Bike Disc Brake Lock Hack

Theft may not be an issue for many readers out there, but for those that commute by bike or use a bike to run errands, theft is a dark cloud that often hovers over your bike while you are away.  I live in New York City and rely upon my bike for most of my transport and thus possible theft is always on my mind. 

Over the years I have tried to come up with ways of locking my bike up that are convenient for me and hopefully problematic for thieves.  If a thief really wants your bike, or a part of it, nothing will likely stop him or her. However, there are ways to possibly scare a thief away or slow him or her down.

I do have a chain lock, an Onguard Beast Chain, that is long enough for one wheel and my frame, but that leaves one wheel to worry about.  A few years ago I came up with an idea that I had not seen before.  Check it out -

While walking around NYC I had witnessed many riders user pipe clamps to secure their quick release lever, however it seemed like it would be a hassle to have to undo the clamp if I got a flat.  While staring at my bike one day I thought about using a lock for the same purpose and it ended up working out great. 

I found a lock that would fit around the chainstay and the quick release making it impossible to pull the lever out.   The only issue for me was the lock would rattle if left the way it was.  As a remedy I covered the lock in plastic wrap (to keep water and dirt out) and then used a small bungee cord and Velcro strap to keep it from moving around. 

This was a great solution, but did not work on the frame of my Globe.  My Globe frame, as you can see below, is built in a more complex way and there is no "simple" angle to deploy my lock hack.  I was vexed for many a month and ended up carrying an extra cable lock with me to secure my back wheel.  Then one day as I was locking up I saw the light . . . literally. 

It might not be obvious from the picture below, however there is a decent sized gap between the disc brake housing and the disc itself. 

It becomes more apparent when you look at this picture. 

When I saw the gap a light went off in my head and I took the very same lock that had been on my other bike and it fit perfectly through the gap!  It would now take a thief some time to try to get the back wheel off and I have not seen something like this before so it might likely confuse someone with ill intentions.  I just carry the padlock in my backpack and it takes only about 5 seconds to put on or take off.  I no longer have to carry around a cable.  I liked having the lock as a more permanent addition to my other bike, but this hack is quick and easy for me. 

If you have come up with locking hacks we would love to hear about them so we can post.  Just send us an email.

Also, a related post from the past that readers might find interesting is Eight Solutions to Fight Bicycle Part Theft. 

Secure that whip!

Comments

[TP]

I once saw a beater bike locked with a small padlock. It connected the chain and one spoke from the rear wheel. :)

[Andy]

You could find some surgical tubing to cover the bar of the lock too. That way if someone does try to spin the wheel, it's not at least got some padding before it yanks on the disc.

[Leo Horishny]

Your lock hack demonstrates, to me, that if there were quick release levers with an opening at the end, it could be rotated so that opening sits where you can lock the wheel and the disc brake at the same time, something like how current disc brake locks on motorcycles, if that helps picture things.

[Ben]

Very nice! It looks like a 6mm (?) allen wrench would allow removal of the disk brake with just two bolts? You could perhaps instead lock one arm of the disk to the frame? Alternatively, I'm not sure what equipment thieves carry these days, but I bet a disk is pretty easy to fatigue if you happen to have pliers. Yes, it's a barrier, but I'm just wondering how I'd get through if I really wanted your wheel.

I'm considering a Pitlock skewer, which claims to answer the same purpose as your hack but at far greater cost. Do those deter NY-grade thieves, or are they just a gimmick?

[Raiyn]

As I told you many years ago when you brought that first idea up, if you locked your bike using the methods shown here: http://www.mechbgon.com/lock/index.html this padlock hack would be redundant.

Frankly, I don't know what you see in these dime store padlocks, they're really NOT hard to get into even without bolt cutters. I could get into yours with my Leatherman tool and a Coke can in a matter of minutes (less if I made the shim in advance).

[motorcycle injury los angeles]

A very ingenious solution. I wonder how long it will hold. Moving on, this is a recommended quick fix.

[Luiz Eduardo Bezerra]

See this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJ_4oDSia9o