A short video with dos and fonts to properly lock your bike. Tom from shifter, as good as always!
Something not mentioned in the video is that you want to use the smallest U-lock you can.
This is because one of the easiest ways of defeating a U-lock is to use either leverage or a jack to force it open. But for that to work there usually needs to be extra space inside the loop. If the lock is snug around the bike and post it’s hard to get a tool in there, or to manipulate the frame into a position where it can be used for leverage.
It might be tempting to get a large U-lock to make it easier to lock it to things, but you should know that’s a trade off for security.
I’m slightly unsure whether the average U-lock is actually safer than a heavy-duty chain. If the chain is thick enough, you’d need massive bolt cutters or an angle grinder - and with a chain, cutting with angle grinder is trickier. You usually need someone holding the link with pliers while you cut, and you have to cut both sides to get through it.
With many U-locks, you only need to cut one side for it to fall off, and it’s much easier to keep steady while grinding.
Personally, I just use a u-lock in combination with a small chain lock (well my chain lock actually borked recently, so I’ve been using one of those foldable locks, but you get the idea).
U-lock through the rear triangle, securing the frame and the rear wheel to a solid bike rack or post, with the secondary lock binding my front wheel to the frame is enough to make me feel safe leaving my bike out in most scenarios, even in my city with really high levels of bike theft.
People have laughed at me for using two locks, even for daytime stops that last less than 5 minutes and where my bike stays more or less in my line of sight the entire time. I don’t care if I look paranoid, though. I’ve lost one bike to my city already, I’m not losing another one.
I also use this combination, that way I can even lock my seat and helmet if I want. And the wire lock means I can always lock it around something, even if the only option is like a thick tree.
