Flexible lockup options. Works with some street racks where only a cable would fit.

Tubular lock cylinder failed

I had high hopes for this lock because it would work on the bike rack at the gym where my other locks would not. But on the second day of use, one of the tubular locks (one on each cuff) got sticky and wouldn't lock. It later developed the opposite problem and wouldn't open reliably once I did get it locked. It's just a matter of time before this thing totally craps out and has to be cut off. I recommend you stay with a Kryptonite or OnGuard lock and avoid this one.

Similar Products Used:

OnGuard and Kryptonite U-locks. Kryptonite New York chain lock.

Unusual design resists traditional lock breakage methods

Locking mechanism

This is a great lock, easy to carry, good conversation starter, provides good security, YET the locking mechanism is crap and customer service is awful.

I had the locking mechanism break on me after about 2 years. Lubrication wasn't the issue. I sent it in for the warranty repair. I hadn't heard anything from them for a little while, a month or more. Upon calling, they hadn't even received it. I sent it to the address provided but apparently that wasn't the "correct" address. Eventually they tracked down where my lock was.

After many more weeks and months of phone calls back to them, and hounding them, I FINALLY ended up with a new replacement lock. They didn't even reimburse me the shipping costs for the warranty repair as advertised. They knew nothing about it even though it says it right on the packaging. They were complete schmucks about it all.

After all of this, the second lock suffered the same fate after about a year or so.

Great lock, but don't waste your time and peace of mind.

Similar Products Used:

Heavy U-Locks

A great visual deterrent, not too heavy and very useful for a quick dash inside.

Lets be honest. Its a lock. Some people take pride in defeating locks, so its a universal weekness. The link on these can be cut with the right leverage. Be sure to get one that isn't too long for your needs.

Its a lock. Period. Any lock can be defeated, the thief only needs time. Everylock has a weekness, and once exploited it gets shared, hence the whole bic pen disaster. As a lock smith I see tons of broken locks and the tools to use them, some sophisticated and others not so much. This product works great with other products. more locks involves more time... for you and the thief. I personally have two of these bike cuffs and one NY lock (mentioned above) used with the Pitlocks as well and a gps tracking device (google Fantatic Digital, not too shabby.). I'm paranoid, after all I've seen and I too am a victim of theft. So in short, don't leave anything out where you can't see it for too long, especially overnight. If you must park it for any length of time, look for surveillance cameras, they can help recover or catch a thief. I mentioned I use two of these and Pitlocks. The Pitlocks are for the wheels and seat. But I have these for visual deterent and to mislead a parts grabber. A thief wants an easy target, in and out. Grab and dash. The NY lock is very intimidating.. and in comparison the Cuffs look like an easier target. Chances are the thief knows they probably won't get the frame but rims/tires, seat other accessories are valuable too. So they can play with the "less secure" looking cuffs to try to steal the wheels but would be foiled by the Pitlocks. Also, thieves will steal your parts and then look for the frame to be sold cheap. Some will even follow you to see where you go and look for a moment of opportunity. Did you lock it when you ran in to get a soda? Locks only work if you use them... everytime. And mind your enviornment, if you have a nice bike then chances are someone is looking at you as prey. Take notice, motorcycle or bicycle... there are people hunting you and want what you have. Be smart. Think about it.

Similar Products Used:

NY Donteventhinkaboutit... awesome lock as well.

Looks mean & tough, ingenuity, ease of use, neutralizes the leverage approach, apparently non cuttable, resists fire

Key sometimes difficult to turn

I've had my car broken into (and everything in it stolen) and trust me, being a victim of theft makes you OBSESSED about security.

That said, I live in Toronto, a city notorious for bike theft. A major bike theft ring was just busted and the ring leader found hoarding 3,000+ bikes in warehouses all over the city. It's estimated he and his posse are responsible for a wopping 80% of bike theft in Toronto over the past decade.

So of course I was intimidated and held off buying a bike. Now that I did, I researched and found these Street Cuffs to be the best deterrent.

I have a 3 point security solution:

1) Pinhead security pins. They replace the screws that hold your wheels, saddle and steering column in place. Instead of Allen keys, you need a unique key to unscrew the pins. Excellent security, no bulky chains to carry.

2) Masterlock Street Cuff. Because the pins secure all the parts to the bike, I just need to cuff one end to the frame and the other to a bike ring and pole. No need to lock the saddle or wheels. Easily carried in supplied holder.

3) As a visibility deterrent, I fasten a bright yellow lock to the disc brake. This is used for motorcycles but I think it's equally effective on a bike. There's no way to cut this lock. It fits tightly and snug on the disc brake. There's no way to saw or cut the pin simply because you can't fit them in place to cut. IF a thief manages to defeat the Masterlock Cuff, they couldn't ride away with the bike, they'd have to carry it on their back. This lock is small enough that it fits in a pouch under my saddle.

Well, today, only a couple of weeks into owning the bike, my system was tested.

I parked my bike in front of an outdoor restaurant patio, locked it up with the Cuff and the disc brake lock and went into a mall for about 20-30 mins.

When I got back, a group at a table told me some guy was messing around with my lock. Apparently he gave up and realized his attempts would be futile and walked away.... or went home to get a blow torch. lol

Look, I don't think that any lock in the market is flawless. This one just happens to be both a visible deterrent and protects against the most common theft method: leverage break. Because the lock turns and pivots, it would be very difficult to next to impossible to get it in a position where a thief could crack it. There is also little to no room to fit a crowbar in anyway.

It claims to be resistant to fire but I don't doubt that a thief with some time to spare and a blow torch could cut this.

For riding around the city and jumping in and out of stores, I'll give this product a thumbs up. For locking overnight in a shady area.... no lock would give me peace of mind. Period. The most flawless deterrent is to have a crappy bike.

P.S. It looks like I overpaid for this product. Nonetheless, I'm very happy with my purchase.

Similar Products Used:

Masterlock disc brake lock

Looks

failed to protect a junker Huffy. Horrendous customer service

I'd be happy to demonstrate how easy it is to defeat this lock regardless of how it's utilized. I locked a junker Huffy with this POS following the method perscribed by Master Crap in a busy shopping area (where the tourists go not where the jumkies hang out) just to see what would happen and within a half hour the lock was open and the bike gone. It's actually easier to open this thing with a pen than it is to use the key. Throw in the link weakness and you've got a recipie for disaster. The only reason the previous poster still has his bike is due to that cable lock. Thieves usually only carry tools to beat one kind of lock the fact that he has two (albeit one is about as secure as used chewing gum in a foil wrapper) means he beats the odds 9 times out of ten. You;d be better off with one of the locks from Onguard who while being comparable to Kryptonite tend to be cheaper than Krypto or Master Crap.

Similar Products Used:

Kryptonite NY Lock various other styles and models

Strong Lock with $3,500 anti-theft protection.
Packs smaller than a standard U-Lock.

More complex than a U-Lock
Can scratch frame easier

If you lock your bike up for long periods of time, this might be the most secure lock you can get...and it's backed up by $3,500 anti-theft protection...about $1,000 more than most U-Locks. The cuff design isn't prone to the bar and leverage attacks used to defeat U-Locks from time to time.

Colorado Cyclist's website had them on sale for around $45, so I decided to give it a try since I needed a new lock. The standard Street Cuff often retails for $70 or more. In the end I am sure glad I got the Street Cuff on sale, because I'm going to be buying another Kryptonite standard U-Lock and most likely carry the Street Cuff for times when I need to leave my bike unattended and locked for many hours at a time.

I need a lock that is convenient for running errands that include lots of stopping, locking the bike, running inside for 20 minutes or so, unlocking the bike, pedaling to the next stop, repeat as needed. The Street Cuff is just too cumbersome to use compared to a U-lock. It looks easy enough, but after you secure one cuff to whatever you are locking your bike to, you have to awkwardly thread the other cuff through your frame and around the rear-wheel. If you use a cable to secure the front wheel it makes it even more difficult. For short stops when I'm not worried about the rear wheel, I might just connect it to the seat tube or down tube. That's a little easier.

You have to make sure you push down the locking core for each cuff. Leaving one popped up by accident could allow someone to simply open the cuff. If you lock your bike several times a day, how long will it be before you forget? With most U-Locks, you have to lock and unlock with the key...making it impossible to leave things unlocked. U-Locks are also easier to operate, and you won't have to worry about making sure both cuff locks are facing the easiest way for you to get the key into the hole.

While the Street Cuffs are partially covered in rubber and plastic, there is enough exposed metal with a rough edge to make scratching your frame pretty easy. I've already done it trying to get the cuff around the back wheel. Fortunately it was a small scratch on the back of the seat-tube, but it pissed me off enough to decide that I'm getting another U-Lock. At least U-locks have no exposed metal that comes in contact with the frame.

The Street Cuff might be the strongest lock around, but I need something more convenient for running errands. Fortunately I can park my bike at my cubicle in the office, so the street cuff is just a little more lock than I need.

3 chilis for value... but that is thanks to Colorado Cyclist. In reality I think the U-Lock...like an Evo-2000 or a Kryptonite New York lock are better values.

3 chilis overall...because the stupid hunk of metal made me scratch my bike while I was trying to wrestle with it.

Similar Products Used:

Kryptonite Evolution 2000 standard U-Lock

Foldable, easy to carry than a U-lock

Can be difficult to open with the key.
Need to lock it a certain way so as not to expose its weakest link to attacks.

3 years so far, I have been fortunate for not having my bike stolen yet. A lot of people commented about its mean demeanor (tough and nasty), so that's a good deterrent.

The only problem is that, you can't use this lock to chain your frame to the post like you would with a U-lock. Mind you, this is NOT the most secure way to lock your bike, but while the thief may bend the bike frame in the process of breaking the U-lock, the street cuff's one link can be severed easily. So, this is the lock's weakest link. It really doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this out either. That's why, a lot of negative reviewers out there exploit this and give the lock a bad rap.

The effective way to use this cuff lock is cuff one shackle to the rear triangle of the bike, thread the link and the other shackle through the rear wheel and then cuff it to a solid post. This way, it makes it harder to get to the link without damaging the bike frame and the rear wheel (both expensive items on your bike). If you want to lock your front wheel too, simply place the front wheel in between the rear wheel and locking post. This way, it provides even better protection against any attacks on the link. And that's what Master Lock recommends. In addition to this, I also use a cable to loop around my saddle and then secure it to the shackle on the rear triangle side.

If used properly, this cuff lock can provide as good a security as any similar U-lock on the market.
Now, the previous poster claimed that this lock is "BIC"able. While I was able to open my older Krytonite and MEC U-lock with a BIC pen within 5 minutes, I was not able to open the cuff lock at all -- I've tried and tried for close to 4 hrs. Sure, there is a possibility that someone can open it, but of all the U-lock attacks aftermarket with cylinder lock mechanism that I witnessed, not one was opened with the pen even during the U-lock media scare. It's easier to pry, jack or cut a cheap U-lock than to use a pen.

Similar Products Used:

Kryptonite Evo Mini and OnGuard.

Compact, easy to carry, rubber sleeves, $3,500 guarantee.

Heavy, not always easy to use, price

The Street Cuff came highly recommended from a friend of mine that used to work at a bike shop. I bought one off E-bay and it came with 2 keys and a registration card for the anti-theft guarantee. I lost the original card but you can still download it at http://www.masterlockcycle.com/support_guarantee.shtml

I like this lock mainly for it's compact size. The previous u-locks I have used had flimsy brackets to mount onto the frame and would bang around or even fall off while I would ride. I resorted to wearing a backpack just to carry the freaking lock. The Street Cuff fits into my saddle pack so I can ride without being over burdened. Rubber sleeves on the cuffs and keyless locking are nice features too.

Though compact, it's a pretty heavy lock and it can be a bit clumbsy to use since it's not rigid like a u-lock. It takes some time to get used to. If you forget to the press the button, the cuff will not lock properly and can easily be removed.

I've rarely been in a situation where I've had to lock my bike outside for hours at a time or overnight so I can't tell you about it's true anti-theft capability. As someone mentioned below, your bike can be taken if they want it badly enough. Overall I think it's a good lock for running quick errands when you are in and out for a few minutes and you need something compact. The $70 that I paid is a decent value for the lock but I've since seen it on sale for $50.

Similar Products Used:

Kryptonite and Specialized U-locks

Lightness, gimick factor, ingenuity, neat construction

hard to mount to bike and anchor. Not always a suitable anchor available. ingeniously designed, but still looks like a hefty enough bolt cutter could do some damage to the outter cuff.

I just started out as a messenger in the city. I was dreadging slinging a 14lb. Kryptonite NY lock around my neck. So when I caught a glimpse of this, I thought'd i'd try it. It's cool and it's tough. I doubt any one anyone would take the time break into it. It can holds its own, though its appeareance doesn't instill the same deep sense of security the tons of metal on a Kryptonie lock will. But that's ok, cause the cuff lock has brains behind it.

The only problem is findind a place to use it. ITs' great if yo uhave a parking meter. But that is about the only thing it is friendly with. Other stuff you will have to fuss with a litle bit. Some parts of NYC don't have great anchors, You might end up parking you bike 3/4's of a block a away for a delivery.


The other thing is that it's gorky. it's hard to position the bike and your front wheel and the anchor s it all goes together well. I"m still gettting used to it. I never use the Kryptonite NYC lock, but i think it's chain like flexibility might make it quicker to anchor and unachor the bike, as oppossed to teh cuff lock


Overall it's a neat product, it'll take time time to get really smooth with it. Till then it takes a little while to get the bike locked in place.

The other thing about the frame mount is that it doesn't allow you to have another water bottle cage. So if you have the locked mounted you can't have a watter bottle. Or so i found on my 18 inch GT, triple triangle frame.

Similar Products Used:

Other random bike locks.

Tough, broke a thiefs bolt cutters

Rubber covers don't hold up to the sun.

I work for the railroad and haul my bike all over. No one has messed with these until a week ago. Two nicks in the plating were all they managed and a piece of the bolt cutter jaws on the ground. They did steal a co worker's bike that had a U lock so I'm pleased with the performance.
The Rubber covers that protect your frame rot in sunlight. I emailed masterlock and just recieved a form to send them in on the lifetime warranty.
As far as the guy who had the pivot cut in the previous review, they have a 3500 dollar guarantee. Anything can be stolen if someone wants it bad enough.

Similar Products Used:

Cable, U-lock