Ebike Security, Locks, and Alarms - My Theft Prevention System

I go over my method for preventing theft and keeping my ebike secure.

[thelonercoder]

ill save you 9 mins: he doesn't use a bike lock because he doesn't leave it unattended. Unfortunately, if you using this as a commuting vehicle to the store or to work, this isn't viable.

[cavstlt]

I never left my bike out of sight, except for when I go to the local market to shop. I would lock it up with Kryptonite New York City lock; I also carried at least the thick yellow Kryptonite cable to loop around the wheels and frame, added a thin tether cable for the saddle. So far, the bike has been very secured for the past 2+ years. Unfortunately, my bike was stolen not outside but from someone breaking into our storage unit where I kept it at night!
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With my new bike arriving shortly, I have already prepared with new Kryptonite City lock (the old one was stolen along with the bike!), rated at 9/10, a 5mm folding metal lock as secondary along with more cables to secure pretty much everything removable on it! The weight would be no problem as I simply store them in the rack pack that comes with the bike. I will also be buying bike insurance as I found out my Allstate homeowner insurance DOES NOT cover ebikes!!! It would readily cover a regular bike if stolen but not an ebike, something I did not know until after the fact; of cos i was peeved.
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I had one of those inexpensive bike alarm you shown before and I Velcro it onto the underside of my saddle, unfortunately, I found it a bit cumbersome to use and the battery wore out quickly so i stopped using it, I will give it another try now with my new bike, for sure!!!
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Finally, my new bike will be going inside my home every night, so no thieves could spend all night cutting thru whatever locking devices I might use! Folks, ebikes are very hot high end ticket items for thieves right now, even more so than regular bikes; for $300 a year insurance, it's worth it to me! I will be copying down the registration number on the bike and take lots of pictures to keep on file!

[MrKingcj]

Great Video again! That's funny now that I have my Rad I don't let it out of my sight! People always compliment me and my wife as we ride. I brought the bike alarm system as well before my bike arrived and I love that it works really good! I keep my bike in my garage and I use 2 locks and set the alarm. This bike has given me and my Wifey new life! LOL

[joshuahuggins]

When it comes to protecting a expensive bike I think 50 pounds of bike locks is a acceptable compromise to ward off a thief. Never ever trust those thin flimsy cable bike locks a thief can cut through it in seconds with cable cutters. Unless you have like 50 of them. What you need to consider the stronger the lock more time it will take for a thief to bust through it. What you need to add is time. More locks and stronger locks = more time.

[jamieryall]

Lots of bad reviews on the Kryptonite locks being difficult to use. I use 3 locks. All Kryptonite U-lock, a chain & a long Kryptonite cable. I have an alarm & I think it's great. It scares off all but the most talented thieves. I wanted multiple ways to protect my bike, even though I think most thieves in my area are just opportunitic & not too bright. Probably in the stealing-clothes-in-the- laundromat types. Not having a routine is really important. Thanks for the video.

[wadegruber]

I have an idea you might be interested in reading. I don't know if you want to use locks or anything, but this vid and some others made me think of this.

It's a combination of two things. One is that you can rig an alarm so it goes off it someone tries to mess with the lock, by putting the lock (chain and everything) under something, like a covering of some kind. Put the alarm on the covering. So no one can even try to cut the lock without first triggering the alarm.

The other part is that the metal chain could be covered with thick padding, like being wrapped in a towel. This could make the metal chain hard to reach with a tool like bolt cutters and maybe would mess up an angle grinder.

Maybe if these were done, it could beat thieves.

[jman]

I have the same chain lock but a bit longer for my Radrunner that I keep wrapped around the downtube. I also have an Abus Ulock I mounted under the rear rack. The one time I used the locks was when I got a flat tire far from home without tire repair stuff on hand. I locked the bike up, took a Lyft ride home and drove my vehicle back to my bike.

[absinthephrenz]

Hi, thanks enjoyed the vid. I bought a new bike last week, and with it a 5 euro chain / plastic lock, to lock within view. Ordered a 1.5kg u -lock on amazon with an alarm similar to yours in loudness etc and its worked great since I have been back at work. 41veuro- money well spent.

[yupsure]

You're right with the first suggestion. I never leave mine out of my sight. Also congrats on the channel growing. You'll be at 5K pretty soon!!👍👍

[lynneftw]

I have a new ebike that's $4K bone stock. I'll have 2 locks; one frame/café lock and noose chain just for situations where the bike is in sight and I'm not away from it for long, and the other will be an Abus u-lock that has a much more secure locking cylinder inside than all Kryptonite locks use, in cases where I'm away longer and the bike is not in view. After watching recent YT videos of countless bike lock types, it's amazing how easy most of them are to pick, never mind cutting through them.

[tonyholmes]

I never leave mine outta site either but I do go get coffee routinely. It takes about 5 to 10 mins and I'm paranoid the whole time

[Lisa-Lipz]

Havent rode my bike yet. It's my 1st, just got it home from where i pick up my deliveries night b4 last + went back for the box yesterday. TODAY will be my 1st time ever riding it or any e bike at all. What i have i haven't used yet, obviously + is all (mostly) still in its packages. I got the krytonite keeper chain( similar to yours and YES very heavy) the krytonite new York fahgettaboughtit u lock (even heavier - could be a weapon), the WSDCAM Smart Bike Tail Light/Turn Signals horn AND ALARM in 1, WSDCAM motorcycle alarm and a basic folding lock that came with my bike. Im not sure the system I'm gonna use yet cuz i also don't want to carry all that weight every day. I have a basic + lightweight u lock/cable combo in my cart I'm thinking about getting + trying in conjunction the alarms to see if i even need to bother using all these heavy locks. The other stuff will be for when I'm somewhere i don't really know or high traffic. But like u said, it doesn't matter how good of a lock u have cuz given enough TIME that wasnt it, they're gonna get it so enough cable locks, looped enough times in all diff ways would take as much time as voting thru 1 or 2 big ones so might be good enough especially w alarms going off while their trying to undo all the cables. Its also CHEAPER and def a lighter load to carry.

Im also considering hidiing a tracker somewhere on it so if they do manage to get it and get away i can show up w my heavy u lock can come in handy...show up holding that by the handle...😂  tapping it just enough for them to see how heavy it is and say ing to them"um, u might wanna hand me MY bike back so we can keep this simple, clean and forgotten about....or u can deny having it which i know is a lie and this can get messy, fast. Kidding. Kinda. Lol

[BawlzOfuzz]

I have a Hiplok. I highly recommend it if you want a heavy chain but don't want to carry it on your bike. I also have a 18mm D lock with a 1.8m 14mm cable and a cheapish cable lock for the front tyre. I commute daily into London and use all 3 locks. It's a bit of a pain but better than losing your bike.

[golfer]

The one thing you should get, is a Jones Loop handlebar. (nothing to do with security, just comfort and bad assness.) I like the alarm. I also make sure, I do not leave bike out of sight.

[brianm.armstrong]

I just got my Tanus inserts and heavy duty tubes. This is another kind of "security" I would not have known about! Thanks "Citizen "....awesome recommendation! ( oh and I also got the alarm system you showed in the video, too! Super loud and a real gem! Thanks again)!

[joshuahuggins]

Takes about 2 seconds with cable snips to snip your cable locks and the folding lock a good solid hammer strike can dislodge the rivets holding the folding lock together. The best locks are those thick square chain locks. They would need a angle grinder to get through the chain lock and it would take about 20-30 seconds or so. Also a very good U lock which also would need a angle grinder to get through. I say the more locks the more time your going to have for a real thief to get through.

[Yousless]

That's always my first thought too. I don't leave my bike alone anywhere. I ride downtown or some other places where I might lock it up but it will ALWAYS be in might sight.

[landonferguson]

I like using a disc brake lock. At least then, no one can roll it away. My bike is 70 pounds, so it makes it hard for someone to carry it home without a car

[skepts]

While your lock "solution" wouldn't work in a city like SF, I do appreciate you showing the alarm system which I didn't even know existed for bikes. Thx.

[rogerf]

Good review. I use the Abus Granite X-Plus when in my garage and the Abus Bordo Big Alarm for locking the bike to a solid object when at a distant location. And make sure your homeowners insurance has you covered.