Need lock advice
 

So I came out of the dentist this morning to find a guy cutting through my brand new folding Abus Bordo lock. I rode after him and he told me to get a better lock. (Thanks, buddy! Always nice to get advice from an expert.) So now I need another new lock. I am pretty fed up with the quality of Kryptonite locks at this point and would prefer to avoid that brand if possible. I need something big enough to lock my rear wheel. I really loved the folding Abus lock in the week I had it (and according to my LBS, it has a higher safety rating than your standard Kryptonite)--easy to carry, allows you to lock up to a wider variety of objects than a U-lock.

Any advice? I'm kind of tempted to order the top of the line Abus folding lock but they are pricy, and I'm feeling a little aggrieved right now.

although i havent noticed anyone tampering with my lock, i doubt anyone would get through my kryptonite fuggedaboudit ulock before i would hear the angle grinder from inside wherever i locked it up

Given your Location, Consider a folding bike and take it, the bike, inside.. every time, with you.

Dude, I'll do the trash-talking about Philly, thankyouverymuch. This is the first attempted bike theft I've had since moving here from PDX in 1996. Ironically, it was in the most ritzy part of town, where there are usually cops hanging out to make sure ordinary people don't bother the residents of the multi-milllion dollar condos. But since Boston all the cops are stationed near my work, which makes for excellent bike security at my office.

Tigr Lock, www.tigrlock.com, is the way to go, IMO, for security, portability, and lock-up flexibility.

Check 'em out on Facebook for pics, ideas, and lockup options.

[QUOTE=chaadster;15525042]Tigr Lock, www.tigrlock.com, is the way to go, IMO, for security, portability, and lock-up flexibility.

Well, those look very spiffy. Are you using one? Can the cylinder attach to the bow when the lock is mounted on the bike? I'd be afraid of losing the cylinder otherwise...

How were you able to ride after him after he stole your steed? Did you arrive to the dentist on two bikes?

anyway, ain't no f**** around with punk thieves: Use two u-locks, one to each wheel-frame-rack. Don't buy the cheap $30 locks. Get yourself two kryptonite fahgettaboudits.

Two bikes at all times! That's the way I roll.

Actually, the guy had cut through the lock but hadn't made off with the bike yet. He had a bike, too, so I'm not sure what his plan was, exactly, as there were a ton of messengers around and other folks who would find some guy with two bikes of vastly different frame sizes ... suspicious.

Are other people having quality issues with Kryptonites? I've never had the fahgettaboudit, but two of my last three Kryptonites have had their lock barrels deteriorate within a year to the point where I had to cut one lock off and throw the other away. Plus, that little thingy on the U part of the lock continually falls off. I'm not really feeling like giving them more money.

How far through the Bordo did the thief get? How long was the bike outside? He must have thought you would be in the dentist longer than you were. I have a Bordo so that is why I am curious. As for lock recommendations, I think the concensus is to use two if possible. I have a kryptonite NY long shackle u-lock that I use along with the Bordo. I also have the Kryptonite NY noose chain but do not use it often due to the weight and size. If you do not want a Kryptonite, maybe look at the higher end Abus u-locks with the square shackle. More expensive than a Kryptonite but lighter weight and strong. If a u-lock won't work, check out the Bordo granit.

I see you just posted that he had cut through the Bordo completely. Did you get to see what tool he was using?

ive had the fuggedaboudit for a little over a year now and i havent noticed any quality issues with it. it doesnt have that little frame mount doodad like the evolutions do so no need to worry about that coming off either

i got mine off amazon for about half the price they sell for in stores which is always good

sjt, the bike was outside for about 50 minutes, and he cut all the way through it. Nice clean cut in an area with lots of "eyes on the street."

I had to send one of my fuggedaboudits into warranty because it became very difficult to unshackle after 1 yr of use. (NEVER got wet. Lock stays in a secure dry bike room). The other one unlocks just fine (this one gets wet, stays on the rack)

I dunno, that's a lot of money to go from 15 to 45 seconds to cut with a grinder. Also it's hard to tell in their demo whether they're counting all the time he had the grinder in operation or start to finish - he spent a lot of time with the grinder away from the work. it definitely isn't going to get cut by a bolt cutter though, and probably not with a hacksaw either.

Thanks for the info. That sucks. I had higher hopes that the Bordo would be a decent deterrent. It sounds like you will need to go big on your next lock if you plan on locking it up again over there.

from what ive heard this happens when you try to turn the key without it being inserted all the way, so the tumblers get all screwy

sjt, I had high hopes too. Loved the lock for the 10 days I had it! And Mumonkan, you're right, my Kryptonite problem might be me...

I'm leaning towards ordering the top of the line Abus Bordo and a some sort of mini U-lock (for when I next have to park in Philadelphia's dreaded Rittenhouse Square... you can see the bike rack I was at here: http://goo.gl/maps/8bg9Z) or the Tigr lock, because I don't park anywhere that someone could discreetly use an angle grinder.

How nice is your bike? I'd think two locks would have protected the bike better. Thief might not have even attempted to start cutting with two. I'm not buying into the tigr lock but some like the convenience.

The TiGR Gets Spanked In Recent Men's Journal Tests
 

A recent discussion in the Touring subforum (Light but still good lock, Post #57 / dated 4-14-13 by rekmeyata) Shows the link to the Men's Journal article (sorry folks, but my linky foo is weak:crash:).

Basically it seems that there is a LARGE difference in attack outcomes from the inhouse tests done by the creator/marketer of the TiGR:notamused:, and Men's Journal results. MOST concerning is the vulnerability to 24 inch boltcutters AND (GASP!!:eek:) HACKSAW!!!. Enter; Torture Test: Bike Locks, in the Men's Journal search field to see the complete article.

Bike Radar destructively tests Bike Locks, too, FWIW.

HACKSAWS! I agree, that is a capital letter situation.

Here's the link for posterity: http://www.mensjournal.com/expert-ad...locks-20120925

Lieren, Thanks for the help with the link.

I personally have used a New York F. U. and an On Guard Brute (5000 series) on the gritty streets of Downtown L.A. for many years with no problems (both use the disc/wafer tumbler system).
I can agree with a previous poster in that it is Extremely Important to make sure the keys are completely inserted into the lock. (if key only makes a quarter turn in lock then Stops. Instead of the half turn+, Then the key is not completely inserted, Trying to force the key to turn will break the key inside the lock).

I notice that both O.G. and Big K have made the plastic key handles smaller since I bought my locks (to reduce leverage/ease of breaking off key in lock?).
Also users that mount the locks solidly on the bike either using the craptastic frame mounts or a rear rack have problems with road vibration causing the internal disc/wafer tumblers to wander out of the home position alignment, making complete key insertion difficult at best.
Also important is ongoing and regular lubrication and maintenance of the lock internals AND the U shackle (hardened steels used in U lock shackles are much more vulnerable to corrosion as an artifact of the hardening process).

In the last few months I have been attempting to lighten the amount of BALLAST I'm rolling with on the Sporty Quick bike. A combination of Pinhead Skewers, Seatpost, Headset, and Seatlocks plus an ABUS mini U lock, O.G. 7 inch mini U and two 10 mm cables. So far so good.

sjt, I just saw your question about possible tools. The guy I confronted--who it is possible but unlikely was not the culprit--had only a small backpack, which could have held a hacksaw or a battery powered angle grinder (but an angle grinder would have attracted attention in that location), but only a very small pair of bolt cutters. I attached a picture of the cut, which will show how bad a photographer I am but also how clean the cut is. Whatever he used, it didn't slip.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=311620

Since you express an interest in mini U-locks, I can Highly recommend the ABUS mini U.
Quality is Excellent in comparison to my admittedly several year old NYFU and O.G. locks. Lock mechanism works silky smooth, Fit and Finish are a level above Big K and O.G.
One caveat is the key is rather long, making it more difficult to see if key is in lock all the way (unlike my Big K and O.G. keys which are much closer fitted lengthwise).

I note looking on Amazon that there are 2 versions of Abus Mini U.
The older version (which is what I have) has a 14mm shackle both ends of which are locked with a separate moving bolt (actual dia. of steel under anti scratch cover). This is an improvement over Big Ks Evo mini U which has a 13mm shackle and the older/less secure Bent Foot design (only one side actually locks).

The newer version Abus mini U has a reported 16mm!!! shackle dia. And keeps the dual locking mechanism of the older model (this compares with Big Ks NY-Std 16mm dual locking shackles). And I feel is a viable lightweight alternative to the NYFU massive 18mm dual locking shackle at just over half the weight of the NYFU.

[QUOTE=Lieren;15525335]Yes. I don't think I'd recommend that tough, because it would knock around quite a bit in most bike mount scenarios.

Those findings in MJ are just not credible to me without some explanation of methodology, none of which is presented in the article.