Key or combination cable lock?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Going this Saturday to pick up my very own new bike.
I'll be getting a locking cable for it.
Do you gals have preferences as to whether a combination lock or just a key lock is easier to use on a daily basis? (you know, those little combination things where you line up 3 or 4 numbers on the little rollers to oopen the lock).
Thanks for your opinions....

[Trek420]

depends on whether I want to loose my keys or forget the combination

[tulip]

Your avatar-thingy says you're waiting to pick up your Rivendell...even in a small town, I'd be inclined to first not let that bike out of my sight, and second, if I had to lock it up, would not use a cable lock. Big beefy U-lock will keep your bike safer than a cable lock.

If the lock is for a beater bike, however, it would depend on if you are better at remembering a combination or where you put your keys.

[Trek420]

ooh, did you say a Riv? I'd never let it out of my sight. Nice bike.

[Bikingmomof3]

Congrats on the Riv . If you must let it out of your sight, I suggest a Kryptonite U lock.

[snapdragen]

One of the wiser people over at the "other forum" posted instructions on locking your bike. One of the few people over there I trust for advise:

Lock your bike!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

In th ephoto, is that cable going through the front fork and the front tire both?
Thanks...

[Trek420]

Bikingmomof3 "If you must let it out of your sight, I suggest a Kryptonite U lock." ... with a 24-hour sentry with attack trained dachsunds, surrounded by a moat filled with flaming massage oil, lawn elves with motion detectors ...

But seriously, does anyone here use these?

http://www.urbanbiketech.com/about.html

[snapdragen]

In th ephoto, is that cable going through the front fork and the front tire both?
Thanks...

It's hard to tell, but it looks like it is around one side of the fork, and through the front wheel.

[hsmpcycle]

Your avatar-thingy says you're waiting to pick up your Rivendell...even in a small town, I'd be inclined to first not let that bike out of my sight, and second, if I had to lock it up, would not use a cable lock. Big beefy U-lock will keep your bike safer than a cable lock.

If the lock is for a beater bike, however, it would depend on if you are better at remembering a combination or where you put your keys.

Congratulations on the new bike!!!

I agree with Tulip, a strong sturdy U-lock is the best. Cables can get cut easily. It doesn't matter how well you wrap that cable around the bike, it can still get cut and the bike will be gone.

[Blueberry]

When I'm riding my "good" bike, I lock the frame and a wheel (usually rear) to something very fixed. I then *separately* lock both wheels and the frame to the same thing. I do this because, based on what I've heard, most bike thieves carry either the tool to cut a U-Lock or the tool to cut a cable, but not both. I wouldn't do what the pic shows b/c if the U-Lock is compromised, the bike is gone.

I've not tried locking the U-Lock through the rear wheel, but here's a (trusted by me) source which suggests its safe: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/lock-strategy.html.

As far as cable combo v cable key, I have a cable combo for short trips (e.g. bike in high traffic area for 10 minutes or less). I understand that there really isn't any difference in security between the 2.

Carrie Anne

[Nanci]

I have a cable combination lock. My bike wouldn't be left for any longer than it takes to go in a convenience store. I've never used it, actually. I can't remember the combo, though, so I wrote it in that gold photo marking pen underneath the computer.

[DeniseGoldberg]

I have a cable combination lock that I use when I'm touring.

While U-locks are more secure, they are large & heavy & they really don't work when you need to lock your bike to things like big trees!

When I started touring I had a cable lock with a key. But then I worried about losing / misplacing the key. I switched pretty quickly to a cable with a combination that I could set myself.

--- Denise

[Veronica]

I use a cable lock with a combination padlock.

For running into a convenience store, I don't bother to lock my Riv. To the casual observer, it looks like an old clunky bike. It doesn't have fancy brifters, no carbon, an old leather saddle...Although on Sunday, someone asked us if our bikes were Italian.

I actually worry more about someone swiping the GPS off it.

V.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

You are all so helpful! Thank You!!
And Carrie, thanks for reminding me of Sheldon Brown's article, which I am going to read tonight.
I live in a little town that is a lot like Mayberry, and if I put a giant U-lock on it I think I'd get laughed out of town. Many people don't even lock their houses when they go away on vacation around here.
But... it being a Rivendell and a nicer bike than in my wildest dreams for MY lifetime, and being that I learned "street smarts" the hard way as a kid in the streets of NYC, I feel I should at least cable it to a tree while I'm inside the bank or buying bread at the bakery. There are no street signs or even parking signs to lock it to around here, Main street is one block long and there is one traffic light in the whole town. Just a few trees and a couple of stair railings in front of stores, but I can cable it to those I think. I do worry about owners letting their dogs water a tree while my bike is there!

I won't be on my bike in any city environments, pretty much all rural, so I think a long cable will be the most logical choice to secure my bike to odd fixed objects of wildly varying diameter. I don't think there are many thieves with cable cutters roving the countryside here. Mostly I fear some mixed up teenager or troubled young man from a neighboring area seeing my bike leaning against a storefront temptingly, and impulsively deciding to jump on and ride away home with a nifty new bike for himself.

I'm still undecided as to combination vs key lock. I tend to remember combinations AND not lose keys. I guess I'll see what they have in stock at Harris' when I go to pick up my Beauty tomorrow. Will post about my experiences tomorrow evening when I get home.

I so much appreciate all your suggestions!