I Think I'm Off the Ottolock Bandwagon
#26
WALSTIB
In other words, Ottolock performs as advertised, has a great security to weight ration, and lives up to the hype.
Comparing an Ottolock to a U lock is like comparing a Jeep to a Porsche. Both are fine tools for a specific application, but neither is especially well suited to perform a task it wasn't designed to do.
I'm a big fan of the Ottolock, and it goes lives in a jersey pocket on 80% of my rides. Great protection for a lunch or bathroom stop. If I need more security than Ottolock can provide, I'll take the bike inside, or I won't stop.
BB
Comparing an Ottolock to a U lock is like comparing a Jeep to a Porsche. Both are fine tools for a specific application, but neither is especially well suited to perform a task it wasn't designed to do.
I'm a big fan of the Ottolock, and it goes lives in a jersey pocket on 80% of my rides. Great protection for a lunch or bathroom stop. If I need more security than Ottolock can provide, I'll take the bike inside, or I won't stop.
BB
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I do not take my good bikes into the city if I have to leave it unatended ... I use my £45 cheap bike
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Keep in mind that if a thief is prepared enough to be carrying tools, he's going to steal your bike 90% of the time, regardless of whether you locked it with an Ottolock or 75 lbs of logging chain, 3 Kryptonites, and a string of barbed wire.
Locks like the Ottolock are protection against crimes of opportunity, and still require you to use good judgement about where, when, and for how long you park your bike.
Locks like the Ottolock are protection against crimes of opportunity, and still require you to use good judgement about where, when, and for how long you park your bike.
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Formerly fastest rider in the grupetto, currently slowest guy in the peloton
Formerly fastest rider in the grupetto, currently slowest guy in the peloton
#29
Senior Member
A starting price of $50 dollars is very steep for a lock with this level of security. I think one is paying for the engineering behind it; which is fine but for me, I'll stick with my small U-lock.
If I know I need to leave my bike locked for more than a few minutes I use the U-lock and a separate cable with lock. That extra time to deal with a second lock may make the difference between the other guy's bike getting stolen and not mine if he only has one lock.
If I know I need to leave my bike locked for more than a few minutes I use the U-lock and a separate cable with lock. That extra time to deal with a second lock may make the difference between the other guy's bike getting stolen and not mine if he only has one lock.
#30
Non omnino gravis
A lock works for me so long as it can prevent a snatch-n-grab. I've clipped my helmet straps through the triangle and front wheel, purely in the hopes of preventing someone from just quickly wheeling the bike away when I'm not paying attention. The exact same thing I use the Knog Milkman for. I guess it works. Or at least doesn't not work.
Last edited by DrIsotope; 05-30-19 at 02:40 PM.
#31
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where I live (Cambridge UK), we have hundreds of bikes stolen .... guys walk around with high powered portable angle grinders in shopping bags and will take a bike in broad daylight with pedestrians walking past ....
I do not take my good bikes into the city if I have to leave it unatended ... I use my £45 cheap bike
I do not take my good bikes into the city if I have to leave it unatended ... I use my £45 cheap bike
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The grinder, on the other hand, can take care of just about anything so if someone were looking for bikes to steal, why wouldn't they have the tool that would allow them to steal whatever they see as the best target? Doesn't seem all that absurd to me.
What seems less likely to me is that there are thieves running around with tin snips looking for nice bikes that happen to have Ottolocks.
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Perhaps what people object to is the price tag. That's a reasonable concern, and is a fine reason for people to buy something cheaper. But that's a matter for the market to work out, and clearly, lots of us consider the Ottolock worth the price of admission. So maybe the real issue is more akin to buying a top of the line helmet vs a less expensive helmet. Both will protect your head, but one will do it with more style. Whether that is worth the price tag is a purely subjective decision.
BB
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#34
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How many different locks can be cut with tin snips? It seems to me that this would greatly limit the choice of bikes that someone could steal. Furthermore, people that have locks that can be cut with snips probably know that and only use them on less desirable bikes that someone would be less likely to steal.
The grinder, on the other hand, can take care of just about anything so if someone were looking for bikes to steal, why wouldn't they have the tool that would allow them to steal whatever they see as the best target? Doesn't seem all that absurd to me.
What seems less likely to me is that there are thieves running around with tin snips looking for nice bikes that happen to have Ottolocks.
The grinder, on the other hand, can take care of just about anything so if someone were looking for bikes to steal, why wouldn't they have the tool that would allow them to steal whatever they see as the best target? Doesn't seem all that absurd to me.
What seems less likely to me is that there are thieves running around with tin snips looking for nice bikes that happen to have Ottolocks.
Given that cable locks can also be cut easily (https://youtu.be/tVCqGMIz_iU), the Ottolock certainly isn't at a disadvantage compared to other non U-locks.
Perhaps what people object to is the price tag. That's a reasonable concern, and is a fine reason for people to buy something cheaper. But that's a matter for the market to work out, and clearly, lots of us consider the Ottolock worth the price of admission. So maybe the real issue is more akin to buying a top of the line helmet vs a less expensive helmet. Both will protect your head, but one will do it with more style. Whether that is worth the price tag is a purely subjective decision.
BB
Perhaps what people object to is the price tag. That's a reasonable concern, and is a fine reason for people to buy something cheaper. But that's a matter for the market to work out, and clearly, lots of us consider the Ottolock worth the price of admission. So maybe the real issue is more akin to buying a top of the line helmet vs a less expensive helmet. Both will protect your head, but one will do it with more style. Whether that is worth the price tag is a purely subjective decision.
BB
I'm not going to tell people that they're wrong if they think it's worth the money, I just don't think many people will agree and that the failure of the redesign is a complete disaster for the product.
I'm no engineer, but isn't what's going on is that flattening the material into a ribbon makes it easier to cut than bundling it into a cable? Here's a video of a guy taking the ribbon apart with a pocket knife and a pair of scissors. Note that the scissors are enough to cut through the metal band:
Basically, they've got a design that makes expensive materials as vulnerable as cheap ones.
#35
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Ottolock: 'We’ve always recommended redundant locking with a quality U-lock for higher crime areas or long duration lock-ups.'
If I'm using a quality u-lock, what exactly does the redundant locking with an Ottolock provide?
If I'm using a quality u-lock, what exactly does the redundant locking with an Ottolock provide?
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#36
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I'm actually pleased to see the publication of how easily the Ottolock is defeated and that there continue to be passionate users of the device. I know who I'll be parking my u-locked bike next to.
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#37
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Less of a fashion statement, but probably just as good security at 100 grams for $17:
https://www.amazon.com/Allnice-Porta...f_=gep_p2_dp_8
https://www.amazon.com/Allnice-Porta...f_=gep_p2_dp_8
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#38
Barred @ Velocipedesalon
No Muss, No Fuss, No lock
I just never leave my ride unattended, never use racks, loads into my car. I guess I don't stop on rides except where no one is anyways. Had one bike stolen as a kid (mine and a friend's), but found caught the culprits red-handed and retrieved same day. I feel sorry for those who have leave any bike unattended; where I work folks are always getting their saddles stolen, nothing is safe!
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Right, the article quotes the Portland police that half the thieves are carrying tin snips. They're looking for crappy cable locks to cut in seconds, not Ulocks that take minutes with a grinder. Problem is that it's now well-publicized that Ottolock is really just a cool-looking design for a very light crappy cable lock.
I'm not going to tell people that they're wrong if they think it's worth the money, I just don't think many people will agree and that the failure of the redesign is a complete disaster for the product.
I'm no engineer, but isn't what's going on is that flattening the material into a ribbon makes it easier to cut than bundling it into a cable? Here's a video of a guy taking the ribbon apart with a pocket knife and a pair of scissors. Note that the scissors are enough to cut through the metal band: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DhHD6Dzl4yc
Basically, they've got a design that makes expensive materials as vulnerable as cheap ones.
I'm not going to tell people that they're wrong if they think it's worth the money, I just don't think many people will agree and that the failure of the redesign is a complete disaster for the product.
I'm no engineer, but isn't what's going on is that flattening the material into a ribbon makes it easier to cut than bundling it into a cable? Here's a video of a guy taking the ribbon apart with a pocket knife and a pair of scissors. Note that the scissors are enough to cut through the metal band: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DhHD6Dzl4yc
Basically, they've got a design that makes expensive materials as vulnerable as cheap ones.
Here's a guy who does it painstakingly with a pocket knife:
I just never leave my ride unattended, never use racks, loads into my car. I guess I don't stop on rides except where no one is anyways. Had one bike stolen as a kid (mine and a friend's), but found caught the culprits red-handed and retrieved same day. I feel sorry for those who have leave any bike unattended; where I work folks are always getting their saddles stolen, nothing is safe!
#41
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Does anyone know, what is the most difficult lock that's not a ULock to pick/split/cut according to LockPickingLawyer?
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What do I use? Either for bikepacking or Long Distance Endurance rides where I need to stop from time to time and leave my bike unattended at convenience stores etc. It's not an option to be hauling a U Lock or heavy Chain/Padlock combination. My understanding was the Ottolock was a light convenient method of preventing snatch and grab kind of thefts.
Looking for ideas.
Looking for ideas.
#43
Barred @ Velocipedesalon
Siren
What do I use? Either for bikepacking or Long Distance Endurance rides where I need to stop from time to time and leave my bike unattended at convenience stores etc. It's not an option to be hauling a U Lock or heavy Chain/Padlock combination. My understanding was the Ottolock was a light convenient method of preventing snatch and grab kind of thefts.
Looking for ideas.
Looking for ideas.
#44
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I used a really simple system for many years. A plastic coated cable and padlock. That cable was just long enough to go around my waist twice. Clip the padlock into the cable and a belt loop and it was completely secure. Every cable I've ever seen since was either too long or too short to do that with.
Yes, I had no illusion that it was theft-proof. But for a quick lockup to a sign securing both wheels, it worked. Now when I held a job in Boston, I went to a motorcycle dealer and bought a real cable lock and just left that at work. 8-10 pounds? It wasn't light!
Edit: that cable lock went on a few tours.
Ben
Yes, I had no illusion that it was theft-proof. But for a quick lockup to a sign securing both wheels, it worked. Now when I held a job in Boston, I went to a motorcycle dealer and bought a real cable lock and just left that at work. 8-10 pounds? It wasn't light!
Edit: that cable lock went on a few tours.
Ben
#45
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#46
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There are different kinds of thieves: the opportunists who see an unlocked bike and ride off with it; the pros who look for expensive bikes and are equipped for the job and plan ahead; and the regulars, who have the intention of stealing bikes, but aren't going into great risk for that. The latter ones will have one or several tools to cut through weak locks in seconds, but won't bother with U-locks or other serious locks, and although I have no way of knowing, I'd guess that these make up the majority of bike thefts.
#48
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What do I use? Either for bikepacking or Long Distance Endurance rides where I need to stop from time to time and leave my bike unattended at convenience stores etc. It's not an option to be hauling a U Lock or heavy Chain/Padlock combination. My understanding was the Ottolock was a light convenient method of preventing snatch and grab kind of thefts.
Looking for ideas.
Looking for ideas.
What would really bug me about the Ottolock is that it looks as weak as it is. If you're parked next to other bikes, you don't want your lock to LOOK easier than the ones next to it.
#49
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What do I use? Either for bikepacking or Long Distance Endurance rides where I need to stop from time to time and leave my bike unattended at convenience stores etc. It's not an option to be hauling a U Lock or heavy Chain/Padlock combination. My understanding was the Ottolock was a light convenient method of preventing snatch and grab kind of thefts.
Looking for ideas.
Looking for ideas.
#50
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There are different kinds of thieves: the opportunists who see an unlocked bike and ride off with it; the pros who look for expensive bikes and are equipped for the job and plan ahead; and the regulars, who have the intention of stealing bikes, but aren't going into great risk for that. The latter ones will have one or several tools to cut through weak locks in seconds, but won't bother with U-locks or other serious locks, and although I have no way of knowing, I'd guess that these make up the majority of bike thefts.