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A Sock for Your Lock?

image via thelocksock.com

A while ago, some of us began noticing knitted "u-lock cozies" on bicycles, and I always thought it would be neat if someone were to start selling them. Turns out a Lovely Bicycle reader recently did.

The Lock Sock is a hand-knitted sock that will fit a mini or standard u-lock - its function to prevent the lock from scuffing the bicycle's frame. I think these things are adorable, but never made one for myself because I don't use u-locks.

If you do use a u-lock and are longing to dress it in a knitted sock, one of these could be yours. Leave a comment describing how you lock up your bike and include your email address, and I will pick the recipient at random. Deadline is 11:59pm tonight, Pacific Standard Time. You will be able to choose a sock from the colors available and Stephen of The Lock Sock will mail it to you directly from Brooklyn, NY.

Thanks for reading and have a good weekend!
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Comments

  1. sausendFebruary 25, 2012 at 10:30 AM

    If you don't use U-locks, what, may I ask, do you use?

    I've seen similar lock cozies before and always wondered: if you lock your bike in the rain, doesn't the cozy get all sodden?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Robert LinthicumFebruary 25, 2012 at 4:18 PM

      I was wondering the same thing--around here, no U-lock, no bike.

      Delete
    2. VelouriaFebruary 25, 2012 at 5:13 PM

      Depending on where I leave the bike, I use either a cable lock or one of those monstrous padlock chains.

      Delete
    3. Matthew JFebruary 26, 2012 at 6:38 AM

      Not a U-Lock user either.

      Abus Bordo for daytime / quick stops.

      Abus chain and lock (durn things weighs more than 16 lbs!) when I ride to jazz clubs. movies or other evening destinations when someone might actually be brave enough to bring power tools capable of overwhelming a Bordo (which are more robust than all but the heaviest U-locks in any event)

      Delete
  2. Atwater GirlFebruary 25, 2012 at 10:45 AM

    I think these are ADORABLE! I hate to admit that I learned how to lock my front tire with my frame from a friend who learned the hard(er) way after her bike was stolen. But I am starting to even consider a second lock for my back tire too.
    siobhan(dot)dolan(at)gmail(dot)com

    Also, I am seeing the knit socks on random bike racks in Los Angeles. And some poles too that bikers commonly use. THAT is community caring :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SherrillFebruary 25, 2012 at 11:50 AM

      Google "yarn bombing". It goes waaaayy beyond just racks & poles. :)

      Delete
  3. DanielleFebruary 25, 2012 at 11:11 AM

    Depending on where I'm keeping my bike I either use just my mini u lock or I double up with a larger kryptonite.

    Djaffee87 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousFebruary 25, 2012 at 11:44 AM

    I use a Mini U-lock on my townie and, when locking the bike, generally hook it around the top tube to a steel rail or bike rack. My biggest problem has been where to mount it on the bike when not in use. For aesthetic reasons I didn't want it inside the main triangle so I mounted the transporter bracket to the rear of the seatpost and the lock just hangs out in the breeze behind me while riding - looks a little silly but it works!

    dgd4 at pge dot com

    ReplyDelete
  5. mariannemFebruary 25, 2012 at 11:54 AM

    I find that what's most likely to damage my bike is not the u-lock but the rack itself, so I knit this to protect the downtube from bumping against the rack and getting chipped: http://www.flickr.com/photos/8335804@N06/6156525321/

    ReplyDelete
  6. DaveFebruary 25, 2012 at 12:05 PM

    How neat, but now something needs to be made to protect this beautiful craft! Oh the ravages of the world...

    ReplyDelete
  7. leila@rookFebruary 25, 2012 at 12:17 PM

    I've been wanting one of these for the longest time but just haven't had a chance to make one! I'd love to win one so my bike doesn't get scratched up.

    leila kelleher at yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VelouriaFebruary 27, 2012 at 1:25 PM

      You got it! Will put you in touch with Lock Sock!

      Delete
  8. AnonymousFebruary 25, 2012 at 1:46 PM

    I live in Brooklyn and would love to have this for my brand new baby blue Electra Ticino!

    beesims@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. DDFebruary 25, 2012 at 1:47 PM

    Awesome! I'm going to add this to my "to knit" cue :) My u-lock is a long one, so one of these is probably too short.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Alex HillisFebruary 25, 2012 at 2:21 PM

    Woah! These are super cool. I lock my bike up all around New Orleans as it is my main form of transport. Gotta go through the front wheel and frame in this town. This is great for keeping my frame from getting more scratched.

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousFebruary 25, 2012 at 3:13 PM

    Heh hehheh, Hey Beavis, what if my lock is, like, way bigger than that , do they make like, uh, EL GRANDE size. HEHHEH heh...

    Shutup Dillweed, I don't need a lock cuz I'm, like kickass and nobody touches my bike. All you need is, like , a piece of yarn for your lock. HUHHuh huh, huh..."Lock-Sock", that's cool...

    (with profound apologies)
    Spindizzy

    ReplyDelete
  12. kFebruary 25, 2012 at 5:20 PM

    This looks good! Since I'm about to get one of your Bella Ciao Superbas (!!!) from a wonderful woman in Colorado, I need a cozy for my U-lock. (Incidentally- what type of lock do you use?)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Matt DeBlassFebruary 25, 2012 at 5:38 PM

    Nifty!

    I have both a u-lock and a Kryptonite cable lock. At home, I just use the cable lock, but when I'm out and about I use a combination of the two (usually with the u-lock through the rear wheel/frame and the cable securing the front wheel, but if I'm stuck with an oddly-shaped structure I might use the cable lock to attach it and lock the back wheel in with the u-lock)
    velochelonian at gmail

    ReplyDelete
  14. David EmeryFebruary 25, 2012 at 7:12 PM

    I agree with the other posters, seems like a knitted cotton lock-sock would quickly fray and become unspeakably filthy in practical use. Could a lock-sock be 'knitted' from plastic lacing?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Stephen and AmyFebruary 26, 2012 at 10:08 AM

      Hi David,
      The Lock Socks are strong and tightly knitted. I have a road tested one from last year that has survived a harsh winter in NYC. In addition, these locks can be washed and are handcrafted by a professional knitter. They will not fray.
      Would love to send a pic of my year old lock sock. Thanks for bringing up concerns. It's greatly appreciated.
      -Amy and Stephen from Lock Sock.

      Delete
  15. AnonymousFebruary 25, 2012 at 7:36 PM

    These are Perfect!! I ride my bike all over the Los Angeles CA area. I only started using a U-Lock about a couple weeks ago because my Raleigh was stolen (the culprits cut right through the chain) and figured a U-Lock would be safer. So far, so good :)

    rweasley89@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. AllisonFebruary 25, 2012 at 8:16 PM

    I'm not sure how practical it is, but I love the idea anyway. If I don't win, I might just have to knit one for myself!

    I usually just use a standard-sized U-lock. Sometimes I add a cable lock, but usually I'm too lazy to also carry that around.

    allisonq[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Erin BFebruary 25, 2012 at 8:50 PM

    I use a U lock through the frame, back tire and bike stand and a cable lock through the front tire. I would love a lock cozy!
    clxtgirl at gmail

    ReplyDelete
  18. LauraFebruary 25, 2012 at 9:00 PM

    While commuting I can take my bike into my studio or into my home, locking it up on errands or on recreational rides is always worrisome to me because I'm afraid I'll scratch or ding it up. I use a standard size U-lock, not a mini one, to make sure I can get it around both my frame, my front wheel and the rack.

    Email is grafx86 at gmail. Thanks for the offer! :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. haptownFebruary 25, 2012 at 10:52 PM

    I use a U-Lock to attach my bike to a sign post, lamp post, bike rack or whatever is close at hand and then I lock the front wheel to the frame using a long cable lock. Works well for me (haven't had a bike stolen in 16 years).

    ReplyDelete
  20. NickFebruary 25, 2012 at 10:55 PM

    When locking alone I use a mini U-lock and put it round my wheel, Sheldon-style. When I lock up with my special lady friend we put a lock through the triangle between the lateral stays of our mixte frames and round a pole. Works better with her lock since it is standard size.

    ReplyDelete
  21. ModMegFebruary 26, 2012 at 12:10 AM

    I was lucky enough to score a vintage Gazelle "Sport Premieur" last year, and I would be simply devastated were it stolen. Bike theft in my hometown is fairly commonplace while vintage uprights are not, so I use a standard-size u-lock through the front wheel, frame, and around the rack, in conjunction with a cable lock for the rear wheel and saddle. The integrated wheel-lock I use primarily for my own amusement. :)

    Email is modmeg1601 at gmail dot com. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  22. chibiumeFebruary 26, 2012 at 1:22 AM

    I used to just use a standard-sized U-lock, but am going to upgrade to a stronger one and add a cable lock. One of these cute cozies would be great! E-mail: christine.j.hung AT gmail

    ReplyDelete
  23. AnonymousFebruary 26, 2012 at 11:24 AM

    I use a mini-U-lock that comes with a cable lock as well. I would love one of these knit socks to protect the beautiful red paint on my transportation bike!
    tina.adkins at gmail

    ReplyDelete
  24. AnonymousFebruary 26, 2012 at 1:56 PM

    Abandoned/forgotten conference room. Employee card swipe entry to the building and the room. Video cam(not real-time monitored)down the corridor. Risk Management was OK with this indoor bike parking concept when we presented it to them. But they said that if it really takes off, you people need proper racks in that room. Facility Management worried about wear and tear on the conference room carpet. Risk Management won. The battle lasted three days and that's progress.

    ReplyDelete
  25. VelouriaFebruary 26, 2012 at 4:55 PM

    Apologies for the delay! The give-away is now closed and I will announce and contact the recipient tonight.

    ReplyDelete
  26. AnonymousFebruary 26, 2012 at 5:02 PM

    Just an fyi, but those have been for sale at Broadway Bike School for a while.

    ReplyDelete
  27. VelouriaFebruary 27, 2012 at 1:25 PM

    The randomly selected recipient is Leila Rook. Will be in touch and thanks everybody!

    ReplyDelete
  28. UgmotaurMarch 2, 2012 at 5:17 PM

    oh my, those are adorable! I can't say I want one to protect my bike - the only bike I dare lock up is a beater - but my god, they are so cute and I want one anyway. I hope there is a custom-colour option eventually.

    ReplyDelete
  29. StephenMay 21, 2012 at 10:53 PM

    WE NOW MAKE CUSTOM COLORS AND ORDERS.
    PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ASK!
    http://thelocksock.com/
    slipuma@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete

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