Originally Posted by
MadCityCyclist
Kryptonite had a well-publicized issue with their locks which was fixed a while ago....but if you're using a cable lock it won't matter, because the cables themselves are easily defeated by most bike thieves. Additionally, even with a good U-lock or hardened chain, your bike's safety is only as good as the item you've locked the bike to, or if you have a bike thief that is willing to saw through the bike frame and sell off the individual parts.
But using a cable lock only makes it easier for the thief, and it's more likely that your bike will be stolen.
this ^^^^
Lost,
The fact that your cable lock still uses a barrel key ( aka Ace key, cylinder key, tubular key Etc. ) should tell you that it is a low security lock.
I've had 2 bikes stolen (Knock on Wood ). The low end road bike's (10 mm) cable lock was cut from my Brothers back porch railing. His bedroom window opens onto the back porch w/ his bed next to the window. he was sleeping within less than 8 ft. from the bike!!!
Many years later I had a low end beach cruiser's ARMORED cable lock cut from the rack of the Downtown Los Angeles Public Library central office in BROAD,BRIGHT day light.
I figured since the Lock was ARMORED and the bike was "just" an old beach cruiser I was ok to browse the stacks for a few hours... WRONG !!!
I've learned my lesson (and my hope is you also learn from my experience).
Luckily for me both bikes were freebies to me. Still hurt when they were ripped off.
I would strongly urge you to seriously consider adding a Strong U-Lock to your low security cable lock.
I 've owned the Trek 520 touring bike for over 10 years and over 15,000 touring and commuting miles, Yes I still go to the Main Library and get lost in the stacks for hours.
Yes I STILL use cable locks, BUT the cables are only secondary (only use them to tie in my front wheel and leather seat) to the strongest U-Locks I can afford.
The bikes I own now are NOT low end and they were NOT Freebies.