OnGuard Bulldog DT Review

Performance Comparison

Security

We didn't find much to get excited about in terms of security. Granted, it's a less expensive U-lock, but OnGuard gives the Bulldog DT a “70” or “high security” rating according to its internal rating system. We could agree if they are referring only to the U part of the lock. However, our testers discovered that the shackle is this lock's vulnerable spot.

The Bulldog is burly for thieves with hand tools: there's no getting through this lock with hammers, tin snips, wire cutters, or bolt cutters. Once you introduce power tools into the equation, it's over, as with all locks. What downgrades the score of this lock is how quickly we were able to cut through this lock compared to other thicker U-locks we tested. This bike lock quickly succumbed to an electric-powered angle grinder within mere seconds. The worse news? If thieves can cut through the shackle, which we accomplished much easier than expected, that disables the metal plate that locks the U into the shackle. So, in one cut, thieves can nab your bike and gear. Therefore, we generally recommend U-locks that require two cuts to the U portion, or at least a shackle that's more difficult to cut through.

Ease of Transport

If you're not necessarily “handy,” installing a bike mount could be something of an adventure. Perhaps having this in mind, the designers at OnGuard created a bike mount that is simultaneously robust and easy to install, even if you're not all that skilled at that sort of thing. The low-profile mount fits on most frames and keeps the lock in place, even on some rough roads. The mount is sturdy. However, many of our testers didn't love that it positions the 3-pound lock off-center on the bike. We prefer lock mounts that keep the lock streamlined with the bike frame. If you're toting the included cable around for additional security, it will need to be carried in a pack.

While the OnGuard Bulldog DT isn't the heaviest U-Lock in our lineup, we bet you'll notice the extra three pounds of weight on climbs no matter if the lock is mounted to your frame or is stuffed into your backpack. That's just part of being a U-lock, and actually, this one is lighter than several models. It's also a larger lock, so if you ride a smaller frame (read: 50cm or smaller), you might not be able to mount this lock directly to your frame. Larger sizes mean they can fit around more objects but also more of a bear to transport.

Ease of Use

Our testers complimented the OnGuard Bulldog for how easy it was to use. There was no fighting or odd “grippiness” to this lock. Every time we used it, it came apart and locked up smoothly.

We also appreciated that this lock comes with five keys — one of which has a light on it. If you're a busy bike commuter, it stands to reason that you might misplace a key. Having four extras is excellent insurance that you won't run out of them too quickly.

What is not easy to use is OnGuard's protection policy which claims that it will reimburse you up to $1501 if your bike is stolen using their lock. What they put in the fine print is that you have to register your lock and pay to register it in order to qualify. And, if you happen to have your bike stolen and you want to collect on this policy, you must provide them with receipts for the lock, the bike, an evaluation of the value of the bike, and then proof that the lock failed (most often: the broken lock itself). As you can imagine, this isn't an easy thing to do. Because of this, we didn't add any extra points to this metric because we assume most riders will not be able to collect on this policy. Most theft insurance policies follow this scheme (OnGuard is not the only company to flash big dollar signs and then have rigid stipulations). For this reason, we don't put much weight behind these theft protection policies.

Versatility

Our testers were impressed with this U-Lock that enabled us to secure our commute bikes to nearly any bike rack and use the most secure method: locking the front and back tires next to the frame with the bike rack. There were only a handful of situations where we encountered a bike rack or on the trailhead where due to the constraints of simply being a U-Lock, we couldn't lock our bike securely. But, in conventional urban settings, this lock is adeptly versatile.

The U-Lock includes a 4-foot cable, which could make this lock a bit more versatile if you live and commute in a low-risk area. However, we recommend locking both tires to the frame and bike rack. If you seek a lock for medium-risk areas, the cable isn't going to do much than deter a snatch-and-grab opportunist. Note: you cannot use the cable on its own, and once the U-lock is defeated, the cable is also defeated.

Should You Buy the OnGuard Bulldog DT?

The OnGuard Bulldog DT is ok, but its clunky design, off-center mount, and lower security (as far as U-locks are concerned) didn't entirely impress us. Since there are better options, we recommend that our biking friends spend a bit more money to get a better bike lock.

What Other Bike Locks Should You Consider?

There are plenty of other bike locks in the review that don't cost a whole lot more, but that will offer you more security and peace of mind, such as the OnGuard Brute STD. This option is wallet-friendly and offers more security.