On Guard locks? yay or nay?
 

The one I'm looking at has a U-lock and then a cable for the other wheel that ultimately loops back through the U.
Running through campuses around here I've seen some crippled bikes clinging to their posts.

Do you have any more information, such as model number/name of the OnGuard lock you're looking at?

--J

Either pitbull or bulldog.

http://www.onguardlock.com/bulldog.html
http://www.onguardlock.com/pitbull.html

And let's pretend I spelled guard right in the title.

yay for onguard, so far so good.

No need, I just edited that :).

--J

OnGuards are good locks. I have the mini u-lock and a cable lock and use both to lock up my bike.

Although a cable (non-locking) like you described will work, the cable lock serves the same purpose but adds another lock for a thief to have to go through.

OnGuard is good, so is Krypto.

In fact, the original Kryptonite founder went on to startup OnGuard.

Simco: great that you are concerned with security for your bike! You've come to the right place for advice. Some of these folks are very informed about all of the lock brands. Alanbikehouston and Raiyn, in particular, seem to be very educated about locks. Obviously, we'd be a little biased as to which lock to buy, but whichever you use, remember, two forms of security are always better than one.

bostontrevor: We've seen this comment come up before about the founder of Kryptonite, which confuses us because it isn't true at all! Our company was sold a few years ago and the founder did not go to another company. Currently, he is happily retired and enjoying the summer on an island off the coast of New England.

Very interesting. I'll have to do my research then. That was the lore that was passed on to me (or something similarly non-incriminating).

Now I can't seem to find anything on the subject. I wonder where I'd heard that.

Two locks would be that much harder, yeah.
It's just the particular lock I had been looking at would be the bottom right ones in each of the links, a pack that includes a U and a cable. But I could easily grab another lock, too.

Has anyone ever had problems with someone just walking off with their seat? It seems like such an easy thing to steal.

Onguard U-locks are heavy SOBs, I have one as well as a couple of Krypto U locks and the Onguard doesn't get to go on bike rides anymore, it just guards bikes when they're parked on my deck.

Go to a couple of shops and compare brands, you can easily make up a U lock - cable combo without buying one prepackaged. Seat security cables are available, and locking wheel skewers too.

Yup. It happens.

There are special saddle cables that go through the rails and seatstays and get locked up similar to the larger security cable.

Or you can use a bit of bike chain wrapped in old tube. Pass it through the saddle and stays and use your chain tool to link it back up.

A simpler technique is to just replace your QR seat skewer with an allen head bolt like all bikes used to use. It's not theft proof, though. A friend of mine had his completely thrashed 25 year-old Fuji saddle stolen even though it wasn't QR. I can only assume that the thief really wanted the post, because that saddle wasn't even worth $5.

The best "easy to use" system involves replacing the quick releases on the seat and the front wheel with bolts. Lock the rear wheel to a steel post that is set in concrete using a Kryptonite or OnGuard U-lock. Use an independent cable lock to attach the front wheel to the frame or to the bike rack or locking post.

Why an independent cable lock? If the cable lock is secured ONLY by the U-lock, if a crook succeeds in defeating the U-lock, the cable lock is also defeated.

If the cable lock is independent of the U-lock, the crook must carry two sets of tools: one for the U-lock, and a second set of tools for the cable lock. Crooks are lazy, so two independent locks will send him to the bike further down the rack with only one lock.

If your bike is ever parked overnight in a large city or on an urban campus, use two U-locks: one on the rear wheel and one on the front wheel.

The heaviest chain locks from OnGuard and Kryptonite are as strong as a good U-lock. But, the best chain locks weigh eight to ten pounds. Good U-locks weigh two pounds, and the best U-lock weighs four pounds.

What about the Onguard Brute series? Overkill?

The Brute weighs five pounds or more. So, I use mine as a "front porch" lock, or "midnight movies" locks. Times and places when it is either convenient, or essential to use an ultra-strong lock.

I prefer a two pound lock, such as the Kryptonite Evolution Mini or the OnGuard Bulldog Mini for going to the coffee shop - much easier to lug around, and strong enough for daytime use in low-crime neighborhoods.

I have the PitBull, but I live in a rural area and haven't even used it yet. :p

It has a "Silver" rating here:
http://www.soldsecure.com/Leisure.htm
"Gold" is obviously better.....

Good riding,
desmobob

I got the Onguard locks after learning about the Kryptonite trick last year. I was using an older Kryptonite ATB Ulock and saw that I was riding around on the most expensive on the racks at work. I just bought a KHS witchdoctor and wanted to commute with that in case I wanted to do some urban assault after work. I picked up the longer Beast chain/lock witch I keep at work. I nearly passed out bringing that thing to work--it weighs close to 17 lbs! I found a deal at the LBS for an older Mastiff model that used the tubular key, but was informed that it was different than the one that Kryptonite uses (meaning it was bic proof). I use this chain/lock combo and ride around with it all the time. sometimes I'll use the lock and a thicker Onguard cable when I'm out on short trips. With their flat keys, you need to make sure you get them in all the way, or the lock won't turn. Some people have broken off keys in their locks, but I feel this may be due to impatience and muscles.

Seems like if your seat is low enough you could use a gun lock for this also.

Where are people buying the mini versions of either brand of lock? My favorite local shop only carries the hefty ones. They don't seem to be available through Performance or Nashbar online. Is this something you have to get direct from the manufacturer?

I use an onguard ultimate, and it's not bad...but I'm about to break that freaking plastic off the crossbar, as it digs into youor back through your backpack.

It's also very heavy, however I feel reasonnably secured with it.

Krypto and Onguard both make good stuff. Just pick what fits your needs.

Just get the Onguard Brute mini and don't look back.
The lock it'self is better and wont fail, the pit bull is a made cheap version and has has cases of the lock meconisum going bad.
The Brute is made much better internally.

Its Just a competing Brand , in the Bike Lock Market..

Of their Products I Have a different type (They're into Dog Names ) ...

Armored Cables ? OnGuard Bicycle and Motorcycle Locks

I use 1 onguard for the back wheel/frame, and another kryptonite New York locking the front wheel to the frame

I live in a high risk bike theft area ... My commuter is old, and I would never park a Pinarello Dogma or similar in my city ... there are guys driving around in vans with generators and angle grinders .... they cut locks in seconds in broad daylight

Looks like an old thread, but perhaps locking a bike is still pertinent.

I've used an OnGuard combination cable lock for years. It seemed ok. Some of the plastic cowling has fallen off, but the lock is still good. Unfortunately, I'm seeing more and more signs that people are going after cable locks, so I've decided to put it into semi-retirement.

So, I'm now using a Kryptonite NY U-lock. man is it heavy :(
My only complaint is that the key tends to stick at the 90° point, and it needs to be turned to 180°. Otherwise it works well (so far).

I use the pitbull lock also with a very heavy chain lock. Had someone mess with my bike once. They played with the locks a little, then gave up. They did take a snack I left in my handlebar bag.

Nearly eleven years! 2005. That's before memes and public access to FB, back to MySpace and Strongbad Email territory. Good jeorb!