Can anybody recommend a reasonable flexible lock other than cable.

[Cyclopathic]

From my own experience and just about everybody else's cable locks are fairly poor. But I don't get on at all with U-locks and would really prefer something that is flexible like a chain and so I thought I'd risk a well worn path and ask.
One with an alarm on it would be fantastic. One that released knock out gas even better. Anything really.

 

[Chris S]

I use an 'Old English' Squire padlock and a chain wrapped in an old innertube. Cable locks can be cut with 200mm bolt cutters, thicker chains need at least 600mm bolt cutters which are far more conspicuous.

My bike is nowhere near as one secured with a D-lock but it's a lot more secure than the neighbouring ones secured with cable locks.

 

[guitarpete247]

I always use a D-Lock if I'm leaving bike out of my line of sight. I have a couple of cable locks but I know that they are pants and they would only deter anyone not equipped.
I also take of QR front wheel and anything else easily removed (lights, computer, pump, tool pouch etc.) and try to make sure there is little room for scrote to get a bottle jack in.

A lot of sources suggest both hefty chain and good lock together with D-Lock as most theives only go equipped for one type of lock Bottle jack for D-Lock, Croppers for Chain/Cable.

If you wear stout rubber soled shoes chain it to an electricity sub-station for real security .

 

[Crackle]

Abus Bordo

 

[MontyVeda]

i use one of these... http://www.kryptonitelock.com/products/ProductDetail.aspx?cid=1001&scid=1002&pid=1175

it weighs a ton, but I've still got my bike, and that's the main thing... but i think these days an MTB without disc brakes or suspension is as good a deterrent as a meaty lock

 

[Cyclopathic]

Just googled titanium locks and apart from the Ti Gr which is still in production there doesn't seem to be much around at all, except for some steel locks which call themseves titanium but are not made from titanium which is a bit of a cheap shot if you ask me.
Why are there no titanium locks. Seems like a good idea to me.

 

[Norm]

I use an Abus Bordo foldable lock on the MTB. It's pretty heavy but that's not necessarily a bad thing and the pouch it comes with straps to the frame so it is easy to move it between bikes.

 

[Red Light]

]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Master-Cuf...OF4M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345880879&sr=8-1

Or there is a version with 9 links between the cuffs for greater flexibility

 

[sabian92]

How come you don't get on with D-locks?

You just fit them around the frame, around a post, and done. It's not as if you even have a combination to remember!

 

[Cyclopathic]

How come you don't get on with D-locks?

You just fit them around the frame, around a post, and done. It's not as if you even have a combination to remember!

I have to lock my front wheel as well which is not always easy or possible with a U-lock. They are a pain in the bum to carry around. The frame mounted clamps allow the lock to rattle and are not easily transferable to another bike.
I Like the versitility of a cable lock but know that they are pants so I'm looking for flexible options that fulfil the criteria of such without the inherent crapitude. I would consider using a U-lock if I locked my bike in the same place every day and could leave the thing in situ. Other than that I find them bloomin' hateful things.
Also I prefer combinations because I am forever loosing keys. I don't know either how reliable combination locks are. Knowing my luck, not very reliable at all. I know though that they have come a long way from the ones that you could crack in a minute by judicious wiggling of the wheels. Ideally I want a biometric lock that uses a retina scan or thumb print or both.

 

[defy-one]

Easy way to stop D locks rattling is to wrap a small peice of electrical tape to the ends of the "U". It will resist going back into the other half the first couple of times,but the tape will move as required so you can lock it again. The remaining tape will cure the rattle. Proven cheap remedy on my frame mounted D Lock
Use a combination cable lock around the front wheel. Been fine for me all over London.
I would love to carry 2 D Locks but that really is too heavy.

 

[sabian92]

I have to lock my front wheel as well which is not always easy or possible with a U-lock. They are a pain in the bum to carry around. The frame mounted clamps allow the lock to rattle and are not easily transferable to another bike.
I Like the versitility of a cable lock but know that they are pants so I'm looking for flexible options that fulfil the criteria of such without the inherent crapitude. I would consider using a U-lock if I locked my bike in the same place every day and could leave the thing in situ. Other than that I find them bloomin' hateful things.
Also I prefer combinations because I am forever loosing keys. I don't know either how reliable combination locks are. Knowing my luck, not very reliable at all. I know though that they have come a long way from the ones that you could crack in a minute by judicious wiggling of the wheels. Ideally I want a biometric lock that uses a retina scan or thumb print or both.

I just throw mine in my map pocket in my pannier. I don't use a frame clamp as the lock doesn't fit (Stupid, I know...). Solves the rattle and easily transferable problem. A D-lock is just as versatile as a cable lock depending on how you carry it although the front wheel problem I solve with just a cable lock but I still lock the actual bike with a D-lock.

I throw a key in my wallet change pocket and I keep a spare at home. Kryptonite have this online service where you register your keys and if you lose them you send them $8 or so and they send you spare keys which is good too.

Combinations don't matter, most cable locks can just be pulled apart in a matter of 30 seconds because they're so bad. Honestly, you're better off just not locking it up if you're using a cable lock.

biometric locks would be good but I imagine they'd be very expensive

 

[Cyclopathic]

I just throw mine in my map pocket in my pannier. I don't use a frame clamp as the lock doesn't fit (Stupid, I know...). Solves the rattle and easily transferable problem. A D-lock is just as versatile as a cable lock depending on how you carry it although the front wheel problem I solve with just a cable lock but I still lock the actual bike with a D-lock.

I throw a key in my wallet change pocket and I keep a spare at home. Kryptonite have this online service where you register your keys and if you lose them you send them $8 or so and they send you spare keys which is good too.

Combinations don't matter, most cable locks can just be pulled apart in a matter of 30 seconds because they're so bad. Honestly, you're better off just not locking it up if you're using a cable lock.

biometric locks would be good but I imagine they'd be very expensive

I don't have panniers on both of my bikes. A flexible lock alows me to put it around the seat stem or bar stem, which both of my bikes do have as does any bike I might get or use. If I have a flexible lock then I can lock the frame and at least one wheel to an imovable object and don't then need two locks. Without wanting to sound overly pedantic but not quite managing it I'd have to say that the points you raised simply emphasise my point and do not make a good argument for u-locks being as versitile as a flexible one of some sort. If combi locks are reliable I would prefer one because I cant afford new keys at the rate I'd be loosing them. Not to mention that I'd probably only loose them when my bike was locked up miles from home. I am well aware of the failings of cable locks which is exactly why I am asking for recommendations of locks that are flexible but not cable. Hardened chain for instance or something else I am yet to discover. I only rely on a cable lock when my bike is in sight. Pretty much.
When I win the euro lottery on a 2 month roll over or Bill Gates dies and leaves me his cash I will simply employ someone to follow me around all over the place and guard my bike. Lance Armstrong perhaps as he's going to be unemployed for a while.

 

[Norm]

Have you looked at the Abus granit o flex?

Indeed, or the Abus Bordo which I mentioned earlier, which meets all of the convenience criteria, has a combination and solid steel bars. For securing front wheels, you could add an Abus Cobra cable.

 

[MacB]

Abus Bordo

interesting I didn't know they'd brought out an upgraded version of the Bordo. Could be the ultimate combination, a d-lock one end and the Bordo Granite X-Plus the other.