best bike lock?!
03-22-06, 06:34 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: chicago!
Posts: 5
Bikes: pinarello galileo, khs flite 100
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
best bike lock?!
recently my current u-lock (krypto something or other) has started to do some funny things, like the key gets stuck in there, etc.
so i am in the market for a new lock, what is the very best u-lock i can get?
note: i ride a road/and a track bike. so i dont need something thats really long/wide.
any suggestions?
thanks in advance!
so i am in the market for a new lock, what is the very best u-lock i can get?
note: i ride a road/and a track bike. so i dont need something thats really long/wide.
any suggestions?
thanks in advance!
03-22-06, 06:39 PM
#2
Vanned.
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,244
Bikes: 2006 Motobecane Le Champ SL, 2006 Mercier Kilo TT, 2004 Gary Fisher Tassajara
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Any mini from Kryptonite or OnGuard will probably do a good job.
03-22-06, 06:51 PM
#3
Sensible shoes.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: St. Paul,MN
Posts: 8,798
Bikes: A few.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The super-duper NY locks from Kryptonite.
Have you tried to lube the lock? A thorough hosing with WD-40 might be all you need.
Have you tried to lube the lock? A thorough hosing with WD-40 might be all you need.
03-22-06, 08:50 PM
#5
Senior Member
2nd the Kryptonite New York U-locks - I think they make a mini version of it too. They are seriously heavy duty.
03-22-06, 10:48 PM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,250
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
7 Posts
If your Kryptonite has a round key, and it is sticking, get some lock lube from the hardware store. After lubing, the lock will work like new.
If your Kryptonite has a flat key, the "sticking" has to do with an anti-picking security design. When the key goes in, it contacts several rotating plates. Each plate has a rectangular cutout, shaped to accept the key. It is easy to rotate the top plate, or a couple of plates, by twisting the key as you pull the key out of the lock. If a plate is out of alignment with the plate under it, the key may get stuck, or the lock may refuse to open or close.
The solution is easier and faster to do in practice than it is to describe. You need to insert the key just about 1/16th of an inch to engage the top rotation plate, and twist the key to align the rectangle on that plate with the plate beneath it. Then do the next plate, and the next plate. Soon, all of the plates are back in alignment, and the lock works fine. Again, this rotating plate design is NOT a defect. This design makes picking the lock more difficult, and is intended to help increase security.
If one or two plates is just slightly out of line, just gently wiggling the key as you insert it realigns the plates. When you withdraw the key, pull it straight out without turning it.
This rotating plate design is used on both OnGuard and Kryptonite locks with the flat key that were sold during 2004 and 2005. I've seen ads showing a 2006 OnGuard lock with a different looking flat key...I don't know if that "new" flat key means OnGuard has a 2006 flat key design without rotating plates.
If you can get by with a shorter lock, my favorite is the Kryptonite Evolution Mini. It is light, compact, and easy to lock and unlock. It fits around any rear wheel on a road bike, and should fit around the rear wheel of most mountain bikes.
If your Kryptonite has a flat key, the "sticking" has to do with an anti-picking security design. When the key goes in, it contacts several rotating plates. Each plate has a rectangular cutout, shaped to accept the key. It is easy to rotate the top plate, or a couple of plates, by twisting the key as you pull the key out of the lock. If a plate is out of alignment with the plate under it, the key may get stuck, or the lock may refuse to open or close.
The solution is easier and faster to do in practice than it is to describe. You need to insert the key just about 1/16th of an inch to engage the top rotation plate, and twist the key to align the rectangle on that plate with the plate beneath it. Then do the next plate, and the next plate. Soon, all of the plates are back in alignment, and the lock works fine. Again, this rotating plate design is NOT a defect. This design makes picking the lock more difficult, and is intended to help increase security.
If one or two plates is just slightly out of line, just gently wiggling the key as you insert it realigns the plates. When you withdraw the key, pull it straight out without turning it.
This rotating plate design is used on both OnGuard and Kryptonite locks with the flat key that were sold during 2004 and 2005. I've seen ads showing a 2006 OnGuard lock with a different looking flat key...I don't know if that "new" flat key means OnGuard has a 2006 flat key design without rotating plates.
If you can get by with a shorter lock, my favorite is the Kryptonite Evolution Mini. It is light, compact, and easy to lock and unlock. It fits around any rear wheel on a road bike, and should fit around the rear wheel of most mountain bikes.
