$8 lock as your main lock?

Replace it.

As for the cable, it should be fine for a wheel or something.

Jack,

You're extremely entertaining. You constantly contradict your own arguments, but are totally blind to it. First, you don't want to use the sheldon method of locking because it can be defeated -duh, so can yours. You don't want to use an Onguard because you read some posts that said Onguards can freeze up, then later say someone else didn't take a sample of every individual on earth to know that adding weight won't speed you up so they're innaccurate - since an internet forum of course is a humongus sample size, not to mention people that have had success always post about it so you're not overwhelmed with negative samples. Then you say that an advantage of carrying lots of locks is going to make you go faster, people post physics, math even, and you give the exuse that "Well, we can't know EVERYTHING".

Just a recap on basic Newtonian Physics:

Force = Mass * Acceleration

Work = Foce * Distance

Power = Work / Time

It always irks me when people get physics wrong but refuse to look at the math to see why they may be incorrect. I don't doubt that adding weight made you get stronger, in turn making you ride faster, but know what else would have done that? Riding faster. This requires more power and your muscles respond by getting stronger the more you do it. Know what that would also do? Let you pull more weight at faster speeds, because you generate more power, WEIRD! The only reason it wouldn't have the same effect on you is because of your brain - you're pushing harder with more weight because it's "harder" to do. So for you, yes, it works dandy. Not everyone has that limitation.

You know what the best part is? I've read all these posts, and seen how impossible it is for you to accept any other point of view yet I still took the time to post this reply. Maybe it's really me that's losing my sanity.

No one mentioned my favorite Amazon review:
I looked into getting a mini lock, but after paying attention to where I regularly lock my bike I realized that I wouldn't be able to use a mini lock in most of the places where I lock my bike. It's too small.

That's the exact problem I had. None of the racks/poles etc. that I lock up to would either let it reach or are too wide for it to fit around. Fortunately the area I commute in is pretty low-crime so I don't need the double lock and cable approach - I'm too impatient to lock it twice and put it away after.

I did have a masterlock cable lock at one time. During the winter I went out to either lock or unlock the bike (I can't remember which) and the cable fell out of the lock. I looked at the lock end of the cable, and the lock cylinder just slid right out. I bought a ULock after that.

I do feel uncomfortable when the wife and I take our child trailer places, though. For that I use the ulock w/a long Kryptoflex cable. There are a few pieces of the trailer someone could remove and take that I don't secure (some I have no idea how we could lock up) and we'll often leave some things in the back of the trailer, like a diaper bag and our helmets/glasses. I wish there were another option than to bring everything with us and use more locks. Anybody here use childtrailers? If so, what is your locking method?

THE BEST AND CHEAPEST PLACE TO BUY YOUR KRYPTONITE LOCKS

seasonaloutfitters.com

http://www.seasonaloutfitters.com/index.html

This company has competitive prices and top-notch customer service!

And why do I post this and other links? Because I was once in need of a lock and I didn't know where to look. I am sure that this in not the only place with great prices, its just a good place I have found. I post these links because I want this thread to be of help to those who need advice and facts, solid reasons to purchase locks.

Let us never forget, these threads are actually viewed by more than just memebers- these threads reach out accross the internet. So, I want to lend a helping hand (don't you?). Some people don't have much money, and they want to protect their bikes. By sharing what we know we can save people time, money and in some cases even their bikes.

Respectfully
Jack

whenever I see bold, underlined text from jacklas, I always know to expect a shill directly under it.

Kryptonite causes my Superflash to be weak.

Somedood
Needs and circumstances differ. I am in urban/crime ridden area that is flat.

At constant velocity no change in acceleration so no force and no work. I know there are stop and starts. However, the extra weight for the lock is not as big a deal. Actually weight is not that big a factor on flat landscapes. I have fenders and racks and would not do without them.

I use a good U-lock and cable lock. I park in good, busy locations. I usually ride older bikes. Over the years I have had three or four bikes stolen. I expect a certain amount of loss to crime.

In the 70's when 10 speeds arrived on the scene, the best locks and chains were not enough. Some months ago I went by a bad area that happens to be at the start of the trolley line that goes down town. There is a rod iron fence going around a park. There on the fence was a shiny frame secured by a U-lock. Every part was stripped off it.

Yeah I figured as much.

Most of the other bikes are locked up really poorly - the classic u-lock around top tube, or even just around the front wheel (quick-release of course) and to the bike rack :lol:... so I guess locking it up with a cable + kryptonite u-lock should be decent for an hour or so at a time.

that's not cordless so you would also have to bring a generator.

Yes, securing components is another part of bike security. There are many different ideas as to how to do this. I have heard of some people filling the Allen holes with a rock hardened substance that can be removed in a matter of minutes, I have also heard of people sealing the Allen bolts with ball bearings.

Respectfully
Jack

Personally, I'm amazed there's a market for stuff like the Krypto NY Fahgettaboudit Chain. To me, someone riding around town with a > 10lb, ~$100 lock is someone who needs a cheaper townie to tool around on. To me, if you're lugging something like that around, you're being victimized by thieves every single day.

Chester, that all depends on what you think about carrying the extra weight? Some of us don't mind. Further, is the "cheaper townie" you spoke of heavier than the expensive bike? If so by how many pounds? According to your critique you are "being victimized by thieves every single day." Why? Because they prevent you from riding your good bike. We could easily flip your point and hand it back to you, “to us, if you're lugging something like that around (cheap townie), you're being victimized by thieves every single day.” However, I do have two bikes, so I practice your method, but what I don’t pretend is that thieves are not victimizing me. The truth is that we all have to take precautions against thieves- precaution is not just an action confined to those who carry heavy locks, it is also the action of those who ride crappy bikes- or those who will never park their bikes. We are all in the same boat and the thief is the enemy.

Respectfully
Jack

Lots of people leave the chain on a commonly-used rack. Also, for some, it's worth the effort to carry it around: U-locks can't go around everything (actually, they can make it around only a few of them), and large chains offer a level of security not found in cable-locks. Myself, I should not want to lug around a ten-pound, but I understand others' feeling differently about doing so.

Actually Treefort is cheaper for the NY3000, $61.84 delivered CONUS. Your place is $69.49. Treefort also has free shipping on purchases over $150.

http://www.treefortbikes.com/index.asp

I use a NY Noose when I'm either going somewhere where I don't know what I'll lock to (in some places it can be quite difficult to find a pole narrow enough to lock-up to with a U-lock) or if I'm cycling with my wife or friends and we have several bikes to lock-up.

Ziemas Seasonal Outfitters will beat the Treefort price- or in the worse case they will match it. Seasonal Outfitters also has a larger selection and I can personally guarantee their customer service. Excellent company!

http://www.seasonaloutfitters.com/ca...yptonitelocks/

Respectfully
Jack

Whatever. Treefort has it for less with no hassle.

Oh yes, and one more thing always make sure that you buy a Kryptonite lock from a certified dealer or else you will not be able to obtain the free year of anti-theft that comes with each lock. And yes, it is a bit of a pain to fill out and gather all the paper work, but in reality it only takes about 10 minutes.

Respectfully
Jack

Z, what do you think you're doing, posting facts in this thread? :lol:

The anti-theft program is valid only in four countries. Even if you live in one of those countries, actually claiming the compensation will be a pita, judging from what other members have posted in BF. The procedure is not described in detail anywhere in Kryptonite's home pages, but I do know you will have to produce a piece of broken lock for example. If you don't have that, you're out of luck. Home owner's insurance can offer better coverage with less hassle.

Kryptonite makes nice locks, as do several other companies. Which brand or lock you choose will be a trade-off between various factors, many of which are highly subjective and/or related to where you live. You cannot claim one particular lock is the best for everyone (well, technically you can make such a claim of course, but that would be trolling). I'd leave it at that.

--J

No, we cannot claim that one lock suites all needs and all situations, but what we can do is claim that one lock is better than another. After all, there is such a thing as a good lock and a bad lock; all locks are not the same. The more suited a lock is to protect one's bike while having functional portability the better the lock. Yes, a Kryptonite NYF just might be too much for some people, but this would not mean that its not a "good" lock, it would only mean that it wasn't the desired lock for the situation. Locks must be judged by their ability to secure, the higher the security the better the lock, it doesn't matter if its not suited to our situation, what matters is if the lock can fulfill its purpose- to secure the bike. If we judge the quality of a lock according to the basis of our needs we will never be able to objectively judge a lock. Saying, for example, that a NYF is too heavy for our purpose does not qualify as an argument against the lock. Now, saying that the lock freezes or that it can be picked or broken easily is an argument against the lock. The fact is that while it might not be suited to our purpose or preference it can still be a great lock.

Respectfully
Jack

Next time you walk by a locked up bike ask yourself, is there a place to plug in a power tool, would I sit there and saw away at that bike? You see most thefts are thefts of opportunity. If a bike is locked up with 2 locks, if it is locked up properly then in most cases a thief will not even attempt to steal the bike. Some bikes just scream, "I am far too much trouble." Fact, locks do discourage as well as protect. They discourage by increasing the risk of a thief being caught as well as the effort, power and skill he will need to break the lock- they protect in that most thieves will never be able to break good locks no matter how hard they try.

Respectfully
Jack

That is just naive.

You are correct about deterrence though.

With all due respect, knowing that you are a locksmith, I stand by my statement. And this is why; "MOST" thieves are thieves of opportunity. Of course, there are thieves who break locks (probably cheap locks), but they target their victims and they are far more rare- they are not “MOST” thieves. Also, I said, “good locks,” so how many bikes have you heard of being stolen, locked up with a Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit U lock? To quote a phrase by Sheldon Brown, "this just doesn't happen in the real world." However, it is possible that this has happened just as it is possible that many things have happened, but I would argue that it is isolated and rare, if it has ever legitimately happened at all. And often the defect was due to the way the bike was locked… where the bike was locked. Again my point, there are allot of thieves in the world, now, either “MOST” thieves are able to break good locks or “MOST” thieves are not able to break good locks? And of course, all of this begs the question as to how many thieves are merely thieves of “opportunity” as opposed to “professional targeting” thieves (driving white vans, carrying around angle grinders, power cords, oversized bolt cutters- or skilled professional lock picks)? I would say they exist in the minority, wouldn’t you?

Now on a similar note, if the world has 1000 thieves (hypothetical), are the majority of those thieves “opportunistic thieves” or professional targeting thieves? If the majority of thieves are “opportunistic thieves” then I am afraid my point must stand, ‘most thieves will never be able to break good locks no matter how hard they try.’ Why? Because they don’t have the skill or the tools, they are not professional thieves. Locks do more than just deter they also actually protect; they secure.

Respectfully
Jack