Alternatives to U-Locks
 

i was wondering if there are any alternatives to U-Locks in securing bicycles? I was thinking about purchasing a seperate high security lock and cable for security reasons. i saw in the local Lowes Brinks locks and cables for motorcycles, their cable is 5/8 of and inch.
Is there any difference in security between 1/2 inch and 5/8 inch cables when the would be thief has bolt cutters?
Thanks for your responses,
Gary

The difference is an extra 1/8" of security

Camera operated gun turret and stcky mine dispenser/launcher?
-Gene-

If you get near a bookstore called "Borders" stop in and pick up a magazine called "cycling plus" Its a Brit publication that far outclasses anything offered here in the USA for Roadies. Anyway, this month is their annual Lock review. It's very good reading and they test these locks to destruction. From what I read all the cable locks fail miserably. Takes something like 3 to 5 seconds to defeat. I'm only guessing, but I think that lock and cable you refer to may only last an additional 3 seconds.

get the magazine and read the article.

Even with the above said... I still use a cable with a combo lock. But I only leave my bike in places that I can still see it such as a restaurant. I figure it buys me enough time to get out there and kick that person's a#$.

Oh yea... Bolt cutters are so yesterday!!

Today's thief uses a cordless dremel or grinder with a cutoff wheel mounted.

I'd pick bolt cutters over a grinder or dremel for a cable

IIRC, the aforementioned article stated that bolt cutters had a tougher time cutting through the plastic/rubber sheath than cutting through the actual cable (cable locks).

For my shopping trips, I carry a hefty U-lock in one pannier and a 4' steel-armored cable lock in the other. U-lock is for frame/rear wheel/bike rack, and armored cable is for front/frame. I figure with two different types of locks on my bike, the other bikes in the rack have got to look more appealing to any thieves.

Think outside the box.

tcs

Isn't that cute? It looks very practical until you run out of space in the bag.

Abus offers a couple of relatively light hardened steel chains with integral locks which I believe probably provide a bit more security than a cable lock. I use one in addition to a NY Fageddaboutit(?) when worried about security for my bikes. I bought them on Amazon.

How long are you going to leave your bike locked up/unattended and is weight a concern?

A 5-6 ft chain with an inner tube for paint protection and a good lock is a lot better than a cable of any thickness. A 26x1-3/8 tube is about 6 ft long with the valve cut off and fits a 1/4-3/8" thick chain/1"-1-3/8" chain width. 26x2.x tube is good for the thicker/wider HD boron alloy chains.

Personally I use both a U-Lock and chain w/lock and my GF prefers using 2 U-Locks. BUT we use our bikes for multiple uses...short and long rides, shopping, commuting, etc. Depends if you want to take off the front tire, lock it with the rear tire, and don't mind your fork on the ground. And if you are looking at a cable to also secure your saddle...a chain can do the same thing, just buy a longer length of chain.

A chain of the same size is harder to cut than its cable equivalent.

It follows that a solid rod of the same diameter is harder to cut than its cable equivalent. This is because there is no shear transfer between the individual strands, and that the cable decreases in cross section and conforms to the shape of the cutting blades.

Only if you get a massive cable, ie, one of those 7-wire strands used for prestressed concrete, could you start to get the level of protection from a U-lock. Trouble is that it's really hard to bend prestressing strands, lol.

D lock?