TomChgo

Recent victim of bike theft in Chicago and replacing $700 bike. Received lock recommendation - Kryptonite Kryptolok Series 2 Std. Bicycle U-Lock (4x9) with 4-foot flex cable. Reside in suburbs, but occasionally go into Chgo with bike left unattended for hours while at museum, shopping, or restaurant. After theft, considering Kryptonite New York Std for security (overkill?), but comments suggest lock is very heavy. Any suggestions on locks that provide strong security, but also easy to carry. Even once, no one likes to be the victim, certainly don't want it to be twice.

idiotekniQues

from my reading cables are the most useless of the 3 kinds of locks.

in nyc i use a 3 foot 3 " kryptonite nyc chain. it's heavy and a ***** to carry but i wear it as a belt, wrap it on my frame, or put it on my rear rack.

that goes through my front wheel, frame and bike rack/pole. i then have a kryptonite series 2 mini ulock. that then goes through my rear tube and rear tire. i take off my seat and slide it through a slot on my mtx trunk bag and carry it as a shoulder bag whereever i head off to. this is for a $750 gary fisher kaitai.

when i am in the burbs of jersey i drop the chain for the thickest krypto cable instead. i'd say that sounds about right for your needs. when in chicago i think you need the heavy chain. it's a ***** to carry but you get used to it, and you feel safe your bike will be there.

for reference here are the links to what i use:

https://www.amazon.com/Kryptonite-Yor.../dp/B001B16394

https://www.amazon.com/Kryptonite-Kry...sr=8-1-catcorr

the cable is the 10mm by 4'

my bike is pretty much always the most secure of any bike i see nearby, which means if there is a bike thief around, it won't be mine they will take.

Wanderer

If you use the Ulock to secure your rear wheel, and frame, to a bike rack, and then secure the front with the cable, it's not likely that your bike will be the one stolen.....

Two reasonably secure locking devices, will dissuade most casual bike thieves.

MattyA

I am a Chicagoan and commute to the loop every day. Until recently I locked up on a normal Chicago rack outside my building with a Kryptonite New York U-lock. Never had any issues.

TomChgo

As always, thanks for the feedback. Checked LBS's in Naperville, IL area, no one carries Kryptonite. Performance has OnGuard. Told by one store that Kryptonite recalled, another said they were easy to pick, no longer carry. Kryptonite vs. OnGuard?? Also, is 4x9 the common size for backtire & frame to rack? I like the idea of Ulock connected to cable.

Wanderer

Did you try Performance in Naperville? And, yes, the Onguard and a cable will accomplish the same thing. Onguard locks aren't Junk - and I like the big ones, because they are so easy to lock the wheel, frame and bikerack together.

That's what I use - an Onguard and a squiggly fat cable