stuman74

I just got a new bike 2 weeks ago and would like to feel secure when locking it up for 30-60 minutes while grabbing lunch or snack on a long trek in a suburban area. I've seen so many positive and negative reviews for OnGuard and Kryptonite locks. Which brand and model is really the right one to get? Looking at the U-Locks with cables for my Trek FX 7.2. Thanks!

ShortLegCyclist

Look at ABUS too. If you get a combination U lock, don't get the Kryptonite, otherwise IMO they are all about equivalent.

Get a mini U lock rather than a full size, not only easier to carry, harder to get a tire jack into to break open.

Also carry a thick cable lock and use a separate locking mechanism for that (don't just lock the ends of the cable through the U lock so that defeating one lock opens both).

stuman74

Thanks for the quick reply. Initially, these were the locks I was looking at:

Kryptonite Kryptolok Series 2
https://www.amazon.com/Kryptonite-Kry...CEE1G7QCV25JE0

Kryptonite Evolution Mini-7 U-Lock
Amazon.com : Kryptonite Evolution Mini-7 Bicycle U-Lock with Transit FlexFrame Bracket (3.25-Inch x 7-Inch) with 4-Foot Flex Cable : Bike U Locks : Sports & Outdoors

OnGuard Bulldog DT U-Lock
https://www.amazon.com/OnGuard-Bulldo...p_89%3AOnGuard

ONGUARD PitBull Mini DT U-Lock
https://www.amazon.com/ONGUARD-PitBul...WFFADMRQFTNPSX

johnny99

I have an OnGuard Bulldog as well as an OnGuard Pitbull. The Pitbull is a much stronger lock, but also much heavier (even in the smaller size). I only use the Pitbull for locking my bike up all day at work.

sam_cyclist

I sometimes have a tough time fitting a long-ish u lock around the frame, rear wheel and whatever I'm locking them to. It would seem near impossible to get a mini u lock to fit around all three.

Robert C

Don't worry as much about getting it around the frame. If you get the rear wheel then the frame is secure.

sam_cyclist

The lock has to secure some part of the frame as well, not just the rear wheel.

Or else, a thief can abscond with the entire bike sans rear wheel.

pdlamb

If you lock the rear wheel inside the frame, it's easier to cut the lock than to get the wheel out of there. You'd have to cut through tire, tube, rim strip, and rim to get the lock off the wheel, so the wheel secures the frame.

stuman74

Looks like you can lock to just the wheel per option #4 in this link. Though, I would feel better around the frame as well.
How to lock your bike - The Best Bike Lock

sam_cyclist

At the very least, get a Ulock and cable, so you can secure the frame and both wheels without having to remove the front.

Get the lock and cable asap, at your shop. This is really an essential item that ideally, will be purchased at the same time you buy your bike.

To be honest, I've left my bike without locking it on multiple occasions and not had it stolen--and this is a rather nice looking bike which draws lots of compliments and stares everywhere I go.

fietsbob

Or ABUS .. they have a chain -lock combo thats better than any cable..

sam_cyclist

Thanks to shortlegcyclist and fietsbob for the abus recommendation. They are very highly rated due to their lightweight, excellent design and excellent protection.

I am not in a high bike theft area so my longer kryptonite ulock + cable are more than sufficient, but if I need more protection, abus it is!

Noddy

Just as a side note does anyone else have as much trouble as I seem to in figuring out all the different variations of Kryptonite u-locks?

Wanderer

I'm am an OnGuard fan. A decent lock, at a reasonable price.

No lock will thwart the pro bike thief. Most will keep the pleasure riders, and amateur thieves, away from your bike.

ShortLegCyclist

Just keep in mind that none of them will stop a professional thief with the right tools, so don't pay $100+ for any lock, the extra cost simply isn't worth it.

A good mini U lock in addition to a separately locked cable is currently your best bet, and that is ONLY because it makes the next bike down on the rack an easier target than yours.

stuman74

I wound up ordering this one. Will arrive tomorrow so I can test it out on a long weekend ride If I think it sucks, I'll give it to one of my kids and get a different one.

OnGuard Bulldog DT U-Lock
https://www.amazon.com/OnGuard-Bulldo...p_89%3AOnGuard

Noddy

I guess I wasn't clear enough. I was poking fun at their product range which offer several locks only a few dollars apart without making it easy to determine what the differences are.

sam_cyclist

Awesome.

I think it's just best to get a ulock/cable and be done with it. If you live in NYC, SF or in a college town with a high rate of bike theft, THEN you can split hairs.

RDB

It doesn't really matter which type lock you use. If a thief wants it bad enough he'll steal it. Personally I will never lock my bikes to anything and leave them unattended foe any amount of time. If someone wants to steal my bike's they'll have to break in my apartment. God help them if they do.

sam_cyclist

OK, calm down there, Rambo. There isn't exactly a huge market for a '96 stumpjumper for fisher montare hybrid. Your bike collection is safe.

MidLife50

I got the Kryptonite evolution mini 7 with cable recently and used it to secure my Trek 7.2 FX while on vacation at a resort area. Worked well for me.

RDB

I value my bikes just as much as the person who owns a multi thousand dollar 2015 superstar bike. You do realize that bike thieves will steal anything. I don't understand why you would make a statement like this. Believe me, nothing is safe.

BTW, I also have a 2016 Trek Emonda and my 96 Stumpjumper M2 is a classic hardtail.

sam_cyclist

I'm just going to throw in a vote for kryptonite u locks. I've been using them for over 25 years and they've never let me down.

They actually have held up very well to many months of rain duty, also. The bearings can start to stick when the water washes out the lube. However, just a dab or two of tri-flow and they work incredibly smoothly indefinitely.