How to Chain a Bike

If you ride a bike for pleasure or commuting, you know that it's important to protect your investment from theft. That's where a bike chain comes in. A good-quality bike chain will protect your bike from being stolen while you're at work or shopping. A bike chain is a simple accessory to use. However, for maximum security, there is a specific way that your should use the bike chain. Properly employing the bike chain will ensure the maximum security for your bicycle when you have to chain it to a bike stand or other object.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bike Bike chain Bike rack

1. 
   Bike in bike rack (photo by NL)

   Place your bike in the bike rack by sliding the front wheel into the stand. If a bike stand isn't available, lean your bike against a solid object like a tree or lamppost. Be sure that this object is tall enough that a thief can't simply lift the bike and chain over the top.

2. Unlock your chain and slide one end through the center triangular space of the bike. This is the space between the down tube and the seat post. You can also identify this space by looking for bottle holders of your bike; they'll be located there. Take that end around one of the vertical posts in the bike rack (the posts holding the wheel) or the tree or post you've leaned the bike against.

3. 
   Chaining method (NL Graphics)

   Now feed the end of the chain through the front wheel, and lock the ends of the chain together. Some chains click together and have a combination lock, and some chains have loops on each end that are secured with a padlock. However your chain secures together, connect and test to see that it's securely fastened. You've now secured the bike's frame and front wheel to the bike rack. This prevents a thief from not only stealing the whole bike, but from taking off the front wheel and stealing it individually.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask your local bike shop for chain recommendations. Most are staffed by local cyclists, who have a good idea of the security needs of the city where you live.
• Depending on the community where you lock the bike, it may be necessary to add a second chain to secure the rear wheel to the frame for safety.

References

• Zinn and the Art of Road Bike Maintenance; Zinn; 2008

Resources

• Bike Locks

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[howardmaher]

on 7/27/2009 Why not first put the cable thru the other triangle on a bike, the one formed by the seatstays, the chainstays, and the seat tube? This way you secure both your more expensive rear wheel, your front wheel, and the whole bike.