I still own one of the famous Kryptonite U locks that can be easily opened with a Bic pen. In looking at what to replace it with, I've noticed that there are several new iterations on the old locks that I used to think were not very secure and thought I'd see what the rbr crew here thinks ...

Old assumption 1) A cable lock is just too easy to cut through
Current thought 1) Yeah, but did you see the size of the cable???

Old assumption 2) Cable locks are lighter than the U locks
Current thought 2) Still think this, but have done no serious looking into it ... I'm not that into the weight thing generally, so perhaps I'd ask you to shift focus to #1 above.

Old assumption 3) U locks are the best security out there, even if they are heavy and bulky.
Current thought 3) If I can get away with a cable for locking in commuting to dt Minneapolis, I just think it would be easier.

Somewhat new assumption: A U-lock WITH a cable lock, while very secure, is just over-doing it.

Thanks in advance for the opinions!

Current thought: "I just think it would be easier"
Future thought (after bike and/or parts stolen): "What the f**k was I thinking?!?!"

If you want safety and convenience, the best you can do is one of the small U-Locks (http://www.onguardlock.com/lockviewer.php?type=ulock&model=5006) and a locking skewer set (http://www.rei.com/product/47984316.htm).

If you always go to the same place (commute to work), you can do what MB does and get a U-Lock that you can leave at your destination. The only problem with that is you lose some flexibility, like if you need to stop somewhere on the way home.

Get a U lock and use it to lock the rear wheel inside the rear triangle. Run a cable around the front wheel and/or get those skewers that convert quick release seatposts and hubs into allen wrench types.

Lock review
http://www.slate.com/id/2140083/

That about covers the cable locks.

For my daily commute with my bike parked in a public parking garage I use a small-size U-lock and a moderately stout non-coiled cable. The U-lock is the small, non-NY Kryptonite, though I'd probably get an On Guard if I were buying a new one.

The small size supposedly undermines some lock attacks by limiting the space for pry tools inside the U. I lock the frame with the U-lock and loop the cable through the Brooks saddle rails and run the free end through each wheel to the U-lock. If I'm stopping briefly at a store or coffee shop, I just use the U-lock on the frame.

I wouldn't bother to lock the saddle if it were a non-descript plastic one. For all-day parking I think a good cable for the front wheel is a good thing. My bike is a fixie with a generic rear wheel, so I don't have the same need to secure the rear wheel as suggested by locking it rather than the frame. I like a cable that is not pre-coiled because it is MUCH easier to work with and readily extends to its full length.

You're probably out of luck by this time, but check Kryptonite's website to see if they're still doing the lock exchange as part of the settlement. I sent in my old Bic-able U-lock and got a brand-new, (more) secure one for free.

If you always go to the same place (commute to work), you can do what MB does and get a U-Lock that you can leave at your destination. The only problem with that is you lose some flexibility, like if you need to stop somewhere on the way home.

I leave the U-lock at the commuting destination, and carry a small cable lock in the seat bag. My on-the-way-home stops are generally brief, and the bike can be locked in a conspicuous place, like right in front of the door of the store, so the cable is secure enough.

A friend loaned another guy a bike. He gave him a U lock and a cable lock and said always use the U lock and never just the cable lock. The guy stopped at a grocery store for a few minutes and used just the cable lock. Bike gone.

At work I lock my bike with both the Kryptonite NY Chain and Disc lock and the Kryptonite NY U-Lock (no fooling around for me). We keep a U-Lock at the supermarket and at the library so we rarely need to carry a lock far.

However I will carry a smaller Bulldog U-Lock and cable if we plan to lock our bikes up anywhere in town and I keep a cable lock in my desk at work and a couple at home in case we decide to go somewhere for a quick stop on the spur of the moment.

I'm not saying they can't get our bikes, I'm just not going to make it easy for them.

BTW a cable lock by itself just keeps the honest folks honest. Any fool with a pair of bolt cutters is going to go right through any cable lock in just a few minutes with no fuss at all.

A cable lock is best used with a U-Lock. The U-Lock protects the frame and the cable lock keeps your stuff attached.


BTW2 Buying cheap locks is just throwing your money down the drain.