Locks that work

There's a replacement model for this lock - the 'Granit X-Plus 540'.
Looking at the ABUS website the only difference is the word 'hardened'. See 54 vs 540 . Both same weight and same security rating (15). Thoughts?

Abus granit x-plus 54 and 540 are identical only the 540 has a "housing cover with soft touch properties to prevent paintwork damage".

Abus granit x-plus 54 and 540 are identical only the 540 has a "housing cover with soft touch properties to prevent paintwork damage".

Ah, thanks good to know.

Does anyone have an opinion on the Pragmasis chains as compared to the Almax? (obviously comparing like for like diameter-wise)

Looking for a primary lock to lock up a Dolan pre cursa around Edinburgh/occasionally SW London deciding between onguard brute mini or abus 401 mini? Not really wanting to spend above £40 if I don't have to, anyone me with advice on either of them? Can't find too many reviews on either. Thanks.

I wouldn't bother with the onguard, only 14mm shackle. The abus is the better choice.

But I would stretch your budget and get lock everyone raves about, kryptonite Fahgettaboudit.

Abus 401s are £20-25 in decathlon.

Abus 401s are £20-25 in decathlon.

Nope, Decathlon sell the Abus 40, which is slightly different. There's a discussion on page 2 of the Secondary Locks thread e.g., this.

Yes I was looking at the decathlon ones, hadnt realised it was a different model. I was originally leaning towards the on guard as it is rated as the 3rd best primary d on the first page whilst the abus only appears on the secondary list, any reason for choosing one over the other?

Yes I was looking at the decathlon ones, hadnt realised it was a different model. I was originally leaning towards the on guard as it is rated as the 3rd best primary d on the first page whilst the abus only appears on the secondary list, any reason for choosing one over the other?

Onguards have a reputation for not being well (or at all) weatherproofed IIRC. FWIW I've got 2 Abus Mini 40s and they work very nicely. They certainly feel very solid. They are pretty small though: you're unlikely to get round a frame tube, wheel and bike stand unless you have mad tight clearances.

Onguards have a reputation for not being well (or at all) weatherproofed IIRC. FWIW I've got 2 Abus Mini 40s and they work very nicely. They certainly feel very solid. They are pretty small though: you're unlikely to get round a frame tube, wheel and bike stand unless you have mad tight clearances.

So do you use the abus 40's as a primary?

Looking for a primary lock to lock up a Dolan pre cursa around Edinburgh/occasionally SW London deciding between onguard brute mini or abus 401 mini? Not really wanting to spend above £40 if I don't have to, anyone me with advice on either of them? Can't find too many reviews on either. Thanks.

Should have said, bike will be locked up for short periods (couple of hours at a time) around the city during the day and secure bike shed at night.

Should have said, bike will be locked up for short periods (couple of hours at a time) around the city during the day and secure bike shed at night.

Is all a matter of luck, all you can do is improve your odds.

I wouldn't bother with the onguard, only 14mm shackle. The abus is the better choice.

But I would stretch your budget and get lock everyone raves about, kryptonite Fahgettaboudit.

Is all a matter of luck, all you can do is improve your odds.

True, the bike only set me back £250 so initially didn't really want to shell out £60 for a fahg mini, but i suppose being a fairly good spec Dolan pre curse it'll still be pretty attractive to thieves. Also wasn't keen on having to carry around 2 locks, would this be recommended over ball bearings/pitlocking the front end up?

So do you use the abus 40's as a primary?

I do, but I lock my (fairly cheap) bike up in very low-risk areas. I also use an 8mm chain to lock whichever wheel the Abus isn't through and the frame. Although the Abus isn't a massively hench lock, being a mini you do get an advantage because the difficulty of getting tools onto it. In any reasonably well-overlooked area during the day, I'd be happy using it as a primary lock, but then my fixie is pretty beaterish so YMMV.

You should have a primary such as a fahg for your frame / back wheel and then secondary for front wheel and anything else of value. All has been discussed upthread. A flash looking road frame like that is bound to attract attention so better safe than sorry.

**I wouldn't bother with the onguard, only 14mm shackle. The abus is the better choice.
**
But I would stretch your budget and get lock everyone raves about, kryptonite Fahgettaboudit.

First, you should know the exact technicalities, OnGuard Brute Mini vs Abus U-Mini 40 no doubt OnGuard(much heavier) is much more robust and stronger U-Lock.It looks like the comparison between, Mirko CroCop Filipovic(OnGuard Brute Mini) vs Randy Couture (Abus U-Mini 40) in clasic kickboxing mach.:)

• Abus U-Mini 40, 14mm shackle

• OnGuard Brute Mini, 16.8mm shackle

• Abus U-Mini 40, 14mm shackle

• OnGuard Brute Mini, 16.8mm shackle

For clarity, does that include the plastic cover for the OnGuard? The Abus is 16.5mm including the cover.

The Brute is advertised as having a 16.8mm shackle. However, while most of it is that width, there is about 3cm at each end (the bits that go into the bar) which taper down to about 13/14mm. Since I foolishly removed the plastic covering from the bar (because it was huge before), these narrow 13mm bits are exposed to bolt cutters, angle grinders etc, making the 16mm part effectively useless.

Would be interested to see a photo to see the amount of gap with the lock locked.

The Kryptonite new york is on offer for £42, or just £38 using a voucher code at nip nip smart cycling which is a bit of a bargain and almost as cheap as the one I got :) -

See the post on hotukdeals here:- http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/kryptonite-new-york-std-nyl-lock-with-flexframe-bracket-3000-41-99-37-79-with-code-1966791

So I need to lock my Robin Mather outside, on the streets of London.

This is just during the workday, but still.

Before we get into it:

• There is no secure parking at my office
  
• The office has a super narrow and steep staircase, I cannot keep the bike indoors
  
• The Brompton for 18 mile each way commute is shite, I'd stop cycle commuting if I had to
  
• I was parking in the Sustrans London office but have been told I am not allowed to
  
  

So the Robin Mather is going to be locked to a lamp post, under the window in which I work... out on the street.

I'm thinking:

• Almax Immobiliser IV chain for rear wheel and frame
  
• Abloy PL362 padlock
  
• Kryptonite Fahgettaboudit Mini for front wheel
  
• Xena X66 disc alarm so I know when to look out the window
  
  

OTT much?

Fuck it. You can never be OTT with locking your bike up. Whatever gives you peace of mind. I assume you wont be carrying that each way every day though right?

Happily carry a Fahg Mini (and secondary lock) around with me but would draw the line at the Almax, even for a commute that was half that distance ;) Def keep that one at work.

Cycle with the Krypt and Xena which would be my bare minimum lock-up for cafe scenarios.

Leave the Almax and Abloy at work, so I can just grab them each morning and tuck them in the doorway each night. That padlock weighs 1.3KG by itself.

Any reason you went for the Abloy instead of the Squire SS65CS?

The Squire is known to be trivial to pick:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tm1VahQNzVw

The Abloy on the other hand is famed for never having been picked.