Where to put Bike Lock while riding? 7 Options

When you are riding, I am sure you have a lock and trying to decide where to put it. Maybe right now you are riding with it hanging off of the pole of your saddle and it’s clanging against your thigh. That clanging might have you wondering where to put bike lock while riding?

There are some people that absolutely need it out of the way, and for those folks, you may need a mounting accessory to have it mounted and completely out of the way. If you want other options without mounting accessories, we have that as well. Read on.

In this post we will answer all of your questions about your bike lock. You will learn where to mount the bicycle lock while riding.

You will also learn where to put the bicycle lock when you are locking your bicycle correctly. You will finally learn about etiquette for locking your bicycle in garages.

By the end of this post, you should have a good understanding of everything you need to know about you, your bicycle and your lock.

Where to put bike lock while riding?

There are plenty of options on where to put bike lock when riding. I typically will put my U lock through the saddle, and allow it to sit on the frame. The U lock is heavy enough that it will not rattle while riding.

Other options that I have done with different bikes in the city are as follows:

On Bike Rack: Attaching the U lock to the back of your bike rack is a great option to help you remain balanced while keeping the U lock out of sight. This will also give you some weight to help with center of gravity.

Inside Pannier: If you have a pannier, this is a great place to put your U lock. There are many Panniers with U lock sections available as well.

Coiled Around Framed or Mounted U-lock to Frame: Mounting your bike lock to your frame is the classic way to get by with your bicycle lock. Make sure that you have mounted it correctly to keep it from flying away while going down Market.

Attached to Saddle: When the U lock is mounted on the saddle, it feels stable and as if nothing can bump the U lock off. It will help you also with center of gravity for getting through tight corners.

Inside Backpack: There are many that choose to have their bike lock in their backpack as they commute to work. It is safe, and the weight also holds all the other items in place.

Attached to Belt: This is a touch old school and may let other cyclists know that you have seen Premium Rush, though there are many that attach U locks to their belt or the chain lock around their waste.

Leave it where you Lock it: We have seen this throughout Manhattan, in San Francisco, and small islands in the Caribbean. If you are commuting to the same place every day on private property, why not leave the lock where you plan to park the bicycle all day? If your bike lock rusts, you can remove rust the same way you would remove rust from bike chain.

Inside Your Bike Basket: Most bike locks are heavy enough that the rattling will not happen when going over bumps. Plus this provides you easy access to your bike lock as all of your items are all in the same place.

Where do you mount your U lock?

If you want to mount your U lock on your bicycle, there are plenty of places to leave it. Mounting your U lock is a good idea so that it does not rattle around often while you are riding or bang against your knees.

Mounting a U lock is a very simple adjustment that you can do on your bike yourself amongst other repairs.

Your options are:

Behind the saddle: If your bike’s saddle is lifted high enough, then you can mount your U lock underneath your saddle. This is great because you can reach the U lock while you are riding to prepare to unlock the bicycle.

Inside the frame: If you are riding and you want to keep the bicycle as aerodynamic as possible, mounting your U lock inside the triangle of the bicycle is another great option for you as the cyclist. Be sure to take the U lock off if you plan to wash your bike to protect the grease inside the locking mechanism.

Along Handle Bars: For very quick access to your U lock, you are able to lock your bike lock along the handle bars. This provides easy access to get to the handle bars so that you can lock your bike lock with ease.

Along Basket: If you have a basket mounted onto your bicycle, you can either put the U lock inside of the basket or mount it directly on the basket so that it is secure with your belongings inside of the basket.

Along Carriage behind Wheel: If you have a carriage attached behind your wheel, then there is another option for you. This will keep your bicycle U lock out of the way while you are pedalling and out of sight.

Should you lock bike front or back wheel?

If you need to decide because you only have one lock that does not go through the body and both wheels, you should prioritize the back wheel.

Replacing a front wheel is a lot easier than replacing a back wheel and the now missing cassette if something is to happen to the bicycle.

If you do not live in a densely populated area where bicycle theft is not much of a problem, prioritize locking the back wheel over the front wheel of the bicycle. Make sure that the lock goes through the frame and body of the bicycle and the back wheel when locking the bicycle.

If you live in the Bay Area like we do or any other densely populated urban environment, you ought to lock both the back wheel and the front wheel. If you can, you should lock your helmet as well to your bicycle or take it with you.

You should have a U lock that goes through the body of the bicycle and the back wheel with a second cable or chain lock that goes through your U lock and through the front bike wheel.

Should I lock my bike in my garage?

A good friend of ours had their bicycle taken out from their home through the fire escape because someone saw it through the window from the street.

If you have the option and are able to, it is generally a smart idea to lock your bicycle when it is inside of your garage.

Those that are looking around may see the bicycle as an opportunity and it is good to have a deterrent so that others understand that you are not looking to have your bicycle disappear.

Conclusion: Where to put bike lock while riding

There are many options for where to put bike lock while riding. You can put it behind you in your pannier, or along your frame of the bicycle. Your most creative option is to leave the lock where you are planning to lock the bike.