Impressive. THE lock for serious bike security.
OK, I've owned the SAF Lock for just over a month now and here's my initial review:
1) Shoulda named it "Ludicrous!" or "Absurd!" It's laughably large. Impressively heavy. It dwarfs any other typical bike lock out there (Squire padlocks and Almax chains aside). I pictured it next to my Kryptonite NY Fug and K4 mini for perspective. But that said, it fits in a pannier and can be carried if you need to.
2) I've been carrying it on the bike to use for short lockups. It's heavy and affects bike handling, but not any more than a visit to the grocery store for supplies.
3) Entering the keyway is a bit challenging. Hard to find "blind" by feel with the key tip. I'm very experienced with all manner of locks & keys and have no problem using most keys "blind." Well, this one is hard if you don't orient the key the proper direction. And the proper direction is not parallel with or perpendicular to the plane of the lock. It's at a strange angle and I still haven't become accustomed to where that is. This is a minor inconvenience.
4) Sticky on and off. ALTOR put two dimples of rubber on the shackle tips to give you a solid "clunk" when the crossbar has fully closed. Sometimes it's harder to close, given the balancing act between the heavy shackle and crossbar.
5) Ease of locking the bike:
- First off, my usual locking option was out right off the bat: through the rear wheel in between the stays to a post because the shackle's WAY too big for any traditionally-spoked wheel. Would work with a paired spoke wheel like Rolf, et al though.
- Second, I DO NOT lock via the top tube. Too easy to cut the frame. I feel Altor's advertisements with the lock casually hanging on the top tube invites frame cutting.
- Third, for my horizontal top tube frame, the SAF lock will not pass through the head tube as I originally hoped. Top and down tubes are too close for the SAF Lock. This will be true for anyone riding small(er) bikes or those with top and down tubes really close where they meet the head tube. This bummed me out because I advocate for head tube locking for added security (two tubes to cut, cables & stuff in the way).
- Fourth, I lock the seat tube. For two reasons: it's almost vertical and that makes locking straight across horizontally to a parking meter or bike rack easier. The seat tube is harder to cut. It has another tube within it - the seat post. I actually went out of my way and ordered a extra-long post to make frame-cutting harder.
- Fifth, It occurred to me that the seat tube can be reinforced two more ways: 1) Add something within your seat post to prevent angle grinder attack. A steel or aluminum rod or a length of old chain would work. (Sure, they might rattle around, but that's easily fixed with an old inner tube or plastic tubing.) Yes, this adds weight, but for some of us, it's worth it. 2) I'm thinking of bolting on a piece of 1/8" or 1/4" titanium stock (or even 90-degree angled stock) to my seat tube water bottle bosses as an additional (and visual) way to deter thieves considering cutting my frame. A length that would fit between the down tube at the BB and the top tube at the seat cluster would fully protect the seat tube and act as a good deterrent.
6) I'm glad to say the Altor fits around the "reinforced" parking meter poles that were popular a decade or two ago in some urban areas. The old mini locks often didn't fit the diameter.
7) Since I was no longer able to secure my rear wheel with my u-lock anymore, I realized I needed to incorporate a longer cable leash for both wheels now (in addition to using secure skewers). However, the loop on most cables is not nearly large enough for the Altor SAF. BUT, have no fear! Just use one loop end as a slipknot and bend a section of the cable tightly and run it though the loop. You now can secure one end of your cable after slip-knotting it through your front wheel!
8) 4 keys!
A neighbor on ND just had his secure garage broken into and his Kryptonite NY chain easily cut through and his bike stolen. And this is within a context of non-stop reports of burglary and bicycle theft. It's out of control, folks! So spend some time on bicycle (and home) security. If you're like me and own custom, irreplaceable bikes that mean a LOT to you, spend some dough, time and thought on safeguarding your valuable toys. Maybe add a Ring-type, WiFi-enabled, motion-sensing video camera.
So, I hope this review helps. Since I'm not currently commuting to a regular location daily, I am not using the Altor SAF Lock as the manufacturer intends. Even so, this is my #1 lock choice. But I live in a really high theft area (SF Bay Area) and I have always taken bike security seriously. I managed a campus bike shop that at the time in the 80's vied for the #1 worst theft location in the US with NY on a regular basis. And it's now WORSE than back then, thanks to powerful angle grinders.