Illumilock Bike Lock with LED Light

My campus is pretty safe, so I don't worry about stolen bikes as much as I would in a city. This lock won't prevent the most ambitious thieves, but it is thick and sturdy enough to deter the opportunistic ones. This lock as being adequately strong enough to prevent breaking by thieves with simple tools or those in a hurry. It gives the "illusion" of protection in the sense that it looks like it would be a pain to try to remove. If someone really wants to steal your bike, they will even with this lock. In crowded places, thieves would probably look suspicious and obvious as they would need to use heavy tools to saw through it patiently. I would use this in a more urban downtown areas, but not in say NYC or Philly. The combination requires a bit of fidgeting to select numbers, especially if it is in an inconvenient position. I've never had an issue with the numbers being completely stuck and the lock always unlocks easily once the correct combination is selected. The lock doesn't automatically fall out of place when you put in the correct combination, it must be pulled apart, which is good in case you forget to scramble the numbers. It doesn't wiggle or become looser when the combination is "almost correct" (a number or two off) like other locks. The length is just enough to connect the frame to a bike stand or similar post, but it must be right up against what you are trying to attach it too. My bike is mid-range (about $200), so I don't really care about leaving it in a weird position hooked up to a low metal bench or something similar. If you have a nicer bike, you should probably get a lock with a longer length so you don't have to lean your bike against what you're trying to attach it too.I really enjoy the LED feature, making it easy to see the numbers in the dark. It includes a mount for your lock to attach to your bike, so it is easy to carry around. The mount includes two rubber things to put around your frame under the attachment for the mount to create a tighter fit and protect your frame from scratches. The lock also self-coils, so it is very easy to put into the mount and store. The lock isn't so heavy that it interferes with riding while it is mounted to the bike. The lock easily slides into the mount and locks into place with the black plastic piece in the product picture and can be removed by pressing a button and sliding. I've had no issues with the lock falling out of the mount while riding, but the actual mount has a tendency to slide down the frame.I gave this product 4/5 stars despite the issues because, overall, I find them minor. For my use and those in suburban areas, I find it is a compromise between safety and convenience. My biggest gripe is the short length of the lock.

Another completely satisfied customer to add to the long list. Some details on the lock and seller:INSTALLATION: 5/5The lock was fairly easy to hook to the vertical bar on my bike, and the clip is sturdy. It won't fit on some oversized tubes (like the top tube on my road bike) but as compact as it is you can find a place on most any bike. My favorite part about the clip is that the lock can be inserted from either end! Most lock clips allow a single entry point which must face the top if mounted vertically (so the lock doesn't fall out), and this limits placement because you have to leave room to get the lock in & out. I was able to get this very close to the top bar, and it still feels securely attached.LOCK FEATURES: 5/5The light is great, the numbers are easy to move around compared to other models, the coils stay tight while stored (very little movement when riding), and the lock is LIGHT, especially compared to my U-Lock.SECURITY: N/ANobody has tried to steal my bike yet, so at most I can say it worked as a deterrent, which is the main point of a cable lock. Since I don't believe this one is made of Adamantium, I assume it's as easy to cut as any other cable lock, which is pretty easy. I use U-locks when storing the bike in the shed, this cable lock is for when I'm out, and it works great at that - long enough to wrap around the important bits and some immovable object, visible enough to deter the opportunistic thief.SELLER: 10/5This may be the lock's best feature! A bit of background: I ordered the lock but did not receive it (post office snafu), so I got a refund. The seller, John Gill, sent me a real nice email me asking why I was returning the lock, and offered to send me another for free if I was unhappy for any reason. I explained what happened and told him I had since purchased another lock from a local place because I needed one right away. I made it clear there was no issue with the Illumilock and I was not in any way dissatisfied. John SENT ME A FREE LOCK anyway! I have absolutely no doubt that if anything were wrong with the lock (or any other product from this seller I might order in the future), John would do anything he could to make it right.If you are looking for a cable lock and understand the security limitations of all cable locks (and most U locks for that matter...), then I wholeheartedly recommend buying the Illumilock!