OnGuard Bulldog MINI TC 5013TC Bicycle U-Lock
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Description of OnGuard Bulldog MINI TC 5013TC Bicycle U-Lock
The On Guard bulldog U-locks are constructed of 13-Millimeter hardened ultra steel shackle with reinforced sleeve over crossbar and cylinder for added security. Available in key or combo lock; keyed locks include 5 laser cut keys (1 lighted) and all tube quick-release mounting bracket. 4.6 Tons pull strength with anti-drill and pick resistance. 13-Millimeter hardened ultra steel shackle with reinforced sleeve over crossbar and cylinder for added security. Bulldog includes free 1-year 1251 dollars anti-theft guarantee.Sports reviews of OnGuard Bulldog MINI TC 5013TC Bicycle U-Lock
Customer Review: Ideal Lock, But Delicate Key
Sport shop rating: 4 Stars
I purchased both this lock, and the Kryptonite Evolution Series 4 Standard Bicycle U-Lock with Bracket (4-Inch x 9-Inch). These are the two locks that are considered to be near the top of the list for U-Lock security.
The very top is the Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboutit Mini Bicycle U-Lock (3.25 x 6-Inch), but I decided against that one due to weight and cost issues. My bike is old and new was only about $1000 when new, and so it isn't going to be the target that a more expensive bike would be.
Between this lock and the Kryptonite Series 4, both are high security. The reason I was in the market for a lock was that I had a cheap U lock cut with a pair of bolt cutters by an apartment manager unhappy that I had locked a bike to a railing. He sliced through that cheap U-lock silently, like butter, and both of these locks have been tested against that and neither lock was cuttable by bolt cutters. However, both can be defeated by a determined thief with power tools and a couple of minutes.
Both locks give you several sets of keys (at least 4) and let you either write down a code or register the code and they'll send free keys if you ask. Both locks include one lighted key, but the thing is huge and takes up so much room on my key chain that I took it off because I've really never needed the dim light it provides. Nice concept, but worthless - you can feel the key hole if it's pitch black.
Neither lock has a decent mounting system. They both come included with one that really only works on a 21" frame, the biggest bike for the tallest riders, because it needs too much space to pull out to mount it on the seat tube. Me and everyone else I've seen just ends up hanging the lock over their handlebars. The lock is rubber coated so it won't scratch your handlebars. If you do that, and you will, be sure to remove the mounting piece on the U lock that clicks into the mounting bracket. Click the bracket onto it and twist the mounting piece off. The mounting piece can be seen as the thick collar over the left post of the U lock where it meets the cross piece.
There are three basic differences between this lock and the series 4. First is the size. The Bulldog barely fits over my mountain bike tire and the smallest pole, like those used for no parking signs. It DOES fit over a parking meter, but many parking meters have had a pipe slipped over the pole that holds them to prevent people from hacksawing the meter off and this lock will not fit over that outer pipe. The series 4 is big enough to fit everything. UPDATE May 2009: They increased the size of the Bulldog Mini lock a bit and that problem is solved with the newer version.
Note that it isn't necessary to lock both your tire and the bike frame unless your frame is really expensive. Just lock the part of the tire that is inside the frame triangle underneath and behind the seat. The bulldog can't fit over both the tire and the seat tube, while the kryptonite can, but it isn't necessary. A thief would never take the time and effort to try to cut all the spokes, and bend the rim to force it through the frame triangle, and if he did he'd wreck half the cost of the bike.
Second is the key and locking mechanism. The Bulldog has a key that breaks off easily and the lock has to be fully seated to work. That means you have to shove the crosspiece in as hard as you can and shove the key in as hard as you can to turn the key without breaking it. Because of the small size, it's not always possible, and you find yourself looking for another pole about 10% of the time. The series 4 has a much stronger key and the mechanism is more forgiving - it doesn't need to be shoved in and is therefore easier to use. Because it fits around everything, that makes it really easy to use.
The last issue is weight. Here is where the Bulldog has the Series 4 beat. The Series 4 weighs about 3.5 lbs and the Bulldog weighs about 1.75 lbs. It makes enough of a difference that I find that the Bulldog mini, with all of its faults, gets the nod and that's the one I tend to use. Now that they've made it larger, it's probably a bit heaver, but the increase in size makes it more desirable, so I'd still recommend it over the Evolution Series 4.
I also have a thin (3/8") 6' cable, much thinner than the 7' OnGuard Akita 5043 Bicycle Security Cable (Lock Not Included) that I place over the ends of the U lock before I lock it that fits through the front tire, and the seat and the mountain bike rack on the back of my bike to keep them from walking away. 6' is the minimum size you need to go through everything. The 7' cable is great for length, but really thick and inconvenient to use. Last time I checked, they did not sell a 6' thin cable on Amazon - bike stores are the only way to get one.
Customer Review: Great Commuter Lock
Sport shop rating: 4 Stars
Several aspects of the Bulldog MINI U-Lock make it a very good choice for the commuter in areas where moderate security is adequate. First, the lock is compact, easy to transport in most types of bike-mounted bags or packs, or on the frame mount (not used by this reviewer). The compact size is just right for a single point connection of a frame component to a heavy duty 'U' rack or a parking meter. It won't fit around the trunks of even small street trees - this is not usually a problem, since street signs and other urban elements offer plenty of casual anchorage points in most areas when bike racks are missing or full. Second, the lock is light-weight by U-lock standards, so it won't feel like a ship's anchor in your bike bag or on the mount. Third, the plastic finish coat and end caps are easy on your bike. And fourth, the five keys including a lighted key that are provided with the lock offer more lost or spare key convenience than is probably warranted.
In all, a solid, economical choice.
Customer Review: Wonderful Lock, But 2 Minor Problems
Sport shop rating: 4 Stars
I won't reiterate what everyone else has been saying about this lock. It's a really good and sturdy lock without the weight. But there are a couple of minor complaints that I have.
Con:
- The lock has two yellow covers on both ends of the lock, unlike the photo. This poses a problem because the yellow covers are plastic and tend to move around. This can lead to the cover of the holes becoming blocked and the lock cannot get in. But it is easy to move it back to the way it was, so not a big problem at all, just a minor one.
- At you can see from the photo, the left side of the lock has an attachment on it that attaches to the bike. The problem with this is that the attachment slips off sometimes when the lock is unlocked. Although you can simply take the attachment off, that part of the lock is thinner than the rest of the lock, making it look weak.
Overall, a very good lock, just those two minor problems.
Customer Review: I still have my bike.
Sport shop rating: 4 Stars
So apparently this lock works. My bike isn't super fancy, especially compared to some of the other bikes I park by and see but I still have it after about 3 months of using this lock in the city.
It doesn't look as it does in the picture (there's yellow on both ends and they are rubber covers which, if absent, you could see the prongs of the lock through).
It comes with one huge key with a light (which I don't use) and like 4 spare keys. I carry one of the spares and it works well.
I don't attach it to my bike because the mechanism to attach it didn't seem to want to work. I gave up.
Overall, it's worth it and it works. It fits the tire and the frame through it with most bike racks. It's hard to fit more than just the frame and a pole if not using a bike rack. I wish it were a few inches longer possibly, but at the length it is not it holds the bike up well.
Customer Review: I wish I'd bought a Ulock this size years ago.
Sport shop rating: 4 Stars
I've had this lock now for 2 months. Previously I had a larger 'standard sized' U-lock, and a cable lock that I often used in conjunction. On impulse I bought this Onguard Lock based on the amazon reviews. This size is perfect. It fits into your bag, without taking over your bag. Or I stick it into my back pocket. Seriously I don't even notice it in my back pocket. I lock my bike all over Minneapolis and I feel secure. But one thing, compared to the old O-ring style keys that you could twist around all day long, the key on this lock is not as strong as I'd like. The keys are long and very thin at points, so you could break them in the lock. But all that means is that I have to take a little care when locking the bike. Definitely not a deal breaker. I recommend this lock.
" I figure anyone prepared to break a U-Lock is prepared to break any U-lock so why carry more weight than is useful."