From extensive internet research, I have decided that the best lock for the value/security/weight is the Abus Granit 54 X-Plus.

The 9-inch one (230mm) weighs 3.3 lbs. Hard to find in the U.S. but you can and can get it shipped for about (best price i found) $100.

It is $25 more expensive than the best price NY fahgettaboudit lock (best price online is about $75).

Both the Abus 54 and the NYfahgettaboudit are highly secure (relative to their competitors) according to all the recent Cycling Mag tests. And while the ABUS is longer, it weighs more than 2 pounds less. I don't see it's length as a security disadvantage b/c it is supposedly not able to be leveraged open with conventional methods. Rather I see it as providing the flexibility to lock around larger objects and to ignore Sheldon's lock strategy (which some say invites dumb theft attempts and others say ignores the threat of cutting the rim with bolt cutters ) and lock the rim and frame.

You could also go with the Onguard Pitbull mini b/c it weighs about 2.2 pounds and is just as strong against leverage attacks and is $24 with an extra cable (best price online). However, it against power tools the Pitbull wasn't as good as the more expensive locks, while the ABUS required 2 separate powered cuts to free the bike. And it's small/less flexible like the Fahgettaboudit. I decided the weight and price were less important to me than security.

Note on my intended usage: I live in Manhattan and would never leave my bike outside overnight or for hours on end, but want the most peace of mind when I park my bike outside to grab a burrito or even sit down in a cafe. But I don't want to lug a chain.

Hope this helps. Any comments would be helpful to future readers.

I've been interested in the Abus Granit U-locks lately. The Tubus Locc rack and an Abus U-lock seem like an excellent, easy to carry, security solution. Does anybody have the Locc rack? Do you need a separate adapter for different locks, or does that stuff come with the rack?

At a $100 for the lock, I can see the day coming when someone will cut your bike frame with bolt cutters and take your lock.

New York Fahgettaboudit is slightly less, how about $67: https://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30...ils&sku=LK4060

I have the longer, wider motorsport version of the Fahgettaboudit, and I agree these things are a lot of weight to carry on a routine basis. The motorsport version is about 7.5 pounds / 3.5 kg.

I took a quick look to see if J&B Importers has the Granit X-Plus 54 in the U.S. yet, since I noticed they're carrying Abus locks now, but it appears they don't have them yet.

TheTouringStore.com mentions on the Locc page that they will begin selling Abus locks soon, but I do not know the ETA. The only US store that I can find selling them is lockitt.com. They only carry the longer 12" version of that lock though.

I had the Abus Granit 54; loved it, felt like a bank vault opening & closing for 2-3 years, then abruptly stopped working (key turns, but lock mechanism doesn't move). Someday I'll see if it's got a warranty in effect.
Now I ride a folding bike & seldom lock it; on the rare occasions I do, if it's in sight at all times, just a light Abus armored cable through the rear wheel; if out of sight, I fold, remove seatpost (which holds the frame together) & quick-release pedals & run cable through both wheels & rear triangle. If in Manhattan, OnGuard Pitbull mini also secures frame; I leave it home most days.
So far so good.
Having owned most high-end bike locks popular in the last 30 years (remember the Stainless-Steel Cobra? Huge for about 2 years in the 80s, til they started chopping off the tip with an axe), Abus are definitely better made than most; the US importers mostly market them to motorcycle riders & don't import a lot of things; check UK/European websites for way more selection than any US source &, usually, better prices (despite the decrepit dollar). No stupid scam "insurance guarantees" with Abus, but has ANYONE ever gotten paid by Kryptonite for an NYC bike theft EVER?

I've got a Granit 54 and Granit 59... both are excellent, IMO, although the 59 is definitely overkill for my environment. I really like having the additional length, since there's such a variety of bike racks around here, and some are much less accommodating than others.

This company seems to be USA based:
https://www.keymart.com/54granit.htm
But no way I can afford $65+shipping.

I find this thread helpful as I am putting more expensive parts now on my bike and a cable lock just isn't going to "cut it" (ha, punny!)

How about for those on a budget, what's the best $30 lock I can get that's better than the $20 walmart U lock special? The Onguard Pitbull Mini U-Lock is more narrow than a regular u-lock so it's harder to put a jack inside to break it but still 9 inches long so you can reach around things. Might be a good compromise?

That's not the X-Plus version. It has six cylinders instead of eight, and I think the U is rounded instead of square. I've read good and bad things on here about On Guard. If I could only spend that much though, I would probably go for the Pitbull Mini.

I'm curious what's the security advantage to a square U?

I've read the two biggest problems with U-locks is freezing the lock and shattering it with a hammer and using jacks to overcome the lock strength by levering it. Obvious the lock must be pick-proof (and bic pen proof!!!) But I am uncertain what square corners do?

i think the square corners make the blades on a bolt cutter slip off? Freezing the lock is an interesting idea. I wonder if one of those cans of compressed air (for dusting computer equipment) would get it cold enough to shatter? maybe we should focus more on boobie trapping the bike instead of preventing its theft.

Pretty much every Abus is tested against freezing attacks; generally this only works on very poor locks that you could pop about 5 other ways just as easily.
Leverage attacks are the huge majority of broken locks (& half broken locks on bent frames) I see.
Anything beyond cheap bolt cutters and a pipe would be very high tech for most bike thieves.

I've read that the Abus U-locks are virtually immune to leverage attacks. I don't know if that only applies to the locks with the square shackle though.

Before I adopted a new attitude about not focusing on locks, but on the bike and the area I use it in, I worried about if this or that lock was enough protection. I now don't bother with locks much. I use folding bikes only and keep them with me at all times. I don't carry a lock beyond a simple cable one. The temptation would be too great to lock it up "just this one time" and leave it out "just for a second". I rather lug the folded package around in my very urban, crime ridden area and be sure than the famous disappearing bike act that happens way too often now that gas went over 4 dollars a gallon. Your bike is valuable now than when you bought it. Treat it that way.

I was talking to the J&B Importers rep today, and it turns out they do carry the Granit 54 X-Plus. It's SKU 39308 for the 9-inch version. So anyone who's desparate for one in the U.S. market, you can ask your LBS for a price quote on this J&B part number. It won't come cheap, though, partly because it's a super-nice lock, and partly because the Euro is strong.

this is a late reply... cos i just got mine lately...

mine's the tubus locc with the granit x-plus 54 in the longer length.