DIY Bike Chain .... Bolt Cutters vs. Chain

[bcp]

Bike locking is sort of a funny subject. You have to decide what level of protection is worth it.



You could use a bike lock to lock it to a post:



Or use several locks to slow the thief:



Add a pole climber to the bike:

Bruce

 

[s219]

Use steel cable if bolt cutters are your concern.

 

[Teleological]

Thanks to everyone for the responses. I checked out some of the towing chain at the local hardware store and the lady had to use a hydraulic cutter to cut the chain for me. So the links seem plenty strong for me. I will also make sure to purchase a padlock of comparable quality and use the chain in conjunction with the U-lock. Chain was <$4 a foot. Good deal if you ask me. Thickness was 3/8".

I got a few links to play with and on the way back from the store I just threw it at concrete a ton of times to see if it was brittle. That ended when the chain accidentally slid into a storm drain. I was hoping to get it home to the bolt cutters but alas, the links are gone.

Use steel cable if bolt cutters are your concern.

The problem with steel cable is that bolt cutters slice through them as if they were butter.

 

[Teleological]

take the chain, seat and front wheel with you when you park it ;-)

Yep, I'm definitely taking the seat. So much for a fast getaway!

Although the would-be thief might just get smart and bring his own seat after a while.

Hoist chain is much tougher to cut than plain hardware store chain.

Can I get this at the local hardware store, and if so, is it available by the foot?

Bike locking is sort of a funny subject. You have to decide what level of protection is worth it.



You could use a bike lock to lock it to a post:

View attachment 397426

Or use several locks to slow the thief:

View attachment 397428

Bruce

 

[Garandman]

The German ad says "We have the technology." :laughing:

Saw a UK test of motorcycle chains. The best ones last 20-30 seconds.....I use a combination of ULock and chan on my bike.

 

[Capricious]

I did not expect to see a bike discussion on this forum.

I commute 10 miles to work (on "nice" days) by bicycle.

I have a cheap cable lock, and just try to avoid leaving the bike unattended anywhere, but that may not be an option for the O.P.

I also ride a cheap bike, minimizing possible losses.

 

[s219]

The problem with steel cable is that bolt cutters slice through them as if they were butter.

Not sure what cable you have seen, but that is not the case at all in my experience. I replaced a lot of winch cables years ago, and bolt cutters were useless on the cables (or so challenging that it would take a long time to get through all the strands). I now use cable to lock gates on my property and equipment for this reason. Get a good 1/2" cable, and bolt cutters will have a very hard time with it.

Ultimately, the weak link will be what you lock the cable with.

 

[Teleological]

Not sure what cable you have seen, but that is not the case at all in my experience. I replaced a lot of winch cables years ago, and bolt cutters were useless on the cables (or so challenging that it would take a long time to get through all the strands). I now use cable to lock gates on my property and equipment for this reason. Get a good 1/2" cable, and bolt cutters will have a very hard time with it.

Ultimately, the weak link will be what you lock the cable with.

Ah, I was referring to bike cable locks. I had a friend who had his bike for a week (brand new one) and he only had a cable lock. Needless to say it was gone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXXB8MqTNsU

There are probably different types of cables ... you recommend winch cables? Can this be purchased by the foot? So far I only see lengths greater than 50 feet.

And true. Someone is more than likely to test the lock rather than the burly looking chain. The best case scenario is that with a U-lock and a burly looking chain and shrouded padlock someone will just move on to the next bike. That being said, any padlock recommendations?

 

[Teleological]

Also does anyone know where to get specialized security chain by the foot? I know for a fact that security chain cannot cost 20 dollars a foot .... that's how much Kryptonite wants to charge for a 5 foot bike chain (over 100 dollars). I'd much rather order straight from the manufacturer than go through a middleman like Kryptonite if possible.

 

[Garandman]

If you go to bikeforums.net there are endless discussions of this topic but some practical ideas. For example, putting a U lock through the rear wheel and vertical frame member. Turns out that trying to saw through a rear wheel and tire is quite difficult and they can't easily cut the lock or get a bolt cutter on it.

As far as cable goes I've used stainless steel cable a lot on sailboats. I have a wire shear on the back of my swaging tool that will slice through 3/8" with little effort. I often use safety line cable as it has PVC coating so it won't mark up the equipment.

I had the same questions and tried to source the "right" chain. As it turns out the existence of cheap cordless cutoff saws has made it nearly impossible to secure a bike. The high-dollar motorcycle chains have very large diameter links to defeat all but the largest bolt cutters.