Locks that work

^^^^^^^ Ever thought about just getting an insurance approved lock and some insurance ? I have a few bikes and only ever use the same kryptonite lock (insurance approved) and a cheaper secondary lock depending on how long it's being left/if i can see it.

I have just read all 29 pages on this thread. It’s been a huge help. Thanks GA2G and everybody else.

Earlier this week I ordered my first new bike, a Bianchi Pista steel, and I ordered the Fahg to secure it. Currently, to secure my beater I’ve been naively using a Series 2 Kryptolock and cable. Having read this thread – I think I’ll bin that lock.

I’m pleased I went for the Fahg (I’ll use “the edscoble method”) but I've since learnt that I’ll need a secondary u-lock from another brand, accompanied by an alarm lock.

As a secondary lock I’m thinking of going for the 23cm Abus Granit X-Plus 54. I know it'll be a pretty heavy pair weighing just over 4kg but I think I’d rather that than something smaller and croppable like the Mini Evo. The Abus should provide a little more convenience than the Fahg too.

Would anyone recommend an alternative setup to accompany my Fahg?

I use a hiplok with my fahg mini tucked in it. Heavy as fuck but at least it's around the hips and not in my bag. Works for me, might work for you too, but you do risk hipster related derision.

Hey, I'm live nearby Frankfurt, Germany. I found this thread while searching for a second lock but before I should replace my current primary lock, I guess. In about 3 oder 4 weeks I'll have to lock it every day at trade school in Frankfurt. By the way my current lock is an Abus Bordo Granit X-Plus and I read the bad review on road.cc.

I'm really not sure about which locks I should buy. My first choice was a Krypto Fahg, but I think it's too small for my old road frame.
My other choices are the Abus Extreme 59 u-lock, the Kryptonite New York M18 and Abus Granit X54.

The X54 is the cheapest, but it's secure though and a lightweight compared to the Extreme 59 and the Krypto M18. The Abus Extreme 59 is very expensive otherwise it'd already be mine. So the M18 seems to be my choice? But which second lock should I buy? Any ideas?

And I've got one question left: Why exactly is the Abus Extreme 59 more recommended than the M18?

Crypter, I don't know if you joined this thread at the end, or if you read the first page of it, as the suggested locks are there.

The Abus Granit X 59 can only be recommended above the Kryptonite M18, based on the fact that is takes 2 cuts to open it, and has a specific resistance to torsional twisting forces due to its square design. But honestly, either is excellent.

As a secondary lock I’m thinking of going for the 23cm Abus Granit X-Plus 54. I know it'll be a pretty heavy pair weighing just over 4kg but I think I’d rather that than something smaller and croppable like the Mini Evo. The Abus should provide a little more convenience than the Fahg too.

Would anyone recommend an alternative setup to accompany my Fahg?

I now use the Abus Granit X-Plus 54 with my Fahg, plus a Karbus alarm D-lock, in situations where I am really worried. But it would be easier to use one of their small alarm padlocks instead of their D-lock. I don't trust the Karbus however enough to be my secondary, it is just something that makes a noise alongside the Abus and Fahg.

Hey, I'm live nearby Frankfurt, Germany.

I'm really not sure about which locks I should buy. My first choice was a Krypto Fahg, but I think it's too small for my old road frame.
My other choices are the Abus Extreme 59 u-lock, the Kryptonite New York M18 and Abus Granit X54.

The X54 is the cheapest, but it's secure though and a lightweight compared to the Extreme 59 and the Krypto M18. The Abus Extreme 59 is very expensive otherwise it'd already be mine. So the M18 seems to be my choice? But which second lock should I buy? Any ideas?

Might i ask what kind of secondary lock you are looking for? Do you plan on leaving the M18 at the rack? And are now looking for a lighter secondary lock for carrying around?

Both the M18 and Extreme 59 are large, very heavy and very awkward to carry. Fine for leaving on site. But i wouldn't want to carry even one of those, not to mention a second lock on top of that...

Personally, i think the X54 is the best compromise of strenght and portability. With the Fahg and NY-lock in close pursuit.

^^^^^^^ Ever thought about just getting an insurance approved lock and some insurance ? I have a few bikes and only ever use the same kryptonite lock (insurance approved) and a cheaper secondary lock depending on how long it's being left/if i can see it.

I think I'll need to have a read through the insurance thread!

I use a hiplok with my fahg mini tucked in it. Heavy as fuck but at least it's around the hips and not in my bag. Works for me, might work for you too, but you do risk hipster related derision.

Thanks man but I'd rather not use a chain.

I now use the Abus Granit X-Plus 54 with my Fahg, plus a Karbus alarm D-lock, in situations where I am really worried. But it would be easier to use one of their small alarm padlocks instead of their D-lock. I don't trust the Karbus however enough to be my secondary, it is just something that makes a noise alongside the Abus and Fahg.

Ahh rad, I'm pleased to hear this setup is actually used! I'd get an alarm padlock instead of the D lock like you mention. I don't suppose you could please stick up a photo of the Abus and the Fahg side by side so I can gauge the size difference?

Do these Abus X-Plus 54 locks actually come in 23cm and 30cm options or am I misunderstanding this?

Heavy Duty D-Locks/U-Locks: (Primary security)

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18mm/19mm:

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GRP Superdeals U-Lock [18mm] () £16.50 (square barrel - this is the lock I own)
http://www.allinlondon.co.uk/directory/1284/52272.php (Wilson Cycles, Peckham)

Can you still buy these? Ive searched around ebay/internet and I cant find them anywhere.

A.E.Wilson's Cycles doesn't have their own website. The link in that post takes you to their contact details. And yes, you can still buy them. If not from them, then also in East Street Market....if you're in London. Actually, its cheaper there, but then they don't pay ground rent all year.

A.E.Wilson's Cycles doesn't have their own website. The link in that post takes you to their contact details. And yes, you can still buy them. If not from them, then also in East Street Market....if you're in London. Actually, its cheaper there, but then they don't pay ground rent all year.

Whereabouts in East Street Market?

I think near the Brandon Street/ Portland Street intersection. But from recollection, there is only one bicycle lock seller. Should be easy to find him.

If you are going to use your Abus as a secondary lock, you should buy the Kryptonite, as if the thief has a method for breaking an Abus, it may not work on the Kryptonite, and vice versa.

That's what I thought but I even don't know which Kryptonite I should buy. I guess the Fahg will be to small for me even though it's more secure due to its size.

Crypter, I don't know if you joined this thread at the end, or if you read the first page of it, as the suggested locks are there.

The Abus Granit X 59 can only be recommended above the Kryptonite M18, based on the fact that is takes 2 cuts to open it, and has a specific resistance to torsional twisting forces due to its square design. But honestly, either is excellent.

I read the first page, of course. There I found the suggested locks, e.g. I didn't really know about the M18 before.

But doesn't the M18 also need 2 cuts to open because of the double deadbolt locking mechanism?

Might i ask what kind of secondary lock you are looking for? Do you plan on leaving the M18 at the rack? And are now looking for a lighter secondary lock for carrying around?

Both the M18 and Extreme 59 are large, very heavy and very awkward to carry. Fine for leaving on site. But i wouldn't want to carry even one of those, not to mention a second lock on top of that...

Personally, i think the X54 is the best compromise of strenght and portability. With the Fahg and NY-lock in close pursuit.

That's the problem. I don't want to leave one of my locks on any rack but carry both of them with me most of the time. So I have to find a compromise between security and weight even tough I don't know how annoying it would be to take one kg of locks more around with me (X54 compared to M18).

Do these Abus X-Plus 54 locks actually come in 23cm and 30cm options or am I misunderstanding this?

You're right, the X54 is available in 23cm and 30cm.

I'd like to see a video about cutting the Bordo X Plus with a bolt cutter like the video about cutting the Fahg chain, but in the www there's not very much about this lock. Everybody just says it's a nice lock because it's easy to carry and that is what most people are looking for, they're not really interested in security.

I think I'll go for one of these combinations:
M18 and keep my Bordo X Plus --> About 100 € and 4,3kg
X54 and keep my Bordo X Plus --> About 70 € and 3,2kg
M18 and X54 --> About 170 € and 4,3kg
Or maybe a Extreme 59 and keep my Bordo X Plus --> About 150 € and 4,5kg

But doesn't the M18 also need 2 cuts to open because of the double deadbolt locking mechanism?

Could this be something to do with twisting the bar due to the circular cross section? Does the Abus' squared bar extend into the locking mechanism, giving extra resistance against twisting?

by the fagh mini, the size is much more usable than you would think, even if sometimes it requires a little creativity when locking.

I mean from the sounds of it, unless they really, desperately, must have your bike, put a fagh on it and they'll move on to an easier lock.

...I think I'll go for one of these combinations:
M18 and keep my Bordo X Plus --> About 100 € and 4,3kg
X54 and keep my Bordo X Plus --> About 70 € and 3,2kg
M18 and X54 --> About 170 € and 4,3kg
Or maybe a Extreme 59 and keep my Bordo X Plus --> About 150 € and 4,5kg

Crypter for some reason you seem tied to the Bordo X Plus. Its not in the list for a very good reason. Also, carrying around 4.5 kgs of locks each day will seriously test you. I wouldn't do it - not in a bag or panniers.

I had previously thought the Fahg Mini was too small to be a main lock, but others on this forum were helpful enough to clearly illustrate that it can be [see page 27 of this thread]. I only say this because, originally I would have recommended the M18 over the Fahg Mini, due to its reach; but the Fahg Mini is a supreme lock, and only the Abus Granit X 59 can match its resistance to thievery.

Its entirely up to you, but I would want to combine the best strength with the lowest carrying weight. So, if I had to suggest a combination of 2 locks to fit this criteria, it would be the Fahg Mini and the Granit X 54 (23cm length). But, if you can only lock up to wide posts, then the Fahg Mini may not be right, and the M18 may be the better choice.

The most important thing is to thoroughly fill the lock space/gap (as shown on page 27), and it will be as well protected as its going to be.

That's what I thought but I even don't know which Kryptonite I should buy. I guess the Fahg will be to small for me even though it's more secure due to its size.

You mentioned an old (steel?) road frame. If you have such a bike, it should be no problem at all locking it with a Fagh.

The Fagh has the same shackle space as the Evo mini. I use an Evo Mini (living in a low crime area) for my beater. That bike has larger tubes and wider clearances than any road frame. If you fit the lock trough the seatstays, you can get away with a small shackle and still lock the frame + rear wheel to the bikestand.
Plus, the shackle will be completely filled, making it impossible to insert a lever or jack.
I can take a picture of the locking technique if you like.

Also:

I mean from the sounds of it, unless they really, desperately, must have your bike, put a fagh on it and they'll move on to an easier lock.

Completely agree with that. A combination of M18 and X54 is just overkill. If the thief is desperate, he will just cut the bikestand which is a lot easier then cutting two high-end locks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-LWGJzglho&NR=1

so if you have a cylinder type lock, change it !

Oh if people can reply to this and say " oh yeah we have seen this like years ago" that would be great

come on, even brad pitt tells us this in burn after reading.

kryptonite fixed this problem a long time ago. just dont buy old shit and your ok

You're

dammit

Just ride to Huyton...

People were using bic pens to break U-locks ten years ago, while wearing shades and earphones. Upside-down.

bothwell repped!

I didn't know this but then i don't need to lock my bike up as I don't live in london

That's right, I'm riding an old road frame but it's not a very tight one and now the rear wheel rim is replaced with a DP18 and that's why I guess the Fahg could be too small. http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4014/4540939118_27d9e5d111_z.jpg

I'd like to see a picture of your locking method, though I think it's equal to this one here plus including the rim into the shackle. http://nyx.at/bikeboard/Board/attachment.php?attachmentid=112632&stc=1&d=1265232651