Cafe lock recommendation please

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Borderer
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Cafe lock recommendation please

Post by Borderer »

Hi, I am looking to get a cafe lock, preferably combination in black that mounts onto the frame. What do you recommend?
ScotRoutes
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Re: Cafe lock recommendation please

Post by ScotRoutes »

My cafe lock is one of these (though a different brand and colour)

https://www.polaris-bikewear.co.uk/Pola ... 635-p-.htm
Gari
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Re: Cafe lock recommendation please

Post by Gari »

https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/hip ... 1=a&mx02=a
Ive got one of these, works fine for cafe/shop stops.
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Borderer
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Re: Cafe lock recommendation please

Post by Borderer »

Thanks guys. The first one looks scratchy and the second not long enough to go round something. :cry:
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benp1
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Re: Cafe lock recommendation please

Post by benp1 »

I have a very similar version to this. Must be an older model. I have two in fact. Plus some keyed versions like a knog one. Forgot the key when I took them out so stick with the combination version

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/abus-combiflex ... lsrc=aw.ds
redefined_cycles
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Re: Cafe lock recommendation please

Post by redefined_cycles »

Reusable zip ties... If they ever seize you're not stuck. Works for me anyway and they live under the saddle. 3x 250mm lengths I think...
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Borderer
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Re: Cafe lock recommendation please

Post by Borderer »

benp1 wrote: Sat Mar 06, 2021 6:20 pm I have a very similar version to this. Must be an older model. I have two in fact. Plus some keyed versions like a knog one. Forgot the key when I took them out so stick with the combination version

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/abus-combiflex ... lsrc=aw.ds
Thanks. That's the same as the one Scotroutes linked to. Is the cable covered in anything cos it looks like it would scratch the frame?
Gari
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Re: Cafe lock recommendation please

Post by Gari »

You can link them. I often use mine through a wheel or locking a brake lever on, so they have to run carrying it rather than ride it away.
ScotRoutes
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Re: Cafe lock recommendation please

Post by ScotRoutes »

Borderer wrote: Sat Mar 06, 2021 6:46 pm
benp1 wrote: Sat Mar 06, 2021 6:20 pm I have a very similar version to this. Must be an older model. I have two in fact. Plus some keyed versions like a knog one. Forgot the key when I took them out so stick with the combination version

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/abus-combiflex ... lsrc=aw.ds
Thanks. That's the same as the one Scotroutes linked to. Is the cable covered in anything cos it looks like it would scratch the frame?
Yep, it has a clear plastic coating.
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TheBrownDog
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Re: Cafe lock recommendation please

Post by TheBrownDog »

I have a little Kryptonite cable - thinks its now called a Seatsaver - and a strong little brass padlock. Been using it for over 20 years. Nothing light and small will stop a tooled up thief, but it has seen off a few chancers.
I'm just going outside ...
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Borderer
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Re: Cafe lock recommendation please

Post by Borderer »

ScotRoutes wrote: Sat Mar 06, 2021 6:52 pm Yep, it has a clear plastic coating.
:-bd

Cheers for the other replies too. :-bd
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Alpinum
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Re: Cafe lock recommendation please

Post by Alpinum »

I've been using a very similar one to this for a bunch of years:
https://www.eaglecreek.com/shop/travel- ... e-ec041028
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Borderer
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Re: Cafe lock recommendation please

Post by Borderer »

Alpinum wrote: Sun Mar 07, 2021 6:49 pm I've been using a very similar one to this for a bunch of years:
https://www.eaglecreek.com/shop/travel- ... e-ec041028
Thanks. Do you think TSA is really that safe though? I mean surely you can buy that key on the dark web or something?
ScotRoutes
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Re: Cafe lock recommendation please

Post by ScotRoutes »

Nerd
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Alpinum
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Re: Cafe lock recommendation please

Post by Alpinum »

Borderer wrote: Sun Mar 07, 2021 7:03 pm
Alpinum wrote: Sun Mar 07, 2021 6:49 pm I've been using a very similar one to this for a bunch of years:
https://www.eaglecreek.com/shop/travel- ... e-ec041028
Thanks. Do you think TSA is really that safe though? I mean surely you can buy that key on the dark web or something?
As stated, mine is very similar, but not the same and not branded by Eagle Creek. I must've gotten it from a travel acc. shop in an airport. There's no key. You can only change the code with the lock unlocked.
Of course it's a tiny and weak lock, but I think it'd be more likely to have the wire cut, given how thin the cable is.

How safe is safe?
The only locks I have and believe are safe, are more than 2 kg.
I'm sure the cable can be cut in the blink of an eye with a half decent wire cutter.
For me, this lock is all about eliminating the opportunity to simply pick my (and mates') bike(s) and run/ride away with it (them).
It has worked well sofar...
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thenorthwind
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Re: Cafe lock recommendation please

Post by thenorthwind »

Whenever this question comes up, my advice is always go to Wilko/Halfords/big supermarket and I guarantee they'll have a cheap coil lock for a fiver or less. Overthinking it and spending more is not going to make it any more secure, it's only a deterrent, as Alpinium says.
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Borderer
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Re: Cafe lock recommendation please

Post by Borderer »

Alpinum wrote: Sun Mar 07, 2021 11:27 pm
There's no key. You can only change the code with the lock unlocked.
OK, I think there is a misunderstanding here. Unless I have got this wrong - I believe the TSA thing refers a US customs industry standard - it allows customs officers to open your baggage without breaking the lock or calling you back to the gate. Many bike cases have these TSA locks fitted for example. It's a useful thing that makes the travel industry work more smoothly, so it's great for suitcases and so on. I don't know how that works on a combi lock though! But if a combi lock is sold as TSA then I think it must be possible somehow.

So my concern was that if this key is kicking around all the airports of the US it has likely been copied and is available for sale on the dark web or somewhere. So choosing a cafe lock that has TSA seems a bit of a risk - especially when it's not needed for its cafe-locking function. TSA is for travel luggage in my understanding - not bikes.

https://go.travel/uk/tsa-explained

I do get what a cafe lock is. I do fully understand that it is just to stop an opportunist thief from grabbing your bike and being off on it before you get your clicky feet out the door and after them, and no more than that.
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