Originally Posted by Merriwether
For highest security, use a good U-lock and a good cable with a high quality padlock. I suppose you might add the smaller cables and locks for accessories where needed, like for your saddle or panniers.
I'm glad I no longer live in an area in which this sort of thing is a worry.
A friend of mine is a locksmith. He swears by Abus locks. The absolute best there is, he says, better than Kryptonite. The U-locks are hardened steel all the way through, and not just case-hardened like Kryptonite locks. I'd consider getting one in a higher crime area.
www.abus.com
Abus has consistently fared well in CyclingPlus magazine's tests. The April issue had the latest a review of locks which comprises going after these locks with a power tool. The top-rated U-locks were the Magnum Ultimate (anyone here know this company?), Axa Security+, Kryptonite New York 300, and the Abus Granit X+. It should be noted that after 14 minutes with a disc grinder, they still hadn't cut through the Magnum, and the disc was shot. Quite impressive I'd say. As for the Abus lock, it has a double lock mechanism, which means that both parts of the "U" need to be cut. As CyclingPlus puts it (and their tests have never steered me wrong): "the best designed and engineered U-lock we've tested."
Hope this helps,
Mike