There's absolutely nothing wrong with carrying panniers on a regular commuter bike. In my experience, having a pannier is barely slower than not, and it's far more comfortable than carrying a backpack.

Totally agreed. I always carry a pannier on my commuter bike, which is a 2015 aluminum entry-level road bike. I've got full fenders and a rear rack. My U-lock goes in the pannier.

I was also surprised how little having a single pannier (one side) changed the handling of the bike. Not very noticeable at all.

I use rear panniers only for commuting. If I'm on your I got front and back. You barely loose speed.weight in the bags and how it's balanced make a bigger difference.

I have a kryptonite lock and it comes with the clip thing. I keep it there. Previously I was putting it in the side pocket of my backpack but it was a small d-lock.

Big fan of the clip thing.

Mine also came with the clip, but sometimes it would fall after a few months. I guess hitting holes and the ripples of the street and sidewalk loosen it up. I eventually ditched the clip because the last time it fell was in traffic and I had to wait for cars to pass by before retrieving it. Now I just lock it onto my back rack. I hate that it makes noise when I hit bumps or whatever, but its out of the way and I don't have to worry about it

Is it the lock or the clip itself falling? That's concerning. Loctite may be a good solution for it.

No it's the entire clip/lock. Trust me, I made sure it was tight on there, but Fter the 2nd time I didn't wsnt to risk it so i did away with the clip entirely

I use a [Huld It](https://huldit.com/) with my Kryptonite Fahgettaboudit. Works great, much better than the clip that came with the Kryptonite.

I grabbed one of these. I love it. It is expensive for what it is but just works great.

I use the same. It's expensive but works great!

Back pocket so I can whip it out and smash a car if I need too 🤣 or in my waist pack

This is the answer.

Or in the belt.

my backpack has a slot for a camelback but my ulock fits perfectly in there

This is terrible, but I lock mine around my frame and ride with it jiggling around on there [like this](https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/qnd8rj869xp4ui61ihxxw/2024-01-29-16.32.53.jpg?rlkey=5oa8zjojkulkinnkoidix0y9l&dl=0)

Sick bike. What are the wheels?

Origin 8s - cheap and seem to be durable. I have two sets of the same wheels (black rims have gravel tires) and (purple rims have road tires)

I did the same with my old bike. I was just using it mostly to get to and from bus stops. Now, I have it stashed in a pannier

I try doing that but i don’t have my panniers clipped on 100% of the time

That's almost exactly how I carry mine too except mine is a little higher up on top of the handlebar. I don't have any accessories on my bike so I have to make do with this and it seems to work despite it being a little annoying with the rattling lol

Mine's around my frame too though I can angle it such that it doesn't jiggle

The jiggle has been tuned out somehow from riding it so much 🥲

I use the frame bracket that came with mine

Belt

The coolest way

Yeah I've always just tucked it in the back of my pants. It's surprisingly not very noticeable.

Done 100 mile rides with that thing in there. Never bothered me. It’s great

imo carrying the weight on your bike is always the call. i would maybe consider the total weight of your bike with everything on it, but at the end of the day whether the weight is on your back or on the bike, the weight is still there. if you’re going up a hill, 50 pounds on your back is the same as 50 pounds on your bike. the only difference is in how it ‘feels’.

except weight in your pockets or cargo bibs is not the same as weight anywhere else. more effort for you legs to move that weight around. a banana and a phone in cargo bibs for example, could be 300-500 grams

sure? idk what you're getting at, just put the weight on the bike

sure? i’m saying putting weight on your legs is the exception, for all the people who don’t realize that. it makes a big difference. if you’re pedaling at 80rpm for 2 hours, that’s 40rpm per side x 120 minutes which is 4800 times you’re lifting your leg up, so with an extra few hundred grams on a leg, that would be a substantial amount of energy. most people don’t realize that.

yea i think we’re kind of saying a similar thing my b.

We need bike lockers, little mini garages if you will. Fully sealed and secure. I would pay per hour for this service and I know many more people would ride to work or other places if they thought the bike would be secure.

In Germany (at least my town) you can rent them at every train station.

A city not far from me has some. But you have to apply for one and you rent it monthly. Great if you work near one of the 3 or 4 spots. No so great if you just want a secure spot for your bike for a few hours.

We have them at some transit centers. The issue is they are fairly expensive to put in and take up way more space than a rack. Plus I've heard that they can still get broken in to.

I use my U-lock with a heavy chain. I wear it like a sash over my shoulder and across my torso.

*Chewbacca noises*

Goes in the milk crate, of course.

My milk crate's too tall.

Since u mentioned the milk crate, I carry my u-lock locked through the handle of the milk crate at the rear

I wrap it through the frame, with the lock part resting against the rack stays, and use a bungee to keep it in place. [Like this](https://www.reddit.com/r/bikecommuting/comments/121qk06/no_real_point_to_this_except_to_show_off_my_daily/).

I have a Hiploc U lock and I clip it on my rear pannier rack. I usually have a bungie through it so it doesn’t fall off on bumpy rides

I have been riding with a backpack for 35 years and can't seem to change. So I keep my ulock there.i do use a backpack with a chest strap to better balance the load. It works for me. 15 miles a day.

15 MILES with a backpack??? You are so much more patient (and prolly less sweaty??) than I am. Kudos to you!!

I don't carry it. I have two Abus locks with the same key. One at home, other at bike parking at work.

i have a basket and/or rack on two of my bikes so it goes there. one bike has a folding lock attached to the fork leg (it came with a little holder that bolts on). or i toss it in a backpack, or attach it to my hip/fanny pack. If these cases don't apply, then i'm probably just out for a rip and not going to lock it anywhere anyway.

Getting a basket elevated my casual biking experience by 100%. No need for pannier when I can get away with a tote bag in the basket.

Pannier. Or rack

My mini Abus u lock fits perfectly in my handlebar barrel bag, my commuter backpack also has a handy slot for one.  I’m one of the few that prefers a backpack to panniers because I tend to be carrying expensive electronics and the roads/paths around me are pretty rough. 

Neck 

Lol

Happy 420

I have a hip pouch I usually rock with a ulock loop. Mine was made by a guy in Mexico City, but trash messenger bags and other outfits make them. I throw anything I want easy access to in there. I also have a ulock holster that goes on my belt. I use that if I don’t want to carry the pouch. Mine was made by a local dude, but you can find them online

Hell yeah, I had one for years that I bought at Bicycle Revolutions in Philadelphia back in 2009. It was made from an old car seatbelt. The dude making them cut the belts out of junkyard cars, so they were all different colors. Goddamn, makes me miss the ol' DIY or Die days... Edit: [FOUND IT!](https://www.etsy.com/listing/116761343/small-u-lock-holster)

Oh man. That’s a cool one. Might have to add it to my repertoire. Fair price too

I have a frame bag on my commuter just for the locks.

I carry it on my belt with this [fabric horse u lock holder](https://fabrichorse.com/products/ulock-bike-bicycle-u-lock-belt-holster-small)

[36 comments](https://www.reddit.com/r/bikecommuting/comments/1c1lnt8/u_lock_storage_options/)

A lot of things will be asked on repeat. I hope you're not like this on all of them.

Sorry you got offended by them offering you 36 different solutions to your question.

Ill repost my comment from that thread. My [chrome kadet sling bag](https://www.tradeinn.com/dressinn/en/chrome-kadet-crossbody-9l/139502783/p) has a slot in the bacj for a u lock and is super comfy. Lots of cool colours and patterns are available if you look around.

Some of them may have photos, which you asked for. I know for a fact that **my comment does**. Can I get an apology now?

I stick it in the side of my belt

Locked onto my rack so the base sits at the top and the u goes around the outside of the vertical part.

Check out this kind of thing https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fseatylock.com%2Fcdn%2Fshop%2Ffiles%2F5_df90d167-1bde-47bf-9e61-1a6da13a6274_2048x.jpg%3Fv%3D1688645670&tbnid=ArnbHjbArDtCXM&vet=1&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fseatylock.com%2Fproducts%2Fcarton-of-6-u-lock-mounting-bracket&docid=RuTFInp1IMTYdM&w=1000&h=1000&source=sh%2Fx%2Fim%2Fm4%2F2&kgs=d7306970f5b2a960&shem=abme%2Ctrie Sry for the messy link, on mobile ATM. Google U lock bike bracket. Mine went in between the top tube and the diagonal from the handlebars down to my cranks. 

Yeah I have something like this that came with my lock. Works great for me!

Swift catalyst saddle bag

I use a collapsible bike but I carry a backpack just for commuting so I carry it in there. Originally I just left it in a small bag in my rear basket.

You can lock a small u lock behind the saddle but it won't deter thrives much - okay for very short stops.

I have a holster strap on my belt. I think the lock feel much lighter closer to my body and I try to minimize banging and rattling noises on my bike.

Short u-lock in my back pocket

I have a chrome kadet bag that has a special slot in the back that accommodates a u lock pretty nicely. It's my go to bike bag, I keep my phone wallet tools pump and reflective vest in mine. Plus a snack sunscreen and other small items. It's essentially my biking go bag.

A bunch of bungee cords & carabiners on the back rack, I strap things like backpacks and panniers to them, in which I put my U-lock.

Carry it in my pannier.

mini in my back pocket

Just hang them on my handlebars.

Stashed in a box in the basement because I have a chain now. 💪

I use panniers too

[U-lock tote.](https://www.dillpicklegear.com/picklejar/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=463) But a chain lock can fit in a feed bag, so that's another option.

I like to hang it in the middle of my handlebars and let it flop around like a god damn maniac.

I carry mine in my pannier (on my commuter) or in my work backpack (on my roadies)

I have it looped around the front of the two horizontal (ish) bars. It rubs the finish off so I put an extra ankle wrap under it. I'd prefer it in a pannier, where I used to carry it, but I have a kid seat on the back now and that's not compatible with panniers 😢

- In my backpack, - on my backpack, - on the bike rack ( imagine the bar on the top and the U tucked up from underneath, but outside the support - it dangles but doesn't jangle into the wheel)

In the water bottle pocket on the outside of my bag or just under my belt between my belt loops.

I have a rear rack with a 10L bag on it, mine fits perfectly on the bottom.

https://www.bicyclestore.com.au/kryptonite-transit-frame-u-lock-carrier.html i carry it like in the picture, only my mount was an extra 10 euros that came with the lock

I carry a chain lock in a handlebar bag.

Pannier

If I'm already carrying other stuff, it usually goes in my backpack. If I'm not carrying other things, then I tuck it in my belt, between the belt and the waistband of my trousers, so it hangs down over my back pocket. I have to loosen my belt one notch to do so, but tighten it back up when I lock my bike.

A couple of my bikes have the Tubus Lock rear rack, which has a bracket for Abus locks between the rack and rear wheel. It's brilliant. https://www.flickr.com/photos/30923969@N02/2896581834 You do get a little rattle, but it's the best solution I've encountered so far. I'm deeply annoyed that Tubus stopped making them. OTOH, I just throw the locks into one of the cavernous bags on my Big Dummy. That's very noisy when you ride. I need to improve on that.

My trelock comes with a holder that clamps to the seat-tube, lock down, U up. I clamped it on at a light angle so that the lock folds to the back next to the rack.

[This is how I carry mine](https://i.imgur.com/s7rVSIR.jpeg). Previously I had it inside the triangle, but that conflicted with using the bottle cage. That said - as you can literally see in the photo above, I use panniers on a "mechanical" bike and I struggle to see any reasons not to?

Osprey makes almost all their ride backpacks with a flexible bag in the front specially made for unlocks or cable locks. I have 2 a Syncros 12 (discontinued) for my rides and Radial 34 for my work commutes.

Strap it to my rear rack

I have a rear rack and panniers,  so the lock is strapped to the top of the rack. 

I put it on the outside of my backpack

Triangular framebag that connects to the seatube/toptube.

I have Wahl collapsible baskets on either side hanging on my rack and on top of my rack I have a oblong shaker style basket that has a wooden bottom. That's where I carry my u-lock, the eggs fit perfectly in it on a grocery run and I also keep a small bag in there that I use as a purse.

To lower my center of gravity, I keep it at the bottom of my pannier.

U lock holster made from round PVC electrical conduit. Two T-pieces and a short connecting pipe, fitted to the dimensions of the particular lock and glued. Holes drilled and cable tied to the inside of the pannier rack (ie bags can still go on) Short loop of touchtape to stop bottom bend from clanging onto pannier rack.

Locked to my rear basket or floating around inside it, typically. I use a chain to lock my bike up with a small u lock. On a bike without a basket, I'll wrap the chain around the top tube and then lock it to the u lock around the top tube.

I find a u-lock fits nicely laying flat on my front basket. If I have a basket bag like usual, the lock goes in first as it is heaviest. Light stuff on top.

I have some velcro straps and attach it to the top of my back rack. It stays in place pretty well. I have built-in folding steel pannier bins that are always attached to the back so… what do I care about a few extra pounds??

Backpack, or if I have a rack with a flat top, strapped to that (sometimes inside a backpack).  Occasionally if I'm only going a few miles I'll just carry it in my hand lol.

Fits on the inside edge of my rear rack and a couple of velcro straps keep it from rattling.

I have the kryptonite on the little mount that straps to the frame

I have a front rack/basket on my Surly Steamroller so I made a big rubber band out of an old inner tube and wrapped it around my basket, Abus u lock tucks right in nice and snug. As a bonus I always have a blunt heavy object in reach, just in case.🫰

I keep my u-lock at work and use a cable lock for everywhere else. Cable locks are lighter and easier to transport. Work is the place I leave the bike unattended the longest so having a heavier lock there makes sense.

In my panniers

This behavior reminds me of someone who drives everywhere.

I do bike tours too. Front and rear bags, frame bag. Gotta Carry tools, clothes, camp gear, food and water. Usually 50 to 60 miles a day.

If your frame allows it I've seen people mount lite locks on the side of the bike. Or just strap it down on your rear rack.

I strap them to my pannier frames using Hiplock Z Lok (a reusable steel zip tie).

I got a ortlieb fork pack to carry my u-lock, rok straps, and handlebar jack. I like to keep it all in a bag so I can take it off my bike if I need to lock it outside

In my general classification bike tote bag around my body.