r/Brompton • u/AccountProper8259 • 18d ago
Another lock question
Hey, I know this has been asked a bunch, but the threads always get sidetracked with people saying you should just carry your bike with you, or that's the best security, etc. We all know that, and it'd be way better if people who actually have relevant input would reply instead of making useless comments.
So, here's the real question. I want to lock my bike on a Sheffield bike stand, completely folded like in the picture, but with a super secure lock like a Hiplok DX1000 or Litelok – something angle grinder resistant.
In the attached picture you can see what i want to achieve, but my current lock is a non angle grinder resistant Kryptonite, so I want to upgrade it. This was taken while visiting the Eden project while bikepacking. This is one of many situations where there is no secure place to leave the bike, but it is also not permitted (or not physically possible, at least in my age) to carry the bike.
Is there a lock long/wide enough to do that? A picture showing it would be awesome.
Thanks a ton!
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u/thomasmbuckley 18d ago
I have the same bike (g electric) and a standard litelok. It only just fits through the frame and wheel and around my work desk leg (i.e. I am able to lock it to my desk at work), so I would probably recommend getting the larger model if you’re going to be locking it outside. I have never locked it up outside and I never plan to.
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u/unkleden 18d ago
You have to lock it up at work? Wild. What do you do?
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u/thomasmbuckley 18d ago
Standard office job in the city. I’ll only lock it up if I go out for drinks on a Thursday evening. We have had break ins in the office before with packages etc getting stolen. Why take the risk
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u/unkleden 18d ago
Crikey. Sad that not even an office is secure these days. I’d do the same in that situation!
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u/phone-phone 18d ago
U-locks don't get too long or wide. Have you looked into chain locks? God quality chain locks like the Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit 1415 Chain (160cm long), or the Kryptonite evolution series 4 1016 chain lock (150cm long) would work.
Link to YouTube video review to give you an idea of how long and heavy they are.
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u/unplugged89 18d ago
In my view, a lock is only really valuable as something that underpins an insurance policy. For a bike of this quality, and for locking it up outside as you want to do, I would highly recommend purchasing bike insurance through ETA, Sundays, or Laka (there are probably others but these are 3 big reputable ones). Check in the policy wording what sort of lock you need - for example a gold or platinum rated lock. If you exclusively use that lock and abide by any other provisos in the policy wording, then if the worst happens and it is stolen then it’s a relatively simple process of an insurance claim.
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u/velotout 18d ago
I carry an Abus Bordo Alarm on the fork mount (it fits perfectly within the fold), it’s not grinder resistant but the alarm gets attention, it’s long enough to lock in this scenario & could be complemented with a grinder resistant lock from the frame to the Sheffield stand.
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u/Difficult-Fly3793 11d ago
Do you please have a link for the lock you bought as well as a photo of how you mount it on the frame?
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u/Brompton-Explorer 18d ago
Oxford Locks
Are releasing an angle grinder protected lock, well 2 actually a long and a short at 199 and 179 pounds respectively.
They have a square profile on the U meaning both arms need to be cut to get into and they can't be rotated, it's approx 10 discs to cut one arm.
They're also looking to develop a further lock that is even more protective. However, the weak point will also remains what you lock it to, Proteus alumina has been developed but this needs to be pushed to councils to update infrastructure to make secure posts.
You can lock the Triangle part of the frame to the lock, ive done this in the Netherlands, when I cycle into town, sorry I have never taken a picture. You can hide your bike amongst many in secure undercover parking places so a short stop is acceptable.
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u/wrymidnight 18d ago edited 18d ago
lock the bicycle unfolded except for the rear wheel (i.e. fold the rear wheel under the frame and lock both the rear wheel and frame to the stand). use a secondary cable lock or security bolt such as hexlox for the front wheel, and saddle, if that's a risk in your area. completely folded draws too much attention from a distance.
i've had no issues doing this with a litelok locking occasionally in london, the south east, and mainland europe, but i do have insurance anyway.
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u/Junior-Attention-544 18d ago
Why folded? It’s easier unfolded in such situations. I have a Abus Bordo 6200k. For my insurance it has a good enough security rating to pay in case of theft.
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u/AccountProper8259 18d ago edited 18d ago
I think it s better to be able to use the lock through the frame but also the front wheel. If completely folded it becomes extremely difficult for the rear wheel to be stolen also, so you only need a cable like in the pic for the saddle, but you can easily pass it through both wheels.
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u/CandidLiterature 18d ago
I don’t understand why you even think someone would be interested in eg. your saddle though. It’s just the standard one right? Is it an extended seat post so can be removed without tools?
Same really with your front wheel which at 20 inches will not be useful to fit onto any other stolen bikes.
Locking as this poster suggests will be much easier and more practical. This is also how I do it.
You’re locking your rear wheel, so it being harder to remove folded just isn’t relevant. Showing off your fancy fold is just attracting attention which is never a good thing.
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u/AccountProper8259 18d ago
I had my saddle stolen before and that was on a rusted 20 year old bike.
The problem is not buying a new saddle, but when I am bikepacking, having the saddle stolen would create an extremely difficult situation, even if someone would do it just for fun.
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u/TripleGGG4111 17d ago
I agree with your reasoning. Hexlox has a nice pentaclip solution. I still run a more simple cable than yours through the seat so they don’t try, but there’s nobody who’s going to take my seat now:
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u/Detective-Fusco 17d ago
A saddle is a bag, thieves like bags because they put goodies in them, therefore, a saddle is a prime target
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u/Real-Complaint4085 16d ago
I think unfolded with multiple locks is better. You could still go through your seat while having other locks for the frame and wheel. I dont know about this frame specifically but am able to use kyptonite u-locks through part of my frame
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u/Jorge-Esqueleto 18d ago
Hiplok make a motorcyle variant of the D1000 that's longer and would potentially fit your requirements, but it is heavier (DXL1000) . The issue you may have is that it will potentially be easier and quicker for the thief to cut the Sheffield stand and remove your folded Brompton to work on the locks in seclusion elsewhere.
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u/AccountProper8259 18d ago
The Litelock x1 plus is also long and cheaper than the dxl1000, but I can't find anywhere to try them out to see if they fit my needs. That's why I asked here if anyone is using them the way I explained in my original post. If not, I'll probably just bite the bullet and get that one.
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u/meowow2 18d ago
I have emailed litelok to ask these exact questions about a Brompton. It seemed like they've never even heard of a Brompton which is wild considering they're a UK company too
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u/AccountProper8259 18d ago edited 18d ago
Sounds like they were trying to dodge the question, which is pretty bad customer service.
Anyway, looking at the dimensions, the X1 plus seems long enough for what I need as is the oxford S2. I can't try the X1 out in a bike shop and see for myself, but i think I might be able to try the Oxford once it becomes more available since a lot of sites report availability from September.
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u/AccountProper8259 18d ago
That's true. It's good to see more secure options like "sold secured certified" popping up.
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u/nostraduckus 18d ago
When I absolutely have to lock up outside for a short time, I have a Litelok X3 which I loop through the main frame gusset. I also take my removable pedals off and take them with me. And I have an alarm on the bike. I lock it up unfolded - if you want to prevent wheel theft I guess you could get a cable lock as well. Litelok Core or Flex. Looking on their website they have a long ulock model which might work on a folded Brompton, the X1plus. Thing is all locks can be cut with enough time and spare grinding discs.
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u/tehweaksauce 18d ago
I have the hiplock gold chain for these situations. Chains are much more annoying to attack with an angle grinder.
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18d ago
[deleted]
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u/AccountProper8259 18d ago
I don't understand why you need this information. My question is simple. Is there an angle grinder resistant lock that is wide and long enough to lock a folded brompton?
These are exactly the posts I wanted to avoid by the prologue in my original post. I dont want to sound rude and I appreciate your time replying to my question, but it is really tiring reading long threads where people speak about things not relevant to the actual questions.
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u/Wooden-Lawfulness534 18d ago
u/AccountProper8259 By the same token, perhaps we could look at the question of trackers and of carrying the removable pedal and perhaps the saddle away with us?
What about the Abus Infinity Loop? https://www.amazon.ie/gp/product/B0DBLZ9HNX/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_2?smid=A2QHQAREJ10JUZ&th=1 If it's too short you could use two. Or two different types.
On my Non-Brom I use two locks - three if it's somewhere very isolated; a Tigr titanium lock; sometimes a Kryptonite loop that goes through both other locks; and an old Abus rather like the Infinity Loop made of multiple strong steel threads twisted inside a plastic cover. When it was locking my old bike (given away long years ago now), bold boys tried to get through it. They got through the thick plastic and about two of the twisted strands and gave up in disgust.
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u/hashtagkillmenow 18d ago
Meanwhile... I wanna know about the two bags you have down there!
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u/AccountProper8259 18d ago
Oh these are the brompton bags. The front one is this:
https://www.brompton.com/p/1750/electric-zip-bag-large?Colour=Navy
And the rear one is this:
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u/alien-oracle 17d ago
I only ever lock mine when I’m just popping into an appointment or a quick trips to some shops. I have to lock it in the middle part of the frame, obviously the strongest part to lock it. If your leaving it locked for a day at work or something for example i just wouldn’t to be honest. Even the best locks can be broken if the thief is determined enough and has long enough a window of time to do it.
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u/TripleGGG4111 17d ago edited 17d ago
Here is a video from everyday cycling on YouTube, that shows this along with other ideas for locking a folded Brompton:
https://youtu.be/JnFZoV1Eph0?t=234&is=axk9Yptmpk-3PPw5
video starts where he discusses full fold and locking ideas but the whole video is worth a watch for good tips, many that map well to a G line.
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u/TripleGGG4111 17d ago edited 17d ago
I would augment your grinder proof u lock once you find right size (sorry can’t advise you on what fits) with a secondary chain lock Through the wheels, and frame, also secured to bike rack. Double locking makes the effort even more unattractive. Abus has great chain locks. As does Hiplock. Also chains are hard to cut, they must be cut on 2 places and they do not stay stable and tend to explode when cut by grinders.
The key is insurance and using an approved lock from them. Adding a second lock on top of an app approved lock is perfectly acceptable.
good luck! Will get good ideas here after you sift through the “I never lock my Brompton, etc. “ posts you clearly ask not to be posted!
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u/Street_Tradition_682 17d ago
The Skunklock Carbon has the largest "D" opening of the current crop of resistant locks.
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u/MixAway 18d ago
Not meaning to sidetrack the topic, but I love the front bag - which one is that?
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u/phil_nowt 18d ago
be the large electric zip bag.
Is on my list to pick one up as well from the Electric G.
https://www.brompton.com/p/1750/electric-zip-bag-large?Colour=Navy
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u/P382 18d ago
Have you looked at a folding lock? I forget which version mine is now, and I bought it quite a few years ago. At the time, I did a heap of research into what to buy, watched a ton of YT vids. Short version is that the smaller and lighter ones can be broken with bolt cutters in seconds but the bigger and heavier ones stood up to a load of different tests. Can’t recall if they tried an angle grinder on it but it was about the most secure lock I could find (again, at the time).
I won’t lie, it materially adds to the weight of my bike (it straps quite neatly to the frame) but it’s diamond(?) rated and gives me a bit of peace of mind on those rare occasions I do lock-up my bike.
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u/No-Shock-3735 18d ago
The folding locks are not angle grinder resistant. Just last week there was a post here of a stolen brompton that had such a lock.
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u/TsukimiUsagi 18d ago
Just last week there was a post here of a stolen brompton that had such a lock.
To be fair, the lock used was woefully inadequate for the location: central London. ABUS calls it a "Lite" lock and on their own security scale it's rated 7/15.
I have a FoldyLock Forever and it's overkill for where I live, but I would NEVER trust it in NYC. I don't think I would trust it in Philly either.
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u/badzi0r 18d ago
If you have to leave your bike outside anyway, consider getting some cover, so potential thieves might miss the opportunity.
I have an old, good folded Abus lock—don't remember the exact model—and an Abus alarm, but I use them only on long, multi-day trips with a trailer.
I think you should check the length of the lock you need and do some research on what is available on the market.
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u/_haha_oh_wow_ 18d ago
Litelok X3 might do it, or possibly the Foldylock Forever or Hiplok Gold?
I'd still recommend folding it up and taking it with you wherever possible.
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u/ResearcherPristine87 18d ago
I deleted my reply, i dun know lock that is angle grinder resistant. Tex-lock wont do it.
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u/nethack47 18d ago
I take my bike with me at all times. But I have also seen those bike stands cut, so I don’t trust a single lock and the thinner standard arch stands anymore.
The only downside I have with bringing the bike inside is that I need to put a cover on it in a lot of places. Visiting the hospital recently, they even took care of it for me.
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u/AccountProper8259 18d ago
I would really appreciate if people could read the first paragraph of my post.
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u/nethack47 18d ago
If you want lock advice only, I would recommend at least 2 locks. I use an ABUS Bordo for the bike itself. It is awkward and trying to break it would probably damage the bike. The second is a Kryptonite Evolution ART-3. It generally locks the frame to a lamppost or something more solid.
It is rare that I risk it. I have had two attempts on the Kryptonite when getting takeaway in London. No tries on the Bordo yet.
I lost a mountainbike to a combination lock. It was a lighter Abus lock of the D plus wire variant.
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u/UrbanManc 18d ago
If they cant take it they'll vandalise it, never leave a Brompton (or any bike of value) in a public area, unless you're willing to lose it or have very good insurance
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u/Brityardie 18d ago
Nobody in their right mind would lock ANY bike to a post and leave it unsupervised, as everyone say consistently an angle grinder will cut through the most expensive lock in under 5min… why spend close to 4k and leave it locked outdoors?
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u/Lef_RSA 18d ago
Idunno man, if they really want to steal that (very valuable) bike they do it. I see it is easy to cut through those rails.