Thoughts on bike locks

[robbat2]

Having my bike stolen has made me wonder about locks more. Defeating most forms of bike locks are trivially easy with some lateral thinking.

This was my lock:

Lock properties and attacks against

key-based

bumpkey (given a suitable blank or other key of same style), pick the lock, drill or freeze the lock (either LN₂ or just adding in warm water on a day that's below freezing)

combination-based

guess or shoulder-surf the combination

Cable/Chain

Large bolt cutters, wire cutters or hacksaw

U-Lock/D-Lock

Use a jack inside the arms to apply outward force

Any other bicycle lock types or different attacks that you can think of? Any way to effectively defeat one of more of the above attacks? From a security perspective, we need to consider not only the permitted attacks, but all possible attacks.

In my case, they either defeated my combination (probably by shoulder-surfing), or just used some form of cutting attack. Since the lock wasn't left behind, I suspect the former more than the latter.

Comments

[paris-of-priam.livejournal.com]

In my experience nine out of ten bike thieves use bolt cutters, which makes anything with a cable or a chain easy to cut through. The type of lock (combination or key) is irrelevant. In my experience the best lock to use is a U-Lock because it's pretty hard to cut off with a bolt cutter, and a hack saw takes too long. They want to be in and out in five seconds. When you use a pair of bolt cutters on a chain or cable lock, you're away with the bike in five seconds. If you encounter a U-Lock, you probably just move on to the next bike with a cable lock UNLESS the bike is VERY valuable. Like one of those $5000 jobs, in which case I'd recommend not leaving it outside. :)

I had two bikes stolen. First one I locked up with a chain lock, and they stole it. Second one I locked up with a cable lock, and they stole it. Third time, I got a U-Lock, locked it up in the same place and it was never stolen. :)

Also, remember to lock the U-lock through both the frame and the front wheel. I've seen people lock their front wheel to the bike rack, and the thieves just unscrew the bike, take it, and leave the front wheel behind. I've also seen the reverse, where they steal the front wheel when the bike frame is chained up. (Probably the same people, who need front wheels for all the bikes they stole by unscrewing the front wheel.)

Also, for some freakish reason, bike thieves will steal bike seats and handle bars sometimes, if the frame and front wheel are locked. I'm guessing they must be pretty desprate at that point.

I had a friend once who had a $500 car, and a $3000 bike. She'd never leave the bike outside. She always brought it into the lab with her. Can't say I blame her.

But like I said, my one and only practical solution, which didn't take too long, was just to use a U-Lock, not have a bike that was worth more than about $150, and run the U-Lock through both the frame and the front wheel. I never bothered to remove the lights, handlebars or seat. I just took my chances.

[robbat2.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm not dumb that I just lock the wheel or the frame. Always both together to the solid object.

As I noted in the original post, U-locks are extremely easy to defeat with a jack.

[cupcakecalamity.livejournal.com]

Any non-cable or chain. A u-lock is your best bet.
http://www.kryptonitelock.com/
These are ok.

But you should just never leave your bike alone in this city, even locked up. Any number of parts can be removed quickly, and most people won't stop to ask what they're doing, because they assume they bike is theirs anyway (I have done this).

The best thing you can do is to get two bikes, a nice one and a crap one that can be replaced for $50. Use your crap bike on days where you'll be unable to watch it for extended periods of time.


...or bring the expensive one and cover it in lye WAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAA

[robbat2.livejournal.com]

The post was primarily about locking technology. See that I did include U-Lock, as well as how to defeat them easily (the lock itself or using a jack on the mechanism).

It's not that I buy expensive bikes, my bike was only $50, it's the principle of the matter (and the fact I very seldom go downtown).

[cupcakecalamity.livejournal.com]

Mm I know, but I still think u-lock is best bet. Average petty criminal won't be able to bump the lock. As for a safe place to lock-er-up downtown, try it in front of a storefront. People who work there will know the dood taking your bike isn't the dood who locked it. Not everyone will notice, but I do.

or you could just get some lyeeeee

[amaena.livejournal.com]

From a security perspective, we need to consider not only the permitted attacks, but all possible attacks.

I think I've heard that before, quite recently. Sad about the bike! But amusing to see the security mantra applied elsewhere.

[robbat2.livejournal.com]

It's just as relevant in the real world as in Raven's talk, and well discussed in most decent security books.

Re: Bike thieves are losers.

[robbat2.livejournal.com]

Too many people operate under the assumption that everybody else around them is doing what they supposed to be doing, and don't want to interfere lest they are in the wrong.

I was going to suggest we go cycling sometime soon, but that will have to be on hold until I get a new bike - which will have to be within the next 2 weeks, as there's a crowd of us that meet on the saturday of each full moon to go cycling in the evening - if you'd like to join us: http://www.electricmoonbananas.ca/

Re: Bike thieves are losers.

[drake-da-dragon.livejournal.com]

Different hypothesis: Most people are too obsessed with their own lives to notice what is going on around them. Just look at how many people leave groceries, credit cars and car keys at my till on a given day.

And since you suggested ALL possible attacks and not just the probable: just steal whatever the bike is attached to as well as the bike itself. Turns out enough strong people can rip the average bike rack of bench straight out of the sidewalk with some effort. Or there's always just jacking it while you're busy unlocking it, and are about to ride off. But yeah just thought I should add those for fun <3

Interesting to know your bike helmet is worth significantly more than your bike though x.X;

Re: Bike thieves are losers.

[robbat2.livejournal.com]

That would depend on the design of the bike rack (unless you wanted to steal 300lbs of bike rack at the same time). Also depending on the design, some of the racks can be attacked with the bolt cutters/hacksaw more easily than some of the chains/locks.

The bike-hijack represents a different class of theft, the police take it more seriously, because the perp was willing to confront you, and you can describe him.

I paid only $50 for my bike, but buying it new 3 years ago would have cost $300 at the time.

Re: Bike thieves are losers.

[amethest.livejournal.com]

Don't forget there's also the imporperly screwed in bus post/stop signs that you lock to.

Some of those signs can be lifted straight out of their holes. Lift up sign out of the lock, take bike. Worry about lock on bike later.

First of all - you bought the bike for $75, not $50, and second of all, I've been biking in this city all of my life and have never had a bike stolen. I use Ulocks, exclusively.

I also wouldn't leave it outside downtown.

My father had his bike stolen, twice, from the old building Flour was in, but I don't know the details.

Do you notice any interesting irony in that you'd used your old chain and precious ZA lock for years, and lost the lock and that it was only when you switched lock systems that the bike disappeared?

That and I'm laughing my ass off that you got your family to buy you such an expensive helmet. As I said, "When you lose and break shit so easily." Where's your StarWars touque and golf umbrella?

[sciencequeen.livejournal.com]

I use a U-lock and I haven't had my bike stolen, but I've only had my bike since April...

Mind you, I've locked it downtown and at Production Way sky train, and I figure all sky train stations are sketchy for that activity.

[tupni.livejournal.com]

Chains do not work. They are far too easy to defeat. The same goes for cables. I have a set of bolt cutters with 14inch handles, they could fit inside a jacket, and they could cut most cables out there. Ulocks are much safer. Yes, you can jack them, but jacks are a lot harder to transport about, and you have to be able to wangle the jack between the u and the lock. Don't get a bic-pickable lock, get a real key. Kryptonite sells one - New York Fahgettaboudit® U-lock. They are expensive, but still cost less than $100.00, and unless the bike thief carries nitro around with him/her/it, pretty much will prevent the theft.

[robbat2.livejournal.com]

I'm actually more concerned with the rise of bumpkeys for keyed locks.

[swissreplicator.com (from livejournal.com)]

Sadly, thereis`nt any more better protect for bike except this locks (

[gustavolacerda.livejournal.com]

I will add my voice to the choir advocating U-locks.

When I moved to Amsterdam, my first bike got stolen within 24h. Since then I've only been using high-quality U-locks (>$30), and it never failed me. I have evidence of a failed attempt in Pittsburgh, in front of my house.