Buying the right bike lock. How much to spend?

There are many schools of thought about the best way to protect your trusty steed from the potential threat of theft when you're apart.
Parking in a busy, open area where even the most brazen thief would feel uncomfortable is generally a good idea; a quiet, secluded back street on the other hand can offer an all too tempting proposition to the wouldbe thief.
The raw reality is that the likelihood of seeing a stolen bike again is very slim these days. Bikes are sold on quickly and often stripped down so components can be sold separately online or used on less identifiable bikes. 
Even if it were to be replaced under insurance within 24 hours, the sudden abduction of a trusty steed is an unpleasant experience and one that is largely preventable.





Always securing to a solid piece of street furniture (cycle parking hoop, fence or pole) is a must, ideally this will be in a bustling public area.
If leaving out of sight it's advisable to loop another cable through the lock and wheels, especially if quick release (QR) skewers are fitted. If there is the option to secure either wheel, always opt for the rear.



If a bike is rarely left locked up alone then QR skewers are less of a theft risk. Replacing them for 'Security Skewers' makes it tidier and easier to lock the bike up whilst still reducing the chance wheel theft.
Other components commonly targeted by thieves are the saddle and saddle post (sometime along with the seat post clamp) where a QR seat post clamp is fitted. Again these can be replaced with a secure equivalent. 

Some suggestions are to spend 10% of the value of the bike on the lock to secure it. This works to a degree, but investing in a good quality D-lock, spending say £50-60 no matter what the bike's value is a very sound move.

For some time now Abus and Kryptonite have been the leading names to look for in this price range. The 'Abus Granit X-Plus' is of particular note. Ranging from £50 upwards, it's been a highly recommended purchase for some years, mainly because it generally makes thieves walk-on-by.

The presence of some recognised armoury will cause unwanted gazes to be quickly averted elsewhere, and gradually over time, as with theft in the motor industry, it will be the case that thieves are afforded less and less opportunity.

John Stevenson wrote a very good article recently for Road.cc pedal powered website, click the below link to read the full article.

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By Derren Walliams for www.brightonebikes.co.uk Aug. 2015.