You are so much more helpful than the salesperson in my local Brompton junction, who tried to shut me down when I asked him for tips on locking the bike when I have to do it.
Someone tried to steal mine a few years ago in the centre of Dudley,unfortunately he got a bit of a punch in the mouth and was still unconscious when I rode away (shame)
True. The good Brompton dealers all tell you this during the instructional demo. Never leave outside, don’t leave in bad weather, always clean if gets wet.
@@StimParavane would u mind if i ask what lock do use for your brompton . Im really scared locking it outside but i usually go shopping (morrisons) near work . When i had my cheaper bike i always locked it outside that shop and no problem at all. But now with my brompton im kinda hesitant. Im planning to take off the brompton sticker just to not call the attention of people that “hey im brompton!!” Although the colour is really screaming that it’s a brompton😂😂 i got the b75 and im from uk as well . Thank you
I know this video is over a year old but here's a couple of lesser known top tips that might be useful: 1)Leave your bike in a high gear. It makes it more difficult to pedal away quickly. 2)Spin your seat post around backwards. Again it makes riding it off quickly more difficult. 3)Use several different types of locks. A thief is unlikely to carry a bunch of different tools, an angle grinder for example is good for cutting shackle locks but not so good for cables. 4)Try to secure your bike in an awkward, high up position. Tools like bolt cutters are much more difficult to use above your head because you can't use your body weight as leverage. 👍
This channel is a real gift. Useful, thoughtful (and often ingenious) info, well produced and presented enthusiastically. Thanks for making these excellent videos.
I received my 2020 Brompton electric a few weeks ago and also had a question about locking outside. It appears keeping the bike with me at all times is the way to go, but thank you for the very informative video. Thanks, Chris
It’s good that you provide very basic instructions. Viewers might be new to riding a Brompton, or to cycling, even. And starting with the basics is brilliant. 😀
Good job man, really enjoy your content. Just bought my first Brompton which is a M6L Raw Lacquer -- arriving tomorrow so trying to get up to speed how to use the bike, tips and tricks. You do a fab job explaining everything I'm thinking about for my first couple of months. Thanks! From London.
Very informative and handy tips i have just purchased a foldable bike, so am just getting myself all up to speed with tips and the best ways to lock my bike. I will be subscribing to your channel. Happy riding ❤
One thing you could do is put a tracker in the bike, put it under the saddle or somewhere very well hidden, that way is if the bike is stolen you can track it and get it back with the police. The apple trackers are really cheap and excellent for this.
Another brilliant video! I very rarely lock my B in town but I have two LiteLok Silver Secure locks which can be used singly or together to form a very long loop or two interlocking loops. I use them in rural areas to lock to trees or solid gate posts. Not as secure as the NY U-lock but has more opportunities for use.
Haha, that is really the problem. Might be safer in the first configuration. Another idea is to add a second lock, just to make it a little more difficult for a would-be thief.
When I have been forced to lock my Brompton I have used the second method you demonstrated. There's been a few places where I have not been allowed to bring it in: a few department stores, some movie theaters, and when I go swimming to my local sporting club and I cannot attend to the bike, I leave it in the parking lot. Fortunately, there's a guard there, and besides locking it, I ask him kindly to keep an eye on it.
I dangle my U-lock on the handlebars, and there have been enough times where it would jump up and out of place, so now I use a garden wire (wire wrapped in silicone or some kind of rubber) that I wrapped around my front basket (would be head tube, in your case), and the other end I secure around the shaft of the lock.
I use a good quality D lock too when I have to leave the bike outside. If riding without a bag, then I lay it on the rear rack, as the locking bar part of the lock fits in the 'niche' at the front of the rack. It can then be held in place using the 2 elastic straps, thereby saving the need to have a lock swinging abut when riding! Cheers.
I lock my brompton entirely folded with the lock going through both wheels and frame and then the bike post too with the extra long New York kryptonite M18.
Thank you for this video! I sometimes avoid riding my Brompton because I'm not sure where to lock it, in the case where some establishments won't let me bring it in. The tips and techniques are valuable!
Try taking it in with you, that is the major point of the Brampton i cant think of any establishment that would refuse to let you bring it in, you can even put it in its carry cover and they wont even know you have a cycle in it.
Seeing the Brampton locked up out side is enough to make fans just burst into tears And if the Brampton appreciation society found out they put together a rescue squad it would become a major news story in your area it is very rare to see a Brampton locked up outside. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.. (Laugh)
I have the same lock - we call then D locks in the UK! I have the extending seat post and tend to take my seat and short extension with me on the very rare times I leave my bike.
Hanging the lock on the handlebar makes sense. An easy way to stop it swinging and knocking is to just tie the lower end to the steering upright - use any piece of string or a lace from a discarded pair of shoes.
Good tips. A friend of mine had his electric Brompton stolen (he had locked it using the most expensive kryptonite u lock) it was gone within the hour. Unless I was going inside somewhere for less than 5 mins or my bike was constantly in view I would never risk locking it outside.
I feel sorry for him! Unfortunately bike theft is very common, specially in countries with a lot of biking infrastructure. Nothing can stop a bike thief with an electric angle grinder.
Everyday Cycling I agree. I’m in London UK. This Brompton theft was videoed in broad daylight outside a school I sometimes work at. Shocking. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-iLQFjXR_ggc.html Ps seems much more civilised where you are 😀
What I used to do on my racing bike was detach the front wheel and take it with me in the shop, it’s amazing how doing that totally prevents bike theft…
Things like anti-theft skewers or even putting a little magnet in the seatpost bolt to make it hard to get a wrench in there also help. I've also taken to putting an ugly saddle cover over my saddles to make the bike look cheaper. Never had a single noticeable theft attempt. Of course locking a bike in a very visible and high traffic area also helps.
Magnet in seatpost bolt doesn’t work. If they have the hex to remove the screw, it takes the magnet out. As if it wasn’t there. I just tried since it seemed a good idea and unfortunately if they don’t have the hex key the are not after your saddle but perhaps your entire bike.
And a Brompton Electric is $3500. I would bring it in with me even if I was explicitly told I couldn't. If confronted, I'd just tell them how much the bike is worth, and I'd expect they'd understand.
Good video. I’ve been doing exactly ‘Method 2 ‘ for the last 2 years on my M3L at various places in London. I use a Kryptonite New Yorker and a coiled cable lock for the seat post. I never leave the Brompton locked outside for more than 2-3 hours though. An obviously in a place where there’s lots of footfall if possible
@@allanb2906 Yeap I do, mostly Central London in places with high footfall. Again, never for than 2-3 hours. My Brompton is quite old now. If I had a newer or Electric one I'd consider buying a Litelok X1 which is resistant to angle grinders
@Najeebster Thanks. Yes I've been watching a few review videos of the X1/X3 and they look like that's the way to go if you need to leave unattended for the shortest of times. Thanks again for your reply.
@@mattbalajadia I'm so curious about the B75. To my understanding it's just the geometry that is a bit older, but it has all the same features as the more expensive ones. You're gonna love it!
Matt Balajadia please let me know what you think of your B75 when you get it,I have been thinking of getting one myself but still saving the pennies at the moment 😉
Bonjour, toujours content de voir tes vidéos l ami, toujours des bon trucs et bon conseil 🙂Mon brompton,je ne l attacherai jamais,car les Brompton sont trop convoité par les voleurs......
Best strategy. I learned this to my cost. The first and only time I had to leave it outside, locked up with a Kryptonite New York D lock out side London University in Malet Street, central London, it was stolen. Underneath a CCTV camera as well. Kryptonite D locks are CRAP!!!!
Hi Victor, thanks for this super helpful video! I'm in the market for a Brompton, and after watching this video I was wondering if you could tell me some examples of those times you absolutely had to lock up the bike outside? Thanks!!
Absolutely! Places that have asked me to leave the bike outside are a bank, a movie theater, a health centers and a museum. I've taken it into banks, movie theaters and health centers before though, so it's not a hard rule. Really depends on the security personnel.
My first Brompton was stolen in central London. I used a Kryptonite New York D lock just like yours to secure it in a bike rack under a CCTV camera. This bike D lock was as good as cheese. Luckily my house insurance paid quickly for a replacement Brompton which I now do not let out of my sight when riding it away from home. I now also use Abus Granite D-locks instead. I wouldn't touch Kryptonite locks with a barge pole, certainly not lock up any of my bike(s) with them because Kryptonite locks are rubbish.
I use a mixture of both Abus and Kryptonite. Much bigger Kryptonite that what he used here. The extra weight doesn't bother me as electric. A Dutch woman told me to triple lock any bike as a deterrent. With a Brompton, I'd say put as many locks on it as possible! I haven't locked it outside yet but I have locked it indoors. Yes that's right bikes get stolen from work places that you think are secure but aren't really.
I'd never leave my Brompton outside - far too valuable. I'd cycle back home. I only use ABUS locks. Brooks saddles are valuable and a thief would definitely go to the trouble of stealing one.
@@prw56 I find it pretty annoying to have to unfold and wheel the Brompton around clothes shops, especially in a shopping centre etc. I normally just use another bike if planning to do this, but I sometimes feel it's worth me getting insurance for the Brompton for peace of mind.
Another idea (I didn't test because i own a brompton since only one week) : Removing the screw of the frame will make impossible for anyone to ride the bike... The only solution is to hold it while walking, and it can gives time to identify the theft...
Some notes about U-locks: The one advantage of Kryptonite is their Theft Protection Plan. For just $35 for 5 years they will reimburse you if your bike is stolen for the base price (not accessories or upgrades) of the bike if you supply a police report and a picture of the broken lock. No other lock maker offers this AFIAK. u-locks up to 14mm can be defeated by bolt cutters and all locks (with the caveated possible exception of the lifelok) can be cut by angle grinders in a minute or less. this includes 16mm locks like the Kryptonite New York and 18mm Foggetaboutit.
Yeah I'll look up or call ahead to see if i can bring in my brompton in with me if im not sure cause i would never want to leave it lock outside. Their are new ways to break the locks and with many people around thiefs will still go for it.
Great stuff. One other thing... get some *insurance*... the two bikes I had stolen... one was from my closet in my bedroom, and the other was from my cubicle at work... so... Also, try not to get so attached to your bikes... this can be hard, but unless you're going to keep it with you at all times, there's no guarantees... Bromptons rule! ;-)
At home my renters insurance covers personal belongings, and at work I keep it locked under my desk (not with a u-lock haha, just a simple cable lock and padlock). Sorry to hear you got two bikes stolen!
I have bike insurance... Because London. High possibility that someone actually mugs me while I'm riding her. Hard to get into my flat/apartment/home. Three secure doors and window locks on the first floor. Been here 5 years no break ins. The other thing is I don't have a set routine so it's hard to identify when I will be home. As for work... Brontë(yes that's her name) gets triple locked with Abus and Kryptonite at my workplace inside! If my locker was bigger, I would put her in there too!
Thank you! Absolutely, for this video I used a Canon G7x for all shots and audio is captured with a lavalier microphone attached to a Zoom H1n recorder. Sometimes I connect it to my phone and results are also good. I sync everything later in post!
I'm glad I could be of help! I must specify that the G7x that I use is the Mark II. The newer Mark III is more expensive and people are having many autofocus problems, so stay away from that one. If I were to buy a camera today, I'd go with the Sony ZV-1 for this "vlogging/travel" type of camera. Cheers!
Unless you are living in a Brompton hub like London or Barcelona, where Bromptons are easy to sell, you are most likely overdoing it. In most cities Bromptons will just go unnoticed by thieves. Anyway, great tips!
I looked it up and it seems like a good option. However, I want to be able to quickly adjust the saddle height, position, etc. Using a Hexlox limits my ability to do that without a tool, if I understood the concept correctly.
Hey Anil, I bought it in the Netherlands, because at the time I didn't live here. I'm not aware of any Brompton dealers in GA. I know REI sells basic Bromptons, but it's online. The closest dealer that should actually have a bunch of different models for you to test ride is in Nashville.
after locking it up like the way you showed, wrap the entire bike with a regular black garbage bag and most people probably wouldn't even realize there's a bike
If I ride it to the gym, is it more reasonable to take it into the gym or to lock it outside? if lock it outside, do I need an extra lock to secure the battery bag/take the battery bike with me? I am thinking about buying an electronic brompton
I have a great system for locking my brompton outside; remembering that thieves carry angle grinders and brompton's are No 1 on their shopping list, it's something that never happens.
my best tip : never leave your bike unattended , a cordless grinder can go through these locks in under a minute, GUARANTEED YOU WILL LOSE YOUR BIKE it’s just a matter of time , forget even owning a lock keep your bike with you at all times
Of course the question is why would you want to lock your Brompton if locking it takes more time than folding it. I would probably just carry some kind of nice looking bag where I can zip my bike and cary inside pretty much anything without revealing what's inside (nobody will think it is a bike!)
But the front wheel with a motor would still be vulnerable. BTW, There are demos on RU-vid showing an angle grinder cutting through the kryptonite locks in 15 sec! The grinder is now the bike thieves' implement of choice. I won't go in any place these days if they won't let me take the Brommie inside. That's why I got it in the first place.
It'd have been so cool if you had actually mentioned how you did lock yours the times you said you had to leave it outside. You mentioned you don't advice locking it totally folded, so how was your way?
This might be minor but would render the bike uselss if stolen. Remove the 2 hinge screw bolts and keep it with you. in case someone cuts the lock., they would have to carry it. they can't unfold and keep the shape... they will probably just dump it once they realize it is useless....
I never rode my Specialised Hard Rock mountain bike anywhere that it couldn't come inside with me because of the theft and vandalism risks were just too great. Likewise with a Brompton, which is specifically designed to enable it to accompany it's rider inside buildings, vehicles, etc. I cannot imagine why one would leave their Brompton outside with the virtual guarantee of theft or vandalism.
Absolutely, I'm not telling you to stop taking your Brompton inside and start locking it outside. I'm giving some piece of advice to those who, for whatever reason, lock their Bromptons outside.
I Uninstall pedal and saddle in parking lot before I leave it alone. I've setup camcorder in background and I see the one just looking but don't want to remove it. If they try everyone know that is stolen one because no pedal and saddle, right
In some places, a valuable possession is risk for own life.. Here, okay most places, i see jewellery bought in various designs, but to be kept only in bank lockers . Ufff Many push bikes are hyped so much and priced way high.. i often feel the manufacturer itself is robbing the money off the buyers - who are mostly filthy rich.. and seem those buyers deserve that treatment.. But we normal people also suffer who buy it for real needs and genuine good attitude .
i wouldnt necessarily launch into folding it up when locking it. As soon as people see a folded bike they could easily realise its a brompton and possibly very expensive. Yes you can tell a brompton from any angle but the fold is distinctive.
I usually connect a brick of C4 and electric shock spikes to my bike. The only downside is if the C4 goes off the bike will be damaged. I might replace the C4 with poison gas or a good lock.
I often walk past a bike shop with bike parking on the front, and there's always an unfolded CHPT3 Brompton locked in front of it, with a standard U lock and nothing else. I don't know if it's been there for a long time or if someone who works at the shop brings it in everyday, but it's always there and no parts seem to have been stolen so far. It's very unusual where I live because bike theft is almost a national sport around here, sadly. I wonder if it's just that bike thefts don't know what to make of folding bikes or think there's no market to resell it around here? In any case, I reckon if I were to leave mine outside for a bit, let's say for a toilet stop, I'd probably lock it folded and remove the hinges, to reduce the chance of someone cycling off with it. If you can't unfold it you can't ride it! And I doubt they'd bother carrying it or rolling it folded, it'd be too slow. But you never know until it actually happens.
I'm lazy to remove the "extension seatpost" because I have a second dynamo-powered rear light near the saddle and the cable for that one runs inside the seatpost assembly. I have a video on the best three upgrades I did on my Brompton that shows that a little bit. So it's kind of inconvenient to remove the saddle as I have to unplug everything and then run the cable again through the seatpost and plug it back in... so what I do on the few times I lock my Brompton outside is just use the cable lock for the saddle.
If you need to lock the Brompton regularly, maybe get the Brompton bag to put the bike in. Nobody is going to argue with you bringing luggage into a building :)
I'd say if you have to lock the Brompton regularly (like every single day), you should definitely look for another bike, maybe even a cheaper folding bike just for those rides.
unfortunately any mechanical lock can be picked if you have the know how. i started to notice quite a number of years ago the brand of bike lock seen in this video being marketed as high security level bike lock but it was being picked often and left in place with no bike remaining, all over the place. i suppose the claim it was considered to be a high security level lock only presented a small challenge for experienced lock pickers who could overcome one in a matter of only seconds. typical most mechanical locks can be picked in seconds once you have learnt the correct way to pick different locks. people often pick noses within the seconds when no one is looking and within that same amount of time it takes to pick a nose bike locks have been picked a 1000 times all across the globe in that one few short seconds of time it takes to nose pick lol.
Absolutely, the dimpa bag is an awesome option for many occasions when the bike would not be allowed otherwise. I'll make sure to mention it a next video!
Ive had three bikes stolen in NYC i hunted one down and found it being used for deliveries at a deli! Called the cops and got it back but the PD did not arrest anyone they said there would be too much paperwork,Until they increase the penalties for bike theft it will never stop!
