Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - Ring Locks - who is using them, where did you buy them.

I am writing a review of a new Abus Lock for my blog, but was wondering how many people are using Abus or Axa ring locks and where did you get them. I only know of two places online VO and Clever cycles, now a local LBS in Kalamazoo, Zoo City Cycles is carrying them,
Personally, I use them on three of my bikes and have found that is all I need 80% of the time.

Marc

I'm not, and I would prefer a lock that is much more visible in order to be more of a deterrent to a bike thief. At the very least, I could see someone trying to take the bike and leaving me with a mangled wheel in the process

If by "ring locks" you're referring to the small locks permanently installed at the rear wheel, I have those on two of my three bikes. Around here ring locks often come installed with new bikes, especially hybrid / city bikes. Most online bike shops in the EU region carry them.

--J

VO and Clever Cycles are sources for so called Ring or Frame locks. Clever has the high end Axa and Abus versions last I checked. VO imports a low end Abus lock and has the best price when it is in stock.

Amazon now has the 495 CL frame lock available.

http://www.amazon.com/Abus-Locks-495-Frame-Lock/dp/B001BAJA4A/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1291056319&sr=8-2

They also have the V Brake adapter lock mounting option for this lock.

http://www.amazon.com/Abus-Locks-Frame-Vbrake-Adapter/dp/B002WN91YY/ref=pd_sim_sg_1

Cantitoe Road has the most complete line of accessories for the AXA Defender RL ring lock including multiple mounting options and both plug in chains and cables for added locking security. They are the only american source for many of the accessories I know of.

http://www.cantitoeroad.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=39

I have bought from all of these sources without problems and consider the Axa Defender to be the high end ring lock imported. I have two installed on bikes and use them with the accessory plug-in security chain normally. For larger tire bikes the Abus locks have a larger wheel cutout.

BTW there are a few bikes now being sold here which have ring locks as standard equipment. The high end Breezer Uptown bikes do as does the 2011 Madsen cargo bike that I know of. I consider such locks to be a major convenience for urban riders.

I've used these locks while in Amsterdam, where you'll find them frequently. However I believe they are used mostly on lower priced bicycles. I like them due to their ease of use, however I do not think they provide the level of security of a solid U lock.

I would consider adding one to my go to the store bicycle ( a MTB ). How easily are they attached to the frame?

I would consider adding one to my go to the store bicycle ( a MTB ). How easily are they attached to the frame?

Do you have disc or cantilever/V brakes? Also is the bike a hardtail or full suspension? If the latter then take a look at the Abus lock and canti/V brake mount adapter that Amazon has or the lock and adapter from Cantitoe Road linked to above.

Easiest mounting generally is on steel non rear suspension frames with narrow to medium tires. Ease of mounting is dependent on frame details such as seat stay diameter and the spacing between the seat stays. To fit a Swobo Dixon with square aluminum seat stays I had to make a custom mounting plate to fit the Axa lock.

tatfiend: I have V brakes on my hardtail MTB with fairly fat tires, guess that complicates the add on

tatfiend: I have V brakes on my hardtail MTB with fairly fat tires, guess that complicates the add on
I put an Abus lock on my Dahon expresso with V brakes, it wasn't anything major.

I've used these locks while in Amsterdam, where you'll find them frequently. However I believe they are used mostly on lower priced bicycles. I like them due to their ease of use, however I do not think they provide the level of security of a solid U lock.

you won't find a city bike without one, and they're more effective than most u-locks.

you won't find a city bike without one, and they're more effective than most u-locks.

so am I hearing that this ring lock is better than my NY forgettaboutit u-lock?

reading is fundamental.

Bought a used Koga Trekking Bike, it had an AXA sl7,standard, but in order to use the lock up chain in addition,
which was not supported as a spare, ..
I had to update to their Defender,due to pin diameter increase, then I added the 1.4M chain.
locks up front wheel and onto something.

Clever stocks abus and axa, but I note Abus offers only a shorter lock-up chain at 1M.

:50:

you won't find a city bike without one, and they're more effective than most u-locks.

I know you're a man of few words, but how are they more effective? Do people use secondary locks as well or just the ring lock?

Ring locks belong to the standard equipment that bikes come with in Japan. The majority of riders never moves beyond them, except maybe in the case of losing a key or a more precious bike.

so am I hearing that this ring lock is better than my NY forgettaboutit u-lock?i think having more bikes with ring locks will make it even better for your (and mine too) NY fugeddaboutit lock, since thieves will hopefully target these low hanging fruit instead.

Ring locks belong to the standard equipment that bikes come with in Japan. The majority of riders never moves beyond them, except maybe in the case of losing a key or a more precious bike.

The same in Mainland China. Further, most large stores, and the like, have attended bicycle parking. However, I have had bicycles stolen when left out overnight with ring locks; it was always a case of a while row of bicycles being nicked. The first bicycle rack in my city was installed in front of my flat, at my request.

The same in Mainland China. Further, most large stores, and the like, have attended bicycle parking.

It gets more complicated in Japan and I have not even fully explored it. There are underground bicycle parking lots, there are racks that close for a fee, etc. The daily fee for parking by a railway station can easily be $2. In China I paid $3 of monthly fee for bike rental.