Locks that work

YouTube- Axa Basta RL Defender Theft Resistance Testing

So the lock is tough as fuck but the way it's mounted is tits.

Seems like it would be good protection against opportunists. Coupled with a nice fat D-lock, I reckon (purely subjective opinion based solely on a video seen whilst moderately pissed on a few ales) it's probably a good one. In any case it's always there as an extra piece of security, and on a nice old boneshaker where extra weight isn't a hassle it seems like a worthwhile extra.

Purely my own opinion though. There may well be others who dispute this. When I was in Holland for a while a friend of mine broke a key off in a similar lock, which apparently is quite a common occurrence.

(purely subjective opinion based solely on a video seen whilst moderately pissed on a few ales)

friend of mine broke a key off in a similar lock, which apparently is quite a common occurrence.

Connected? I struggle with keys after a few beers, but staying on the bike has never been a problem.

Just got an evolution series 4 and it looks pretty good. I am a bit pissed off that it doesn't fit into my frame though, which will mean I can't use the bracket.
I have seen a few pics and also read advice to put a cable through the front wheel to stop it being stolen - I also lock my bike in a place where I can lock this to a railing along with the u lock.
My question is - is it better to hook this onto the u lock or use a separate padlock. I doubt anybody is going to cut a cable to steal my wheel, but if I use a separate lock I assume they will need an extra pair of cable cutters along with whatever they cut the u lock with in order to walk off with the bike.
Am I right or is it better to use the evolution to secure the cable as the padlock is probably not as strong.

I doubt anybody is going to cut a cable to steal my wheel

It happens.

but if I'm right, forget the cables - if you mean one of those protected ones with orange bits around each end. They are like butter for cable cutters - it happened to me. Just get a second decent chain lock if you want to park outside.

ABUS Steel-O-Flex 1000 and the ABUS Steel-O-Flex 1050 do appear to have the same 25mm thick cable.

both can be cut using 36" boltcropper.

happy days.

both can be cut using 36" boltcropper.

Which is why the first post of this thread clearly labels them as substitute security.

*

Armoured Cable Locks: (substitute security, *NOT* primary security)*
___________________
*Abus Steel-O-Flex Granit X-Plus 1050 (rated 15 by Abus - same as Granit 54 U-lock.) £84.99*

I'd only recommend them to couriers, or people that can check on their bike every few minutes. For "proper" security, I only recommend U-locks with bar diameters of 16mm or greater, or chains with link thickness of 16mm or greater. There is one exception to that rule, but I'm not going to restate it. It should be well known by now.

Yeah dudes read the fucking thread, AIGHT!?

2x Fahg FTW.

I am aware that the cable is not a particularly secure method, but I am only using it as a secondary and was wondering about the difference between locking it separately vs. linking it to the u lock.
My bike is not worth spending so much extra on a really good chain and as I ride around the city lots and I don't want to carry too much extra weight. In any case 80% of the bike I lock up next to use particularly stupid locking methods(round the seatpost, through quickrelease whells etc.) so I doubt mine will be the first target!

I am only using it as a secondary and was wondering about the difference between locking it separately vs. linking it to the u lock.

It makes no difference. At all. I use a steeloflex 1000 for the front wheel and a fahg mini for the frame/rear wheel. Wether or not you loop the steal-o-flex through the D-lock, it all looks the same to a pair of bolt cutters. Generally, people wont cut through a massive cable lock just for a wheel but it does happen.

When I worked at cycle surgery in Camden, we'd get a lot of people that had their brake pads, grips and sometimes even their brake cables nicked. It totally depends on how desperate the thief is.

I highly recommend using something called Tynan Paste to reduce the risk of these smaller parts being taken.

I would say it makes a difference. If you connect the ends of a cable with the u-lock, you effectively only have one lock. If you connect the ends of a cable with a small padlock lock and have it go through your front wheel, saddle, frame, and then secure post, then you have two effective locks (along with the separate u-lock). of course, a cable is weak, but that makes the thief need two tools -- bolt cutters will not go through a higher end u-lock and leverage attacks will not work against the cable.

nothing is theft-proof; all one can do it make theft more difficult. and having two separate and different kinds of locking systems certainly makes things more difficult.

if an angle-grinder is used, then nothing is safe...but that is true with any other locking system.

I personally use a fahg mini u-lock, a kryponite cable and abus square padlock, pitlock instead of QR on front wheel. for extra security situations, I add a kryponite evo mini.

I think they are the same strength, since both are 18mm. The fahmini is aim for bicycles and m18 for motobikes I think. Given that there is a report that kryptonite is having key clashes, I think I might go with the Xena XUL. Can't seem to find a physical shop to get it around central london, tried calling a few shops on Xena website this morning.

I think a Xena and a fahg would be ultimate. My backpack is gonna be heavy.

Did you ever find a shop that sells those Xena locks? They be purty...

FYI
Simpson's has a sale on Krypto locks:
Fahg mini: 69.99
New York std: 59.99

[ame="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kryptonite-York-Fahgettaboudit-Mini-Lock/dp/B000OZ9VLU/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=sports&qid=1272788042&sr=1-3"]Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit Mini Lock: Amazon.co.uk: Sports & Leisure[/ame] £52

[ame="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kryptonite-York-3000-Lock-Bracket/dp/B000NORUN8/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=sports&qid=1272788042&sr=1-4"]Kryptonite New York 3000 Lock NYL with Bracket: Amazon.co.uk: Sports & Leisure[/ame] £49

FYI
Simpson's has a sale on Krypto locks:
Fahg mini: 69.99
New York std: 59.99

icefall, do you work for Simpson's? These prices you've highlighted are significantly more expensive than those quoted in the list (page 1 of this thread), and as shown directly below your post. If you don't work for Simpsons then your searches need to be sharpened, but if you do work for them, its a bit of bad form....to advertise very expensive products on here, where the alternatives are so much cheaper.

Well done TomBurtonArt.

A locking challenge for you: "How to lock a Pashley Guvnor? ..."

Am I missing something obvious?

Finally ordered a Fahg from Amazon. Will be nice to have peace of mind about my bike for once.

I hate leaving my bike anywhere, even with a fahg and another chain lock. I bought the fahg for peace of mind, but I read this thread and my mouth goes dry.

Plus all those dismembered bikes. Nightmares.

Does anyone have any htfu pills?

No-one on this forum has had a bike stolen when using a Fahg Mini, locked properly to an immovable object.

In fact, no-one has either had their bike stolen when using a u-lock of 16mm or thicker....when properly locked to an immovable object.

People have had bikes stolen with Fahg Minis, but when quite badly locked.... ie. not attached to anything else.

so overall they are worth the money..

^ Definitely.

do i feel like a twat..

So I bought myself a fagh mini due to it being indestructible.

And it dont fit :/
-Ive got deep Dodici rims (powdercoated white obv.) and i just cant get my frame + a wheel locked to a freaking pole..
-cant lock any standard commuter bike
-obv cant lock my mountain bike
:(

so word of advice to yall (though im sure anybody else would check this before buyin anything...) : meassure the distance to cover between the inside of your rim and the inside of your frame..

PS: anyone near Antwerp, Belgium looking for a fagh to buy?? Ill delliver at your home.. :)

Niels, sell it on here, and choose another lock from the list on page 1. Sorry that it didn't fit. Another forumenger was just contemplating the same problem with his Pashley. You're not alone.

selling it wont be a problem (amazon even wants to refund) but ill obv. have to pay the shipping cost. Still got to check with my postal office how much that 2.5 kg accros the channel package is going to cost me :/

unless you're strapped for cash, keep it. it's a good lock, and you can never have too many of those.