Dan that lock you have on the rear how do you rate it...
11 on a 10-point scale, jags. I am delighted with it, and wonder how I ever got along without. It is worth it for my peace of mind in the now highly-criminalized area where I live because it prevents a snatch-and-grab theft whenever I am of the bike, even if standing just next to it, when most such thefts occur. These thefts are most commonly perpetuated by meth addicts looking for immediate transport and something they can sell for as little as USD$5 for their next fix. Being desperate means they aren't shy about boosting a bike in daylight with the owner standing by, as I have seen a number of times myself.
The ring-lock is wonderfully convenient and immobilizes the rear wheel by putting a ring of steel right through it between the spokes. Mine allows me to capture a cable on the lock tang or to plug-in any of several cables or chains offered as accessories. I also use it to capture the security tethers on my rear Ortlieb panniers when parked, preventing a quick snatch-and-grab there as well. The model I chose also keeps the key captive while riding, so I can never forget it at home, and I fit a coiled wrist strap so I won't drop the key when I'm away if my riding clothes have no pockets (most of the time I use cycling shorts).
A ring-lock is *NOT* a complete security solution in itself, and should not be used alone when leaving the bike unattended in high-crime areas. For those occasions, I also lock the bike with a stout U-lock and a variety of other means and try to never leave it alone long enough (or at all) for a thief to get to it (yes, I take the bike into the restroom with me, and into the stall itself if that is feasible -- you would too, if you lived where I do; we now have a local policy of releasing jailed inmates within 24 hours of initial incarceration...for crimes including accused/unconvicted capital murder).
A ring-lock *is* a great convenience and means for securing the bike "for just a sec'" while your back is turned or you are away from it, preventing the kind of throw-a-leg-over-and-ride-like-stink thefts that so often result when a bike is not left overnight. it is always "there" and is something one actually uses because it *is* available and requires minimal fuss. Yes, a bike can still be carried away on a shoulder or with the rear wheel elevated (unless you include a snap-in cable or such as well...very lightweight and compact 'cos the locking mechanism remains on the bike), but it helps and is unexpected -- especially here, where a casual meth-head might be too stoned to notice it. The lock mechanisms on modern/current ring-locks is remarkably secure, though this was a problem on older models with flawed designs that have since been corrected.
Oddly enough, a ring-lock actually works better on a loaded touring bike, 'cos those are usually too heave to pick up and carry very far, and the bags and accessories often cover the lock or make it hard for a thief to see. A ring-lock and plug-in cable make a lot of sense for a loaded touring bike. They make as much sense for an unloaded bike, but don't trust them alone for long-term security when leaving the bike alone in a theft-prone area (i.e. in the City). For their intended purpose and within their limitations, ring-locks are cost-effective security. One just has to respect their limitations and use them appropriately. For what they are and offer, I think they're a fantastic value and wouldn't be without.
Mine is an AXA Defender and I chose the plug-in cable as well. A number of links to UK vendors can be found in this custom Google search:
http://www.google.co.uk/#hl=en&tbo=d&output=search&sclient=psy-ab&q=axa+defender&oq=axa+defender&gs_l=hp.3..0l4.981.2421.0.2496.12.11.0.0.0.0.360.2316.2-7j2.9.0.les%3B..0.0...1c.1.u5sw_F-Kfb4&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&fp=75e263ab38675344&bpcl=39650382&biw=1280&bih=715Abus' Amparo makes an excellent competitor to the AXA Defender. For more on this topic, see the following threads:
http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=4148.msg18856#msg18856http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=1944.0http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=4987.0All the best,
Dan.
