Advocacy & Safety - Do Trek locks cover only Trek bikes?

I want to get a nice U-lock with an antitheft guarantee. The bike I am looking at purchasing is a Giant Cypress hybrid, but if I buy a Trek bike lock, does the antitheft guarantee cover all bikes or just trek bikes?

Well, does the label specifically say Trek bikes, or just bikes? If it says "bikes," then you're good.
FWIW, I know Trek makes good bicycles and I ride one myself. In terms of how good their accessories are, I have limited experience but at the very least they aren't really renowed at them. (I know of no Trek accessory that's gotten rave reviews here.) I had a 1 LED white light from them years ago that brke before too long. My cyclocomputer from them is OK, but the magnet holder requires some babying to properly secure to the spoke. Top-rated lock companies are Abus, OnGuard, and Kryptonite.

Ah, yes, but I am more concerned about anti-theft guarantee, rather than the actual physical security and quality of the lock. I wouldn't think Trek actually makes them, but rather they are re badged products. Infact, I remember seeing the Trek lock saying if you lost your key to get a replacement from Krytonite.

My mom drives a car, and this bike is more of a secondary commuting vehicle. I could go a week without the bike waiting for reimbursement should it be stolen. My parents would never let me get a $100 fugeddaboutit lock anyway.

Read the anti-theft payment requirements for any bike lock CAREFULLY.

Kryptonite as I recall requires a purchase receipt copy for the bike with serial number to prove it's value, a Police report to prove it is stolen and at least some piece of the lock so they can see how it was broken. Also the lock must be registered after being bought. If the thief does not leave part of the lock you are SOL.:notamused:

OnGuard has similar requirements IIRC and states that the insurance is invalid if the lock is cut using a power tool.:(

If you live at home then homeowners insurance should cover a bike theft. Check your policy or with your insurance agent. Same thing for renters insurance if you are in an apartment.

The Kryptonite Evolution 4 is a good compromise between security and price.

I haven't purchased a single thing yet, no bike, lock, or anything yet, so paperwork (receipt) should be easy, and I plan on registering the bike with the police ASAP.

Thanks for mentioning that, I'll go with Kryptonite then rather than Onguard.

I'm not hitting the streets of new york, so just commuting to places and riding to school will be what I'm doing. Would any Kryptonite ulock with cable lock do?

+1 on reading the fine print carefully. Anti-theft compensation system is just that, so if something else happens to your bike (or in a case of theft, if one of the many conditions is not met), you get nothing. Around where I live, homeowners insurance makes usually more sense, as it can be extended to cover vandalism and such and has less stringent conditions in case of theft. Also, Kryptonite system is valid in few countries only. But assuming you're in US you do have that option.

--J

Is this lock good?

http://www.amazon.com/OnGuard-PitBull-Bicycle-U-Lock-Security/dp/B000FL3E5C/ref=sr_1_27?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1250244398&sr=1-27