How to Protect Your Electric Bike from Theft

In this video we cover many different ways to lock up and secure your bike to protect from potential thieves. Having a shop in Brooklyn, we know that New York City has one of the highest percentages for bike theft in the country. Electric bikes are expensive so we want you to have the best possible knowledge on how to keep your bike safe.

TIMECODE:
00:00 Introduction to Electric Bike Locks
01:11 Insurance in Addition
01:50 Abus Granite X+ U-Lock 540
02:20 Security Ratings
04:20 Abus 140cm Chain Lock
05:00 Abus Yourplus One Key for Multiple Locks
06:20 Abus Folding Lock
07:15 Abus Alarm Locks
08:31 Frame Lock
09:23 Modern Bike Security
10:50 Locking Strategies.
12:48 Securing Front Wheel
13:06 Hex Locks
15:32 Fixed Clamp for Seat posts
16:26 Handlebar and Stem Protection

MusicBed ID: MB01HHQXG2PNFMV

[evanwindom]

Use a chain. Attach one end to the bike, and the other to a Rottweiler.

[bigmartin]

Unfortunately bike theft is a scourge here in Dublin (Ireland) too. I'm lucky, I'm a soldier so I have secure bike parking in work, but I won't leave my motorbike or bicycles anywhere in the city with any confidence. Love your video's

[HerrenGamingNews]

If you put the lock anywhere in the Triangle your frame and tire will be protected I recommend a U, cable and a chain combo.
Not only will it be protected but the looks of having multiple locks will deter most thieves especially if you're in an area that's open and that has high foot traffic.

I do agree with taking the batteries with you if you're going to be gone all day.

[phototristan]

I got a motion sensor horn alarm which can be armed just like a car alarm. At least if I lock it in a crowded area and someone attempts to move my bike, the alarm will sound. They also make cheap disc brake alarms with motion censors as well. Motion sensor alarm is good for ebikes since sometimes people just end up trying to mess with your controller or screen, etc.

[RicP]

I have watched several videos testing bike locks. No one has actually done the tests under ALL of the following conditions. 1. Use portable grinder popular with thieves. 2. Include in the tests the time to change out blades and batteries on the portable grinders. In real life that time would add to cutting the locks. 3. Locking the bike locks in a more realistic scenario wrapping the rear wheel, frame and bike rack. 4. Additional second or third lock wrapping around front wheel, frame and bike rack. 5. Steps to take if you encounter thief while in progress.

[DumplingsEverywhere]

Great video. As someone who has e-bikes in Brooklyn, the winning formula of security+convenience is:
Good U-Lock + good folding lock+motion-sensing alarm. My current setup doubles up on the alarm
Abus 770A SmartX U-lock with Alarm (rear wheel+frame+rakc)
+
Abus Bordo Alarm Folding lock (front wheel and frame+rack)
Previously, I had a non-alarm Abus U-lock with the alarm bodo, and that worked too. So far, nobody has so much as even tampered with my bike or its components so far. That can of course change, but so far, here's why I prefer it to other combos:
-The alarm(s), in combination with heavy-duty locks, is a good deterrent. It won't stop a dedicated thief from going for your bike in isolation, but it will make it not worth it for opportunistic thieves to try to steal things like pedals, lights, accessories. They are very sensitive, so any slight motion will trigger a warning beep, and and few seconds of motion will cause it to go off.
-The Alarm Folding lock combination with the U-Lock is super versatile. One hidden benefit is that if you remove your seatpost, you can slide the folding lock through your bike saddle's rails or cutout to secure your saddle and seatpost. The combo allows me to secure the rear wheel, front wheel, frame (twice on most racks), and saddle. Everything else gets deterred by the alarm.
-I originally tried two U-locks, but it can be difficult to get the front wheel and frame with a single lock on my bike, let alone the rack or the seat/seatpost as well
-A chain + alarm U-lock might be better, but that's significantly heavier for (imo) not that much more security(if a thief is willing to work through a loud alarm, a few extra seconds with a chain lock won't help that much. It also doesn't allow you to secure your saddle and seatpost.
-It means I don't have to use pins, which adds a bit of convenience for repairs and adjusting saddle height.

[kevinkelleher]

I live in Toronto and have an expensive road bike (Pinarello for 20 yrs) and never turn my back on it and bring it into my home when not in use. Bike theft here for decades has been so bad that it is nearly impossible to park a bike outdoors. Here, the standard method of theft is angle grinders. I fail to see here or anywhere, a functionable anti-grinder lock. Also, it seems pretty crazy to buy a $3-6, 000 bike that is lightweight and then carry around a lock which weighs a quarter of the total weight of the bike.

[jseden]

I ride a motorcycle and live in a fairly high risk area. First off, I purposely ride a bike that isn't that desirable to begin with.. a rebel250. I use two heavy kryptonite u locks and installed an alarm on the bike. It makes a lot of noise if bumped. I've had three bikes stolen in the past but so far, so good with this one.

[mikeowen]

Great “Propel How To” format: thorough explanation; excellent close ups; just the right duration. And lots of top tips. Cheers!

[Lintary]

Some basics to keep in mind:
Cafe locks make sure the valve of the tire is right next to it, this means it would break in common means to force those locks open.
Make sure no matter what lock you use make sure it is away from the ground this makes using bolt cutters harder.
Anything 10mm and below chain wise is not bolt cutter proof, those 6mm insert chains into the cafe lock are easily snapped, but still combine it with a good U lock layers of security matters.

With that you have a cafe lock that is broken would lead to a flat tire, a small chain that could be a hindrance to some one without bolt cutters and a U lock that would require an angle grinder. Of course there are other means to open these like picking I am sure we all love our lawyer friend, but picking is not a common attack and anything that is decent will do. The spreader and nut cracker to be used against U locks and folding locks respectfully again are not to common. Most theft is rather low skill, however if you have a really nice branded E-bike they do enter a territory of targetted theft like motorbikes and cars do. This means they are stolen on order and at this point very little is going to stop that from happening, so yeah insure your bike, cause end of the day if some wants your bike, they will take it.

[leojonkers]

Good vlog. I am from Rotterdam, The Netherlands. We have a lot of secured places were you can park your bike in central town. For free. So that is step one, put your bike in the safes place possible. Lock the bike to the earth I always say, so they can not simply walk away with it. Always take your Intuvia control off, always! If you travel with two people you also can lock the bike together. Abus makes good locks. Now there are so much e-bikes in my country, that steeling batteries is getting bigger. I own a seven years old Sparta e-bike with the battery in the luggage rack. With the same lock as the lock you showed us. But I do not trust that so much, with a big screwdriver you can break it out. So I made a little whole in the part where you carry the battery in our hand. Put a little small lock trew it. Only have to do that one time, when I put a full battery on and open it when I want to reload and take it off.
Off course there is no way to protect your bike 100 %, but take a little care where you park your bike and how you do that.

[RB-sroc]

Good tips. When locking downtown Detroit, I use two heavier duty Abus locks that use different keys - or 1 that is combination lock and 1 that is a key. One will secure frame and rear wheel and the other will secure frame. I try to make sure both are off the ground so as to not provide a leverage point. Then I cable the front wheel and seatpost to one of the Abus locks. I need to explore the locking thru-axles as well as Hexlock or similar for my stem and controller mounts.

[mickmatic]

I have a ringlock on the back and use a chainlock through my frontwheel, frame and a bikerack. I wrap the chain around the seatpost so it doesnt rattle. All in all takes about 30 seconds to park. Very informative vid! :)

[karlschwab]

Lots of good ebike security here Chris, thanks. It is sad that we have to do all of this, but that's the way it is in many areas. At the end of this video, you mentioned a bike cover. On one of my large motorcycles, there is and I have, a partial cover that I put on my motorcycle when I park it in some places. This cover, hopefully, will prevent an adult from putting their small children on my motorcycle! So maybe a cover of some sort, would help here too. I have a folding ebike; wonder if there is an additional problem with securing it; maybe something else I could be doingin addition to what has been presented here? Keep the good info coming, Chris!

[slindsay]

This was very helpful. Sad we live in a society where we have to constantly be concerned about things like this.

[theepimountainbiker]

I like the lock with built in alarm. I have an alarm tied on the bike, works the same. Bike moves the alarm goes off like a car alarm. Always always use a Ulock combined with a steel cable or chain around the tires, quick release tires are a dumb idea on a commuter bike imo. Best part of ebikes is lock weight is not much an issue unless its on your back.

[randygeyer]

In the past we used Pinhead for wheels and saddle post instead of quick release. They require a spacial key to open. The hexlock sounds great!

[EnriqueCubillo]

Could we see some actual grinder tests on protection products? Duration resistance time. How fast will a grinder cut these products or not at all? I've heard hardened steel one need a torch. I'd be interested to see how fast grinders eat into all the products you have demonstrated here thank you.

[susancecere]

I really appreciate your information.I am purchasing a
2500 Ebike expensive for me. I planned on getting a lock, but didn't know anything about the best types. At home I have a garage, but I wanted to go to the markets.

[pn]

Get a MOTION ALARM!!! small motion sensor alarms are cheap and easy to use. I got one for 18$US off everyone's favorite etailer, it is about 3 inches by 1.5inches, you can zip tie it on the frame, has a keyfob remote, arm it whenever the bike is parked and any jiggle of the bike will set off the alarm, it has prevented one theft for me so far. Uses 2 AA batteries, lasts for a few months.