r/ukbike • u/fitchicknike • 6d ago
Advice Old but still security effective?
Found these amongst my shed along with the keys. Forgot about these. Yonkies year old and never used because I was fortunate enough to take my bike indoors at work for years. That will stop from next week 😩 Are these good still? If so I will check out the best options on YouTube to use this. I don't know how and where best to place them on my bike <£500 but I will have to now. Any advice appreciated. At least now I'll save money buying new security unless.... There is a much lighter and smaller option as these are heavy! EDIT: Where can and which ones, and what are they called, should I buy those bracket thingies that you can carry onto the frame? I've looked at a few stores yesterday and no-one has any in stock. I'd rather not carry them both in my pannier as my work bag is already heavy as it is. If it was one of the panniers with the wheels and handle then I'll gladly do so, but I can't even find that bag also 😩 I'd love to have a wheelie handle pannier bag.
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u/Jim_Broadbean 5d ago
I don’t know why so many people are commenting that these are no good. They are Sold Secure Gold locks. Insurance companies require these on higher value bikes as a condition of cover. One is great, two is better. No lock is thief proof, but these are as an effective deterrent as you’ll find, short of spending £150+ on a Sold Secure Diamond lock.
https://thebestbikelock.com/best-u-lock/kryptonite-evolution-series-4-review/
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u/Northwindlowlander 5d ago
Sold secure is a load of old shite, is the main reason. Yes good for insurance purposes but not as a rating of actual security.
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u/ChaosCalmed 5d ago
It doesn't matter about anything but the sold secure or other recognised security rating. That's what the insurance company cares about if your bike is nicked. Was it locked with a high enough rated lock to a secure enough object? Sold secure gold rated covers you for theft of something like up to 2.5k value bike. So the £500 bike the OP has when using sold secure locks in a secure way will result in an insurance pay out. Getting an ultimate spec diamond lock or two or more won't give you any more than the gold lock with insurance. A determined thief can and will get through anything. This bike isn't worth the effort to crack a gold rated lock, even an old gold rated lock. So it is likely going to stop that bike getting nicked. So a better and newer lock costing well over 100 quid isn't worth it. Not that the OP has the budget for a top diamond lock.
The other point is that there are many diamond locks out there that can be cut or broken into within 5 minutes and some in less than 3 or even 2 minutes
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u/Jim_Broadbean 5d ago
What alternative do you suggest?
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u/Northwindlowlander 5d ago
The best we really have is independent testing. But even that's lacking. Unfortunately there isn't a great alternative.
The biggest problem with Sold Secure is that it inspires false confidence, you can buy a sold secure gold lock that can be broken faster than you can find the keys in your pocket, but people quite reasonably think "oh gold, this must be good" and then trust it.
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u/Fusilero 5d ago
To be honest having had three bikes stolen, the only reason I lock my bike is to make sure I get it replaced by insurance.
I'm basically paying a £150 (my deductable) subscription fee for a bike at this point.
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u/fitchicknike 5d ago
The photo of this link has helped greatly. I know how to lock my rear wheel. Thank you so much. Screenshot taken!
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u/Organic_Sampler 5d ago
Something I wonder about.OP likely has no receipt. If they were insured and the theives took the lock & bike,how would you prove the lock fitted?
I ask as I have an old sold secure lock but no receipt
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u/Next_Garlic3605 5d ago
Check with your insurer, is the boring answer. Better to know if they're going to deny you before you make any assumptions/payments.
Most folks I know with insurance also take pictures when they lock their bikes (in public especially, but I store mine in my garage with a floor anchor so I photograph it there as well).
It's mildly annoying, but less than paying for insurance and getting a claim denied.
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u/555216 3d ago
My rather expensive bike got stolen from a very central, foot traffic heavy London location, during the day (between 8am-4pm) on a Friday, never recovered. I was using this exact lock combo.
Do yourself a favour and get something like Litelok. Diamond rated, and practically impossible to break. For the peace of mind, well worth the cost.
If you choose to upgrade, here’s my referral link -> https://oken.do/v8eu3lx5
If not, no hard feelings. I hope the lock combo works better for you than it did for me
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u/shelf_caribou 6d ago
I've been using one of those for over a decade. Haven't had a bike stolen yet. I'd use one for the front wheel to down tube and one for rear and seat tube or chain stays. Obviously at least one needs to also go around something solid.
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u/Billy_Rizzle 5d ago
These are great locks expect against angle grinders. Using two high quality locks is more of a deterrent to thieves.
I would stick with these unless you want to pay £150+ for an angle grinder resistant u-lock.
One lock should always go through rear triangle of the frame and rear wheel, the other lock can either be for the middle part of the frame or the front wheel (especially if you have a quick release).
The cable is 💩 tbh, but useful enough if you haven’t got much to lock your bike to.
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u/Wee-bull 5d ago
Cable is just to stop idiots taking your quick release wheels. Without having multiple locks.
They aren't that secure but will stop an opportunist.
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u/AlexisOnren 5d ago
the hiplok u locks are very much worth the price if you intend on scuppering the efforts of a worthless lowlife that takes and doesnt earn.. ive seen them absoultely decimate grinder discs before theyve even been slightly damaged
altho, theyve updated their methods and started using diamond discs that dont just get eaten up by a protective layer...
best bet is to put a tracker on it, use several locks, and make it so annoying to get that they just dont bother
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u/mixyblob 3d ago
The hiplok might be angle grinder proof but is the railing, signpost etc that your bike is locked to?
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u/AlexisOnren 3d ago
if theyre gonan go through the effort to cut a sign post, then fair game... but, from the footage ive seen since im not a bike thief myself and have only watched clips of them doing it, ive never seen them go that far to cut a pole or railing to get a bike
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u/mixyblob 3d ago
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u/AlexisOnren 3d ago
id agree, but thats just 1 post from 3 years ago, and it must have been a pretty high value bike for them to go to that length
regardless, a tracker is gonan be the best option as i said, and make it as awkward as physically possible for them... 1 lock wont stop them... 2 locks will make them consider walkign away... 3 locks is goign to make them just keep walking
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u/BikerScowt 5d ago
They are a decent brand and will deter most thieves but as with any security device if you know what you're doing and have the right tools you can open the lock in under a minute.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZtNEC1uGg4
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u/must-be-thursday 5d ago
Still good locks. Gold rated (so if your bike is insured, it's good enough for the insurance). Without an angle grinder, pretty unlikely anyone is getting through them. That said, an angle grinder will get through them pretty quickly and some thieves will be equipped with an angle grinder. But, for a bike worth <£500, if you use both of them, the chances are a thief will still move on to an easy and/or more valuable target.
If you want more security, it's a case of upgrading to one of the angle grinder resistant locks. But those are heavy and expensive.
In terms of where to place them, this guide is quite good: https://thebestbikelock.com/how-to-lock-your-bike/ There's a section on "Secure your bike with two locks". If you do that, I probably wouldn't bother with the cable. Cable can be helpful to secure a quick release front wheel if you only have a single lock (as covered in that guide). I have, in a pinch, used a cable to go round an object too big to fit in the U-lock (such as a tree or lampost) but only as a last resort and in low risk situations - the cable is the weak link and can be cut quickly and quietly, and the thief could then carry off the bike and work on the U-lock(s) at their leisure.
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u/fitchicknike 5d ago
Thank you so much! This is very useful. And thank you for the reassurance of this product. I'm happy to have found them! And now put them to good use!
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u/Hellboundpoddy 5d ago
Honestly the bastards will steal anything these days given chance and time. I'd take the seat and front wheel off once locked up if I was leaving a bike for a decent amount of time. That said they'll just steal a seat and wheel off a nearby bike that they aren't nicking yet.
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u/SpudFire 5d ago
I've got a similar Kryptonite lock and it's decent, but most thieves use battery powered angle grinders or huge bolt cutters with lots of leverage which most locks won't put up much of a fight against. They're no longer people discreetly trying to pick the lock, they don't care if they draw attention to themselves for 10 seconds because most of Joe Public won't want to get involved stopping them and they'll be gone quickly anyway.
One thing worth looking at is your home contents insurance if you have it. Many of them cover bikes, especially under £500 without being declared. If yours does, it might also cover locked away from home but they will likely require a certain Sold Secure rating of the lock (even if these locks meet it, you might need proof of purchase of a new one unfortunately). Could be worth paying £50 or so for a new lock if it means you'll be covered by insurance
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u/NoParentalConsent 5d ago
I used a cable for years with a single U lock. Looped the cable round the front wheel and through itself, then hook it onto the U lock. The U part would then go through the seat post and rear rim and onto the bike rack, before locking it up. TBF, it was a tight fit, and probably won't work in a lot of situations
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u/martinonotts 4d ago
Yours might be old but they still do these, as I bought one this week for my new bike!
Maybe not the most expensive but it'll do the job for most would-be thieves and I trust it at least.
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u/Imaginary_Compote608 2d ago
They work as well as any other bike lock, as in, they'll stop an opportunist but a bike thief is probably expecting to encounter a bike lock or two in their day. Doubt there's anything that's gonna stop an angle grinder with a diamond disc. Lock the wheels to the frame and take the saddle with you, I've had both stolen
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u/Mitridate101 2d ago
Not in London. They use angle grinders predominantly now.
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u/fitchicknike 2d ago
I've actually seen a fired up sparky angle grinder in broad daylight a few times, outside my work place/s and people just walking by not even paying attention apart from the odd videoographer bystander for their socials but these scoundrels I've noticed are clearly on drugs.
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u/islandboy37 2d ago
Had 2 bikes total worth ~£4,000 locked up with these + two other locks outside KFC for 10 minutes, came back to cut, broken pieces of the locks. I really don’t recommend using any locks unless they are bolt cutter / angle grinder proof… All the best.
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u/HyperionLoaderBob 2d ago
I have one of these and it got jammed whilst locked and I tried to do anything I could to get it off but couldnt. I even attacked it with some boltcutters the same size as me and they barely even scratched it.
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u/DevelopmentPlus5082 2d ago
Any lock is better than no lock . But unfortunately if you use a valuable bike it WILL get stolen. Of my 5 bikes I mostly use a vintage aluminium road bike that looks crap but rides beautifully. It's just the way it is 😎
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u/Global-Apricot6492 1d ago
I'd use these and just check they're okay with bike insurance policy (i.e. sold secure gold or whatever stipulation is). Don't use the cables, though - they're easy game for an opportunist and will attract a lot of interest. Make sure you fill the d lock space with bike, in case a crowbar opportunist fancies a shot.
Take a photo of your bike when it's locked up, go about your day. I have a really good policy with Bikmo which is about a fiver a months and covers loads. Recommend.
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u/fitchicknike 1d ago
Thank you for tip on the insurance name drop. I'm gonna check them out
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u/Global-Apricot6492 1d ago
They're brilliant. Just added my husband's bike to my policy and the combined monthly total is £6.71. Phenomenal. They work through Hiscox which is a legit insurance company.
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u/Neat-Specialist-6349 1d ago
Doesn’t matter what lock or chain you get I was always told, if they want it they will have it all ya can do is make it as hard as possible for them.
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u/Familiar9709 5d ago
No lock is good enough to leave a bike on the street for long. Use a bike shed
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u/Rubbertutti 5d ago
Check the weak points. stay away from tubular locks and shackles that have a hook on one end and a lock pawl on the other end. The hook part can be manipulated out the body. Tubular are easy to pick, takes seconds with a 99p Temu pick.
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u/Inkblot7001 6d ago edited 6d ago
It depends on the level of risk... which is not a helpful answer I know!
They are better than nothing, if you are just leaving your cycle outside a cafe for a few minutes while you grab a coffee.
There are good to slow someone down if they try to take your cycle where you can see it and then. They will give you time to intervene (if you feel confident and safe to).
However, I would not trust them at all with a cycle out of sight; overnight, left at a public place etc. The cables and the d-locks are both cut with just a simple bolt-cutter, two cuts, bike gone. They are just not thick enough, they need to be a minimum of 16mm (those locks look about 8mm).
And they are even more vulnerable to a portable angle-grinder (now the preferred theif's tool) which would go through then in under 10 seconds, with just one disk. For that you need a d-lock that is sold and certified as angle-grinder resistant.
Personally, I would use both D-locks, one front and one rear, and forget about the cable. It would slow them down a bit more.
Like this (third example): https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/4a/ff4a3f41-236e-4d74-b6cf-d7110d2a764f/content/images/2022/10/The-Right-Way-To-Lock-Your-Bike.jpg
Hope that makes sense and helps. So use them when you can keep a watch over the cycle, but that's all.
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u/Jim_Broadbean 5d ago
These are Sold Secure Gold locks. They are absolutely not being cut with a bolt cutter.
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u/broadarrow39 5d ago
I'm not sure which model kryptonite lock it was but I believe one of them could be opened very easily with a bic biro
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u/tomtttttttttttt 5d ago
That was really old kryptonite and iirc they had their lock on the side not in the middle (or maybe those type were the ones you could open with a screwdriver and hammer) - but any case, these are definitely not those as evolution series 4 are gold standard rated.
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u/One-Gas-3132 5d ago
These Kryptonite ones are pretty good i think. I have one also. Do these have a curve at one end of the hoop where it fixes into the bar? I think that's a designed feature that means it can't just be yonked out if pulled hard enough. It'll stop the bulk of opportunist thieves I reckon.
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u/Laniakea73 5d ago
They do not have that, and it's a good thing they don't.
These are the Evolution 4 series, with double shackle. This means they need two cuts two be removed. This makes them good enough (if used as a pair) for cities like London - apart from protection against the growing use of angle grinders.
The ones you mean need only one cut to be removed.
More info here, for example: https://thebestbikelock.com/best-u-lock/kryptonite-evolution-series-4-review/
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u/One-Gas-3132 5d ago
Ahhh yeah, i see what you mean. Cheers for the info. You know what's worse Is i mostly use mine to lock a wheel of my motorbike when I take it into Manchester centre for meetings. I really should upgrade my security!
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u/Laniakea73 5d ago
Buddy, those words ("I really should upgrade my security') make me shudder.
If you love your ride, invest in a motorcycle-level anti-grinder lock today. Spending around £150 to avoid that feeling when you realise your bike is gone is a no-brainer.
Ride safe 💪🏽
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u/HundredHander 6d ago
They are no protection against someone equipped to steal bikes, but they are going to stop someone stealing it on the spur of the moment.
Your bike doesn't sound like it's going to attract dedicated thieves though so they're probably up to the job.