Despite the fact that there are more and more motorists every day, there are still people who prefer bicycles. Such a vehicle will deliver to work, and it is useful for health, and diversifies the evening walk. But, when buying a bike, you must immediately think about its safety. Even a couple of minutes spent in the store is enough for your “iron horse” parked on the street to evaporate: thieves do not sleep. Locks for bicycles can be protected from theft. With their help, you fasten the vehicle to a tree, post and so on.
The main types of locks
- U-shaped models. They are considered examples of strength and reliability. Practice shows that picking a master key for such models is not easy. However, if a thief wants to eat a bolt cutter, he is also unlikely to succeed. It would seem that the benefits are obvious. But many people are prevented from buying by the fact that locks for a bicycle of a similar design have a small grip. That is, the maximum that you can do is fasten the frame to a thin pillar. In addition, these kind of locks are bulky, therefore not very convenient in transportation. Choosing the described model, you need to look if it is made of a burglar-resistant alloy. If you have an ordinary steel product, you should not buy it.
- Locks for a bicycle with a chain. The second variety will be reliable only if it is not too cheap. If the chain is iron, then the attacker can easily cut it with a hacksaw. It is better if resistant alloys were used in the production. Ideally, the links in the chain have a shape that makes it difficult to influence it. It is usually covered with plastic or cloth. This is necessary so that the chain does not scratch the frame. If you choose a fairly expensive model, it will be convenient to use.
- Locks for a bicycle with a cable. These are analogues of the above models. But they are in great demand, because they weigh less and are more comfortable to use. Experienced cyclists recommend locks with cables that are twisted into a spiral. They are distinguished by a good length, but compactness does not suffer. However, for the safety of the entire bicycle, these models are not suitable: they are easy to bite with metal scissors. All they can do is connect the wheels and the frame.
- Locks for bicycles made of plates. They are easily mounted on the frame, made of hardened steel plates . And in the place of fastening of the elements often break, which is their obvious drawback. The advantages include compactness.
- Wheel lock models. Interesting modification. Such locks are mounted on the frame, and if they are closed, they wrap around the rim, preventing the wheel from spinning. As a result, all that a thief can do is carry your vehicle in your arms. Whether such a design is reliable or not is up to you. Do not forget that the bike can always be thrown into the back of a truck and taken away.
According to the method of closing
Locks for bicycles can be opened with a key. And the reliability of such designs is no lower than that of those that are unlocked by means of a set of code combination. It’s just that the latter are more convenient, because you don’t need to carry the key with you all the time.
So, if you are interested in how to choose a bicycle lock, study all the advantages and disadvantages of the models described above. Choose for yourself the one that seems more convenient than the others. And you can secure the bike as much as possible if you use two locking devices at once.
Cost of locks
In addition, the price of a bicycle lock is the most eloquent. Do not buy cheap items. The cost of locking devices varies from 60 to 1000 rubles, depending on the model.