Not good enough
Written: Jan 14 '05
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Unique
Cons: Size, lack of warranty
The Bottom Line: Get a lock that has a warranty, I recommend this only for locking back tires or bikes with 80mm suspension or less.
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| Dargen's Full Review: Specialized Wedlock |
After my bike was stolen I decided it was time to get serious. Cable locks aren't strong enough and U-Locks are too common. Either one of these proves to be an easy target for a bike thief. When choosing your bike lock don't just randomly pick a lock off the wall at your local Wal-Mart or even your bike store. Ask a salesman (at the bike store, NOT Wal-Mart), do research, be willing to pay more than $20...any of these three can help you find a better lock. Remember, a thief is looking for the fastest way to steal your bike. If you have the same lock as everyone else it just makes your bike a bigger target.
What makes the Specialized Wedlock unique?
I am a student at Michigan State University, not a small college. Everyday I stare at about a hundred bikes, most of them locked up. No, I don't want to steal them, I just like mountain bikes and appreciate a good one. I can honestly say that I had never seen the Specialized Wedlock until I found it on the Specialized website.
The Wedlock combines the two characteristics you want most in a bike lock, ease of use and strength. When putting a lock on you don't want to have to spend time adjusting your bike so that the u-lock will fit around the bike rack. Cable locks are great for ease of use, but the security just isn't there. The Specialized Wedlock has found a way to combine these two in an almost perfect fashion.
Dimensions
The Wedlock has six metal pieces that are connected to each other. When the lock is closed you can easily make a rectangle. When it is open you can stretch it out in a line. The two bars closest to the locking portion are each six inches long, with the remaining four measuring five inches each. Older models of the Wedlock come in red while the newer locks are chrome. I have seen both and can honestly say that the color makes no difference.
The Wedlock folds into a compact 6" by 1.75" by 1". With the included carrying case, you shouldn't have anything sticking out on your bike. Each bar is 1" wide and 1/4" thick and the lock is definitely heavy for its size. The Wedlock weighs in at over two pounds. Granted my cuffs are 3.6, but the lock is also a whole seven inches longer and definitely stronger.
Gripes and Complaints
Gripe 1: Length
My Hardrock comes with 100mm of suspension. This lock is not long enough to attach the frame to the front tire. The two most important things to lock are your frame AND front tire. Disc brakes on a bike make the time needed to remove the front tire a lot shorter than what is needed for V-brakes. I can remove my front tire in 10 seconds. My classes are 50 minutes. My Wedlock has been demoted to back tire and frame.
Gripe 2: Paint
No, not the paint on the lock, the paint on my bike. I don't trust the Wedlock not to remove my paint. The only safety features to protect your paint is the red paint on the lock. If you have the chrome, well, you're screwed. My solution to this problem was wrapping duct tape around every spot that touches paint. Yes it looks stupid. To be honest, I don't care.
Gripe 3: Price and Warranty
MSRP is $49.99. For a lock that has this price tag you would expect a warranty. Specialized doesn't do such a thing. In an email from one of their employees I was told that their locks are designed for "theft deterrence" and that they are not responsible for stolen bikes. My Street Cuffs cost $20 more and came with a $3500 warranty.
Gripe 4: Keys
The keys and lock on this bike resemble a Kryptonite lock. No, a bic pen will not pick this, I've tried. When you open the lock your key must remain in the lock while you attach it to your bike until you lock it. This is a nuisance at best. I don't like the lock banging against my bike, the thought of my keys hitting the paint makes me want to scream.
Stuff you get
For $50 you get the lock, a rubber carrying case and three keys. The case uses velcro straps to attach to your bike. I find using this to be annoying and prefer to keep all of my lock in my backpack.
Conclusion
Of the four bike lock reviews I have written, this lock ranks as number 2. The unique design is a great idea but proves to be useless because of its short length. This lock has proven useless on most bike racks and was quickly replaced with Masterlock Street Cuffs. If you really want on you'll have to buy it on Ebay, I can't seem to find it on the Specialized website anymore.
Recommended:
Yes
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