Winter biking: locks & goggles

[aedifica]

This year I'm planning to bike farther into the winter than I've done before. One thing I'm thinking is that it might be convenient to get a different lock, one that's easier to open and close with gloved or mittened hands. (Right now I'm using a combination U-lock, one of the ones with four dials that each need to be turned to the right setting before it will open. I like not having to carry a key, but it's hard to turn individual dials with gloves on.) Do you have any suggestions for easy-to-work U-locks?

I'm also thinking of getting some goggles I can wear over my glasses--lately my eyes have been tearing up when I ride, and I don't want to have tears freezing on my face this winter. :-) Any advice you have there beyond "try some on at REI" (my current plan) is welcome.

Comments

[roadrunnertwice]

Eh, the plain old Kryptonite Evolution lock has been serving me pretty well. They were hellaciously annoying in the winter back when they used the little spring-loaded bic-pen keying (those small sharp keys, ugh), but the improved design they switched to in '05 is about perfect.

[aedifica]

Cool, thanks! (Is your icon from Dykes To Watch Out For?)

The Lois userpic is always in fashion

[roadrunnertwice]

Yup.

[pinesandmaples]

I am also a Kryptonite key fan. The Knog locks look shiny, but I doubt they are as secure. (Then again, combo locks aren't as secure as key locks so you might get a vertical horizontal shift in security.)

[damerell]

One with a key, I'm afraid. I can just about work my keyed lock with lobster claws on.

[dayblaze]

I had a U lock freeze shut last winter & strand me - I have a kryptonite now and it seems much better. With the old one, there was a large moving metal cylinder that locked in both sides of the U. On the new one, one end of the U has a bend to it, so only the other end gets locked, so the locking mechanism is smaller.