Hal Grades Your Bike Locking 3: The Final Warning!

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Hal Grades Your Bike Locking 3: The Final Warning!

It's Bike Month - which means there are scads of neophytes out there nationwide giving cycling a try. Oh goody! But, oh baddy - it also means more improper locking - and we all know there are predators just licking their chops at the thought of stealing all or part of your bike. So we want to do all we can to preach good locking technique and thwart thieves.

We need a sage in these times to remind us how easy it is to roll your bike. Once again enter the immortal, Bicycle Habitat mechanic Hal Ruzal to give us the straight dope in what he's calling "your final warning" in this last chapter of our exclusive trilogy. Let's hope the third time is a charm!

This time around Hal's not only grading bike locking ability of anonymous locker-uppers, but he also shows you how he secures his bike so you too can score an "A" (or at least have a decent shot at an A- or B+.) And if you love the humorous anecdotes and musings here, don't miss our first two chapters: "Hal Grades Your Bike Locking" and "Hal (and Kerri) Grade Your Bike Locking".

Mr. Magwai

I could watch ten episodes of Hal in action.
Quansu Dude

I want to watch this every morning to be happier.
http://webonastick.com/ Darren Embry

I'll bite... what's wrong with locking to a parking meter?
Clarence Eckerson, Jr.

Actually it all depends on what type of parking meter, some probably are okay but it isn't worth the 30 seconds we used up in the video and we cut it in favor of the on-screen text warning.

NYC has many different varieties, as do other cities. If you lock to a typical single head parking meter and say you use a kryptonite chain lock to lock up - then it is possible to lift the entire bike over the parking meter head, if you use a little moxie. The bike would still be locked to itself, but you could carry the bike away. To be honest in the past, I have locked to a single head parking meter and have locked up really, really tight with no room to spare and have felt I was safe. But a few years ago, my friend swears he did the same and the thief got his bike, so I stopped doing that.

Double headed parking meters are probably a much safer bet cause the chain can't go over both, but better to stay away from them altogether if you can.
andy

Instant classic, especially the ending sequence with Hal rhapsodizing on the green bike lane!

Happy Bike Month!
Eric McClure

This may be the best Streetfilm ever. I am not going to admit to what grade Hal might have given me, though.

But I do promise to improve my locking technique!
http://www.livablestreets.com/people/npGREENWAY Scott for npGREENWAY

Love it. Send Hal out to Portland for a field trip of bike lock job grading...
brian

does anyone know more about that ball bearing in the handlebar post? I've never seen that before, how do you remove it when you need to work on your bike?
DynamicDeebytheSea

I love you HAL!
hal ruzal

You must use a torch, turn the bike upside down and heat the glue till the bearing falls out, most thieves don't carry torches around in order to steal handlebars, thanks, Hal
Skratchy

Nice tip on the ballbearing Hal! I thought about putting glue on the threads of bolts and then screwing them in but that method looks way better.

Regarding the anti-theft seat device - was that an old chain with recycled innertubes you used?
Mimi

Thank you so much Hal! My last bike got stolen and now I know everything to do to make sure that never happens again!
http://gettinaroundpnw.blogspot.com Mark K.

Hal referred to a long-shackle Kryptonite lock as "garbage" in the video. As I have one, I have to ask, what's wrong with them?

I think I'll be looking for a couple of auxilary cables and maybe some old chain and tube sections to copy Hal's seat anti-theft measures...
http://www.bikeregistry.com Bike Registry

Very good primer on theft reduction. Definitely second the comment regarding cable; AVOID cable at all costs. Don't forget about registry for recovery, just in case.....
Greg

I really like that seat lock idea, I've never seen it in Toronto, are they DIY, or do you have to purchase them?
jcs

hal: check out copenhagen sometime. everyone bikes, you'll love it, but they have a bit of a bike theft problem---most barely lock their very expensive bikes, it's kinda tragic. that said, there are so many bikes and comparatively fewer thefts you can sorta see why.

most common locking? just a bar that clicks through the rear wheel so you can't drive it away, but you can pick it up.
http://brockkake.com brock

Hal referred to a long-shackle Kryptonite lock as "garbage" in the video. As I have one, I have to ask, what's wrong with them?

It looked like it could have been one of the ye olde Kryps that you can crack with a Bic pen plus it was fairly dainty to the point that some bolt cutters could have gone through it.
Tmo

Hal sounds like Christopher Walken
TwowheelinTim

It's nice to live in a place where I can park my bike without having to worry about carrying so much lock, chain and cable. Hal would probably give me a D-, but where I park my bike, I probably don't have to lock it at all.
another hippy guy

Im in love with Hal, can you get him to do a cooking series? or anything else for that matter...
http://www.westpalmbeach-criminalattorney.com/ West Palm Beach criminal attorney

Agree with the above comment someone get this man his own show.
paul c, SF

Great Film! Should be required viewing.
I've had 4 bikes stolen in SF over 30+ years (approx 1 each 10 yrs.), and mostly it's due to stupidity.
HOWEVER.
I've also found there are two things about thefts that you don't mention in your video, because you're talking mechanics (physics and topology).
One is probabilities (chance). If you leave your bike for .5 hours, the chance is pretty low, except in prime theft spots. You play those odds all the time. Ex.: #3 parked out front of library with kryptonite for 10 min. Much nicer bike parked next to me with same lock. Analysis: Hi theft area with lookout and list that included a kid carrier. Shoulda used 2nd lock in old fashioned (but effective) cage-style lock protector bike rack.
Other thing: Psychology. Many use this already. Crap up the bike so it's not sparkly new. Stickers, dirty, duct tape, paint, ripped up (but functional) seat, etc. If they're desperate (chance again!), they'll take it anyway. But I suspect the pros won't be as interested as in a spiffy new bike.
Also, out of sight of the street is way safer than visible from the cruising van.
Or, if on the street, right where you can keep an eye on it.
Finally, I never spend over $400 for a bike now. Less attractive, one hopes, and certainly not as great a loss, if you're wrong. And get used to the idea that if you manage to keep it for 10 years you're doing well, and can let it go easier. I try not to get too attached to machines, even my trusty bike. Kinda Zen: it's a CA thing.
paul c, SF

I'm not sure if anyone answered Mark K about the long kryptonite lock problem. Long before the "bic solution" was discovered, thieves discovered that a tire jack (Volvo's was preferred at the time) could get inside one and pop it. I assume that's how my #3 above was taken in seconds. I hear that freon was also used to freeze then shatter it (may be urban legend). Basically, its length just gives thieves a lot of space to work in.
Damon Spark

There are so many things wrong with this. Epoxy a ball bearing into your stem bolt? How are you ever going to take it off? They don't even make them like that anymore anyhow. Cities need to invest covered bike lockers so thieves can't even tell what bikes are in there and can't swipe the parts!
Georwatterutt

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Brendan

while the auxilary cable is clever and i havent seen it before i do see a flaw in it. the purpose of using both cable and u-lock is not only to secure the front and rear wheels but also to stump potential thieves because if you have the tools to crack a u lock you need different tools for a cable lock which is not always on hand, and vice versa. the flaw with the aux cable is if the u lock is cracked so is the cable. i use a u lock and a cable lock together to prevent theft, in areas of high theft or a long time storage i use two cables and a u lock sometimes even a chain
Tara

Hal is awesome.
http://www.couponmole.com/ Kristen Simmons

LOL you only care about how well your bike is locked after it gets stolen. I got one stolen right out of my building's garage when I lived in DC. Never thought that was possible!
http://registrycleaners10.com/ RegistryCleaners10.com

This article gives the light in which we can observe the reality. This is extremely nice one and gives in depth info.
Ovis2000

Hal, what is your opinion on Pinhead locks 4 pack lock set?
http://www.melfast.com wholesale fasteners

Hi,

Nice article guys, I liked it.
Psleeth

Thanks Hal!!!!! Love the info, very helpful! AND GREAT ATTITUDE!
http://www.facebook.com/YourFriendlyNeighborhoodCameron Cameron Badal

Ah the bridgestone RB-2, that is my favorite of all my bikes.
Karl

best way to lock up your bike, don't live in the city!
uygfyfvhgvhj

I like how his shorts get shorter in each film.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Greg-Gross/500014741 Greg Gross

Great stuff. I still say bike thieves should be treated like horse thieves in the Old West. But until we're legally allowed to string them up from the nearest tree or lamp post, smart bike security is the next best bet. Keep on bringing the knowledge.
Sean o’ Riada

Love your videos Hal! If you ever come to Ireland I'll buy you a Guinness!
Dkkdk

Sometimes you need to take your handle bars off to put some grease in there. How do you get them off with a ball bearing epoxyed in there?
Dkkdk

Sorry, never mind- I just read Hal's response below.
http://flickr.com/yonas1 yonas

That was so awesome. I love that guy.
jhkljkljlk

http://zngaf.pochta.ru/
joesmyth

Are the videos gone, or do they require flash?
sahab singh

http://muted.com/17-of-the-best-bike-locks-available/

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