Have you ever thought about how easy it would be to steal your bike? Two questions can help shed light on this line of thought:
How long is your bike usually left unattended and locked? How difficult is it to break the lock?
There are two types of thieves – professional ones and those relying on opportune moments. The latter are quick snatchers who take advantage of poorly locked or, even worse, unlocked bikes to ride away swiftly and conveniently. Professional thieves target more expensive bikes. Regardless of the type of lock, they plan their actions and educate themselves on breaking locks.
The security and durability of a bicycle lock depend on the quality of the lock itself. Cutting through U-locks and chain locks with a disc cutter creates a lot of noise and takes time. Overcoming a cheaper cable lock with pliers is not very difficult. Therefore, the level of security you need for your lock primarily depends on where you lock your bike and how long it remains unattended.
The majority of lock manufacturers indicate the security rating on the packaging. In some cases, it’s a ten-point system, while others may use more or fewer indicators. Some manufacturers use bronze, silver, and gold markings to describe the product’s security level. These are good initial indicators to consider when thinking about how much trouble the lock can cause for a thief.
Another observation to consider is the thickness and material of the bike lock because a good locking system alone is not enough – the lock’s thickness is the primary factor. Of course, the material and technical aspects of the lock also matter. For example, a 15mm cable lock is easier to cut through than a 15mm chain lock. The strongest bicycle locks are made of hardened steel, which cannot be cut with pliers.
The main rules for correctly locking a bicycle are as follows:
- Lock your bike to something solid and immovable. Choose a post that prevents the lock from sliding off and cannot be lifted from the ground.
- Lock your bike in a well-lit and heavily trafficked area. It is less attractive to thieves who don’t want to risk being seen. In a crowded place, a thief cannot be 100% certain that the bike’s owner is not nearby.
- Make sure the location where you lock your bike is not easily cut or broken.
- Always lock your bike through the frame. If possible, lock both the front and rear wheels as well. The biggest mistake is to only lock the front or rear wheel, as this gives thieves the opportunity to remove the locked wheel and walk away with the rest of the bike.
- Using more than one lock makes it more difficult for thieves to steal your bike.
For more detailed and comprehensive information about bike locks, you can read our blog post.
Come and explore various bike locks in our online store or visit us in person. The knowledgeable staff at Velomarket will help you find the necessary and secure lock!
I bought the lock, why was my bike stolen?
