Sun, 03 Oct 2004 07:22:57 -0400, <[email hidden]>, "Eric
S. Sande said:The basic adavantages of light weight, portability and high security
are still there.
Thar is why we use them in the first place.
The fix is on the way. In the meantime either shut the [censored] up or
buy a different lock, I really don't need a padlock and a chain to
complicate my life, if you know what I mean.
I'll concede the chain/padlock combo still doesn't handle as quickly
as the U-Lock. It's about twice the weight and half as portable.
The chain's greatest advantage is its adaptability in non-standard
locking situations. I'm thinking specifically of posts on chain-link
fencing or horizontal handrails where it's sometimes impossible to
secure both wheels and frame with a regular length U-Lock.
Another odd situation is when the bike rack is set on level pads while
the pavement slopes away leaving a greater height at one end of the
rack. And of course U-Locks are useless on lamp posts. I've found
chains simpler to snake through your bike at a crowded rack.
They're more versatile in cluster locking situations when not everyone
has carried a lock.
I've been told that my heavy chain has a mucho macho image. One or the
chopper grrrlz said it was really sexy even and wanted to try it on.
Its heft gave her an intriguing glow.
My biggest gripe is the way it slides off my hips if I'm wearing lycra
and wearing it as a bandolier digs uncomfortably into my collar bone
though there is no comparably effective way to carry a U-Lock.
So, if I don't like the new MEC locks when they arrive, I'll get my
refund, walk across the street and get a BikeGuard from the Norco
dealer. They're supposedly the same as the highly rated OnGuard locks
except with a red protective plastic coating instead of yellow. The
red (or yellow) coating is what's kept me from getting one already.
--
zk