Locks that work

http://www.lfgss.com/thread60899.html
lock holster built to size of your lock. kryto fagas are surprisingly easy to carry like this.

except when you're not wearing any belts....which is 90% of time for me, personally, most of all in the summer. :(

i'll build something through DIY, maybe similar to that one or same as that one and force myself to wear a belt......until I get to sell the lock.

GA2G, do you have any views on the Abus Mini 401?

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/abus-u-mini-401-bike-lock/

From what I can gather this is a relatively recent Abus lock (it's not on the Abus website) that features a 16mm shackle in a portable package. The capacity is slightly less than a Evo Mini (83mm) at 75mm but having had a play with it I reckon it will fit around a sheffield stand and through a rear wheel and seat tube of steel frame bikes with fairly tight clearances...as long as they don't have deep section wheels.

It looks like a good choice for primary security if you don't mind being restricted to sheffield stands and you don't have deep section wheels. What do you think?

It's discussed in this thread a few pages back.

It's discussed in this thread a few pages back.

Link

Aha. Cheers. Model number isn't mentioned so it's tricky to find it through search.

Bottom line: even though it's 16mm the steel U isn't tough enough? Shame.

Howard I hadn't actually had a proper look at that lock yet. I may handle one today and respond with some feedback.

Great. Looking forward to your thoughts on it.

Ok, I popped into Evans, which is next door, and the ABUS 401 really isn't worth the money. Even ABUS give it a 10 rating, and their Granit X 54 gets a 15 rating. Also, it is quite a bit smaller than a Fahg Mini, and doesn't look like 16mm, more like 13mm. I'll add photos tonight, so that others can compare the two.

I don't believe that the 401 Mini is a 16mm lock, as Wiggle say in their sale page. Its looks to be either a 13mm or 11mm lock. It is also only Sold Secure Silver, whereas the Granit X 54 is a Sold Secure Gold. Would a 16mm u-lock be rated as a Silver, and the 13mm lock be rated as a Gold? I find that not very realisitic. Avoid.

1 Attachment

Having handled it too my immediate impression was that it isn't 16mm. I wonder if it can withstand bolt croppers. Anyway, I'll go to the general locking thread to discuss this more. Thanks, this is a cracking resource.

The website I work for is looking at opening a sports and leisure section soon and we are working on getting some nice cycling parts in. I'm a designer, not the buyer, but I've been asked for my opinion on lots of cycle stuff recently. Sat in on a meeting with a supplier this week and noticed the magnum plus mini in his catalogue of goods. I've heavily recommended it to the senior buyer along with some other bits and pieces.

If we do end up stocking it I'll give you a heads up as price will be on par with halfords (possibly cheaper) and I should be able to supply a nice little discount code through pm's if people are interested. I'll give you all a heads up when I know more. Hopefully soon!

Okay, So I've made my way through this entire thread, finally, and I don't feel much closer to knowing what lock to get. (Possibly because I am WAY too tired not to think clearly). Anyway,

I currently use a Krypto evo mini (and cable for front wheel) but want to upgrade to a chain or armoured cable as a second (or primary) lock. I am about to get my frame re-sprayed and therefore my bike will look nicer. Currently I sometimes borrow my partner's Abus Steel O Flex, but this thread has me doubting them, plus it's too big for my waist.

All the chains listed here are said to be for leaving (at work or home). I want suggestions on a chain for carrying on my waist. The Almax III 0.7m is only 1kg more than the Steel O flex so don't think it'd be too bad, but is it long enough to get around the lamp posts? And if I add some extra rings/carabiners so it will fit around my waist, are they strong enough to not fail while riding?

Any one have any experience with that? or other suggestions on chains/cables?

thanks

ignore chain, get pitlock.

srsly?

a chain/cable as a secondary gives you two locking points instead of one.

ms.chris, you can get chains in varying lengths. But the length required for getting around a lampost and through (multiple points on) a bike, is a heavy thing indeed.

EDIT:
Also, please don't use armoured cables, as if they are as good as chains (16mm) or U-locks (from the list), because they are NOT.

ignore chain, get pitlock.

I'm not sure if I agree Ed. Certainly the Pitlock is extremely secure, but security is actual and psychological. If a thief can SEE a lock, then that itself is a partial deterent. Not all thieves (especially opportunist or amateur ones) would immediately recognise a Pitlock, and therefore would still have-a-go at stealing a bike that seemed not secured at two points, front and rear. And in the process, that would do a lot of damage.

When locking outside (but still within my approximate view) I use a U-lock for the rear wheel-to-frame-to-lampost (or railings - always two, never one railing), and a silly cable for the front wheel-to-frame locking. Sure, it means I could lose the front wheel, but I have others at home, so that isn't as much of a concern. If I didn't have others, I'd use two heavy U-locks.

Security that is not easily visible increases risk of opportunistic attempts at theft. Its a balance that everyone has to decide on, for what suits themselves best.

I'm now pretty pleased with my locking setup on my Plastic X. Since swapping the front fork from the track one to the TT one, I can now turn the front wheel through 180 degrees and fit a Fag through the rim and frame with enough room to secure to a stand. Evo mini through the rear wheel either to the stand or the frame and then a Xena disc alarm on the chainring completes things. It's a relatively heavy load, but well worth it for peace of mind with this bike.

Cool story, I know, but it might help others with aero tubed machines.

@ GA2G: I found a site that said the U-Mini lock from Abus is a 15mm lock.

So maybe it's even smaller but at least it looks like the info at Wiggle is wrong.

Abus told me per e-mail that the u-mini isn´t made of the same steel as the Granit x-plus 54. Therefore forget this lock as primary security. Although it might be good enough as a secondary lock like the Krypto Evo mini.

I think that particular steel can safely be called Edam Steel. Nice and soft.

Without trawling through 1300 odd posts can i ask what qualification GA2G has as someone to talk about locks? It seems fair enough to be into starting lists but does he have some form of engineering background or does he work for one of the manufacturers?

Otherwise would we not be better to use common sense and the actual manufacturers guidelines and leave the personal opinions on what other people do/can afford/feel comfortable with out of it?

I think GA2G is basing his opinion on what people have said on here (i.e what lock they'd been using when their bike had been stolen). Using common sense you may believe that a 10mm thick piece of steel cable is a good secondary lock when we now all know that they're rubbish. Though this has no sound engineering basis it I personally find it far more reliable.

Just chanced upon this new Titanium lock that was posted on urbanvelo.

Can this be as good as it sounds?

http://tigrlock.com/pages/

reeeeeeeeposstttt

Arantrek: See previous page. Basically: no.

Omar: There are certain irrefutable facts that get distorted or disregarded by manufacturers in order to sell more products. Most bike shops similarly won't tell you the whole deal and stock products not on the basis of how good they are but due to whatever deals they've set up with distros etc. G2AG's trying to sort the wheat from the chaff, and from what I've read (and I've read the whole thread) all his findings are based on measurable facts. If you want to put your faith in blind instinct rather than serious discussion then you should feel free to do so, but in the interests of keeping this thread relevant you should probably take those opinions to another thread.

Ah thanks. Be interesting to see if a marketable version comes out.

Without trawling through 1300 odd posts can i ask what qualification GA2G has as someone to talk about locks? It seems fair enough to be into starting lists but does he have some form of engineering background or does he work for one of the manufacturers?

Very good question.

My field of work is security, and has been thus for two decades.

My expertise is not in metallurgy per se, but in identifying security weaknesses and working out the best options to remedy them. I have created solutions for corporate buildings with 1000s of staff, and designed solutions for business neighbourhoods. This thread is my attempt at identifying what works as a lock for bikes, and what doesn't. It's an evolving work, as seen by armoured cable locks once being recommended, though only one specific model, to the retraction of that former recommendation, and the removal from the list.

After your bike was stolen, did you find this thread useful? If not, I'm sorry it wasn't a help.

Abus told me per e-mail that the u-mini isn´t made of the same steel as the Granit x-plus 54...

Well done wapiti....good info.