hutch49

Just bought (not delivered) new Sun Recumbent Trike. Am considering the Master Handcuff Type Lock. Does anyone have experience (good, bad, or otherwise with this lock?)

megaman

You might want to ask this question in either the general cycling discussion forum or the recumbent forum.

froze

This is the general cycling forum!

I had a web site showing the various locks and their effectiveness but it's at home and I'm not home, but I do recall the Handcuffs did not get a very high review especially the models below the top of the line model. HOWEVER, that being said they are better then cables! Your best bet is to use 2 different type of locks to present 3 different set of problems, say a Krypto NY U lock and the Cuffs or the thickest cable lock, the Krypto NY Chain is very good but very heavy and would be best used if you left it at a regular locking site instead of carrying the thing around wherever you went. Also make sure whatever you fasten the bike to that the thing is at least as secure as the lock your using. Some people have locked bikes to those thin urban trees only to find the tree cut down, or to a short pole that the thief simply lifted the bike over the pole. Your best bet if your concerned about the bike being stolen like at school or work is to buy a used bike for under $50 or a new Walmart bike and take that instead of your good bike; good locks will cost almost as much if not more then a cheap bike! Just remember, any lock can be defeated by anyone who wants your bike bad enough, and if they can't get the bike maybe some parts off the bike will suffice.

DMF 

There was a problem with the Street Cuffs tubular lock mechanism that (like other such mechanisms on more reputable locks) turned out to be very easy to pick. Now Master uses a different mechanism that defeats that pick technique.

Whatever you choose is going to be a compromise between security, weight, and easy of carry. It's not a simple call. Learn more about the risks you'll be facing. To me, the Street Cuffs look like a good choice and have a nice mounting bracket, but they are expensive. And Master still doesn't have the best reputation.

Also pay attention to the reimbursement programs offered by the lock companies. I believe Master has a $3500 "theft insurance policy" on the Street Cuffs. Others have similar.

alanbikehouston

Master does not sell bike locks. It sells metal objects that resemble locks, but provide little meaningful security. Buy a bike lock rated "gold" ($40 and up) or a lighter lock rated "silver" ($25 and up) tested by Soldsecure.

www.soldsecure.com/Leisure.htm