Lock Questions-- Onguard Beast and Kryptonite Fahgettaboudit
Greetings, everyone:
First post here. I am in the market for a new lock to secure my beloved HardRock. While it's definitely a lower-end bike, I hope that a good lock, used effectively, will keep it secure.
After a lot of research and searching, I've narrowed it down to several locks:
1. Kryptonite Fahgettaboudit 1410 (3'3" version)
Pros:
- Kryptonite name and reputation
- 14mm six-sided chain links
- 15mm steel shackle
- "NY style" disc-lock
Cons:
- Weaker than a comparable Fahgettaboudit U-Lock
- Heavy
- 3'3" may be too short?
2. Kryptonite Fahgettaboudit U-Lock
Pros:
- Lighter than the chain version
- Stronger than the chain version
- 18mm shackle
Cons:
- Not long enough for some applications.
- Not wide enough to accomodate some poles or immovable objects
3. Onguard Beast 5016 Chain Lock
Pros:
- 16.8mm shackle (larger than the one on a similarly priced Kryptonite)
- Quattro-locking mechanism
Cons:
- Some reports of poor durability compared to Kryptonite
- Some issues with locks rusting or poor machining?
Questions:
1. Of the three, which one should I buy? I understand that locks are like religion, everyone has an opinion, but still I'd like to hear your thoughts.
2. If I get a chain lock, should I purchase the 3'3" length or the 5' length?
3. Kryptonite and Onguard make chains with both 12mm and 14mm size links. Is the 14mm link a significant improvement over the 12mm? The 14mm versions are priced about 50% more, at least for the Onguard models.
4. Should I purchase the chain or the u-lock? Or both? Something tells me that the u-lock is just plain stronger, but its small size theoretically limits its usefulness.
Thanks!