Commuting - Easy way to carry my lock

I'm looking for an easy way to carry my lock. The lock is an OnGuard 5000 STD with a ToughCable, and my bike is a Haro Flightline Sport.

Unlike some commuters, I don't have the luxury of being able to leave my lock fastened to my customary bike rack at school. I go too many other places and need the lock available at all times. It's kind of heavy, and didn't come with a mounting bracket. I'm willing to put up with the weight in exchange for the security.

Some days I'll be riding with a bag of some kind and can carry it in there, but not every day. I want to mount a rack on the bike, but since it's rear disc brake, the choices for that seem kind of limited. I saw a rack that came with a lock, but it doesn't look like it would accommodate the lock I already have.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thank you,
-Bill

Could you hang the u-lock on the cable and use the cable like a shouder strap?

How about one of those u-lock holsters?
Chrome sells them, but they are expensive.....could double as your man purse too though!

I've taken to using Twofish lockblocks for my U-lock. I've had it mounted like they show on their site, and I've also done it with a single lockblock on the handlebar and the lock hanging from it.

http://www.twofish.biz/bike.html

Not sure what to say about the cable, but when I had a cable lock, I just wrapped it around the top tube.

what about a rack bag?

Have you thought of a seat bag?

When my panniers are full I lock my U-bolt through the rails on the back of my saddle. No problems ar all.

back pocket?

I commute wearing a medium sized daypack\backpack, that will easily carry a lock, lights, books, extra cloths, etc.

I've had this quandary too.

My solution is to carry it in the backpack i have with me anyways. Another could be to strap it to the back rack with bungies. Or possibly hang it on the bike some how that it is not in the way.

All good ideas. The problem I have is that when I'm carrying a backpack, it's generally loaded pretty full with my books. There's room for more, but it's heavy already. If I have to wear the pack and ride up hills, it starts pulling on my shoulders and makes it hard to breathe. That's part of why I'm also looking for a rack for this bike, so I can fasten the pack to the rack and breathe easier.

I have been able to place the barrel of the ulack on top of the rack and interleave the U through the rack stays. A piece of electrical wire (out of some 10-2scraps, the insulation keeps it from scratching anything as opposed to the copper ground) looped down around the pannier clip holds it pretty tight. It works on the two different racks I have. I typically carrier a single pannier on the left and the bike lock interleaved on the right.

Eric

When I don't have the panniers on I strap my u-lock to the rear rack with some old toe straps, if I ride a rack-less bike I toss it in the backpack although it is fairly heavy. I have a lighter and longer shackle u-lock that I sometimes carry in the backpack instead of the stouter/ heavier lock.

My panniers have top loops that I can put the lock into so it's handy when I make stops.

I can;t say enough about how handy a rack and panniers can be as they solve so many of life's problems concerning where you carry your stuff.

I keep a bungie attatched to my rack, hooked to each of the lower loops. A U lock fits underneath the elastic and lodges under the raised forward section of the rack. This is very secure and quicker than any other method. Some locks come with a plastic carrier that bolts to water bottle mounts but I prefer the rack top.
Don't carry a U lock (or any other metal object) in your back pocket. If you take a fall you will land on it.
You can space out the lower leg of a rack with short sections of tubing (ie a long washer) to clear a disk brake. Racks don't have to be perfectly symmetrical.

What's wrong with the tube clamp holder that comes with the lock? Your top tube is a bit oddly shaped, but you might have room along the seat tube.

Take out the holder's clip and spring and use a short bungee cord around the lock and holder/frame to keep it from rattling.

What's wrong with the tube clamp holder that comes with the lock? Your top tube is a bit oddly shaped, but you might have room along the seat tube.

Take out the holder's clip and spring and use a short bungee cord around the lock and holder/frame to keep it from rattling.

Actually, I've already had a U-lock break its mounting clip, and I'm not into trying that again. I also don't have room in the front triangle of my bikes for the NY Lock and its downward-pointing mount, or at least not with a bottle cage on the downtube. I may be able to make it work by mounting it on the side of the seat tube and pointing it to the rear, but for now, it's doing fine on the handlebars.

All good ideas. The problem I have is that when I'm carrying a backpack, it's generally loaded pretty full with my books. There's room for more, but it's heavy already. If I have to wear the pack and ride up hills, it starts pulling on my shoulders and makes it hard to breathe. That's part of why I'm also looking for a rack for this bike, so I can fasten the pack to the rack and breathe easier.

this is the first time i've ever ridden a bike with a rear rack that i can put a bag and pannier on. coming from someone with neck/back issues, the joy of riding with nothing on my shoulders has been fantastic. and i can still carry an incredible amount of stuff! today, for example, i brought my u-lock, 5 lbs onions, 5 lbs peppers, 2.5 lbs bananas and a weeks worth of kitchen towels over the ice and snow to work. all i had to do was reduce my speed on the corners (and be extra careful with my lane placement).

I hang my u-lock from the stem and top tube.

this is the first time i've ever ridden a bike with a rear rack that i can put a bag and pannier on. coming from someone with neck/back issues, the joy of riding with nothing on my shoulders has been fantastic. and i can still carry an incredible amount of stuff! today, for example, i brought my u-lock, 5 lbs onions, 5 lbs peppers, 2.5 lbs bananas and a weeks worth of kitchen towels over the ice and snow to work. all i had to do was reduce my speed on the corners (and be extra careful with my lane placement).

Hey even with panniers, I still sometimes resort to backpack too. Just during Thanksgiving holidays I made a major store run... with front and rear panniers fully loaded, I also filled a backpack. About 6 bags of groceries all together... including a couple bottles of wine and a couple 22 oz beers. Sure it was a load, but it was only about 4 miles to the house... and I didn't have to fight all the idiots cruising around the parking lot looking for a space. :D

i should have qualified that by saying *everyday*

certainally if i know i'll need it, the backpack is an option - just not the only one anymore.

if i was a student (without an accessable locker) i'd prefer not to have to carry the rack back, pannier, helmet, jacket etc in my hands everywhere i went!