair of cable cutters is pretty effective at protecting your bike, as long as you don't leave your bike overnight.
Step One:
Find a suitable place to lock your bike up.
Step Two: Remove the Rottweiler from your back pack and place it CAREFULLY next to bicycle.
You want to stop the thief, not have it licked by a friendly puppy while they steal your bike
@@firstname405 Thats more like Pitbull. Working line Rotties do indeed have that awesome natural guarding instinct, same as working line GSDs or Mals.
@@cashews1000 pitbulls are even worse in the licking dept.. depends how you raise them i guess.
Step 1: Stay the hell out of NYC
What if they steal ur dog?😂
The tree-planter-scaffold shot is incredible. It’s the little things that make Terry B the best cycling-centric filmmaker on UA-cam.
I can’t imagine it was too hard to find. A sidewalk with all of those in NY, but that was a golden scene right there
@@daisydaisy2104 As a viewer, I don't care how challenging it was to find it or to set up the scene. I care about the final effect. And having all of them in one street was spectacularly cool.
@@daisydaisy2104 I was amazed by that shot. But then again I live in Sweden in a town of 15k people, still someone i know gets a bike stolen almost every week 🤷
@@Kufunninapuh Bike theft is a thing because the cops do not care. The thieves know this and act with impunity. People are afraid to confront thieves too.
I apologize, I have an untrained eye. What was so unique about that shot? Was it because it was all done in one shot?
The golden rule is to add time to any theft attempt. The reality is if they want it bad enough they'll have the tools to remove it, but if it takes time to cut through a combination of locks any thief will move on to an easier target.
Have two visible locks. Any professional thief will immediately look for another target because he knows there might be more trouble he's not seeing from across the street (such as that seat securing chain). Total game changer!
Better idea is to move out of places where the thieves will slash your tires if they can’t get your bike.
@@Rakusan2 Jesus Christ, get off your high horse.
Agree need multiple locks to slow them down
@@fahrradmittelfranken8207 chain securing the seat he didn't show us how he hero's it there. I'm assuming bolt croppers would probably get into that. I'm looking at hexlocks to secure accessories
This was great!
Open streets has been a bit of a blessing in NY for bike lockups. I always try to find a busy cafe or restaurant with people sitting outside and lockup as close as possible. Thieves rarely steal when people are around. Also NEVER leave your bike locked up overnight outside in NYC.
Totally agree!
Had a bike stolen outside Brooklyn public library at grand army plaza. They left a wheel.... and it was busy over there
@@holdthisl4469 that means it was too busy for anybody to notice. They must have thought it's the owner or something
@@holdthisl4469 What did you lock it with and to what?
agree to disagree. the more people, the less they care. people have died in the street that way.
Ive been riding fixed daily to work/pub/market in seoul south korea for over 2 years. I dont lock my bike. I literally drop the thing anywhere sometimes even overnight. They dont steal! Its magical!!
USA, land of the oppressed and the slave
Educated society. Not to be found in the Western world.
@@hamster-j9d wow no Americans there!
I wouldn’t take any chances regardless 😂
Another good technique if you have quick release wheels is to take out the front wheel and lock it together with the frame and back wheel using a u lock
Really smart!
It also makes it look like someone already stole your tire! At a quick glance
@captainscentsible3938
So, a thief doesn't like loud noises BUT they use an angle grinder to cut chains and U-Lock? 🤦
Oo thank you!
@@ro63rto ya they certainly don't care about noise lol. it's not like if anyone hears or sees someone grinding a lock away they're going to stop them and police aren't going to care much. they'll have the bike stolen asap if they really want it, so at best you can only make it more inconvenient. an alarm is a ridiculous idea
I live in a medium sized town ( 350 K ) an hour outside of Tokyo, Japan. For more than two years, I left my bicycle completely unlocked everywhere I go, hoping that someone will take it, because I needed an excuse to get a new bicycle. No such luck ...
In fact, one night, it was taken from a spot in front of the station, but it was returned to the same spot, the next morning. There is also absolutely no litter and no graffitti, anywhere on the streets. It is not the locks that need improvement, it is the attitude of people that needs adjustment.
In Japan if you get a job it's nearly impossible to be fired.
In the US, exploitation and financial instability have been institutionalized. The attitudes that need to be adjusted are those who defend the way we do business, like right to work laws.
The name of the law is literally deceptive, it should be "right to put you on food stamps for any reason or no reason at all."
Lmaoooo the thief couldn't live with himself after stealing your bike 😅😅
"Diversity is our strength", meanwhile non-diverse countries ^
@@Aka.Aka. fuck man he probably took the wrong bike lmao
@@TrilliumGrandiflorum480okay fascist
after years of being entertained by the BikeSnob NYC blog I finally get to hear his actual voice. Thank you Terry!
For protecting wheels, seats, and other components, I would recommend the German made HexLox. They fit into where your Allen key goes into a hex bolt. It blocks someone from using a tool to loosen the hex bolt. They are not cheap, but work very well.
For high risk areas, I would suggest using 2 locks rated Gold or Diamond by Sold Secure (British testing company). They basically go from Bronze (least secure), Silver, Gold, and Diamond (most secure). Of course never use cable locks, unless you want an excuse to buy a new bike... 🚴♂️
Thank you for the useful recommendation! I will check sold secure out :D
Fire. I know this was high effort but I love this type of content. Didn't even learn anything new but it was enjoyable AF lol. Wonder who the bleeped-out sponsor was at the end...Vice?
appreciate you watching Eben keeps it entertaining.
prolly preem
I thought he said "fuck you" in the end.... dunno, maybe I watched to many american movies
Ditto
Here here! 👍
it can be shown in school, well illustrated and clear
share with your classmates
I must confess that from the beginning of the video I was thinking of the Brompton solution, which is the one I've been using for years. So you can imagine my big smile at the end when I saw you come up with one. The best anti-theft solution ever!
Brompton is where it’s at for me. Best bike is the one you have with you, and it got me back on a bike
never ridden one but interested
@@TerryB my neighbor rides one and loves it, but had many issues with it in the beginning. probably just ordered it without setup. i don't think it's a brompton though. it has a belt drive iirc. i forgot the brand name. same folding principle as a brompton, but a bit more futuristic.
@@TerryB they seem like quality bikes. a riding acquaintance of mine road the GAP (East to West) on a Brompton this past Summer.
Won’t ever cycle in NY (live in the Netherlands) but this is probably the best informational video I’ve seen all year.
Love the tune in the background, great editing and the presenting is effortless and on point! New sub gained!
>live in the netherlands.
Show off.
Great information! Thank you. Lived in New York (City) for over 10 years. Thankfully, didn't lose a bike even though I would lock it up outside overnight in the East Village. Rode it pretty much every single day. The weather did beat it up pretty badly, though, so I would find a way to take it in at night going forward. Used an expensive U-lock and heavy chain, linking frame and wheels. Also used the seat-bike chain-inner tube trick! Yes, the chain lock was a bit heavy, but it made my legs stronger. My pedals were stolen once in midtown, though. :)
Videos like this being necessary is why I got the hell out of the city.
People will steal your stuff in suburbia too. It’s a US thing. You aren’t safe anywhere
Yeah, I grew up and grew out of it, leaving was the single best decision i've made in my life
Bro this is so good. I love how we speak of the city as its own character in the book.
Know your bike's serial number. That way, if your bike is stolen, you can file a police report and prove it belongs to you. Also, be careful about locking to a street sign, because they can remove the sign and lift your bike off the pole. That actually happened to my friend once. I've seen several of those Orange Kryptonite locks recently cut on my local stolen bike group. I might have to upgrade to the Yellow one.
also great info. NYC police don't do much when recovering bikes :(
Bro u have absolutely no idea how easy it is to cut through any loco with the right tools. The yellow one would just add about 30 second more to the cutting time... all u need is the right grinder technique and anything melts like butter. U can lock it up however u want it only takes about 120 seconds max for me to go through your lock. I save old abandoned bikes from the streets. Those yellow kryptpnite locks aren't that much better. The worst ones are the bell locks those melt instantly lmao kryptonite locks melt a little slower but they melt regardless.
Bike serial numbers - here in southern Ireland every house address has a unique postal code (eircode), every few months the local police station advertise open days where they stamp/engrave the eircode number to the frame...makes recovery easier when a bike is 'half inched'
Police won't do a damn thing! Haha
In France we have a lot of stolen... 😏
Absolutely right. I never fasten. My bike is always with me. In the store, in the barbershop, at work, in the clinic. Good thing it folds in 2 seconds. That is why I chose Strida.
I just visited NYC for the first time. I went up there to ride because of your hotline videos. It was an amazing trip, bombing broadway felt a little surreal. Thanks Terry.
Hope you had a great time
I had a $220 Schwinn in front of my New Orleans Hotel with U-Lock + chain. I got 16 months out of it. The nearby smoking area probably helped. When the rear wheel was finally stolen, I smiled and just took off the other lock. Still cheaper than Soulcycle. 😁
Locking your back wheel and your frame does take up volume of the lock (limiting leverage attacks) but those little u-locks are designed to be locked just around the back wheel, but inside of the rear triangle. It isn't intuitive, but that way you don't have to set the lock at "just the right angle", and your frame is effectively locked. And there is enough room if you want to remove and set your front wheel next to it inside the lock shackle. Just make sure the lock is inside the area bordered by your chain- and seat-stays, and your seat tube. Try it, you'll see.
I see what you mean!! That's a great tip
Loved the seat lock idea.
the city standard. I've seen someone cutting a chain once in SF
Another one is if you have an allen key seatclamp and not a quick release one you can superglue a ball bearing in there so you cant get an allen key in there to loosen it. Works for stem bolts too
@@htdtr what do you do if you need to readjust the bolt
@@flawless7019 Acetone and high heat.
@@kyle8952 Great for on the road
This video is GOLDEN and I could see it being used for many years to come! Love the comedy also!
thanks Zen
When I was in London we would super glue ball bearings into hex bolts. Nail polish remover gets them out when you need.
Two different locks like the D lock and a cable is handy as (I was told) thieves tend to carry one tool to break a specific type of lock.
Now I'm in Finland and locking bikes is so much less stress. So long as there's a lock you're good.
doing this for my seat post asap, what a fantastic idea.
@@buckofazoo Hexlox are a good option for all the little bits and pieces like seat clamps and seat posts. I even got thru axles that work with hex wrenches (replacing the ones with handles that came with my bike) so that I can use Hexlox on my wheels also, so there's no need to carry a separate lock to keep someone from stealing a wheel (which honestly doesn't even seem to be a thing anymore, thieves just cut locks with angle grinders instead).
To prevent the wheels being stolen I replaced the quick releases with locking skewers. They come with a special key wrench to remove the wheel. Also have a locking seat post clamp that also comes with a special key wrench. Not 100% secure but will deter an opportunist thief. These parts were quite cheap.
Preach my friend! If you can take your front wheel off, you can get it in with the back wheel in a 9" U-lock. Just go around the rear wheel in the rear A-frame without the seat tube.
good tip
So you basically have to weld on all your components. In the best cases even weld your bike onto a bike rack
No check out hexlock they lock all your removable accessories
Love the chain idea on the seat and the hose clamp for the quick release. I don’t commute via bike as I live in a community that’s not bike friendly so it’s cool to see the attention to detail.
Awesome video! After my nice bike was stolen in Miami (with a lock) after I left it alone for 15 minutes, no good bike of mine leaves my sight in a city anymore. I will bring it inside, wheel it around a store, or lock it up where I can see it at a cafe or restaurant.
Ooh! You wheel it around ANY store?
@@MathEnergyTV Most are fine with it, or I park inside near the front.
Guess bringing my bike into stores will have to be my new thing! Thanks for the idea Frank 😎
Great video!
Pro tip: You don’t even need to lock the frame -- as long as you lock the back wheel to something, INSIDE the frame, it will have the same effect. This is sometimes useful, like when the object you’re locking to requires a few extra inches of your U-lock.
YES! THANK YOU! I just mentioned that in my comment as well, something that needs to be more spread within the cyclist community as it is essentially better because you can use a smaller lock which is safer having the same security effect. Like an ABUS Granite Plus 640 in 6" instead of the 9" version for example.
I normally lock seat stays through the wheel
Never do this. Someone who doesn't realize how this works will come alone, unbolt your wheel from your frame, and then kick / thrash your frame around trying to get your bike free. Bending and permanently destroying both your frame and your wheel.
@@BeaverTerror I've always locked my hybrid bike using the seat stays, to fill the gap so a bottle jack could not be used! I've caught someone twice having a look, I didn't alert them but just watched them from a distance! A 3rd time look like there was an attempt on the lock, the shackle has a small dent in it. I still have the bike, this was years ago. But I've just gotten more locks and registered it with a bike scheme so there's visible stickers on it. The tubing on my hybrid bike is very thick and heavy they couldn't bend it by hand without some sort of large tool. I'm going to look at hex locks too. I would expect them to go for the more modern desirable bikes, yes my bike is unique looking styling but it was cheap I got it in a sale so its not as expensive as it may look.
I'm in Nova Scotia , Canada and this is what I did. 1 kryptonite cable,the long one and three quality sleeve theft proof locks. If i had 6 locks and two cable i would have used them as 30 pounds in a backpack on a bike was normal for me , even on the trails.i know there is no such thing as a sleeve theft proof lock yet three good locks with the cable tight and around certain needed areas means that it is harder and it takes much longer for a thief to steal the bike. Lock it in front of a bank,jewelry store and/or any place that you can confirm that has cameras or near a place that does pointing in that area. if someone wants the bike they gonna get it. Best to slow them down as much as possible for witnesses and cameras.
There is also the possibility to use hex keys or similar for the saddle/wheels so stealing them will be a lot harder and only possible with the specific tools and not a simple wrench or Allen key.
You mean hexlock
Bikesnob is the author of a great bicycling blog. Very entertaining read
Worth mentioning, you can actually just lock the rear wheel through the rear triangle and you don't have to go around the frame too, the wheel can be unbolted but it can't be removed, and the frame can't be removed with the lock going through the rear triangle.
That's the Sheldon Brown method.
They will try dance and fold the wheel thinking they can take the rest of bike. Speaking from experience. Fooked a new beater I'd only bought
that fold up bike at the end though lol
so classic
More Bike Snob!! What a legend
This is like how to secure your bike in the year 2010. All the way in the year 2021 we have security skewers, security seat clamps and security bolts for anything bolted onto the bike.
Great information, and featuring Bike Snob brought back all sorts of memories. Cheers.
hopefully we get him to star in a few more videos
I like the ending; very minimal, straight to the point.
I love your video, I am new to urban security and found this very helpful. I have a Dutch bike. I saw that Litelok 3 is coming but oh my its £290.00 😮
Bike chain locking bike seat is freaking great! I used to use a small braided cable and loop it through the seat and then a padlock to lock to my chain which was locked by my 2 u-locks. Great video!
YES! Brompton! Just got one a couple of months ago. I don’t even bring a lock with me any more. Ride it to work and take it inside and fold it up and put it in a corner away from everyone. I’ve taken it into a few businesses so far, but not many (not going to to many places because of the pandemic). A little worried I might be rejected from some place and then not able to lock it up (but wouldn’t want to under any circumstances anyway), but so far so good. Also, because they are expensive, I am a little worried about having it taken from me by muggers, either right on the street or while carrying it onto public transportation. We’ll see.
Long time NYC bike commuter here, EV to Midtown mainly, but ride everywhere and will leave my ~$600 fixed gear out overnight. If you use a u-lock make sure it locks on both sides of the U. That orange one you have only locks one side and can be popped with a crowbar. I've had bike locks ruined from crowbars, but never popped and bike never stolen. A good U- lock around the front wheel, frame and good pole hasn't failed me. Personally I use the expensive, but dependable ABUS Bordo XPlus as it gives me a little more flexibility to fit around the aforementioned.
This is the first city video I’ve seen from your channel where I didn’t fear for your life or the life of someone you were filming.
Great advice, speaking as someone who's had a bike ripped off in NYC (and several in CT). One topic not covered is that NYs take it for that as a rider you'll keep your bike INSIDE at night. Not always possible (how many stairs do you want to climb with a loaded touring bike?) As for u-locks - they work. One attempted theft in New Haven wanted to steal my bike, but the lock held. They destroyed my bike (scrap), but the lock held.
Just bought a bicycle two weeks ago and have enjoyed riding some. This video was Great 👍. Live in Pensacola Florida
thanks for the sense of humour, and very good information "slow the bike thief" "nothing is impossible" slow grind satisfactory impels us forward!
How to lock a bike you care about in New York City: Don't lock your bike you care about in New York City. Lol
true
@@TerryB Love your videos man, any chance of some Chicago shenanigans in the future?
I used to put my front wheel through the U-lock like in the video after the frame and rear wheel, would just barely fit, never had problem with theft.
Two u-locks are convenient, clean, and again no hassle and unnecessary weight to carry. We’re not talking about a 1lb. even 2, but twenty.
@@buffalomind6838 true, a bit of a hassle but, possible! And imo more difficult to break because less space for leverage.
Saddle is indeed important. I’ve never had a bike stolen, but once the saddle and once the rear wheel (back then I only used to secure the front wheel because I assumed dismounting the rear wheel was too cumbersome).
I owe you both a beer.
Thank you for the free info.
In my experience the most important aspect to keeping your bike safe isn't the locks, it's the time and and location aspect. Don't leave your bike out on the street over night. Don't leave it parked outside for more than a few hours. It all depends a lot on the specific spot and neighborhood where you park it, at what time you park it, and for how long. How likely it is that a potential thief may walk by and consider it safe to attempt stealing something? (How busy is the area? oddly, in my experience, more busy is more dangerous - unless it's constantly completely packed, like in a nightlife district)
Location-dont live in a dystopian shthole
The hole in my quick-release lever lines up perfectly with the disc brake mounting hole on the fork, so I can slide a small padlock through there and have it locked even while riding.
Second video that I've watched of Eben Weis. Love both of them 👍
I love how you found the perfect stretch of 50 feet in all of NYC with all of the most common lock locations right there. 🤣💯
Love the chain/inner tube for the saddle.
Also a good idea to set a good example for kids. But I dig the person's logic where we all take risks in life and precautions are sometimes more effective in helping your cause.
Love that you mentioned the harm to the tree.
i got pitlocks which means i can lock around the top tube and stay further from the ground (harder to brace those big ass bolt cutters that will go through everything against it)
A cyclist and a New Yorker that has been out of New York for 49 years in the caribbean! Happy to have found this page! Just subscribed!
Welcome friend
ey jo his style of explaining is real nice
I appreciate your consice, yet well thought out video here. Very valuable. Thank you
I always found that two u locks and a cable were the best. Get a backpack and use a long cable and the u locks to do both wheels and frame to anything that will hold the entire bike down. Use star lugs to lock in the wheels and saddle. It’s always harder for them.
Nice one! A good long cable lock packs up very compact but has the length to go through your wheels, saddle and frame. Have a nice day!
true
Great info. I didn’t even know it was possible to lock a bike safely in NYC
That hose clamp trick is a new one for me, cool stuff!
This guy is great! Such a useful video :)
Loved the tip about installing a clamp on quick releases. Never thought of that. Thank you!
it's so extra though, just replace the skewer with an allen key style skewer built for the purpose
Short story:
Get a proper Ulock, I use an Abus Mini ulock with dual bolt feature (requires 2 cuts to open/ 2x the time required for a thief)
If your bike has Quick Release at the wheels or seatpost REPLACE them with more secure options .
Didn't expect someone this cool to teach me how to lock a bike, thanks 😎
Sometimes street sign posts have been damaged or replaced. In that event, the sign post may have been cut down close to the ground to avoid the work of a full replacement, and the replacement post is simply bolted to the old post near the ground. No matter how thorough your locking solution, a thief could simply unbolt the sign post and take you whole bike. BE SURE TO CHECK!
Haha great video. Eben, I loved your book man, hilarious and fun read. I pick it up and read it start to finish a few times a year. Cheers. 🍺
Glad you enjoyed it! more to come!
That why I prefer foldable bicycle for my daily commuting so I can fold and secure both the wheels and frame using chain and cable lock along with some sensor devices which make noise on any movement on bike :)
Added tip. If your bike is in an area where people try to steal parts make sure you tighten things up or you can get in a wreck from loose handle bars for example.
Lol the bleep at the end is so good.
kill the sponsors
Fun fact: what you refer to as a U-lock, we call a D-lock in the UK.
(No, I don't know why either. It does look more like a U).
I use two u locks, one big, one small. big through frame and back wheel and parking spot, small one through front wheel to parking spot.
Thanks, Terry! I'll never use it, but I love it.
That's the good thing you teached about bike locking really want this lesson in India keeping the bike safe is also hard task it is only safe while you are riding on otherwise it will be disappear if you make your eyes off from your bike thank you again
Have quick release levers on the wheels, so you can remove the front wheel and lock it up against the frame next the back wheel when you U-Lock everything up. Also, if you have a quick release seat post clamp, use it and take your post/saddle. A little Saran wrap in your backpack to put on your greasy post and into the pack it goes.. or get a bolt on seat post clamp. Find the proper thread and length torx bolt to replace the standard hex bolt. Most thieves will not have torx head tools. Great vid overall. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
They are now robbing seat posts and saddles and using that as leverage to break locks, bend frames. Da Fooks
The first method shown at about 04:50 in the "How to Lock" section won't work for all combinations of bike geometry, sign post shape, and lock dimensions. A lot of bikes that can't be locked that way can be locked with just the rear wheel captured by the U-lock, which effectively captures the frame as well. I'm surprised that wasn't included somewhere in this video.
U can also glue ball bearings into the hex bolts to keep your saddle from being stolen
Great tips! Another tip...and I know it's obvious, but never leave your bike overnight outside. Locked or unlocked all your parts will be gone. Also if you ride your bike and lock it up a lot just have a sleeper bike that's fun and people won't want to steal.
Great video. Do you think you could share the name of that backpack with me or you like it? I have a similar one but it’s getting old and some internal seams are coming apart.
I live in Warsaw, Poland. I have 40 yo Releigh. I havent secured it for 2 years and i leave it every day under my workplace. Cheers and come to Poland 😊
You guys might need some of the dutch bike locks, which lock your back wheel to your frame. Then you can use a simple lock to lock the front of the frame and front wheel to something anchored
This video is for those who want to lock their bikes in Brazil too
The bike chain seat was genius. Does it help? And the clamps for quick release. Wow. Resourceful.
it helps slow down a thief and that what's important.
Good info, thanks. The street sign is not the best choice, or the scaffolding. Also check the street bar bike lock setup very good before locking your bike as it can be good enough for someone to give a slight to medium tug only for you to find out it was there to fool you by a bike thief.
I've seen it in action
Be careful of the bike hoops shops or even Dr surgeries install
A lot of the ones near me (London) are bolted to the anchor points they've cemented into the ground BUT the bolts are not security ones and are above ground.
Only use the ones that are fully embedded into cement and check that a small section hasn't been cut out and placed back often with a decal to hide the cut.
this should have a show of its own like Top Gear guys are doing. Damn love the videos
sweet let's make it happen
Bikes don't get stolen nearly as often as NYC where I live but these are all great tips.
Pro Tip from Germany: You can buy the Pitlock (r) System and secure your Wheels and Seat-Post. I hope you can get it also overseas. My girlfriend has this system because she can only lock her bike at the wheels. Burglars tried to steal the bike but only damaged the front wheel.
Eben is a legend. Great work Terry!
the advices are top notch, but the reality of the situation is pretty sad
if people don't care about what's not theirs to take, I don't want to imagine how the NY traffic could be for a cyclist
And on top of that you’re paying top coin for the ‘privilege’ of living there.
I’d highly reccomend something like the kryptonite keeper or some type of lock like that. Kryptonite is the best lock brand I have found in the bike lock market. They use a magnesium steel alloy that gets harder when heated or attempted to be cut. Also they use a square link chain instead of a circle link which makes it harder for thieves to get a firm grip and clean cut on. Also the outside material on the bike lock chain is flammable and melts into like a goop that just makes it even harder and more ridiculous. They could get through it with an angle grinder and a couple diamond blades but I don’t know many people who carry that around on them at all times. And it’d take at least 30 min of pure loudness and obviousness hopefully someone would report all the sparks flying and noise
Wish there was someone who did this type of informational video about bikes in Long Beach, Ca.
A few more tips and expounding on some you offered:
1. Never Ever lock your bike up overnight. No matter how many locks you use. If thieves won't get to it, the elements will and you'll have a rusted and downtrodden quality bike in no time.
2. Using a cable lock is only ever acceptable as an ADDITION or SUPPLEMENT to a sturdy U-Lock or Chain Lock if you have the energy to carry one around.
3. Contrary to popular belief, locking up your bike in a dark alley or out of sight only helps potential bike thieves. Better is to lock in broad daylight out in the open and preferably in the eyes of many passerby or diners. This is certain to dissuade scrupulous thieves.
4. Be mindful of the space your bike takes up and that it doesn't have a wheel jut out into a street. I've seen many a bike wheel be bent all out of place by parallel parkers and the like.
For legal reasons I’ve SEEN people take bikes locked up outside restaurants or in highly trafficked areas with a hacksaw or angle grinder, nobody cares, especially the nypd, so you’ll probably have to stop someone stealing a/your bike yourself and that sounds like a hell of a time for someone who uses the word scrupulous