locking bikes on tour

[glenn]

I'm interested to hear what solutions people use for locking their bikes/kit when touring.

Obviously weight is an issue, but secure locks aren't light. Do people generally use cable locks or u-locks? How do you secure your panniers when visiting tourist spots? And what are the typical security criteria of insurance policies?

thanks

glenn

[Jon]

I generally use a cable lock for the bike, as you never know what the parking facilities are going to be like at tourist sites, and a cable lock is more flexible than a U-lock.

I usually do day rides from a base-camp so locking panniers isn't something I have to do, but maybe some of the security locks for backpacks might work?

This raises an interesting question of cycle-friendly tourist sites, which I think I'll follow up with a separate posting.

[Tim]

I use an admittedly heavy top of the range squire d-lock all of the time, even on tour. What to do about panniers...well i have found so far that if the bike is parked and locked in a busy area it seems to be safe as long as you make sure to take your essential items with you round the castle or whatever. it's a matter of risk i suppose but you would have to miss so much if you never left the bike unattended. This has applied in the UK and western Europe. Having said that there are some places where I have decided against leaving the bike at all...it was a matter of gut feeling. Not scientific and how the insurance company would feel i don't know!

[Lizb.bird]

I have one of those rope chains with the loop at each end and a padlock, the rope goes thru the bike wheels and round the trailer then round a post, never had any bother used this method in Amsterdam this summer where cycle theft is rife (so we were informed) no mishaps. As for luggage the bag in the BOB trailer would be impossible to open or lift out but a determined thief would just slit it open. I always have valuables in the bar bag and that is just easy to unclip and take with me. Touchwood no incidents after 6 tours.

[sharon]

Re locking panniers. I confess I've never had any problem on tour. Even locked a determined thief could cut the fabric as has already been said. If they want to try nicking my dirty undies then good luck to them, saves me carrying them home and washing them I say. The only twice I've had anything nicked; 1. a penknife out of handlebar bag outside a caff in this country.
2. My saddle from the bike shed at Copenhagen YH now there's a question how does one secure a saddle?

[Jon]

Sharon,

To secure my saddle I use a small diameter cable lock (mine is something called a 'Whiplock' which stows in the hadlebars) which I thread trough the saddle rails and lock around the bike frame. I wouldn't use it to secure the bike, but it will stop someone with a spanner walking off with your saddle.

[sharon]

Jon
Fortunately the saddle was 20 years ago and I've never had a problem since, presumably my well broken in B17 is no longer attractive to the light fingered, maybe they prefer more modern gel types these days.

[gar]

I never take my eyes off my kit or my bike on tour.
There is a hidden rope between me and the machine which is tugged the moment anybody takes a "look" at the only gear I have in the world, for the time being.

Would you take your eyes off you favourite horse
and saddle? If necessary it stables in my room with me, or more likely, I stable with the horse

[B]

I use a cable lock, supplemented by one of the smaller width Abus U-locks when leaving the bike for any length of time. This means I can attach the bike to something (even if only another bike) and secure either the front or rear wheels to the frame.

This has worked for me but on holiday in Italy a couple of years ago (not touring) I saw two locked up bikes outside a busy tourist attraction where someone had evidently completely gone through all four panniers on each bike, Clothes and camping stuff was strewn everywhere but the bikes and panniers appeared to be OK. As I said this was a busy location, people must have seen what was going on - so no lock in the world would have stopped it!

[Andy Tallis]

I gave up on U locks. They're secure but heavy, bulky and awkward to use (touring often takes you to spots with no appropriate locking point.) I use a standard £15 cable lock which is about 700g, long enough to go through both wheels, frame and round a lampost and very versatile.

As for panniers the most secure I've managed is locking them to the bike. Ideally always keep your valuables in sight (eg barabag.) You may just have to chance it with heavy luggage.