On Guard Bulldog Combination U-Lock - 4.5" x 9"

Reasonably secure KEYLESS locking

Like many, my family has a few bikes. I don't want to carry a bunch of keys on my keychain, and I looked into getting multiple locks keyed alike but decided this was easier (BTW, Kryptonite won't do keyed alike at all anymore; OnGuard will do it if you order multiple locks at the same time, for a $5 upcharge per lock).

My employer started a corporate bike share program last year using these locks, and I was impressed with them. My family now have several now too, including my wife's bike so she doesn't have to worry about a key, and a couple other bikes that are shared by multiple family members. All have the same combination so it's easy for us to remember.

They work great. A little fussy to turn the dials and move the release lever, but my wife's not very mechanical and she got the hang of it just fine. Once you are used to it the mechanism is solid and smooth.

Fundamentally it's a U-lock, so it's far, *far* more secure than even the thickest cable lock: even armored cables are easily bent so that the cable can be cut. Yes, it's a combination lock, and theoretically combo locks are easier to defeat than key locks, but picking them usually requires a fair amount of time and a quiet environment, so I'm not too worried about that. For that matter, as a full-sized U-lock it is quite a bit more vulnerable to prying attacks than mini U-locks (I do wish they made it in a mini version) - but still more secure than the best cable.

For the above reasons I wouldn't use it for an overnight lockup in a high crime area, but for most daily purposes (in my case, daytime and evening lockups of $500-$2000 bikes in a moderate crime city like Minneapolis, Seattle or Portland) I think it's very unlikely that a thief is likely to come along and defeat it.

4 stars. I'd give it 5 if it came in a mini version.

Pros: No key required! Allows easy sharing among family members and friends.
Being a U-lock, it is much more physically secure than the best cable (of course no lock is 100% secure). Bike-carrying system far better than Kryptonite's, which is balky and rattles like crazy over bumps.

Cons: Not as secure as a key. Large, with weight typical for large U locks, and doesn't come in mini version. Release lever clunky to push, and recessed dials clunky to turn (here's the trick for the dials: *first* do the outside ones, which are hard to turn without also turning the inside ones, and *then* turn the inside dials).

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: June 29, 2015
Reviewed by: GlowBoy

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