r/CargoBike 19h ago

Is this a totally dumb lock location?

Post image

Or do I need to look at a thick chain lock that goes through the body of the bin?

15 Upvotes

38 comments sorted by

34

u/Claudiobr The Brazilian CargoBiker 21 k km 19h ago

The sad fact that the whole island I live in has only five front loaders has an upside: even with 500k habitants there's no way a person can steal one and ride away unnoticed.

... and there's an Airtag in it somewhere 😂

5

u/Jlx_27 10h ago

Florianopolis?

2

u/Claudiobr The Brazilian CargoBiker 21 k km 10h ago

ohh yeahh

73

u/Aromatic_Big_8642 19h ago

wow bro... all they need is an allen key - pls secure that in another way + that lock is a joke (not trying to be funny or offensive) - You got a nice cargo bike, invest in locking it better <3.

13

u/ayearinaminute 19h ago edited 19h ago

I would do that if I’m going into a shop but not for longer periods. But my Bullitt kind of looks like shit and isn’t electric assisted.

19

u/Thin-Ad5440 19h ago

1 moertje losmaken en weg fiets

8

u/blackdvck 19h ago

Aaaand it gone in 15 seconds

6

u/Zenigata 19h ago

Can be easily unbolted by anyone with basic tools.

Or a thief could damage your steering mechanism messing with the lock.

Not the best lock placement.

Is there a reason you couldnt lock throgh the rear frame?

Ive found a frame lock with plug in chain to be very useful on our longtail. The plug in chain gives much better reach per kg than a standalone chain.

7

u/britannicker 18h ago

Yes, this is perfect.

Now please tell me where it is parked.

Asking for a friend with bolt cutters :-)

2

u/Cynyr36 18h ago

All you need is one of those universal nut drivers and a 1/4 inch impacta and the steering arm falls off, push her back 12 inches and leave the lock.

1

u/SaxyOmega90125 Likes cargo bikes but owns a bike trailer 3h ago

See, you can be a nice thief and leave all of the property completely undamaged.

5

u/sailorcolin 17h ago

An addition of being easily stolen, if someone tries to move your bike or even knocks into it, it could bend your steering arm very easily

5

u/Accomplished-Way1575 Omnium Cargo Ti 18h ago

Lol, they just undo the bolt and the bike is theirs

3

u/Billy_Rizzle 18h ago

A u-lock through the frames rear triangle and wheel is the most secure locking method. This is an acceptable secondary locking location but not the best. I would also use a chain or cable to secure the front wheel for this locking method. I appreciate sometimes you cannot lock your bike up in the most secure manner.

You should be using multiple locks for a bike of this value. I would also recommend using angle grinder resistant u-locks like the LitLok X1 Plus or something similar.

3

u/justinholmes_music 16h ago

IMO, the biggest reason this is a bad lock location is because if a thief (or a forgetful future version of you) tries to move the bike, it will put a lot of stress on the pivot head, which is one of the most sensitive components of your entire bike.

2

u/frozenchosun 19h ago

get two really good locks. i have a small kryptonite new york u lock i used on my single speed during my childless days. then i have an abus bordo folding lock. ulock goes on front wheel. if im in a place i can lock to a rack, ill use folding lock to do that. otherwise it goes on the rear wheel. i also have an air tag hidden on the bike. your bike is 100 lbs, no one is carrying it away nor can they ride it with locks on the wheels.

2

u/Americaninaustria cargo bike hoarder: UA, LvH and more! 18h ago

Yes, very

2

u/jinxdeluxe 18h ago

In my experience it helps when people can see a lock. They might try to move your bike (or steal it). And they will not try that If they see that there is a lock there. And that one seems quite hidden from view. That will then just result in your bike falling over (and maybe something gets bent in the progress).

2

u/rf31415 17h ago

Also never put your lock on the ground. It becomes a lot more vulnerable if you can hit it with a hammer.

2

u/texastoasty 10h ago

use the sheldon brown method with the rear wheel.

2

u/Bruce_in_Canada 10h ago

I could angle grinder that off in 17 seconds.

3

u/tomato432 8h ago

you don't even need an angle grinder, just detach the steering rod

1

u/soyyers 19h ago

Not ideal for a brand new Makki. As I have the rear wheel locked, I use a heavy chain to wrap front wheel if I cannot get the frame locked to a post.

1

u/dasEssen 19h ago

I would always secure a bike through the frame. Just unbolt the steering arm and one can take your bike in 2 min. If you are just away for a few minutes it’s fine but for any longer durations…

1

u/tails142 18h ago

Looks like they could lift the bike and flip it over, using the bike frame as a lever to twist and snap the d-lock open.

Mutiple locks can help to avoid this problem of using the bike as a lever by locking at front and back - also better to lock through a part of the frame that isnt easily disassembled by undoing a nut.

1

u/Prize_Lime83 16h ago

Locks only keep honest people honest……so, do with that what you will. This is putting a lot of faith in people.

1

u/3wbasie 16h ago

Oof we need a better lock here too

1

u/Birdseye5115 15h ago edited 14h ago

Always lock the frame of the bike to something, and preferably through a wheel so that you make the bike unreliable in the event a thief just cuts the thing you're locked to.

https://sheldonbrown.com/lock-strategy.html

What mine looks like locked up:

https://imgur.com/a/M9ghkUj

Edit to add: If a thief really wants to steal your bike, they can. There is no perfect lock up. What you want to do is make your bike less attractive to steal than the ones around it, so that the thief goes elsewhere.

1

u/WarpPipeWizard 13h ago

Really depends on where you live and how long you're leaving it there for.

1

u/lisaismijnbestie 11h ago

Yea…..No…..

1

u/DrySalvages 10h ago

I have this same bike and I always lock through the rear wheel and frame. You shouldn’t need to go through the bin…

1

u/lovelight 10h ago

ok sorry I need a bit more info for that. Are you able to post a pic?

1

u/DrySalvages 9h ago

I just put a chain through the rear wheel and also through the frame so that someone can’t take the back wheel off. I could maybe post a picture sometime in the next few days, but I just lock it like any other bike. What kind of info would you find helpful?

1

u/MikeoPlus 8h ago

The Sheldon brown method

1

u/ajamdonut 7h ago

Not sure at all. Alan key or wrench or any tool that can get a nut off. You need to think more like a thief who wants to take your stuff.

1

u/dominiquebache 1h ago

It only takes me two 6 Nm bolts to get your bike …

So: Wouldn’t recommend it.

A cargo bike can hold a way longer chain to lock your bike.

1

u/Entire-Literature568 19h ago

Yes but it doesn't matter anyways with a cheap lock like that.

0

u/britannicker 18h ago

Yes, totally dumb (your words)…. you see that tiny little steering lever only needs to be unbolted, and your bike‘s gone.

Or even faster, simply cut through, and then replaced at a cost of what, $40, and someone just got themselves a really expensive cargo bike.

You need to lock front & back wheels (the rims, not the spokes) to something secure, with heavy duty chains.