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Planet Bike Quick Stop Resettable Lock
May 19, 2009
There is no doubt that a cyclist’s best friend is a good bike lock, probably because without one, you wouldn’t be a cyclist, only a pedestrian. Needless to say a bike lock is a very important security item that one should invest perhaps a good chunk of money to keep their bikes in ownership and not on a long term borrowing scheme. That said, a thorough review of a bike lock is a helpful asset for someone looking to keep their bike for a long time. If you plan to have your bike stolen then don’t read this because this review may be a sad story for you, because this lock is exceptional.
A nice feature of the Planet Bike Quick Stop Resettable Lock is that you can change the combination with just a quick flick of a switch in the female end of the lock. This allows you to change the combination at any point in time and most likely prevent theft, much like changing your password to your online bank account or Facebook. The lock also rests in a coil form to limit the space it takes up in your backpack or on your bike frame. Although the instructions to set the lock holder fooled me for perhaps 15 minutes I did manage to put the two screws in the right spots and mount it on my frame all in about 25 minutes. Also, if you happen to know how to read Japanese then the instructions will be of some use.
The combination is 4 digits long and given the ability to change the combination at your leisure gives you the chance of A LOT of different combinations. However, if you already have bank account numbers, phone numbers, girlfriend numbers, boyfriend numbers, bus route numbers etc. Perhaps one more number to memorize is a little too much. So you must ask yourself before you buy a bike lock. Do you want to be a key person or a combination person? I have been riding quite some time with a key lock and have found it quite nice because you can have the key on your house key ring for convenience but if you don’t have a second key and you lose your first copy AND your house key then you are stuck out in the cold with a pretty bike that you can’t ride! It is very much up to the individual to become comfortable with either a combination lock or a key lock. Four digits for me is not hard to remember but for everyone this may not be the case.
Depending on where you live and the location of your nearest thief I would highly doubt anyone walking around would attempt to break this 7/16 inch thick cable. I am no master robber myself but I could predict that possibly someone could bash the combination pad on the lock and perhaps dismantle the lock that way but then again perhaps you don’t live in Robberville. The lock is approximately 6 feet long when fully stretched allowing it to fully wrap around a large tree and a bike or probably up to 5 bikes and a lock up or even both wheels and frame and a lock up. When the lock is not in use and resting in the lock holder it is a mere 5 ¼ inches wide. The bike lock weighs about 1.18 lbs which is not a lot of weight but if one enjoys a light bike then maybe this is bad news, although all locks will weigh you down, this one won’t as much.
I have not used a U-lock in quite some time I have heard many great reviews of how strong and theft proof they are, but I’ve also seen on internet videos that one can open a U - lock with a simple ball point pen. and in actual fact I lost both keys to my U-lock and my bike is still locked up with the same U-lock, trust me I tried the pen trick. Again, one must observe the kind of environment they will be biking in and buy a lock that fits the crime-ridden area. I have been using a coil key lock for a number of years now, one with a cable much thinner than this lock and I have not had my bike stolen and I ride everywhere and all the time. But it only takes one theft to make you feel so so guilty about not getting that better lock, I leave you to be the judge on what lock is better than others.
Price: $22.99 USD
Details: A quick and easy cable lock
Pros: Easy to use, fits around lots of stuff
Cons: Not as strong as a U-lock
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Planet Bike
Reviewed by: Aaron