Lock Help For Ebike
Posted by ScarlettTrinity@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 21 comments
Hey all! I need help figuring out what I really need and what is just too much/overkill for my situation. I've been researching locks and while I know that a lock isn't a sure fire way to prevent thieves from making off with your bike, I know a good bike lock or 3 might be enough of a deterrent.
I live in a pretty safe area. It's not the city but not quite the burbs either. It's not a high crime area by any means. I am planning on using my bike for grocery runs, errands, fun (trails), and maybe the occasional commute to a movie theater or the beach. I plan on keeping it on my patio or in communal bike racks at home. I've seen the locks other people use on the racks and it would pain a lot of you. Sometimes, it's just a cable. I have seen a few u locks but nothing I would call super secure after my research.
I want something easy to carry/portable/lightweight and I don't want to break the bank. Would I be better off with a diamond rated u lock (not angle grinder resistant) and a bronze rated chain and/or folding lock or a gold rated chain lock and some bronze chain/folding locks so it looks like a lot?
I want the most bang for my buck so I have no brand loyalty. I'm not going to be locking it up in a dangerous area so I don't think I need the angle grinder resistance and I'd rather not spend that kind of cash when it's overkill. The bike shop I'm getting the bike from only has the Abus Bordo 600C and I don't think that's enough.
I'm considering any combo of these:
- Kryptonite Evolution Bike Chain Lock 3 ft - GOLD
- Seatylock FoldyLock Compact Folding Bike Lock - SILVER
- Hiplock DXF - Diamond
- Hiplok LITE - Black/Cyan - BRONZE
- Hiplock Switch Blue - BRONZE
- Hiplock Gold - GOLD
- Litelock Core Plus - Diamond
- Litelock Core Flex - Gold
- Litelock X1 - Diamond
- Abus City Chain ?
I'm not sure why the Foldylock is silver rated but the Hiplock is bronze.
Thanks!
Veggyhed@reddit
I have a cafe lock that I use and also an X1
ScarlettTrinity@reddit (OP)
Why do you like the cafe lock?
Veggyhed@reddit
Convenient, always with you, attached to the bike. It's also hidden underneath my panniers so most people cannot see it. Should always be used in conjunction with another lock that locks a bike to a stationary object.
Kevintj07@reddit
I have 2 u locks and a chain lock,
Lite U, ride up the shop.
Dont touch me, Screamer U lock
Pinch my seat, Onguard chain and all of the above
ScarlettTrinity@reddit (OP)
What's the screamer u lock?
Simple-Narwhal-8676@reddit
Honestly, for a pretty safe area I think you might be overthinking it a bit. I’d probably go with one really solid U-lock (something Gold/Diamond rated) and maybe a lighter secondary cable/chain for wheels if you’ll be leaving it out longer. Multiple heavy locks get annoying fast if you’re mostly doing grocery runs and casual stops. Also 1 on alarms if you don’t mind the extra gadget. The loud ones are surprisingly good at making people back off.
ScarlettTrinity@reddit (OP)
Thanks! I was leaning towards the Hiplock u lock and one of the bronze rated cable locks too. Definitely interested in an alarm. My bike does have some anti left tech in it that helps too.
MuscleNo6703@reddit
I can't suggest ebike insurance enough if you pay 3k or more for your bike. Its cheap and the coverage for ebikes is usually really good for the price. All major companies have ebike insurance now. You would get all your money back you paid for the bike if its stolen. Even yrs later. We'll worth it imo. Mine is 75ish a year for premium.
ScarlettTrinity@reddit (OP)
Mine is less than that because it's my first and I'm not sure how much I'll actually use it. I looked into insurance through my apartment insurance but they don't cover it because it's class 2.
rshetts1@reddit
Who are you insured through? Most e-bike policies I've seen run around $125 a year.
TopRepulsive4766@reddit
Our locks are chain locks. They are not the expensive ones and would definitely not deter a really determined thief.
But we rely way more on our alarms. My alarm is unbelievably obnoxious when it goes off. And it's loud as hell too. I can easily hear it inside a building and from several blocks away. I gets attention: Once a little kid set it off and I was too far away to disarm it quickly. After the third stage, people were coming out of buildings wondering what was going on. I'm thinking that alarm would deter 99% of would-be thieves.
Unfortunately I can't find that particular alarm any more. I bought it several years ago. However, there are similar alarms available on sites like Amazon, AliExpress, etc.
Tiriom@reddit
Excuse my ignorance about alarms but can’t the thief just easily remove and chuck this thing away somewhere and continue on?
rshetts1@reddit
I have a disc brake lock that has a 110 db alarm. Its not easily removed and it locks the wheel as well. Sure with some tools and effort a thief can eventually remove it but by that time its been blaring its alarm drawing attention. There is no lock that can not be defeated. The trick is to make things enough of a pain in the butt for the thief that he moves on to another bike that is why having multiple locks and an alarm is usually recommended.
Tiriom@reddit
Yeah appreciate it, all alarms are not created equal. The one linked by the person I replied to looked easily removable, found some others that looked more affective in that regard for sure.
TopRepulsive4766@reddit
He could if he didn't mind the noise of it going off. By the time he got it off, everyone would be looking at him.
ScarlettTrinity@reddit (OP)
What would I Google when looking for an alarm and how sensitive are they? I don't want to set it off all the time with some basic vibration or an accidental bump.
TopRepulsive4766@reddit
The ones we have have varying degrees of sensitivity. They also have varying degrees of loudness.
Also, ours give a warning beep when someone touches the ebike. If they keep on touching it or move it, the full alarm goes off.
My son has this alarm: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09LH6C1CZ?smid=A3KD59IVUZ5TBM&psc=1
It's just a tad less loud than mine, but can be easily heard at least a couple of blocks away.
ScarlettTrinity@reddit (OP)
Thank you!!
PitifulDisaster3688@reddit
I prefer folding locks from abus. Anything with at least level 10 security and up is solid. I prefer the 120cm versions. I also pair it up with a chain lock for extra security.
ScarlettTrinity@reddit (OP)
What does level 10 correspond to in terms of bronze, silver, gold, or diamond protection?
PitifulDisaster3688@reddit
Abus doesn’t use that type of system. The 6500 is top at their highest security 15 , then 6200 which is level 12, then 6000 at level 10.