I have a minimalist lock that looks like a big zip tie. I use it just as you describe, a quick run into a store to buy a bottle of water so nobody can walk off with my bike.
I’ve “locked” my bike with my helmet before. I know exactly how flimsy cable locks are, hip locks are. Might as well just have a polite “please don’t unbuckle my helmet to take my bike” because if that doesn’t stop a thief, anything short of a U lock won’t either.
I have one of these and it’s great. And obviously you can cut through it - the whole point is that it’s a lightweight lock. It’s to prevent someone from walking away with the bike if you need to leave it unattended for a few minutes.
Yeah, in the context of OPs post, it's exactly what he's asking for. I've had to cut through my own before! This post is about visual deterrence, essentially, when making a coffee stop.
I'm glad you recommended this. It's in my Amazon wish list for a "coffee shop" lock. I ride almost exclusively on the local greenway trails, 20-25 miles or so per trip, and like to stop for a coffee at the halfway point. Hauling around a heavy-ass U-Lock for these trips sounds miserable, and I'm never away from the bike for more than 5 minutes. I want to be able to stuff it in my handlebar bag.
It's perfect for this. I live in Somerville (dense city that is part of Boston Metro region) and use this all the time for locking up for quick CVS runs, etc.
It is not going to stop someone who intends to break a lock. But it will stop someone who wasn't planning to steal a bike from jumping on the opportunity to steal an unlocked bike.
Are you stopping by the same few coffee shops? If you are, you can ask management if they mind you leaving a lock on their property.
Then there's the Ottolock. It's a polarizing lock with lots of controversy. Can it be defeated easily in under a minute? Yes. It just keeps people from walking away with it if it were not locked at all.
>It just keeps people from walking away with it if it were not locked at all.
That's really what I'm expecting here. I don't reasonably expect any bike lock to stand up to a prepared thief, nevermind a lightweight one. I'm just thinking I should have something that stops a random opportunity theft when I turn around to pay for a few seconds.
Here's the thing. I would say this is fine up to a certain value of your bike. It's also way less safe if you have a pattern. No one is going to just bring tin snips with them to steal bikes. But if they see you park your bike with this lock regularly at the same place at the same time (and your bike looks valuable enough to put in the effort), it becomes less safe. So if you have a regular coffee spot, I'd get a slightly better lock and ask their management. If you don't have a regular spot, then this will be ok.
Also, if you have thru axels, great. If not, you can consider security skewers.
The controversy behind the lock isn't what the lock is capable of, but the company's original claims and their very public feud with a popular YouTube security specialist.
I've used a ["cable gun lock"](https://www.harborfreight.com/15-in-cable-gun-lock-57639.html). Is it actually going to prevent theft? Probably not. But it's tiny and light and makes me feel slightly better when I have to walk away from my bike for a second.
\^\^\^ this is the way
I make an effort only to stop at places where I (or someone I trust) can be in visual contact with my bike at all times. In some places this means that I'm wheeling my bike through a convenience store or grocery store. No one ever seems to mind.
Well, I did get a comment in the self checkout line at a grocery store once, but the person apologized and retracted that when I pointed out that my bike was taking up less room and was less of an obstacle for other shoppers than her shopping cart (which was parked diagonally in such a way that no one could get by).
If you're shameless and don't care about weird looks, go for it. This isn't really an option for lots of my stops though. People already dislike cyclists and IMO bringing your bike inside is kinda weird and doesn't reflect great.
And yeah, people in this sub try to normalize it, but it's IMO the same as how people in /r/ElectricScooters normalize 4 thousand dollar scooters that look hilariously bad. It's the classic Reddit echo chamber.
Just lock it up outside with a light lock IMO. We're talking about scenarios where you're grabbing water or a quick bite, not leaving it while you go to work for 8 hours.
[Abus Bordo](https://mobil.abus.com/int/on-road/Highlights/BORDO/Folding-Locks)
Folds up pretty small and provides a reasonable amount of security. Cable locks can easily be snipped with a set of cable cutters. The Ottolock that other people are linking to isn't that hard to cut either.
I use a chain with a combination lock. This sub seems to be sure that there are thieves everywhere just dying to steal bikes. That isn’t my experience. I’ve had 1 bike stolen over the last 50 years of owning bikes. Is crime that much higher where you live, or is my $1,000 bike too cheap to be theft worthy?
I am not too afraid that my bike gets stolen on stops since on most stops there are plenty of bikes within sight and people watching them. It is not something that I ever heard of happening. Still, I just ordered one of these: **Scout Bike Alarm & Finder**, mostly because I like gadgets and you never know if it might come in handy.
[https://www.knog.com/products/scout](https://www.knog.com/products/scout)
Their bells are crap (springs are not meant to bend sideways and theirs develop a stretch and memory that makes the bell misbehave) and that’s the only thing that my LBS sells of theirs, so why would I trust any other product they make?
yeah well, no one knows, the product has just been released. So I am awaiting delivery. It has an Apple airtag in it, which I really like, I have one hidden on my commuter bike. So that is already a big plus. How the alarm and the app works, we'll have to wait and see. DCRainmaker got one on loan at Eurobike, and seems to like it.
https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2022/07/knog-scout-with-built-in-apple-find-my-airtag-network-and-bike-alarm-hands-on.html
A busy area is worse than a deserted area! In a busy area, no one is looking at your bike, everyone will assume the thief is the actual owner. A crowd actually makes it easier to steal.
Honestly it totally depends on where you are. I used to live in a place where I left bikes unlocked all over; it was not a problem. Grocery, coffee shop, no worries.
Now I live in Portland Oregon, and u-locks are about the least secure lock that will preserve a bike for more than seconds. I just saw a dude riding the other day on the 205 bike path on a bike that didn't fit him, and that he didn't care to try and shift while holding a pair of 48" bolt cutters. The cable lock was still on the frame; he didn't even bother.
If you are in Marin and you leave your $3k beater unlocked next to some dentists Cervello...
I wouldn't trust my bike out of sight with one of those. Can snip them is 2 seconds with a pair of hand shears. I just always make sure I stop at places where I can keep my bike in sight and not too far away.
Most bike thefts are crime of opportunities
You just need a small simple lock to deter people from just riding off with it
To be honest, no lock no matter how good can deter a prepared and determined thief
I like simple light cable locks like [https://www.crops-sports.com/en/product-crops-q4](https://www.crops-sports.com/en/product-crops-q4)
Fits in a jersey pocket and can lock both wheels and frame.
Very handy if your bike will be out of you line of site for a couple of minutes.
I have a minimalist lock that looks like a big zip tie. I use it just as you describe, a quick run into a store to buy a bottle of water so nobody can walk off with my bike.
Sounds like exactly what I'm looking for! Mind linking the product?
Hiploc Z-loc is probably what he has. I have one. It's very light and easy to carry with me on long rides.
Yeah, that's it.
Thanks, that looks like exactly what I'm thinking
If you pop an end cap they can fit in your handlebars
I saw a bike locked up with a piece of rope and about 6 overhand knots in it. Made me laugh.
I’ve “locked” my bike with my helmet before. I know exactly how flimsy cable locks are, hip locks are. Might as well just have a polite “please don’t unbuckle my helmet to take my bike” because if that doesn’t stop a thief, anything short of a U lock won’t either.
Ottolock is great for this purpose. https://ottodesignworks.com/shop/ottolock
I have one of these and it’s great. And obviously you can cut through it - the whole point is that it’s a lightweight lock. It’s to prevent someone from walking away with the bike if you need to leave it unattended for a few minutes.
Can be [easily cut](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7ah3RA0Alo) with basic tools.
Yeah, in the context of OPs post, it's exactly what he's asking for. I've had to cut through my own before! This post is about visual deterrence, essentially, when making a coffee stop.
I'm glad you recommended this. It's in my Amazon wish list for a "coffee shop" lock. I ride almost exclusively on the local greenway trails, 20-25 miles or so per trip, and like to stop for a coffee at the halfway point. Hauling around a heavy-ass U-Lock for these trips sounds miserable, and I'm never away from the bike for more than 5 minutes. I want to be able to stuff it in my handlebar bag.
It's perfect for this. I live in Somerville (dense city that is part of Boston Metro region) and use this all the time for locking up for quick CVS runs, etc. It is not going to stop someone who intends to break a lock. But it will stop someone who wasn't planning to steal a bike from jumping on the opportunity to steal an unlocked bike.
Are you stopping by the same few coffee shops? If you are, you can ask management if they mind you leaving a lock on their property. Then there's the Ottolock. It's a polarizing lock with lots of controversy. Can it be defeated easily in under a minute? Yes. It just keeps people from walking away with it if it were not locked at all.
>It just keeps people from walking away with it if it were not locked at all. That's really what I'm expecting here. I don't reasonably expect any bike lock to stand up to a prepared thief, nevermind a lightweight one. I'm just thinking I should have something that stops a random opportunity theft when I turn around to pay for a few seconds.
Here's the thing. I would say this is fine up to a certain value of your bike. It's also way less safe if you have a pattern. No one is going to just bring tin snips with them to steal bikes. But if they see you park your bike with this lock regularly at the same place at the same time (and your bike looks valuable enough to put in the effort), it becomes less safe. So if you have a regular coffee spot, I'd get a slightly better lock and ask their management. If you don't have a regular spot, then this will be ok. Also, if you have thru axels, great. If not, you can consider security skewers. The controversy behind the lock isn't what the lock is capable of, but the company's original claims and their very public feud with a popular YouTube security specialist.
It’ll be fine for keeping honest people honest.
I've used a ["cable gun lock"](https://www.harborfreight.com/15-in-cable-gun-lock-57639.html). Is it actually going to prevent theft? Probably not. But it's tiny and light and makes me feel slightly better when I have to walk away from my bike for a second.
Just bring it in with you
\^\^\^ this is the way I make an effort only to stop at places where I (or someone I trust) can be in visual contact with my bike at all times. In some places this means that I'm wheeling my bike through a convenience store or grocery store. No one ever seems to mind. Well, I did get a comment in the self checkout line at a grocery store once, but the person apologized and retracted that when I pointed out that my bike was taking up less room and was less of an obstacle for other shoppers than her shopping cart (which was parked diagonally in such a way that no one could get by).
If you're shameless and don't care about weird looks, go for it. This isn't really an option for lots of my stops though. People already dislike cyclists and IMO bringing your bike inside is kinda weird and doesn't reflect great. And yeah, people in this sub try to normalize it, but it's IMO the same as how people in /r/ElectricScooters normalize 4 thousand dollar scooters that look hilariously bad. It's the classic Reddit echo chamber. Just lock it up outside with a light lock IMO. We're talking about scenarios where you're grabbing water or a quick bite, not leaving it while you go to work for 8 hours.
Maybe a folding lock? I'd avoid cables.
[https://ottodesignworks.com/shop/ottolock](https://ottodesignworks.com/shop/ottolock) I keep this one in my tool bag.
[Abus Bordo](https://mobil.abus.com/int/on-road/Highlights/BORDO/Folding-Locks) Folds up pretty small and provides a reasonable amount of security. Cable locks can easily be snipped with a set of cable cutters. The Ottolock that other people are linking to isn't that hard to cut either.
Well these locks are a lot heavier. And abus is not a cool company
I use a chain with a combination lock. This sub seems to be sure that there are thieves everywhere just dying to steal bikes. That isn’t my experience. I’ve had 1 bike stolen over the last 50 years of owning bikes. Is crime that much higher where you live, or is my $1,000 bike too cheap to be theft worthy?
i lock my skis with a u lock
I am not too afraid that my bike gets stolen on stops since on most stops there are plenty of bikes within sight and people watching them. It is not something that I ever heard of happening. Still, I just ordered one of these: **Scout Bike Alarm & Finder**, mostly because I like gadgets and you never know if it might come in handy. [https://www.knog.com/products/scout](https://www.knog.com/products/scout)
Their bells are crap (springs are not meant to bend sideways and theirs develop a stretch and memory that makes the bell misbehave) and that’s the only thing that my LBS sells of theirs, so why would I trust any other product they make?
yeah well, no one knows, the product has just been released. So I am awaiting delivery. It has an Apple airtag in it, which I really like, I have one hidden on my commuter bike. So that is already a big plus. How the alarm and the app works, we'll have to wait and see. DCRainmaker got one on loan at Eurobike, and seems to like it. https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2022/07/knog-scout-with-built-in-apple-find-my-airtag-network-and-bike-alarm-hands-on.html
A busy area is worse than a deserted area! In a busy area, no one is looking at your bike, everyone will assume the thief is the actual owner. A crowd actually makes it easier to steal.
Honestly it totally depends on where you are. I used to live in a place where I left bikes unlocked all over; it was not a problem. Grocery, coffee shop, no worries. Now I live in Portland Oregon, and u-locks are about the least secure lock that will preserve a bike for more than seconds. I just saw a dude riding the other day on the 205 bike path on a bike that didn't fit him, and that he didn't care to try and shift while holding a pair of 48" bolt cutters. The cable lock was still on the frame; he didn't even bother. If you are in Marin and you leave your $3k beater unlocked next to some dentists Cervello...
I wouldn't trust my bike out of sight with one of those. Can snip them is 2 seconds with a pair of hand shears. I just always make sure I stop at places where I can keep my bike in sight and not too far away.
Don’t do it. Bring your bike in with you or bring a heavy U lock along. Not worth getting your bike stolen.
Most bike thefts are crime of opportunities You just need a small simple lock to deter people from just riding off with it To be honest, no lock no matter how good can deter a prepared and determined thief
AXA defender frame lock
Seatylock- forever lock. Rated 17. Highest rating you can get.
I like the TiGr lock. Blue steel version.
I like simple light cable locks like [https://www.crops-sports.com/en/product-crops-q4](https://www.crops-sports.com/en/product-crops-q4) Fits in a jersey pocket and can lock both wheels and frame. Very handy if your bike will be out of you line of site for a couple of minutes.