The recommendations here start with the assumption, there is no way to keep a bike from being stolen, only ways to make it harder to steal. I think about where I’m locking up the bike and how long it will be there. At first, bike security can feel overwhelming. In practice we tend to re-use the same spots for locking up a bike frequently. There is some up front thought and then it turns into habit.
Products in order of importance to me:
- ABUS Folding Lock
- Secondary Ottolock or U-Lock (used when I’m worried)
- HEXLOX part locks
- Scout Tracker and Alarm
Don’t trust a cable lock, use a folding or a chain lock as a primary. It is worth it!
I like the ABUS bike lock systems (https://mobil.abus.com/usa/Products/Bicycle-locks/Folding-Locks). I own the Bordo Granite Xplus 6500k.
U-Lock and Kryptonite are great brands to look at as well.
I also like Ottolock systems (https://www.ottodesignworks.com), but these locks are only good for short stops and not high theft areas. But super convenient to use and can also be used to lock things to the bike such as helmets.
The Scout bike finder and alarm (https://us.knog.com/products/scout) is like a bike specific Apple AirTag. It shows up in Apple Find My app just like an iPhone. So if the bike is stolen and is near an Apple device, you’ll be able to see its location. There is also an alarm that can be enabled that will get triggered if the bike is moved. If you’re within 30 feet of the bike you’d also get an alarm on your phone. For the price point, its better than nothing and provides a chance of recovering a bike that was stolen.
Bike parts can be made more difficult to take off a bike by using https://hexlox.com. Generally, this makes it harder to steal a bike my taking it apart or keep specific parts on the bike from being stolen. Keep in mind if you need to fix a flat, you need the key to take the wheel off so there are some cons to the approach. My bike mechanic took care of installing the locks.
Register the bike so that in the event that it is stolen, there is a record that you owned the bike. Still a bit of a long shot, but for sure better than nothing. And there could be local NJ things to do for bike registration that I haven’t learned about.
The best advice I’ve received, trust your gut and take the time to apply common sense. If you’re not comfortable about an area, then use the most secure products you have. If stopping at a friends house, ask if you can pull the bike up into the drive way or back yard instead of leaving it out front.
Pro tip: Prefer bike racks that are cemented to the ground instead of bolted. Turns out, it is easier to unscrew the bike rack and take it with the bike instead of cutting a bike lock.
The running from a bear advice applies, you don’t have to out run the bear just your friend. Be the most secure bike on the rack by using good products (few people do).
If at the Princeton community pool during a high traffic period, I use my standard locking system and even leave the kids helmets in the bike.
If stoping at Wegmans, I am not at all comfortable because the bike rack is out of site without any security cameras on the location. So I used all of my bike locks to make it hard to move and I worry about it. I won’t leave the bike at this location often and always less than twenty minutes.
McCaffrey's is a nice in between because the bike is locked up to the side of the building, but there are almost always other people moving around the area. So I’ll use both bike locks, leave the kids helmets, and not worry about it too much.