TimmyT 

I know there are a bunch of Harbor Freight junkies around here.
Has anyone used this lock? Thoughts?
https://www.harborfreight.com/heavy-d...ain-66067.html

JerrySTL

6 lbs!
Chain not all that long. You might not be able to lock both the front and rear wheels.
Bulky.

This one has to be lighter and maybe longer; however, the specs don't tell.
https://www.harborfreight.com/heavy-d...ble-66364.html

This one looks short and probably easier to break; however, no keys needed.
https://www.harborfreight.com/combo-c...ock-66689.html

cobrabyte

When I think of Harbor Freight I think of affordable. Great for things like basic tools, flashlights, etc...

When I think of a good QUALITY bike lock, Harbor Freight doesn't come to mind.

Bianchigirll 

It depends what you want the lock for. If you locking up an old Schwinn collegiate or Royce Union 10 spd outside TGIF while you have dinner a few microbrews that lock may be OK. If you locking you '90 Colnago Master up behind the GAP for your 8 hour shift you need a few Kryptonite locks.

lostarchitect 

That looks really similar to an older OnGuard lock I use to chain up my motorcycle. I wonder if they're just rebranded.

Popeyecahn

I think I'd work something out with my manager rather than lock it up outside... Or get something like the first example.

oddjob2

If you can afford to live in the Nanny Bloomberg's big city, you can afford to spend more on a quality padlock.

noglider 

oddjob, if you think people act like they're under some nanny's thumb (or magic umbrella), you've very much mistaken. It doesn't feel one bit like a nanny state here. And many of us think Bloomberg has been great. I feel he did some very wrong things, yet I still give him a B+ or A- for his overall performance.

Anyway, that chain may be OK. It looks enough like the kryptonite noose that it would deter many thieves. I have the kryptonite noose, and it weighs eight pounds with the padlock.

A cable is absolutely useless in NYC. I cut through a cable lock with a pair of Pedro's cable clippers. It was like cutting cardboard with scissors. I had to squeeze hard, but it only took about 15 seconds. If you present me with a thicker cable, it will take me longer, but it won't be any harder. Cables are OUT. If you want a lock to stop New York thieves, you need to carry at least six pounds of lock, unfortunately.

Edited to add: if we live in a nanny state, why are there so damned many bike thieves?

TimmyT 

<soapbox> Following noglider's post, couple that with obesity being a top health concern nationwide, it's no wonder why Bloomberg wants to cut back on people's empty-calorie intake. My tax dollars that are presently going to fund the medical infrastructure for people who live in food deserts (parts of Harlem, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island) could go to transportation or alternatives. Furthermore, with the tax rate one of the highest in the country, it's no wonder why I'm a cheap-a$$. </soapbox>

I carry two U-locks. One needs to be replaced. I just asked for feedback on this lock, particularly if anyone has used or seen it.

oddjob2

I know we're not supposed to discuss politics here, but I actually like His Honor, even the stop and frisk rules. He's been more than generous in his philanthropy, apolitical, and bike friendly. But I don't necessarily agree with his stance on Big Gulps, though I never shop at 7-11, and more gun laws. Also, he should have rooted for the home teams on taxis. I'd probably give him an A. Amazing that NYC has been under Republican admin for 20 years.

noglider 

oddjob, to avoid going further into politics, I'll just say I agree with you in some places and disagree in other places. Your complaint is entirely muddy, since you like Bloomberg's work but give it a nasty name. But better if you don't clarify it here. Feel free to email me. I have some unusual views, I suspect.

noglider 

TimmyT, two U locks might be good enough for you. I might even use a cable lock to secure my less valuable wheel to the frame. Someone could steal the wheel, but they're more likely going to move onto something that's worth more for their effort. Plus, I can afford to replace one wheel for the price of carrying something lighter than -- ugh -- what I already have.

TimmyT 

42nd St @ Schwarzman library. 2 U-locks, one through each wheel, and a cable lock through the seat. You need more than 1 U-lock in the city and possibly more than 2.

The thieves took the Easton bars, stem, and barely working Sora brifters. I learned to make a bunch of hitches through the seat and over the bars. The idea being that no thief is going to bother with something that is not only a pain in the arse, but also low end. I was doing that on my fuji and my 531 beater for a while.

WNG

^ This is why I moved out of NYC in 92. Things have improved greatly since my day. But one can expect such nonsense in the Big Apple.

IMO, it's been under Republican rule because Guiliani did such a significant job turning the city around.

For us old enough to remember how it was, not all changes have been for the better, sign of the times.

rootboy 

May I quote you?

Rocket-Sauce 

No idea on that lock, but I wish I could buy individual wrenches / nut drivers etc at Harbor Freight. If I only want a 7/16" or 10mm wrench I don't want to have to buy a set!

WNG

I picked up a HF motorcycle U lock for my bicycles....and after selling OnGuard locks at a bikeshop, I believe they are indeed made by the same factory.

cobrabyte

sure thing

noglider 

This is urban legend and total nonsense. Bloomberg is philosophically and politically a Democrat. He changed his registration so he could run for mayor as a Republican, because that way he didn't have to battle Democrats for the primary. It was a good strategy, and I'm glad he did it. He is not similar to Giuliani in any way. Giuliani gets much more credit than he deserves. He was not great, and he was a bully. I don't care what party Bloomberg is in. He was overall a good mayor, though some things, especially the power grabs, were very bad. He made up for that in other ways.

I believe DeBlasio will be another excellent mayor, and in different ways than Bloomberg has been. And yes, I'm assuming DeBlasio will win.

dddd

Not that I've lived in LA, NY or any college town for any of the last 20 years, but I realize there are two reasons why bike theft is so poorly enforced.

Firstly, bike thieves are often drug addicts who roam around looking for stuff to steal but when caught are released as "non-violent" offenders to make space in the clink for "more-dangerous" individuals. Usually also these thefts are only defined as misdemeanors.

Second, things like bike theft or even phone-spamming are poorly enforced because they are perceived as non-harmful to commerce, the engine of power for those at the top. Bicyclists in the city pay no parking, which is a huge source of commerce revenue. When I wondered why my phone company allows a known phone-spammer's phone number to be used for months/years on end to harrass their customers, similarly it is obviously the economic impetus of "payment for services" (by the spammers) rendered that causes them to look the other way.
So when a mayor promotes legislation to stop the sale of huge Slurpees or whatever, this can be seen a really a PR sort of exercise to give the impression of public health concern. No revenue is lost when people might have to pay virtually the same price for a smaller drink that leaves their appetite more intact for the additional expense of perhaps a hot dog, or pay twice and get a second drink.
Whatever revenue is lost to a cylist having their bike travel interrupted by theft might be perceived to be less than the amount of money that the cyclist will have to spend on a replacement mode of transportation, and if that replacement is gas-powered then fuel revenues, parking and registration fees will further extract the former-rider's wealth.
Likewise, the busses carrying mostly seniors to casinos are allowed to absolutely flaunt speeding laws on the interstate, because they get money out of people's pockets and taxes are collected. Limo drivers are routinely let off the hook when they tell the officer they are in the employ of the casino.

The thing to watch out for when polititions force legislation is whether power can be seen to trump law.

As for bike locking ideas, I've not had a bike stolen when using a ~7/8" diameter X 2-foot armored cable lock.
No, the cable isn't that thick, it's the sleeve-links covering the cable that bulk it up.
It's made by Specialized, has an ACE key and is covered in snug plastic mesh.
The ends join at right angles at the lock with a stout-appearing coupling covered in molded plastic.
I attach to the bike's top tube and seat tubes using velcro straps in a single, roughly 10-inch dia loop, and it's overall flexibility and friction-damping characteristic lowers the force transmission, so positively allows no rattling over rough pavement. I can hang it from the handlebar center for a hurried trip across town or use the Velcro straps for longer journeys out of town to the casino or wherever.

There are also some very lightweight, inexpensive bike alarms that clamp on to the seat tube or wherever that can really make a thieve's job more of a pain as they are cutting your lock.

Thumpic

You can get good quality single tools every Saturday at garage sales.....I haven't bought a new non-bicycle specific tool in years.

cyrano138

I wanted to add that the link is just for the chain -- not the lock. Just wanted to make sure of that. I've heard decent things about the heavy chains with hexagonal links. The idea of the hex pattern is to chew up bolt cutters. I'm sure the old rule still applies: if a thief wants it badly enough, he or she will get it.
Back when the 99 dollar kryptonite chain was the only option, it definitely didn't pay for all but those of us living in the most shady of neighborhoods. The fact that this chain is only 17 bucks would give me pause, but if the composition of the metal is comparable, why not go for it? If it's weight you're worried about, there's an easy solution my grandfather used to love to repeat, "Suck it up, buttercup."
Not that you're a buttercup of course. You get what I'm driving at I think. It'll make a handy weapon, too, if you're ever accosted by an angry mob of hipsters or hell's angels, or whatever.
I should add, too, that as a lock-picking enthusiast, this looks like a pretty simple lock to defeat. All the heavy-ass chain in the world won't stop someone who can open a basic disc tumbler lock like this one.
Granted, the chance of a thief having put the time and effort in to learn to pick a lock is much smaller than that they've just gone and bought some bolt cutters, but you never know. I'd go with a nice heavy chain, but spend a bit more on the lock than the one pictured. Get a nice heavy duty padlock with an interchangeable BEST core. Very tough to open and not tons of mula like an Abloy.

noglider 

I think he best thing about the Harbor Freight chain is that it looks enough like the Kryptonite one to fool thieves. They may not attempt to cut it even if it's easier to cut. You could buy it and see how it works. Buy a Harbor Freight bike that looks just like a De Rosa and see how things go.

crank_addict

The lock and chain is ideal for a road rage weapon. Works especially well when you've been intentionally cutoff while riding a bike lane and you catch up to the culprit at the next light. A smack to a car hood is a NYC friendly hello. The old rusty chains are the best - a little lighter and maybe pass some tetanus.

JPZ66

Hehehe....smack the hood of a car around here with a chain and you will likely get shot......good luck with your road rage ideas and I hope your insurance is paid up.

Joe