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How to use a u lock?

6K views 9 replies 5 participants last post by  Rod 
#1 ·
I just bought a Onguard Pitbull Mini DT U-lock/cable combo. I would have prefered the non mini but the store only had the Pitbull in Mini and the Bulldog in Large which is not as highly rated.

This is the one I got:
http://www.magnum.ws/OnGuard/5008.htm

The thing is I can't find anything that I can lock the bike to using it, either the pole is too big or the bike can't get close enough.

Am I missing something? This is my first U lock so I've never used them before. Should I return it and get the larger Bulldog model even though it's not as secure as the Pitbull series?

Thanks
 
#3 ·
Doesn't using just the chain defy the purpose of getting a u lock? The chain can probably easily be cut. I was hoping thr u lock could let me lock the bike to a pole and use the chain to secure the wheels, but I haven't found any poles that I could lock to other than stop sign style poles, and I read not to use that as a stop sign is just held by 2 easily removed bolts.

What type of object is a small u lock supposed to allow you to lock to? 'cause I haven't found any. Should I return it and get the less secure larger bulldog series?
 
#4 ·
Lock the rear wheel and something with the U lock. Wrap the cable around the front wheel and bike rack. The mini is more secure than the larger one, as it will provide a much smaller area to wedge a tool and use leverage to break it open.

Using both locks will give you the best odds of your bike staying where you left it.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/lock-strategy.html
http://www.missinglink.org/Pages/bike_locking.html
http://www.kryptonitelock.com/TechLab/HowToSecure.aspx

You can also lock the front wheel to the frame with the U lock and wrap a cable around everything. Get creative.
 
#6 ·
Well I went to most places I would normally leave my bike at and the only objects small enough to use the mini u lock on are sign posts like stop signs which can easily be removed with 2 bolts.

I'm quite sure I'll return this lock. Should I get a larger U lock which was of the less secure bulldog series or are those hex chain locks better?

Thanks
 
#8 ·
So you went against everyones advice and you bought a lock that you don't even know how to use. Why do you make threads asking for advice when you don't even consider it? I'm not trying to be an a-hole, but I call it the way I see it. A beater bike or any bike instead of a lock that you cannot use would've been the way to go.
 
#9 ·
Rod said:
So you went against everyones advice and you bought a lock that you don't even know how to use. Why do you make threads asking for advice when you don't even consider it? I'm not trying to be an a-hole, but I call it the way I see it. A beater bike or any bike instead of a lock that you cannot use would've been the way to go.
No, it sounds like he already had the lock and was just trying to figure out how to use it.
 
#10 ·
He said

ch2s said:
I just bought a Onguard Pitbull Mini DT U-lock/cable combo. I would have prefered the non mini but the store only had the Pitbull in Mini and the Bulldog in Large which is not as highly rated
.

marsh rider said:
No, it sounds like he already had the lock and was just trying to figure out how to use it.
He didn't just buy it and check this guys previous threads. He's asked everyones advice about locking up his new Yukon f/s and we told him to get a beater, which he ignore and instead got a lock that's too small for him to use to lock up his bike. Oh well.
 
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