Handcuffs as a bike lock?

[geospyder]

I'm thinking of using handcuffs as a bike lock. Easy to put on and off. Key around neck and spare in car. My only concern is the dust gumming up the works but that would be the same with any lock. Anyone have first hand experience with handcuffs - as a bike lock?

[motskyroonmatick]

It works and has been used but... one bike I loaned out with such an arrangement was stolen so at least one bike thief has a key to good quality handcuffs.

[Token]

It works and has been used but... one bike I loaned out with such an arrangement was stolen so at least one bike thief has a key to good quality handcuffs.

Odds are the lendee forgot to lock it up, but stranger things have happened before ...

[motskyroonmatick]

It works and has been used but... one bike I loaned out with such an arrangement was stolen so at least one bike thief has a key to good quality handcuffs.

Odds are the lendee forgot to lock it up, but stranger things have happened before ...

Indeed. I did not see tell tale signs of trying to disguise the truth when he recounted the story to me.
I counted on loosing one or more of the several bikes I brought to loan out to theft so it was not that bad of a loss. It was a solid comfortable bike though.

[theCryptofishist]

I thought most, if not all, handcuffs had the same key. Kinda like golfcarts.
And this isn't idle whateverits, it's what Scott, the former deputy, said.

[dragonpilot]

Keys get lost...even the spare.

Except if your brain gets fried (which is a distinct possibility on playa), a good combination cable lock is the way to go...one with BIG numbers easy to see in dim light. Most of 'em you can set your own easy-to-remember numbers.

[theCryptofishist]

Keys get lost...even the spare.

Yeah, but if you're using handcuffs, you can always lure a local LEO with a story about pot use...

[motskyroonmatick]

I had via several ebay "wins" different handcuffs with different keys. The not for play handcuffs definitely have a different key than the for play handcuffs. I do think the handcuffs that LEO's carry do all have the same key and that was the style of hand cuff that was on my loaned out bike.

I also know that club car and harley davidson golf cart keys are different. I'll try my club car key in one of the DPW's Yamaha golf carts at this event to see if they are keyed the same. Research purposes only.

Not trying to harsh on anyone's knowledge here just putting out there what I know.

[theCryptofishist]

Okay, from context it should be apparent that I was talking about le handcuffs.

Now I get to hang my head and feel like a fool for five seconds.

...

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...

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Done!

[motskyroonmatick]

Sorry crypto. Now I get to hang out in my head too for correcting something that didn't really need correcting.

[danibel]

Keys get lost...even the spare.

Except if your brain gets fried (which is a distinct possibility on playa), a good combination cable lock is the way to go...one with BIG numbers easy to see in dim light. Most of 'em you can set your own easy-to-remember numbers.

I use a word combo lock. It was a few bucks more than the number one, but I find it easier to remember a word than numbers. =)

[Playa Foot]

Almost all professional handcuffs use the same key which is readily obtainable. Without a key handcuffs can be picked easily. If someone really wants your bike handcuffs will slow them down but not stop them. If you only wish to discourage a casual thief they should work fine. An alternative would be leg shackles which are larger and have a longer chain.
When you get back to your camp a pair of handcuffs, a blindfold, a gallon of Wesson oil and a rubber sheet can lead to all kinds of fun.

[Eric]

I use a combo like as well. Set an easy combo for you to remember- not numbers in sequence! and you're golden. I carry the number in a pouch I have with me day or night in case I'm "not able" to remember at that moment.

It's a city of 40,000+ people- plan accordingly. Most people are out for a good time, but there's always bad apples.

[dragonpilot]

I use a word combo lock. It was a few bucks more than the number one, but I find it easier to remember a word than numbers. =)

It's a left brain-right brain kinda thing...

[sputnik]

I always used a combo lock, but since my brain often doesn't work and numbers are hard to read at night I would just spin one of the numbers so that it was easy for me to unock. I honestly also left a tag on the chain with the combo should someone else come along and futz with it. 7 years without a stolen bike (but then again they were all rather crappy bikes)

[AntiM]

The word locks rock. We set them all to one word, so any camp member can open any of the locks.

[Ugly Dougly]

It's kinky enough that you're having sex with your bike, but BONDAGE as well? Have you no shame at last?

[Ranger Genius]

The only problem with the word combo locks is that the letters on the tumblers are carefully selected in such a way as to make it impossible to use any dirty words as your combination.

[Fire_Moose]

The only problem with the word combo locks is that the letters on the tumblers are carefully selected in such a way as to make it impossible to use any dirty words as your combination.

that's just extra work for them...retards

[Ugly Dougly]

[youtube][/youtube]

[Playa Foot]

If you double lock the cuffs they can not be opened with a shim.
However the double lock is easily defeated.

[gyre]

All the leo cuffs I'm aware of use the same key.
I can't imagine why any professional bike thief wouldn't have a key.
Less likely for amateurs though.

Cable locks will not stop cutters, except perhaps the highest end euro stuff.
Use security chain for thieves.
Cable is fine for stopping honest people.

[gyre]

There are carbon fibre keys and some that fit into belt buckles.
And some with lights.

http://www.handcuffwarehouse.com/handcu ... 3A20%3A%3A

These have their own key though.



http://www.handcuffwarehouse.com/adihas.html
http://www.handcuffwarehouse.com/inha.html

[professorzed]

I have seen bike locks designed off the handcuff design. In fact, the bicycles in India have a kind of handcuff each (separated pair) which fits around each wheel.

Foot shackles are much better than handcuffs, as someone else pointed out. The chain between the cuffs is a lot longer, so you could actually lock your bike [b]to[/b] something, besides itself.

I don't think that theft of bikes at Burning Man is a huge problem. I have heard rumors of a few people that go there to deliberately steal bikes, but such losers are pretty rare. Most of the time, your bike is just 'borrowed' and never returned by someone too stoned or drunk to know which bike is there.

So yes, a pair of handcuffs (foot shackles) would work fine as a bike lock against the casual joyrider. They would also help make your bike look unique, so everyone knows that it's [b]your[/b] bike.

The main problem I can see with using handcuffs as a bike lock is that they are generally bare metal. So in the daytime, handcuffs would be way too hot to touch, like a skillet. Daytime is also the best time for riding your bike, since it's a way to keep cool.

[gyre]

The first picture I posted is designed for motorcycles.
They seem rugged enough.
There is a folding link abus design too.
Only weakness might be twisting the links.


And bike theft is not rare, casual and otherwise.

[teardropper]

I still think it's a sick, sick, sick use for a perfectly good pair of handcuffs.

[clerkkent]

The chintzy toy handcuffs work as a deterrent. The tipsy confused burner who thinks they have found 'their' bike will give up trying to unlock them and look for 'their' bike somewhere else. I use them on my bikes; but my bikes are cheap fur covered cruiser bikes, not $1000 Cannondales.

[geospyder]

Rather than use cuffs I opted to get a combo short U shaped braded cable 5/8 inch thick. Numbers are large enough that I can see them without the "readers"

[TORD]

YES handcuffs work just FINE. Burningman is NOT NYC or SF, minimum security is fine. NOBODY is hauling around 6 foot bolt cutters. Most bike theft is just hop ons. I like tha fact that most handcuffs are keyed alike and all the LAW has a key or any kink leather daddy. If you lose your key just ask at your local BDSM camp. Lose the key to your U lock and life just got INTERESTING. You can get a decent pair for 20 bucks, leg irons have a longer chain. You can get a crappy pair for 9 bucks. The key will not be universal just to the other crap cuffs but then again it might already be covered in fun fur.

[teardropper]

Unfortunately, there are real thieves that go after top end bikes. I recall last year BMIR was talking about the possibility of a look into trailers to check for too many bikes. Those guys probably leave early, however some really good bikes got taken. But you are right, most thefts are from lazy, stoned and/or drunks, so called Burners, who don't want to, or can't, walk back to camp. And many of those will end up deep playa or on the trash fence. But the possibility of real thieves making off with your good bike is just another reason to look for a $40 Craig's List beach cruiser.

And let me say again, unless those 'cuffs are for dual purpose, it seems a waste of a perfectly good pair of handcuffs...