Locks that work

I'd like to know how to get it off. I have one on an old New York lock and its in the way. It looks like there is a countersunk Allen bolt, but none of my metric or imperial Allen keys fit.

I'd like to know how to get it off. I have one on an old New York lock and its in the way. It looks like there is a countersunk Allen bolt, but none of my metric or imperial Allen keys fit.

The allen key that came with it worked for me, but it does leave a bit of shackle exposed

Is it safe to remove the silver bracket "catch" from a mini evo 5 or should it be left on covering the shackle in case of freezing attack etc?

it have slighty more room than an Evo Mini, cut off the plastic cover and you'll have noticably more.

this picture should speak thousand;

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh167/edscoble/IMGP0625.jpg

Ed, this is terrible advice!

the plastic cover is there for a reason. it provides an insulation against thermal / chemical attacks (ie freezing). PM me if you wanna know how exactly - and how easy it is to defeat a serious lock, I'm not gonna post it up here.

Most of the time it takes longer and is more difficult / risky to remove the plastic than it does to break the lock. to remove plastic you need to carry a stanley knife, and a thief is more likely to think twice about that than carrying the right chemicals to break a D lock.

So do NOT remove the plastic cover, especially if you wanna rely on the guarantee from your lock manufacturer.

Ed's post and also fred's reply, are from 2000 odd posts ago. The protection sheath is not just some random ugly add-on. It will always be a different density to the main shackle, so would have a different freezing point. These lock makers are not as silly as some might believe.

The allen key that came with it worked for me, but it does leave a bit of shackle exposed

Spaceinvader, do you know what size that Allen key is? I don't recall receiving one with mine. The closest I've found is 3mm but it just spins in the bolt head as does the imperial equivalent.

pretty sure i undid mine with my topeak mini 7 multipasstool so it must be a standard sizing.

Were you wearing your special orange outfit whilst you did it?

Hi. Nice thread. I've scanned though the whole thing. Hopefully these are all new questions...

The Fahg Mini... if you cut one side only, can it rotate and be taken off? I've seen conflicting information on this. It would be a major disadvantage if it only needs one side cutting to get it off. Does it matter which side is cut first?

The Evolution Mini is well used and recommended secondary lock. Is it either the "Kryptonite Evolution Mini-5" or "Kryptonite Evolution Mini 7"? Both are 13mm and Sold Secure Silver rated. What is the difference between them? Why not use a Gold rated lock that's 13mm thick and about the same size and weight instead?

What do people think of the Knog Strongman? It never gets a mention. It's 13mm and Gold rated. It's quite light for a Gold rated D-lock at around 1.1-1.2KG and looks like it has a decent mount bracket. You have to cut both sides of the shackle to get it off too. Would it offer the same level of security as Abus Granit 53/54 locks?

The Fahg Mini tests that I've seen, say it needs one cut, but the Kryptonite website say it has double deadbolt locking, which should mean two cuts. It may have been improved. But until Kryptonite come on here to verify, let's say it's one cut that's required. But since it can take 25 minutes with an angle grinder, at least it's still the strongest available.

The Evolution Mini 5 is 4cm shorter than the Mini 7.

Knog products are normally a joke, as can be seen from looking at their lights. I don't put much faith in the Sold Secure Gold, as I have seen absolute nonsense being awarded it. I may add it to the Secondary Locks thread though, as it's only 13mm in thickness.

OK, thanks. Yeah, according to bikeradar on the Fahg Mini...

Unlike the excellent Abus, in test two this one only required the one cut, but the material used is very hard.
Also according to bikeradar, it took "close to three minutes to sever" the Fahg Mini, but it took "a whole 4min 43sec" to break through both sides of the Abus Granit X-Plus 54. So isn't the Abus more secure and the better choice? It is cheaper, lighter, comes with a bracket too. Is there something I am missing?

I was seriously looking into the Squire Urban Paramount (13mm shackle, excellent 6 pin tumbler). According to bikeradar, it took a "portable powered cutter" (implying a battery powered angle grinder) to break it "in a little under 20 seconds". Can the difference be really that big between two D locks that are both 13mm? I assume the Knog Strongman can also be cut through in a few seconds too. Can anyone explain that? Is Abus using some special steel alloy that is very hard or something?

I don't recommend the Squire Urban Paramount and here is why:
http://road.cc/content/review/8165-squire-urban-paramount-lock

Hmm wondering if these actually work

https://www.missionbicycle.com/store/locking-axle-nuts

It looks so close to the Pinhead locking skewer design, I can almost see a law suit coming. Technically, it should work. But my instinct tells me that a mole vice grip/pliers would grip that well enough to negate the special key design.

yeah I think I need to go take a look at them irl and see.

Looking at buying a budget chain lock for when leaving my bike at my office.
Whats the opinion of the Kryptonite Keeper 785 Integrated Chain?

Only 7mm but square and the manufacturer name gives me reassurance
Not sure about the intergrated padlock or not tho.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=81233

No point in buying a budget lock. Spend the extra money and get something decent. That lock is not a suitable primary lock. That's kind of the point of this thread.

if the chunky kryptonite ones are too pricey perhaps look at getting a separate chain from a motorcycle vendor (they seem to work out cheaper sometimes) and a decent padlock (there'll be reviews online for ones that work). not sure how much it'll save you though as i've not done any personal research into it other than the odd glance at some sites when price matching the kryptonite fagheddaboutit chain.

This thread seems to recommend chains with a minimum of 11mm. How much more time/stopping power does the difference from a 7mm chain give me?

How easy is it to ride about with a 11mm chain?

OK, thanks. Yeah, according to bikeradar on the Fahg Mini...
Also according to bikeradar, it took "close to three minutes to sever" the Fahg Mini, but it took "a whole 4min 43sec" to break through both sides of the Abus Granit X-Plus 54. So isn't the Abus more secure and the better choice? It is cheaper, lighter, comes with a bracket too. Is there something I am missing?

I was seriously looking into the Squire Urban Paramount (13mm shackle, excellent 6 pin tumbler). According to bikeradar, it took a "portable powered cutter" (implying a battery powered angle grinder) to break it "in a little under 20 seconds". Can the difference be really that big between two D locks that are both 13mm? I assume the Knog Strongman can also be cut through in a few seconds too. Can anyone explain that? Is Abus using some special steel alloy that is very hard or something?

There's a review of sorts of the Knog Strongman here:- http://cars-supercars.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/bike-lock-comparison-by-men-journal.html 1:45 to cut through with a battery powered angle grinder - probably not using the best choice of disc though - someone here states that a Kryptonite new york only lasted just over a minute against a grinder and that's a thicker lock.

While they failed to crop it, they were only using 2' bolt cutters, so that was not much of a test at-all - in fact only 1 lock they tested cropped, and that was a TiGr.

This thread seems to recommend chains with a minimum of 11mm. How much more time/stopping power does the difference from a 7mm chain give me?

How easy is it to ride about with a 11mm chain?

Why not get a d-lock instead? for the money of that inadequate 7mm chain there are much thicker d-locks available that will be easier to transport and better protection. even if you can't get the very cheap ones (grps etc) abus, kryptonite, and onguard all make better locks than the keeper for £35

This thread only recommends chains of 16mm or greater thickness, as none of them can be cut using manual bolt croppers. This thread does not recommend 11mm thick chains at all.

tommy, please re-read the first post of this thread. It's the most important post in the whole thread.

Good points from both of you.
I guess my view is a 16mm / £160 lock does not guarantee your bike can't be stolen
So at £30 for 11mm its actually better value?

But if the tools needed to tackle a 11mm chain are considerably more expensive than a 16mm chain?

Was thinking a chain because it gives you a little more flexibility but its probably because i think they look cool, but can't argue with the prices of a D anymore.

I don't recommend the Squire Urban Paramount and here is why:
http://road.cc/content/review/8165-squire-urban-paramount-lock

heh, I wonder if it could be repaired with gaffer tape ._.

There's a review of sorts of the Knog Strongman here:- http://cars-supercars.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/bike-lock-comparison-by-men-journal.html 1:45 to cut through with a battery powered angle grinder

Nice how they don't bother to mention how long it took to break through the Fahg Mini or Abus 54 so we can compare it...

A Bikeradar review of it is online, only a few days old... "The Strongman stood up to the first of our usual lock tests, a five-minute attack with standard tools, and in the subsequent power tool test the shackle took just over 30 seconds to cut through, and that was after a minute or so of cutting away the silicone cover. It all adds up to an impressive little lock." Doesn't seem too bad to me. I'm guessing it could be cut with 1000mm bolt cutters just about? Seems like it should at least make it onto the secondary locks thread.

someone here states that a Kryptonite new york only lasted just over a minute against a grinder and that's a thicker lock.

While they failed to crop it, they were only using 2' bolt cutters, so that was not much of a test at-all - in fact only 1 lock they tested cropped, and that was a TiGr.

But a round shackle has a smaller cross sectional area than a square one. So 13mm square Abus is like 16mm Kryptonite. I don't see TiGr in either of the links you posted :S

heh, I wonder if it could be repaired with gaffer tape ._.

Nice how they don't bother to mention how long it took to break through the Fahg Mini or Abus 54 so we can compare it...

A Bikeradar review of it is online, only a few days old... "The Strongman stood up to the first of our usual lock tests, a five-minute attack with standard tools, and in the subsequent power tool test the shackle took just over 30 seconds to cut through, and that was after a minute or so of cutting away the silicone cover. It all adds up to an impressive little lock." Doesn't seem too bad to me. I'm guessing it could be cut with 1000mm bolt cutters just about? Seems like it should at least make it onto the secondary locks thread.

But a round shackle has a smaller cross sectional area than a square one. So 13mm square Abus is like 16mm Kryptonite. I don't see TiGr in either of the links you posted :S

The TiGr is in the full review in June 2012 men's journal page {{edit here:- http://www.mensjournal.com/expert-advice/torture-test-bike-locks-20120925 }} - Apparently, they were able to hacksaw through it as well, and they can't even have been using a carbide blade, as it didn't touch any of the hardened locks.

I think the knog has a round shackle under all that silicon - I seem to recall seeing a review where they cut the silicon off and cut it with bolt cutters. It looks like it might be ok as a secondary lock, although overpriced. There's video review of a few 13mm locks here:- http://gizmodo.com/5922074/the-best-bike-lock again they're not using the best choice of blades, discs or croppers.

The TiGr is in the full review in June 2012 men's journal page {{edit here:- http://www.mensjournal.com/expert-advice/torture-test-bike-locks-20120925 }} - Apparently, they were able to hacksaw through it as well, and they can't even have been using a carbide blade, as it didn't touch any of the hardened locks.

Thanks for the links. Yeah, metal blades for sure, softer than the hardened steel locks they were trying to cut.

So the Knog Strongman can at least defeat 24 inch bolt croppers and metal hack saw blades. I wish they used 42 inch croppers though. To see if it could defend against more serious theft attempts.

I think the knog has a round shackle under all that silicon - I seem to recall seeing a review where they cut the silicon off and cut it with bolt cutters. It looks like it might be ok as a secondary lock, although overpriced. There's video review of a few 13mm locks here:- http://gizmodo.com/5922074/the-best-bike-lock again they're not using the best choice of blades, discs or croppers.

Similar to the other link... decent hardened steel locks (even the lower end like that 12mm Abus) defeated the mid size attacks like bolt croppers and a hack saw. I've seen high end chains like 13mm hardened steel being bolt cropped in seconds like on the Almax Security promos, ITV programme, youtube, etc. So probably the Knog Strongman could also be bolt cropped. I wish they would test it properly. So then the Strongman might be OK for a secondary lock, but as you say it's overpriced. It's about £60 which is about the same price as the Abus 401 for example. The Abus doesn't even come with a mounting bracket, so the Strongman isn't that overpriced. Then again you can get a Fahg Mini for £50 new if you shop around. So many paths to take...

I'd favour the Abus Granite 54 x-plus over the Knog at that price point - £56 @ Abus Granit-54 X-Plus: Amazon.co.uk: Sports & Outdoors

The Kryptonite new york 3000 is currently £47 on amazon ( although see Captain cropper's comments about it here http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/accessories/locks/product/review-kryptonite-new-york-3000-10498 ),

and the new Onguard Brute seems a bargain at £24 for a gold rated 16mm+ lock Magnum ONGUARD Brute STD Bicycle Security Bike U-Lock LK8001: Amazon.co.uk: Sports & Outdoors

Manufacturer's brochure here:- http://onguardlock.com/wp-content/uploads/2013_OnGuardCatalog_NEW_web.pdf

If you haven't already read it, there's a good article about bike locks here http://www.ctc.org.uk/sites/default/files/file_member/200803042.pdf