Comments on: How to Bust a U-lock

By: AliceDudson@mopedsinsurance.info

AliceDudson@mopedsinsurance.info — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 22:09:35 +0000

Awesome blog, great!

By: Mike D

Mike D — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 20:50:29 +0000

charlene,
If you lock the wheel within the rear frame triangle, then the frame still can't be removed.

By: charlene scott

charlene scott — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 03:32:53 +0000

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.

By: nick

nick — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 13:35:56 +0000

I suggest wrapping your bike in barbwire and connecting it to cinder blocks with some heavy duty chain.

By: Rend Smith

Rend Smith — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 15:44:58 +0000

http://www.thewashcycle.com/2009/01/busted-ulock-krytonites-bizaro-policy.html#comments

By: washcycle

washcycle — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 23:24:20 +0000

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.

By: randomduck

randomduck — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 21:37:47 +0000

@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.

By: Jared

Jared — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 19:34:49 +0000

I thought a ballpoint pen would easily unlock them...that's what the big recall in 2005 was about!

By: Jesse

Jesse — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 18:27:21 +0000

If "the muscle" says it can be done..than it must be so.

By: Amanda Hess

Amanda Hess — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 16:22:41 +0000

gotta put it through the wheel!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 14:58:06 +0000

Isn't this why people are using the really small U locks now, so you can't fit a jack inside the loop?

By: JT

JT — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 01:00:42 +0000

Interesting.

Have a look at this for some tips: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/lock-strategy.html