How to Bust a U-lock
Think a U-lock is enough protection for a D.C. bike? While being interviewed for the article "Bike Theft: A Victim, a Cop and a Thief on Capitol Hill," which appears in this week's dead-tree version of City Paper, an experienced bike thief suggested: "There's no lock that can't be broke," including the all-mighty U-lock.
According to the thief, as long as the famous lock's metal loop is attached to a bike frame (and whatever immovable object it's been latched to) and not either of the bike's wheels, it's easy to bypass. Just thread a foot-long pipe between frame and bike lock, he explained, and crank it until the security device pops.
Russell Langley of Capitol Hill Bikes says it sounds like that method would work, especially with some of the cheaper U-locks. "Nothing is ever completely secure."
Photo by Aaron Michael Brown
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8:00 pm
Interesting.
Have a look at this for some tips: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/lock-strategy.html
9:58 am
Isn't this why people are using the really small U locks now, so you can't fit a jack inside the loop?
11:22 am
gotta put it through the wheel!
1:27 pm
If "the muscle" says it can be done..than it must be so.
2:34 pm
I thought a ballpoint pen would easily unlock them...that's what the big recall in 2005 was about!
4:37 pm
@Jared: the lock manufacturers switched from the cylindrical lockpin mechanisms in 2006 due to the Bic controversy.
All a lock does, in all fairness, is act as a deterrent: if there are multiple bikes in a location, of similar value, the thief will go with the quickest, easiest steal - thus the reason to get the best combination of locks for peace of mind. This usually means using more than one kind of lock: U-lock, thick cable or case-hardened chain (the latter being the belle of the ball for couriers and hipsters, combined with the tiny U-lock), in a combination that requires more than one breaking technique.
And there are other measures to take that involve setting up the bike for mechanical disaster should the bike be extracted from the lock. It all depends on the situation, how much you have invested in your bike, etc.
6:24 pm
Here's what I always recommend. Buy a lock with an insurance policy that covers the cost of your bike (it's always advertised on the outside) - and no more. When you get home, sit down and read all the things you need to do to qualify for a claim and do them within the time specified. This is like a rebate, it must be done and done quickly.
Use the lock religiously, if the lock is broken and your bike stolen, hopefully you can find a part, if not all, of the broken lock. Send that back in and get your insurance claim for your bike.
10:44 am
http://www.thewashcycle.com/2009/01/busted-ulock-krytonites-bizaro-policy.html#comments
8:35 am
I suggest wrapping your bike in barbwire and connecting it to cinder blocks with some heavy duty chain.
11:32 pm
yeah, putting it through the wheel may only work if your bike is a piece of crap. nice bikes have frames that are worth more than wheels and wheels that come off, so saving the frame is imperative.
4:50 pm
charlene,
If you lock the wheel within the rear frame triangle, then the frame still can't be removed.
5:09 pm
Awesome blog, great!