Fifty Plus (50+) - Question on OnGuard locks

I'm considering two different types of OnGuard bike locks - the U-Lock and the Cable Lock, for my Cypress (the bike I use for errands, groceries, library, etc.). Can anyone with practical experience offer advice or reason(s) to purchase one or the other? For that matter, is there any reason NOT to consider this brand?

The website is: http://www.onguardlock.com/ I can't seem to find anything on the website that allows one to compare one lock to another.

Thanks!

I recently picked up an OnGuard U-Lock. The U-Locks don't give you as much versatility to lock up to almost anything and tend to be a bit heavier. However they are substantially more secure than a cable lock. Even a modest wire cutter can cut its way through a cable lock, snipping a few strands at a time.

An experienced bike theft can get through any lock, but a good U-Lock will stop a lot more amateurs than a cable lock.

I already had a modest cable lock to use on my rural rides. But I wanted a secure lock for using in Madison and that means either a U-Lock or a high security chain lock, like the New York City lock, but that weighs a half-ton.

You can see on their own product pages that the best U-Locks get 5+ stars & most of the U-Locks get 4+ stars on their production ratings, while their best cable locks get 3 or 3+ and most of the cable locks get 2 or 2+.

The very best OnGuard u-locks do well in the independent tests done by "Cycling Plus". The massive "Brute" u-lock is very strong.

What the independent tests show is that the toughest locks tend to be the five pound u-locks, which tests as well or better than ten pound chain locks.

With one or two rare exceptions, cable locks are not really locks at all. The typical cable lock can be opened in seconds by an experienced crook. The campus cops at the college in my neighborhood tell me that EVERY stolen bike on their campus has one thing in common: the owner was silly enough to think a cable lock is actually a lock.

Worried about weight? The OnGuard mini-TC u-lock weighs just a little more than the typical $20 cable lock, but is about a zillion times better at protecting your bike.

I use a beefy u-lock to attach the rear wheel just behind the seat tube (NEVER any part of the frame) to a beefy steel post that is set in concrete. Then I use a second u-lock, or a cable lock to attach the front wheel to the frame.

Any lock can be defeated by a skilled crook with the right tools. If you must park your bike for hours in a public place, you are better off with a old beater bike. And park that beater bike right next to a brand new Cannondale.

For that use I'd pick the cable lock because it's easier and more convenient to use and it'll probably be plenty adequate for your intended use. I mean turn the question around. How hard do you think that a thief is going to be willing to work to steal a Cypress?

Are most of the places that you go fairly low crime areas? If so, then it isn't likely anyone would steal it. And if they are a bike thief, they probably won't recognize your Cypress SX as being a $700'ish bike. So I would probably use a cable lock.

I use a $3 Wal-Mart MasterLock cable lock when I ride on bike trails. Will lock my bike at a trail head bike rack and leave it for 1-2 hours without giving it a second thought. But this is in an area where the lock is likely not needed at all.

I use a beefy u-lock to attach the rear wheel just behind the seat tube (NEVER any part of the frame) to a beefy steel post that is set in concrete. Then I use a second u-lock, or a cable lock to attach the front wheel to the frame

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I don't get it. Why not part of the frame? What stops the thief from removing the rear wheel and grabbing your bike and tossing it in the back of a pickup truck, front wheel attached to frame and all?

I use a beefy u-lock to attach the rear wheel just behind the seat tube (NEVER any part of the frame) to a beefy steel post that is set in concrete. Then I use a second u-lock, or a cable lock to attach the front wheel to the frame

Hmmm... sounds like you are a belt and suspenders kind of guy! :rolleyes: