First off I go to art school in San Francisco. The school provides shuttles that go to all the school buildings, but are quite slow, thus I ride my bike all the time.
Last semester I lent my bike out to my roommates friend for 2 days (I know, bad Idea). He returned everything, but the ulock key, and mini pump. Oh yeah I forgot to mention that he left the ulock locked on my bike frame. Long story short, he never returned the stuff, so I began to look for a new lock.
I browsed online and read that chain locks provided some of the best security, but i found them to be quite spendy ($20-65, yes $20 is spendy, I'm in college :P). So I sought out to make my own chain-lock for cheap!
This build is so easy it's pretty ridiculous and should cost you less than $12. Let's get to it!
Last semester I lent my bike out to my roommates friend for 2 days (I know, bad Idea). He returned everything, but the ulock key, and mini pump. Oh yeah I forgot to mention that he left the ulock locked on my bike frame. Long story short, he never returned the stuff, so I began to look for a new lock.
I browsed online and read that chain locks provided some of the best security, but i found them to be quite spendy ($20-65, yes $20 is spendy, I'm in college :P). So I sought out to make my own chain-lock for cheap!
This build is so easy it's pretty ridiculous and should cost you less than $12. Let's get to it!
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Signing UpStep 1: Getting the Right Chain
This part like the rest of the build is simple. Go to the hardware store, buy the thickest chain you can (within reason). You want a heavy duty thick chain for the obvious reason that they are hard to break.
I don't recall the exact specs of the chain I bought, but it was about $3 per foot. I got 2 feet which Is enough to at least lock the frame to a post. I think 3ft or 4ft would be ideal. You can make it as long as you want within your budget, just keept in mind you have to lug it around.
On to step 2!
I don't recall the exact specs of the chain I bought, but it was about $3 per foot. I got 2 feet which Is enough to at least lock the frame to a post. I think 3ft or 4ft would be ideal. You can make it as long as you want within your budget, just keept in mind you have to lug it around.
On to step 2!
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You should get tough security chain, not regular chain from a hardware store. It is much harder to cut. Both the chain and lock pictured here are pieces of crap.
It is hard to find security chain as it is very tough to cut. If the store you buy your chain from can cut it without a oxyacetlyene torch then so can a thief!
Consider buying this chain. It's a bit cheaper than kryptonite etc. http://www.bikeregistry.com/estore/product_info.php?cPath=34&products_id=63&osCsid=d94ebbd400386bdc4376ba55bc9042c4
Using a crappy lock is the definition of false economy.
I can tell you from experience that it is a long sad walk home thinking over your foolishness when your bike is stolen due to an inadequate lock..
Windy
When making your own look for case hardened chain. Not always easy to find but worth the laugh when you see minuscule tool marks on your chain and know some bike thief now owns dull bolt cutters.
With the ease of picking locks that use keys, and the ability to break combination locks. How about a combination lock but with the shape of a disc padlock? I will do some searches and try to find one if it exists.
The only combination locks I recommend are master locks, but even those have their faults. Military guy, and military boots can make the master lock break like the classic combo. Just my 2 cents, don't buy cheap locks.
These have three great advantages over U-locks and other locks. First they are flexible in that they can lock to a variety of things unlike U-locks that can't go around large poles or trees. Second, U-locks have some inherent vulnerabilities other than the lock mechanism, chain is stronger. Third, other locks are integrated so when the lock fails due to corrosion, the whole thing is useless; whereas a chain lock is modular, the chain will never wear out, ever and you can replace the lock inexpensively. And as a bonus, you can make a chain lock for the same price or cheaper than any other bike lock.
Woot!