High end lock for high end bikes
Written: Dec 22 '04 (Updated Dec 22 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Unusual lock design, compact, frame mountable
Cons: Short, heavy, expensive, key needed for both open-close, key turns easily while in lock
The Bottom Line: Easy to carry lock with a reasonable level of protection. If you want more protection, go for a chain type lock.
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| imreasztar's Full Review: Specialized Wedlock |
When you get a bike over 1000 USD you quickly start to worry to leave it outside with some kind of a cheap lock. If you want something that really protects, there is not much choice left, there is Abus, Kryptonite and with the big and heavy chain (ranging between 2-4 kg). Discovering the Specialized Wedlock was a real surprise and I immediately bought it. The price was 100 USD - you can almost get a cheap bike for that...
The idea of the wedlock is to have a new design that is unusual for criminals, hence there is less chance for breaking the lock.
The lock is very short, sometimes it is too short and I simply cannot lock my bike because it is not long enough to put it around my bike and that street lamp. Sometimes I manage to lock the bike using the rear fork, but this way the tires are not locked.
The key is needed for both opening and locking, which is a major inconvenience for me. What is more, you have to keep the keys in the lock while you want to lock the bike to something stable on the street. Then, while locking the bike, the key usually turns and closes and I have to try to turn it again to open it in quite awkward positions. I would prefer a mechanism that needs the keys only for opening and you could do the close without keys, with a simple click. I have used other locks that work this way and they are much more comfortable to use.
This would helpful also for the situation when I forget my keys at home - no chance to leave my bike. However, if I could close without the keys, simply I close the bike, do my business and come back later.
While the folding design results in almost pocketable size, it makes the actual locking process quite trouble some compared to the usual chains, cable locks or U-locks. Where the same sized chain or cable lock would be sufficient in size, the Wedlock proves to be short and somehow you have to maneuver to meet the two ends, keep it in place and turn the keys. Sometimes I feel that an extra bar element in the lock and a third hand would be very helpful... It is not complicated, but with the cable locks I just do a simple fit the lock and click to close, the Wedlock needs time to find a post that is narrow enough and a little playing to close.
The rubber holder has two standard holes and can be mounted on the frame with two screws - using up a water-bottle place - and with two Velcro straps, holds tight. One can easily snap it into/out from this pouch. It takes up only little place, does not bother you in pedaling, all locks should be mounted like this.
The locks is heavy - well you need steel to protect, but it is so stupid that you use 1 kg using high-tech ultralight frames, then you add the 1 kg back using this lock.
My lock is black, with a red "Specialized" sticker on it - I just removed the sticker and now I have a simple minimalist black look. I like this, I just do not want to grab extra attention to my bike.
For security, I have doubts. It is true that a bolt-cutter would not cut through the bars, but the joints between the bars seem to be more fragile. One cannot cut the joint bolt through, but can break off the caps of the bolts. The key is cylindrical type, I haven't found a shop to copy - if you loose the 3 keys, no chance.
All in all, it is not so comfortable to lock the bike with this lock, but is frame mountable (no extra bag needed) and offers a good level of protection. To do my shopping safe, I use it in tandem with a Kryptonite New York Noose w/EV Disc - Short (http://www.kryptonite.com), which is about 2 kgs, costs 140 USD and needs a separate bag to carry, but which I trust much more. So, I carry around an equipment of 3kg / 200 USD just to lock my bike, but I rather do this than going home on foot.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
imreasztar
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Location: Budapest, Hungary
Reviews written: 28
Trusted by: 6 members
About Me:
Bio/chemical engineer who loves mobile tech
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