Reddit reviews OnGuard Bike Lock, PITBULL LS, 4.53" x 11.5" - 8002

If you aren't in a city with notoriously high and advanced bike theft, and aren't leaving it out overnight, try this: http://www.amazon.com/OnGuard-Pitbull-Ls-11-5-4-5/dp/B005YPKBRI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1463020335&sr=8-3&keywords=onguard+pitbull

The long shackle is technically less secure, because it's easier to leverage open, but in a place without a lot of racks it's a blessing to have, because you can fairly easily find /something/ in short walking distance that'll go around, unlike the smaller Ulocks that mostly only work with racks (or, I've found, bikes without big bags and wide upright handlebars). It's a good medium security lock, and both sides of the shackle lock. Downsides, it's heavy, because big, but not as heavy as a chain which is your next smart option (don't get cable locks, they can be cut soooo easily), and the mounting bracket is OK, but I've had two of them fail. I just carry mine in a bag now.

http://www.amazon.com/Kryptonite-Kryptolok-Standard-Bicycle-FlexFrame/dp/B005YPK8G2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1463020570&sr=8-1&keywords=kryptonite+series+2 This is a little lower security lock, but still a mighty fine one in an area with mostly thefts of opportunity. The included cable is for passing through your wheels for a secondary bit of safety. It's the best selling option at the good local bike shop out where I am (Indianapolis).

As for using them, this is the classic guide: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/lock-strategy.html His method is routinely the best, but without racks it can be hard to lock through the wheel and not the frame. If you can't lock through the wheel, make sure the shackle goes through one of the triangles. And, no matter what, lock to something securely attached to the ground and don't lock to anything the bike can be lifted off and over. Be sure and try lifting any cheap racks you do come across, you'll be surprised how many aren't bolted down right... or at all.

Chiming in with my 2 cents on racks and bags based on my personal experience. YMWV.

I didn't like the idea of a permanent rack bolted to my frame rattling over every bump + I knew I wasn't running any 25 pound + loads, so while I did get one of those Topeak racks with the clip system, I ended up with a long flat soda carrier like the one in bottom right in this pic . Add a bungee cargo net and it's great for groceries. I ended up rigging up a dedicated quick release + post + seat rig, it's just easier to swap out the whole thing that to try and mount the rack to the post and tighten it down so it doesn't move.

For my 'runaround bike' I went with a cheap ass schwinn 10 bux at the river in africa place and this 12 buck bag with velcro straps.

Not the sexiest rig but it works and when I lock it out on the street I can pull the bag off and with carry handle OR shoulder strap, carry it inside. The main compartment is big enough for a quickstop at the store for a 6 pack or the usual 3-4 other items. It's not for the major runs but for the 'gotta stop and get a couple pounds of hamburger + buns and some catsup. Add the backpack for when you are stocking up.

The sides and top have enough substance that your chow won't melt in the time it takes to get home and it has a water bottle holder in back and 3 side pockets good for a spare tube + tools pump or CO2 inflator , cell phone etc.

My other (cheap but decent quality) safety stuff suggestions like lights and such is here

and for 5 bucks + a 9v batt, add an alarm just to discourage thieves in publiv - many of them will steal your shit right in front of people but when an alarm goes off , it takes ballsy thief to hang in there and keep hacking - at least in a public bike lockup

I use this cable for front wheel + seat when locking out on the street for more than 5 minutes

If you have QR front wheel and intend to pull it off so you can use your U lock and want a longer -wider U lock, I have found this to work well , I also have an older X4 Onguard and if I have to lock up somewhere and be gone for hours I will double U lock the frame and rear wheel and then Cable up the seat and front wheel and turn on the alarm.

There is always bigger, better, stronger, and faster (and more expensive). For a $300 - $500 bike, I have found this gear to function and it's a price/performance point that seems to make sense to me.

This is the one I have : https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005YPKBRI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

No problems so far, quality feels excellent (it's heavy though). One thing to keep in mind is that locks only keep 'honest' people honest, if someone REALLY wants your shit they'll find a way. Park the bike in a public area where a thief won't be able to spend half an hour unnoticed as he chips away at your lock. I have mine right under a security camera outside my building (capitol area), and haven't had any issues.