General Cycling Discussion - My opinions on Master Lock Street Cuffs

I bought said lock for $60 with $10 holding bracket that attaches to water bottle rack braze-ons. After using three days here are my thoughts. No comments here on effectiveness, that is very hard to measure.

Ease of use: Annoying, not easy to position bike relative to stand to get everything lined up right. Must use two key locks. It takes more time and fiddling for both these reasons.

Weight: 2.6lbs is quite hefty (not as much as chain, but more than u-locks)

Noise: The holding bracket holds it very securely, but the lock itself has moving parts that vibrate and it makes a racket when riding on roads, like I am riding some mal-adjusted beater bike. This is one of my biggest complaints as I like/enjoy a quiet ride. Sure I can put it in my bag, but its quicker for me to pull off of handy rack.

Guarantee: The registration is a hassle and one must include proof of registration with city. My city requires that bikes have s/n chiseled into frame. This is place for corrosion to start (yes I can paint over) and voids lifetime warrantee of this particular frame.

I want to see if I can return lock (or at least the handy holding rack) for at minimum store credit. I want to get a mini Krypto Evolution U-Lock instead, easier to deal with, no rattle and 1lb lighter. For me I don't leave bike in high risk areas so Cuffs were probably a bit overkill anyway (is overkill possible with a lock?) and its not even known if they are better or worse than a high quality properly used U-lock.

Al

Your first mistake was buying the mounting bracket (mine too) the thing interferes with you actually using a water bottle in the other position (at least on my bike) and I found that that position didn't aid me in the slightest as when I needed to mount the bike on a bus rack I felt it necessary to remove it lest the lock be jarred loose. I simply place it in my messenger bag in an convienient spot and have had no troubles.

I personally haven't had the problems you describe with attaching it to an object with the intent of locking up the bike - sure it's one extra twist of the key but as long as you took the time to position the keyholes where you have easy access to them (takes a second of forethought) it's not that big of a deal.

One thing puzzles me.

My city requires that bikes have s/n chiseled into frame. This is place for corrosion to start (yes I can paint over) and voids lifetime warrantee of this particular frame
I presume that s/n means "Serial Number" is the serial number of the bike not engraved at the factory or do they issue you a registration number that must be engraved? If this is the case you may find that anybody else's registration process will demand the same information be provided meaning you'd be ass out anyhow. Lock warrantee's generally pay for the deductable for your bike on your homeowners / renter's policy which your bike should already be listed on.
One added benefit - Street Cuffs are an excellent visual deterrent! People see them and are reminded of their cousins - police hand cuffs it tends to keep honest people honest. Edit: 3-23-05 Street Cuffs suck Endorsement rescinded

Yes it was a mistake buying the mount bracket. I was willing to put up with one less bottle which I don't need during week and swap on extra bottle holder for weekends when I go for long rides and don't need lock. Not putting in messenger bag was for convienience. I wanted to avoid needing to get into bag which I don't normally do before going inside to shower - a small time savings, agreed. Sometimes I also ride to coffee shop, brewery or pizza joint and don't take any kind of bag with me.

I agree there is some learning to best align bike with rack so it goes on easy, I'm sure I'll get better at it. (I've only used it 6 times). Typically I have frame up against rack and cuffs require some spacing and angleing so its a bit awkward, not like the quick put around of a u-lock. OK, the reason this gets to me is becase in the time I lined up bike and put on one half of cuffs, some other commuter rode in and snapped on u-lock and left area before I was ready to put on second cuff.

As to serial/number, the city requires a four digit code stamped in frame which can be anything, but they recommend last four digits of s/n. I honestly haven't looked for the s/n of bike to know how it is placed. Thats gonna happen this weekend.

As to homeowners, what do I need to do other than have bike papers and a photograph to help the case. I need to re-look up deductable its been quite a few years since I looked at policy.

I did understand these 'lock guarantees' are mostly marketing, difficult to register, need proof of broken lock, police report, etc. and then you only get what your insurance doesn't cover. I didn't buy lock for the guarantee, but figured I'd to the paperwork right anyway to be eligible, but the last straw for me was having to mar up frame.

Al

Also read the fine print on those lock guarantees...ALL have a time limit of 1 to 2 years, after that you have to buy another lock to keep the guarantee!!

I don't get it either. Two locks to do the job of one. Some messengers use that and I know one guy who handcuffs his bike at least 30 times a day often twice that. I guess you get used to it.

Those numbers may already be stamped under your bottom bracket.

I don't get it either. Two locks to do the job of one. Some messengers use that and I know one guy who handcuffs his bike at least 30 times a day often twice that. I guess you get used to it.

Those numbers may already be stamped under your bottom bracket.

I returned it for a Kryptonite EV 2000 Mini. 1lb lighter, doesn't rattle, easier to position, only one lock to deal with and $20 less.

The numbers are on my BB, but the city requires a unique 4 digit separate from the s/n.

Al

Sweet, I use the mini evo. Only choice IMO. Cool they took the cuffs back, you should buy more stuff there!

"...the city requires a unique 4 digit separate from the s/n."

I've got the middle digits for that silly req.

I use one myself and though it's a heavy bugger it does deter the casual thief who is use to something less sturdy. I only ever lock my bike at work when it's 'out' and there is a constant stream of office workers coming and going and cctv to keep an eye on it. It is an excellent lock. When I don't use it on my bike, my wife finds them quite comfortable as well. ;)