Surprisingly, if you can get the chain around your waist, it's hardly even noticeable. I've got a decently long commute, and I just lock my New Yorker around my waist. I tried putting it in my backpack, but that just sucks. Tried riding with it wrapped around the handlebars, but surprise it's like riding with 10 pounds on your handlebars. Maybe if you know somebody who has one, you can try locking it around your waist to see how it feels. I really do forget it's there until I think about it. I am, of course, assuming one can get it around ones self. I've got the 3.25' one and can just get it around myself.