Review of Master Lock 22-Inch 9-Link Street Cuffs Lock #8290DPS

Master Lock 22-Inch 9-Link Street Cuffs Lock #8290DPS
By: Master Lock Average Rating: 4.0 Total Reviews: 13
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$3500 Master Lock Anti-Theft Guarantee

On: 2008-06-30

I purchased this for my Harley Motor cycle and it worked great. Then my son took it and started using it on his $1500 road bycle. This lock is very easy to use and the "STAINLESS STEEL" chain, 9-Links are very strong. (for the guy that said it is "Pot Metal" all metal is melted in a pot?) I went to the Master Lock website and found the $3500 Master Lock Anti-Theft Guarantee. Master Lock is putting their "money where their mouth is" on this lock.
We own a few 8290DPS Master Locks now and use them on all of our bikes.
Good work Master Lock.

By far the best bike locks I have ever had!

On: 2008-06-25

I have not had a single problem with these locks. Their uniqueness is a great theft deterrent in and of itself. The only problem is that everyone likes to stop you to ask where you got them.

Excelent Lock

On: 2008-05-30

I have found this lock to be an excelent deterrent .
I put the lock around one of the cast spokes on the front wheel and the other end to the crash bar. This prevents ROLLING the harley.
Excelent product,easy to use,easy to carry.

Fun secure lock

On: 2008-05-27

This lock is awesome. It is the coolest looking lock out there, and it is very secure. Arguably more secure than a good U-Lock.

Master Locks Rock

On: 2008-05-14

Its a pretty sweet lock. Heavy duty! The only reason I didnt rate it 5 stars is that its heavier than I expected and it can be a bit cumbersome at first. Im a bike commuter so I use it everyday. Now I actually have a pretty slick system where I can leave it locked to my bike 24/7. When I ride, the lock is latched on my bikes cross-tube and down-tube so its out of the way. Its super easy when locking my bike -- I just unlatch it from the down-tube and lock it to the bike rack. Its a bit pricey if you dont get it on sale. Mine was 60% of MSR -- worth every penny!

BEEFY

On: 2007-09-07

I JUST RECEIVED MY PAIR OF STREET CUFFS. THEY ARE A BIT BEEFIER THAN I THOUGHT, (THIS IS A GOOD THING). THEY SEEM TO BE VERY STURDY AND ABLE TO SECURE MY BIKE (A HARLEY). A WORD TO [...], GOOD JOB! I WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED THIS ITEM BECAUSE OF ITS PRICE, ELSEWHERE. [...] HAD A PRICE I COULDNT PASS UP. THANKS GUYS!

Great product

On: 2007-07-29

These are great. They are very durable and easy to use. The metal links are really strong and make the lock very versital. It would take someone a really long time to cut through them or the cuffs. They are kinda heavy if you have to carry them (if you dont have the mount to put them on your bike frame while you ride). It comes with a warranty for the bike for which you intend to use it. But registering with Master Lock requires a receipt or appraisal of the bike, registration number of the bike (you have to register your bike with a 3rd party like the National Bike Registry), bike serial number and description, your insurance info if any, the receipt for the lock, and the proof of purchase barcode off of the lock packaging. That part was a pain, but I did it anyway just in case someone does manage to cut these things and take off with my bike.

Heavy Duty...and heavy

On: 2007-07-20

These are a bit heavy but the weight is worth it. They are as strong and massive as a set of leg irons. They are also a little too short if you envison using as a cable alternative. They advertise 22 inches, but that is the outside length. The practical length is 20 inches. On a typical bike rack they are great as you can lock both the bike rack and the frame within one cuff and use the other for the wheel or to lock the frame in a second location. However you may not be able to get this around a tree or light post. Depends. The replacement guarantee comes with all sorts of restrictions, so if your bike is expensive get insurance. I am giving it four stars because of the length. The links between the cuffs [very sturdy by the way] are the least expensive and lightest part of the lock. It is inexcusable that they didnt use twice as many links. It would have made this a much more practical lock. That said, if you can live within its limitations, it is the most secure lock Ive found.

Any Good Lock is a Deterent; Nothing is Perfect

On: 2006-11-18

Ive had my 9-link cuff lock for about six months now. I cannot see how anyone could pry apart or cut through one of these links... maybe with a grinder wheel or some such, but not via any ordinary means. The links are B-I-G, solid, and heavily chrome plated.

Im not a big believer in cables since any pair of 2$ diagonals can snip through even the thickest braided cable in under five minutes. U-locks are clunky and vulnerable to everything from hacksaws to pens (I am very adept at opening my old U-lock with a bic pen, but I could not repeat such success with the cuff-lock... that doesnt mean the lock cant be picked... but I have to think its at least *as difficult* to pick the lock of a cuff-lock as it is to pick the lock of a U-lock.). While lugging around a chain thats heavy enough to give a thief pause just isnt practical.

Enter the cuff-lock.

I initially bought the cuff-lock frame-mounted bracket (which offers a convenient way to carry the cuff-lock) as well. This uses a two-bolt waterbottle braze-on mount to secure the lock to the frame. I purchased an adaptor by Minoura to mount it on the seat post beneath the saddle. Even though its made of lightweight aluminum and doesnt seem as though it can carry the heavy cuff-lock without bending or breaking, Ive not had any problems. This despite riding over some very rough trails and hitting some good sized potholes. The bracket cradles the lock very efficiently. Id still be reluctant to use any waterbottle braze-on mounts though... since those are designed to carry a lightweight cage and waterbottle and the lock weighs considerable more.

As for the rest of it, yeah... you do have to remember to press the button(s) on the cuffs... how hard is that? I like the fact that you dont have to close the cuffs all the way and they still lock securely. This allows some flexibility in terms of what youre locking your bike to. Overall, the cuff-lock is a nice alternative to a cable, chain, or U-lock.

In terms of ease of use, convenience, and overall construction, Im very pleased.

Read this before trusting the Street Cuffs

by: slider2699 On: 2006-07-09

Evidently this lock is NOT as tough as described. Youre better off with a good thick cable or a U-Lock. If you do a Google search for "Street Cuffs" you will find a website that shows the chain snapped in two, which resulted in the bike being stolen. The chain is made of pot metal.If you do not use the lock EXACTLY as Master Lock describes(which involves running the lock through the rear wheel or something) you expose the chain which can easily be snipped with bolt cutters. If you use this you should also supplement with a good thick cable or a U Lock. My advice is you just stick with a U Lock.

Read this before trusting the Street Cuffs

On: 2006-07-08

Evidently this lock is NOT as tough as described. Youre better off with a good thick cable or a U-Lock. If you do a Google search for "Street Cuffs" you will find a website that shows the chain snapped in two, which resulted in the bike being stolen. The chain is made of pot metal.If you do not use the lock EXACTLY as Master Lock describes(which involves running the lock through the rear wheel or something) you expose the chain which can easily be snipped with bolt cutters. If you use this you should also supplement with a good thick cable or a U Lock. My advice is you just stick with a U Lock.

Not as depicted but still a super lock!

On: 2005-08-21

This has got to be one of the better designed bike locks. I say this because mine has not been defeated yet. Notice I said "yet". Given time any thief worth his while will figure out a way to get your stuff. This lock will at least make them work harder to get it. The "ratcheting" feature of this lock modeled after police hancuffs does not exist on my pair. I have the single link version. There is only one locking indentation on each cuff. This in no way affects the safety of the lock. The pictured item makes it seem that there is a certain degree of ajustability when locking. There is not. It is either open or closed with one fixed diameter when closed. I think the picture should fit the actual product so as not to mislead the consumer.

Street cuffs dirty little secret

On: 2004-08-16

This is a great lock for that cool look and ease of storage and mobility. It is also great because there are many ways to lock your bike with the street cuff. Especially when you have to lock your bike onto bike rails on campus, etc. Sometimes that traditional U-lock gives you a headache trying to figure out how to lock your bike. Overall, for the first impression part of this product I give it an A+.

But....

From what I understand, a security locks main purpose is to secure your investment. In this case it would be our bikes. So what is the point of having a security system if it doesnt protect your investment? Masterlock did do a good job by innovating a security system based off traditional handcuffs. But did they know that there is a very fatal weak point in this product?

The actual incident I encountered....

I have had my bmx for roughly one month and I used the Masterlock Street cuff for my security. One day I didnt feel like hauling my bike 3 flights of stairs to my apartment. So I cuffed my bmx to a 6 foot masterlock street chain that was securing my motorcycle. Next day my bmx was gone. The thief had cut right through the link of the street cuffs. (I have made a website in order to show some pictures of the street cuffs cut in half.)

In conclusion....

The main purpose of a security system is to secure our investments. If the product cant serve the main purpose of a security system. Then it fails to even be considered a worthy product to purchase.

(...)

Finally, a perfect bike lock!

On: 2004-08-03

After a thief defeated my $45 U-Lock to steal my my $1,500 bike I started researching alternative security measures. I learned online that U-Locks can be defeated a number of ways... the easiest way is to straddle the "U" part with a small jack, and then bend the shackle until the lock can be compromised.

My research has convinced me that Street Cuff locks are THE best option out there... theres no place for a thief to even PUT a jack, and no way for him to get any leverage to break it with his weight or with a crowbar, sledgehammer, etc. Most thieves will have a jack handy for U-Locks and/or a bolt cutter for cables... theyll give up on these at first glance! Any experienced thief will move on to something he can steal easily with tools on hand.

I wouldnt waste your money on the SS version, by the way... not much extra security for a lot more money, and theyre heavier and more likely to scratch your finish. But having the 9-link versions extra reach really helps for those times you cant get your bike *right* against an anchor. The 9 links also make it very easy to lock a friend or spouses bike up at the same time.