Customer Reviews

Avenir Coil Combo Cable Locks (10mm / 6 feet)

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(17)

 

 

Fits all my needs - stays looped, glides open easily when the right combo is entered, and not when it isn't. Stretches enough to get it around the front tire, frame, and even a thick pole. The portion that screws on to the frame baffles me - it doesn't lock, and having the cable attached to it just leaves you with this awkward loop of cable sticking off of your bike. I just use it like a regular cable lock. I don't live in a particularly high-theft area (I'm in VA, just south of DC) and I feel pretty comfortable leaving my bike with this while I visit friends, go to the library, do some shopping, whatever.

I really like the security cable. It is plenty long enough and was easy to set the combination to something I like. This is really a retardant to anyone who would otherwise want to walk off with my bike. After all a wise man once told me "Locks are for honest people. Locks just keep them honest." If a person is determined to steal a bike he will use whatever means to do so (including bolt cutters etc.) So for the purpose I purchased this cable lock it works admirably.

The bracket supplied with this lock makes attaching and detaching the lock from the bike a breeze.
The lock itself is easy to use:
-The numbers turn easily, but not too easily.
-Changing the combo is simple and straightforward.
-The cable stays coiled unless you uncoil it.
-The cable is long enough to secure your bike to most anything you might need to secure it to.

If i were in the market for another cable lock, this would be at the top of my list.

I bought this to use not a as a bike lock, but a luggage lock. I spent two months abroad during which time I was living in hostels and used public transportation in a city with known crime. With that in mind, and knowing that the hostel (out of 3 available, the one with the best ratings) had reports of people just walking off with someone else's luggage, I purchased this bike lock. I was able to actually sleep at night with my luggage locked to my bed, and leave the hostel during the day without wondering if I'd come back to an empty room. That being said, I agree with another reviewer who said that if someone wants to steal it (bike or luggage) it'll happen.

PROS
*Sturdy, well-built (especially the combination part, it does not feel as though it could be easily broken)
*Sense of security (though my room mates thought I was a crazy American)
*Length allowed me to strap two large suitcases and a camera case to a bed
*Can be used to lock up almost anything and comes with a special piece that locks around the bike itself

CONS
*Heavy (but at least you know your item is protected)
*Resetting the combination is too easy, so I worried that someone would be able to either reset it and run off with my luggage or reset it so I couldn't get my luggage
*Item coiled so tightly I had a hell of a time trying to stretch out the kinks to wrap it around my luggage...especially when pulled taut, I had to be careful to either not let it snap back, or duck to avoid getting taken out when it recoiled. This is a heavy item, so I didn't take lightly to the thought of being smacked in the face by it.

Overall, I am pleased with this purchase and the versatility of the item. It was a great deal and I'll recommend it to anyone else planning a hostel stay or a bike purchase.

ETA: Fall 2011 the lock had been in climate controlled storage for 2 years and after removing it to use for my bike, I realized it had seized up. WD-40 won't cure it, so the lock was tossed. This seems to be a design flaw with this model, and many have had it occur while the bike is locked (luckily, mine seized while open and not attached to anything). Buyer beware!

When I bought it, I didn't realize how easy it will be to have it clipped. I spent good enough money on my bycicle to have it stolen in New York City because a not so strong cable. I ended up getting the Kryptonite chain and U-Lock. Sure I paid more, but it is peace of mind and I know that if they want to steal my bycicle, they are going to spend a very long time trying to. I am assuming it won't be worth their while.

I am sure in less crime congested areas, this cable would work fine.

The lock stuck in an halfway-in position, locked and was unable to be opened. I got two locking wrenches and twisted the number dial in opposite directions and it broke in half. It doesn't seem like this would deter any would-be thief.

First of all, I am a hardcore biker in NYC. And by living in NYC, I know how often the bikes get stolen. So, a durable cable lock is a must for me. I was looking for a good, reliable and cheap cable lock for my bikes that I can use it without keys (so that I don't have to worry about loosing keys).
I began my search from Wal-Mart, and found that a thick cable locks with keys start around 15 bucks, but I didnt found them extremely reliable, so I went to many well known sports stores, but it was the similar kind of situation there as well. Finally, while searching online, when I glanced over this lock, with 4.5 out of 5 stars review, thought to give it a try.
And I must say, it hasn't disappointed me at all.

This lock is an extremely high quality, logically made, durable and most importantly CHEAP. You are paying very little for what you get.

Two thumbs up for both Amazon as well as Avenir. Might end up buying more of these.

I used this lock a few times without incident and then what happened to others, happened to me. Somehow the combination was reset when I locked up my bike. Either it was a random event, or it happened easily enough when I locked it, but either way, it shouldn't have happened and yet, it did.

After two hours of trying variations on the original combination, the default setting and the crazed random spinning of the numbers, we gave up. Fortunately we were close to home so we were able to cut through the cable with some effort. Had we been bike thieves, I'm sure we could have done it faster and easier. A very frustrating experience. Oh, and don't count on the police to be able to help you cut the cable. We were told they couldn't and wouldn't, so I'm not really sure what we would have done had we been away from home. Even though it's heavier and more cumbersome, I'm going back to my Krytonite lock. If you're looking for a bike lock, keep looking ...

It does what it's intended to do. It creates a barrier of tima and pressure around your bike and that is enough to deter unprofessional looters. However, if you live in NYC or in other high crime areas where you buy bikes knowing that you will only be able to use them for few months, you might want to look into real protection apart from this. This is just a supplementary bike protection device, not a U-Lock. I coil it around my seat-post when unlocked.

Pros:
Quality
Utility
Ease of use and weight

Cons:
Price(I am a student)
The holder apparatus is flimsy and you will not use it.

Superb quality for the price. Works great, VERY easy to set your own code, and it is heavier-duty than I expected. Can't go wrong with this.