I am wondering, wouldn't a thief would correlate a nice beefy lock on a bike means the item it is trying to protect is more expensive and therefore more worthwhile to steal? Dunno.

So, you going to ask the nearby establishment if you can plug in an extension cord for that??

:)

So, what lock here: http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/d...228903618.html

I bought a used bike for a friend yesterday afternoon, one that had been left at an LBS for repairs and never picked up. There was a cable locked around the seatpost/toptube junction. I asked the proprietor if he thought a cutoff wheel on a Dremel would be sufficient to get through it. He just chuckled and went inside for a pair of cable cutters. Not big heavy bolt cutters, just the common blue Park Tool cutters you'd use for brake lines. One easy snip. The three of us standing there simply went slackjawed. I knew cables were not terribly secure, but I had NO IDEA just how bad they really are. Truly the honor system at work.

If looking for a larger lock then in the same family as the NY Fahgettaboudit lock are the M-18NX and M-18WL locks. The NX is the same width but with a 11.9" long shackle and the WL has a 3.9" by 9.9" shackle as I recall. Same 18mm ultra hardened tough shackle. These are shown in the Powersports area of the Kryptonite web site.

Both hard to find from American vendors though I did get the WL from Niagara Cycles through Amazon. Heavy though at 6 pounds or so. Even the NY Fahgettaboudit with its small size weighs almost 4.25 pounds though by my measurement.

Even with a power abrasive cutoff tool this series of locks is supposed to take 8 to 10 minutes to cut while others reportedly can be cut in a minute or so.

Sorry to burst your bubble here, KitN... but you're wrong. He wasn't after your bike at all. He was really trying to use the bike to score a pair of those original KitN-knitted socks!

Hell... even I would give anything for a pair myself... I've seen the pictures of your socks-n-heels combos. :love:

I've got a hefty abus U lock, because it was the lightest lock that the insurance company would let me use. I will personally use the lightest cheapest lock my insurance company will accept.

When I finish rebuilding my cheap run around town bike, I'll be getting a cheaper lighter easier to use lock to go with it.

Visible deterance is the real rule!
 

I agree the Kryptonite New York Forgetaboutit is probably the best on the market and if it makes you feel better, use it. But really, anything can be stolen by a professional. During the past 37 years I've logged over 120k in mileage in cities all over the country and relied on a medium weight cable with a built in key lock. Nothing has been stolen. I think parking in a highly visible spot with the front wheel and frame locked to a stationary object is the best way to slow them down. I just bought a Jamis commuter for short stuff and bad weather and decided to try an Abus Ring Lock. I love it, for most stops in low crime areas that's all you need. For longer stops, I bought a light cable so I could wrap it around a post or fence, thread it through the wheel and frame and lock it up on the ring lock. I realized the cable can be easily cut, but then the ring lock would have to be cut also, and probably twice to fit the spokes through. I doubt that any thief would want to deal with all that. There's easier pickins out there!

:roflmao2:

He would have had a harder time taking my handknit socks from me than stealing my bike. I would have fought to the death for my socks. LOL! So I guess he sensed that and just went for my bike instead. :eek:

Peace of Mind
 

Thanks for the info I had never researched the "New York Lock® M-18WL" or any other larger style locks. The advantage of this lock is that it is just as thick as the Kryptonite Forgetaboutit, but it has a longer U-bar. However, a smaller lock is always better because it leaves less room for the thief to work with. I truly like the idea of more space to lock up my bike, but I don't like the idea of more space for the thief to work with. It is really a frustrating thing you know, we have to carry these big locks for piece of mind, we have to find secure poles to utilize, and it can get to be a huge hassle. I would like to carry a small cord, but I am afraid that this would not foster any security- at least not for me!

We have heard all the arguments about cheap locks and expensive locks, and no lock is good simply because it costs more, a lock is good because it is made better. Yes, there is never going to be 100% security from a lock, but we can increase our peace of mind. Let me give you an example, suppose you decide to lock up your bike with three Kryptonite Forgetaboutit chains and three Foregetaboutit U-Locks, do you really think a thief will take the time, or have the tools to cut through 6 powerful locks? I don’t think so; see we can increase our peace of mind. Now having said that, I am not going to carry around 100 pounds of locks, but the point is that a well-made lock is better than a poor-made lock and a poor-made lock is better than no lock at all. Locks are essential and we must choose one, for my part I know that a Kryptonite Forgetaboutit U-Lock is solid, so much so that people on this forum have had to resort to the rare idea of power tools. Good luck getting through one of those suckers with a hacksaw or bolt cutters. Just the fact that people keep on talking about power tools as the only logical, possible weapon capable of breaching a Kryptonite U-Lock should make us all feel very secure about the product- because if that is the common weapon of choice, well my friends, then I am afraid no lock will do. As for me I feel quite safe knowing that I have a Krypto on the job.

New York Lock® M-18WL - Link:https://www.kryptonitelock.com/produ...=1000&pid=1093

Regarding the Weight of Secure Locks

Its simple, why do you ride your bike? I am sure there are several reasons, one of which is probably the fact that it is healthy, but why is it healthy- because the heart and body get exercise. So, you have a 10 pound lock, think of it as exercise because in reality this is what it is. If you are training for a Triathlon you will be ahead of the pack, you will be better off because you ride with 10 extra pounds; this will only increase your speed and stamina when it comes to riding without the 10 extra pounds in the Triathlon. Don’t be weak, don’t be lazy, don’t use the excuse that the secure locks weigh too much, think of it as a work out, adding muscle and longevity to one’s life. Pretty cool huh, because its true.

Fortunately, Bell has come up with the perfect solution!http://www.geocities.com/verdrahciretop/invisibike.html

I'm pretty sure you already made up your mind about what is best, what was the purpose for this thread anywho?

Have you missed the proliferation of contractor grade battery powered tools? Including grinders? That are more compact then bolt cutters?

CAS

Hello friend. Answer: To get other peoples opinions and see how each view stacks up against the other. My hope is that this thread might help other people who have questions about bike security. Many people are purchasing bikes right now with gas prices and such, and those people will be concerned about their investment. So, lets weigh the facts and lets have a civil conversation about bike locks.

I had many questions when I first got my bike, and some people save up for a long time; they are serious about bike security because they cannot afford to replace their bike. By arguing for the best locks, by defending their place in the market we can help to deter thieves worldwide. Lets help other people make intelligent decisions based upon the facts.

Yes, you are right I have made up my mind, but I want to know why other people have made up their mind. In the end this makes for a great thread because it helps people to think through the issues when it comes to bike locks.

Respectfully
Jack

The Argument

Yes, they are out there, but they are loud and they do draw attention, further this will not take away from the fact that you are still going to buy a lock. So, do you buy one that can be breached with quiet, cheap, common hand tools, or locks so good that thieves have to call in the big dogs and take more risk (power tools)? Appealing to a power tool is not an argument against locks; after all I assume that you still have one? What it is- is an argument for the security of certain locks. There are locks that can be breached with hand tools and then, as you are arguing, there are locks that are so secure that a power tool is required. In essence I read it like this: no lock can stand up to a power tool, but some locks can’t even stand up to a hand tool, thus, if you have a lock, that in most practical, non-super human cases, requires a power tool you have the best lock you can get. Do you get the argument? You are saying the lock is so good that a thief would need a power tool to breach it, and that my friend is exactly the lock I am after.

Respectfully
Jack

Common misconception, but not actually true.

.................................

I don't believe a thief will be getting through a Krypo Evo or an Onguard Bulldog with those tools in less than 15 minutes, and working in daylight with bolt cutters and hacksaws for 15 minutes is just as overt and risky as using power tools for 30 seconds.

NYFUs may be much harder to break through, but:

shows that it is possible (if impractical) to break it with manual tools.

Really, and I mean no disrespect, but can you please explain to me why “you think” carrying 10 extra pounds will not give you a more aggressive work out? Your point is a mere assertion.

Respectfully
Jack

FWIW, this was my thread regarding the lock freezing issue.

That was about the same age as the ones I had trouble with. IIRC the keyhole was on the side of the lock. If it gets stuck and you can't get it open try giving the lock a sharp whack with a heavy object like a hammer. Todson, the US OnGuard distributor, actually had this helpful info on their website for a while....

Locks keep honest people honest.If a thief really want your bike,it's gone.You can buy cutting torches the size of a pack of smokes and cut a lock in seconds.

And my dear UKE rationalizing that "you should train the way you want to play" is just that, rationalization. Before I get in the ring with a 100-pound man let me practice dropping a 200-pound man. Indeed, do you think I will struggle as much with 100 pounds? You take your "rationalization" and I will take mine, but don't pretend that I am the only one rationalizing here.

Respectfully
Jack

Just as your point was a mere assertion, yes.

You get a more aggressive work out by higher exertion levels. Is it not possible to exert yourself more unless you add more weight to your ride?