Alternative Locks

[dynaryder]

Anybody here with experience with locks other than the standard cable or U? The prob I'm having is finding convienent places to use my U lock. It's usually too short/narrow for where I want to use it. I don't want to use a cable lock most of the time because I don't trust them. I'd like to find something more versatile than a U,but stronger than a cable. I also don't want to haul the weight of a Kryptonite Fahgettaboutit chain.

I'm thinking about maybe getting one of these:
http://specialized.com/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=10073&ti_sprd_ses=jdn%24j%3DIBE%3A1009%3AIBEGUEST%3AUS%3A%3AUSD%3ADD-MON-RRRR%3AJTFUCSS.CSS%3Ajtfpfalse%3Ajtfpi-1%3A671%3A22372%3A0%3A18784840%7Ezv%3D18784840%7Ezs%3Dt%7Ezp%3D1025%7Ezo%3D-1%7Ezm%3D10080%7Eses%3D26EED563ABB3D71B2C651ECA925D511A%7Ezj%3DGuest%7Ezi%3D1025%7Eze%3D22372%7Eza%3 D1023%7Ejsm%3DJTF_FULLSESSION

A Specialized Rapper cable. They seem similar to the Cobralinks they used to have for motorcycles. Anybody use one of these? TIA.

[el twe]

Eh, I dunno...I prefer to stick with the industry standards when it comes to locks.

[slagjumper]

I have a lock like the one in your link. Its basically a cable lock with a coating that makes it a bit harder to cut, because a lock cutter can only open so far. What about getting something really heavy duty and cheap, but leaving it locked somewhere near where you go.

[HillaryRose]

I just carry one of the kryptonite chains. It does kind of suck carrying the weight around, but to me, it's worth it for the security and the convenience of locking up to just about anything. I'm just not sure I would trust any cable. I leave my bike locked up in an urban environment for eight, nine hours at a stretch, often late at night. If its ever gone when I get off work, I'm stranded.

[catatonic]

Those cable locks main weakness is not the cable, but the actual locking portion...usually those bits are crimped and soldered...this means with enough force (usually less than what it takes to snap the cable), you can just rip the lock open.

Pretty much, cable or chain, I will not trust the cable-type locking mechanism.

I say U-lock, or heavy chain is where it's at.