Customer Reviews

OnGuard Brute STD 5001 Bike U-Lock

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

It's a super sturdy lock that someone would have to be crazy to attempt to defeat. I don't give it five stars because The short length of the shaft sometimes makes it a pain to attach it to bike racks, but with enough creativity, I've never had to leave my bike unlocked. OnGuard does offer the Brute in a Long Shaft version (LS 5000), but for some reason the updated version doesn't include a theft guarantee for bicycles, only motor vehicles. The picture Amazon shows is for last year's model, so maybe you can still get a long shaft with the guarantee. If not, go for the standard length, it's a "don't mess with me" lock.

I bought this lock to protect my Specialized Hardrock Sport in the bike theft happy region of greater Chicagoland. Checking my local journal (The Wednesday Journal of Oak Park, IL) will show bikes get stolen near me at the rate of 3-5 a week. Having a lock, and a solid one at that, is pretty much a must.

I chose this lock because it was recommended to my by my bike mechanic. It is a very sturdy, heavy duty lock that screams "look elsewhere" at any potential crook. Since most bike thieves steal based on convenience, chances are good that this lock is sufficient to deter any potential thief, unless you're locking up some 10k custom bike.

PROs:

1) Very sturdy design
2) Comes with 4 keys, meaning you can have a couple on key chains and a few more in reserve 'just in case'
3) Easy to open and close
4) Comes with an anti-theft guarantee for up to 10k for a un-powered bike

Cons:

1) The bike mount attachment (to connect the lock to the bike) is majorly flawed. It relies on a plastic inset to tighten a nylon band around one of the poles of your bike. It does not tighten sufficiently, and once attached, cannot be removed without damaging the plastic inset. It's a terrible design! Additionally, the lock clip which attaches the lock to to the mount sticks all the time, making taking the lock on and off a real hassle. Sad that they combined such a great lock with such a crappy attachment. I just carry the lock in my backpack, which isn't ideal, but works.

2) The lock is very heavy. That's to be expected since it's beefy, but if you're worried about weight, this is probably among the heaviest U-locks you can find.

Conclusions:

This is a solid lock that will keep your bike safe. The mounting attachment is very poor however. I'd still recommend it.

This lock is very sturdy and successfully protected my bike quite well; a few times overnight in bad areas of NJ. However, after 3 years of heavy use it has become incredibly difficult to open. It requires a surgeon-like finesse to get the key to turn. Or, at least it used to. Now, it doesn't open at all. After lubricating with graphite, pounding with a hammer to loosen any stuck interior components and paying a locksmith to try to open it, the lock is still seized on my bike and my primary mode of transportation is disabled. There are numerous reports of OnGuard locks seizing on the internet, so my case is not isolated. My recommendation is to look to other brands for high-end u-locks.

This lock is nothing to laugh at. It's 4.9lbs of security is a hassle to lug around. With that said, I haven't found a way to properly carry it without killing myself. The bracket that comes with the bike is made of hard plastic so I don't feel reassured about having it binded to it while riding(not like it fits on the bike in any normal way).

This lock is an absolute BEAST! It's been six months since i got it and i don't think it's even been tempered with. This lock is absolutely huge which makes it very intimidating for anyone trying to steal your bike but it is pretty heavy. It's hard to carry around sometimes.
I don't think anyone is going to steal whatever you lock up with this but i would consider buying a smaller lock unless you are dealing with a very valuable ride or you lock up in some very shifty places.

great lock. i feel very secure with it. the only problem/complaint would be that it is a bit too big for my use. i generally use it to lock my back wheel and frame, and there is a bit of left over room after i lock it. regardless, it is a lock i enjoy very much

This lock isn't that bad at all. It's very tough and seems like it can last for quite some time with proper care. It's a lock that if you're careful with making sure the key is fully inserted before turning and not forcing the key, it'll do its job just fine. And from sources that I've read before, if the key mechanism jamming becomes unbearable, then some oil in the keyhole should do. As for the mount, there have been a few complaints about it not holding up to the weight of the lock and I think this as true even though I've yet to test it out because the lock is not light lock. The lock is heavy but I'd rather carry this thing around than lose a bike. Some people might go for the Kryptonite New York, which I believe is a pound lighter (oo ah, right? not), this lock is cheaper but just as strong if not stronger according to various lock tests ran by independent testers. If anything, I'm hoping the "heavy" weight will deter thieves from even trying and just move on to an easier target. Also, after placing an order for this lock, I noticed that the lock that Amazon displayed was different from the one displayed on OnGuard's site. It turns out the one on OnGuard is a newer, improved model. Fortunately, when the package arrived, the lock was the newer model so that was a plus. If anyone's curious, the newer model boasts a larger and thicker shackle along with a four-way locking mechanism (see on OnGuard's site) and some other little improvements. Overall, this lock is a very good lock for the price just as long as you be careful with it and not treat it like some trash. Shipping was also very prompt (faster than estimated as a matter of fact) so that was good. Now all I need is a good cable to secure the front wheel and seat...

It is heavy duty, and I would commend anyone that was able to steal my bike when it is locked up with this. If you are worried about security, this is the way to go. If you want something compact and light, this is the wrong lock to buy. I park on a college campus everyday, and I have absolutely no fear when I lock my bike up and go to class. I love the lock, and would purchase it again. It comes with 5 keys, and locks very smoothly. I definitely recommend this lock.

Awesome lock, probably overkill, but you can't put a price on peace of mind. You won't find a better lock for the price.

But remove the bracket attacher on the "U" portion of the lock. It's on one side at the bottom of the "U" and looks like it's part of the U but it's not. You can twist it off, and I suggest you do because it WILL become dislodged and get in the way of the locking mechanism.

You don't want to use the bracket anyway; everyone here says it'll come off in time.

Chose this lock over the kryptonite brand because it was thicker and had better reviews. About all these locks that come with insurance, no matter the brand its a joke, they all have enough loopholes to make it so you dont get any money, insure the bike with your insurance company and get a lock, my bike only costs about $8/yr to insure, ANYTHING goes wrong with it I am covered, includes accessories on the bike such as this lock as well.

This lock is thick, I saw the kryptonite (around $50) one I almost got on another bike and compared the two, the OnGuard was better, it cost only $40, was thicker and felt stronger, with free shipping from Amazon. The holder for the lock is not the greatest, I have to re-tighten it every so often (two times since I have bought it) but it does stay on really good.

People have talked about this lock seizing and how they used graphite. Well the instructions say that the lock can seize and be rendered unusable if you use graphite, you are only supposed to use kerosene. So those that don't follow (or read) instructions deserved it.