Anyone have experience with this sketchy lock?
 

So I was at harbor freight today (you can already see where this is going) and I came across this knock-off of a New York Chain. It was only $16 so i figured why not? It ways as much or more than a Kryptonite chain and looks decent on the surface. Has anyone here checked these out or tried to cut through one of these cheap u-locks? I figure if this lock is really as crappy as most cheap H.F. stuff I'll just use it as a front wheel lock. If not, I might use the chain with a better mini-u.

If there's enough interest I might take a hack saw to the lock and a link to see how it holds up.

Here are some pics of it:
http://i.imgur.com/IgQzR.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/War6y.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/SfUPs.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/2x7HD.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/khs6n.jpg

I spent 20 minutes going at it with my bolt cutters and only cut one half of a link. I would still have to make another cut to actually get the chain apart. I haven't tried a hacksaw or angle grinder on it though.

Probably just a chain with a cover on it, not anything special alloy or hardened. Take bolt cutters to one link and see how it does. If someone thinks its a NY fagetaboutit lock then maybe they'll keep walking and it'll do its job.

I used hand wire cutters to get through a cheap cable lock, so very easy.

Harbor Freight rocks ... for single use tools ... like a lock :thumb:

You guys should be more concerned about the lock. After all, a chain is only as strong as its weakest link.

It might just scare the thievs away becuase they'll think its badass

...leave-at-work lock.

This is reassuring. Did you try cutting the lock like leukybear said?

It's actually just the right size to go around my waist and not fall off. I might make it my biking-in-basketball-shorts-that-don't-use-a-belt-and-u-lock-holster lock.

If you wear it around your waist, don't go near any boats, docks, or swimming pools.

Ironic chastity belt.

:lol: my thoughts exactly. I might have to wear it like a flava-flav chain instead
http://www.s9.com/images/portraits/9906_Flavor-Flav.jpg

I didn't do anything with the actual lock itself. The shackle is thicker than the links are so i went for the the weakest part. I also made the cut at the weld where the ends of links meet, i would assume doing it in another place would be harder. It was 20 minutes with me jumping on the bolt cutters with one handle on the ground, something that would be impossible if it was actual in use locking a bike. A hacksaw with a carbide blade would be interesting to see the damage.

Yeah, I think this should be plenty to secure an old conversion in a relatively low crime area. If the thief has a carbide blade, whatever you're locked to is going to be the weakest link.

Sounds like this is actually going to be a halfway decent lock!

That vanilla coke worries me... :twitchy::innocent::p

COKE!?!?!!!
http://cdn.gs.uproxx.com/wp-content/...eets-sheen.jpg

I have one. The chain looks good but the lock is junk. I haven't tried cutting it but in my area the primary purpose of any lock is making the next bike over look easier. This chain paired with a good shrouded padlock does that job admirably.

LOLz

try to replace with an abloy lock.

Putting a $X00 lock on my budget chain kind of defeats the purpose. I'll probably just go with the nicest padlock I can find at wally world or the hardware store.

theyre not all that much.

The bargain chain does not deserve it only a kryptonite chain is.

I personally use a model 362 at my rental storage locker. And I'm planning to get 2 more when I finally get around to get a pelican case set up for my dslrs when flying.

+1

I have one of these and the inside of the u lock is rusty after a couple months of use, finicky key too. But nobodies tried to steal my bike yet so it's doing its job

You can always squirt in some WD40 into the keyhole and the locking mechanism.

the bargain chain is certainly weaker than others, but it too can be upgraded when possible.