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Lock break times, and lock benefits.
Locks are tested to pass STAGE 1 attacks - 5 minutes manual attacks, with hand tools (hammer, crowbar, etc).
Time given at failure at STAGE 2 attacks - with power tools (angle grinder, disc cutter)18mm:
Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit Mini [18mm]
TEST - http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/accessories/locks/product/new-york-fahgettaboudit-mini-16565
STAGE 2 = 3 minutes
Benefits = Obvious. The strongest U-lock there is.
Kryptonite New York M-18 [18mm]
STAGE 2 = Unknown
Benefits = Similar to Fahgettaboudit Mini, so extremely strong. Though longer means more exposed for leverage.
Master Lock Street Force 10 [18mm]
STAGE 2 = Unknown
Benefits = Unknown
Xena Bullett XUL series [18mm] {Alarmed lock}
STAGE 2 = Unknown
Benefits = Anti-corrosive, and stainless steel is very hard, and ALARMED - this is excellent. .16mm:
Abus Granit Extreme 59 [16mm]
TEST - http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/accessories/locks/product/granit-extreme-09-33988
STAGE 2 = 2 minutes
Benefits = Double locked square shackle, means the bar must be cut twice, because it cannot be twisted after one cut.
Abus Granit X-Plus 54 13mm
TEST - http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/accessories/locks/product/granit-x-plus-54-10512
STAGE 2 = 1 minute
Benefits = Double locked square shackle, means the bar must be cut twice, because it cannot be twisted after one cut.
Abus Granit Power 58 [16mm]
STAGE 2 = Unknown
Benefits = Heavy and strong, but not square shaped, round.
Blok ALA600 [16mm]
STAGE 2 = Unknown
Benefits = Unknown
Kryptonite New York 3000 [16mm]
TEST - http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/accessories/locks/product/new-york-3000-10498
STAGE 2 = 2+ minutes
Benefits = Excellent, and heavy duty.
Onguard Brute X4 [16.8mm]
STAGE 2 = Unknown
Benefits = X4 locking system means more than one cut is required, as it can't be twisted - locked at 4 points. Excellent strength.
Onguard Brute [16mm]
TEST - http://www.slate.com/id/2140083
STAGE 2 = Unknown
Benefits = High density steel. Excellent 16mm lock.
Oxford Magnum Short [16mm]
STAGE 2 = Unknown
Benefits = Unknown
Oxford Magnum Long [16mm]
STAGE 2 = Unknown
Benefits = Unknown
Trelock BS 510 [16mm]
TEST - http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/accessories/locks/product/bs510-16559
STAGE 2 = 30 seconds
Benefits = A value lock.
Trelock MB 600 [16mm]
STAGE 2 = Unknown
Benefits = Trelock's best.
Trimax MAX90 Ultra Max [16mm]
STAGE 2 = Unknown
Benefits = Unknown
Chains: [16mm minimum]
Almax Immobiliser Series III
STAGE 2 = Unknown
Benefits = Unknown
Almax Immobiliser Series IV [19mm]
STAGE 2 = Unknown
Benefits = The biggest, strongest chain ever, for 2 wheeled security.
Colossus chain
STAGE 2 = Unknown
Benefits = Unknown
PJB Untouchable
STAGE 2 = Unknown
Benefits = Unknown
Pragmasis Protector
TEST - http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/accessories/locks/product/protector-chains-31679
STAGE 2 = 2+ minutes
Benefits = Does what it says on the tin.
Squire Ex-Caliber SS65
TEST - http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/accessories/locks/product/ss50csg3-16481 (SS50 13mm chain, estimate for 16mm below)
STAGE 2 = Roughly 2+ minutes (extrapolated from 13mm test, for 16mm result)
Benefits = Excellent.
Armoured Cable Locks: (substitute security, NOT primary security)
Abus Steel-O-Flex Granit X-Plus 1050
TEST - no tests published
STAGE 2 = no tests published (U-locks are still a better bet)
Benefits = Excellent for its type.***Provenrad and I were having a look at how some of the bikes were locked up outside the pub, after the Eilidh Ride. To be honest, ******one bike was locked with a chain that could probably be broken with arm strength. Another was locked with a tiny luggage lock! ***
In case anybody wonders what lock I own; its a silly rope lock. BUT, I won't let my bike out of my sight, or out of a colleague's vision.
I'll get a better lock; much better. A couple bargains out there. No excuse anymore.
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what about the Abus Steeloflex Granit 1000?
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/accessories/locks/product/steeloflex-granit-1000-16399I know these are popular. BikeRadar tested it and reckoned it lasted longer under angle grinder attack than some of the other locks you've listed.
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Can we have the sister thread to this, "Locks That Don't Work", as I am more interested in purchasing them.
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I really don't want to post it, to let someone know how to stole a bike
but I think we still need to avoid it. -
Your avatar is cute. Your musings, even more so. Go HERE. It is also helpful to use the Search function.
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I really don't want to post it, to let someone know how to stole a bike
but I think we still need to avoid it.Kryptonite have changed their range since then.
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How practical is the 'Kryptonite Fahgettaboudit Mini'? It looks too small to attach to anything other than from frame to wheel? Or is that its function? As a backup/second lock?
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
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what about the Abus Steeloflex Granit 1000?
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/accessories/locks/product/steeloflex-granit-1000-16399I know these are popular. BikeRadar tested it and reckoned it lasted longer under angle grinder attack than some of the other locks you've listed.
I have two!
One of which has scars on the outer plastic where some kindly soul has tried to saw through it and failed.
I like the fact that you can sling it around a shoulder to carry it also.
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what about the Abus Steeloflex Granit 1000?
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/accessories/locks/product/steeloflex-granit-1000-16399I know these are popular. BikeRadar tested it and reckoned it lasted longer under angle grinder attack than some of the other locks you've listed.
Thats the one I use. For the front, for the rear I use an Abus Granit thing. Would never use just one lock anywhere I cannot see my bike for more than say 10 mins.
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I bought the New York Evo Mini based on reports from here. Are you saying it doesn't work as a decent tea leaf proof lock for my beloved?
I believe the Evo Mini is a compromise lock. Its good, but the weight is reduced, as is its strength. It wouldn't match any of the Kryptonites already in the list. I doubt it would match any of the others either.
Depending on where you live, work, or simply park/lock your bike, thieves are becoming more serious. Bikes are being stolen to order, and fixed/ss bikes are flavour of the day. Some of the thieves are professional enough to read this forum, so they can take their Gumtree adverts down, alter them, then put them back up again.
My advice, if its worth anything, is to:
Leave your bike locked in a place where a thief would be seen if trying to steal your bike.
Leave it in view of CCTV if possible.
Use the best locks you can.
If really expensive, consider using a sound alarm as well, especially if leaving in a communal hallway.Maybe stick an alarmed disk lock through your chainring at night?
Every little helps.......
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NY 3000 and/or a Fug, I wouldn't trust anything else, these aren't invincible but they are, like me, hard as nails. Heavy though, but see 'hard as nails' details above.
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Cool thanks for the clarification. I feel the Evo gives good compromise, for the type of security I need. If i wanted to leave my bike outside in dodgy areas for hours at a time, I would be thinking about something more heavy duty.
Maybe it's worth having a sub-list for locks with fairly good security, light weight etc, more suited to 'casual' cyclists than 'left locked all day' type cyclists?
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Cool thanks for the clarification. I feel the Evo gives good compromise, for the type of security I need. If i wanted to leave my bike outside in dodgy areas for hours at a time, I would be thinking about something more heavy duty.
Maybe it's worth having a sub-list for locks with fairly good security, light weight etc, more suited to 'casual' cyclists than 'left locked all day' type cyclists?
Good call bogey, but that list will have to be created by someone else. I will happily link back to this list, and include it in the List of Lists.
This list is about lack of compromises. None of the locks are perfect, but they're the best at the moment. -
Would the Abus Cable Lock be of the kind that requires different tools to cut than the Evo?
I am thinking of bolstering my security a bit because I am using my bike less than I would like to, when it involved sorta going for dinner or to a pub somewhere... When I leave it at uni, its safe, everywhere else, I worry.
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I recently got an Abus Steel-o-Chain. Good price at 45 quid. Lighter than most chains - but reviewed last month in Cycling Plus and rated higher than the Bronze standard Abus gives it. Plus it locks automatically when you insert the shackle ie. you don't need to turn the key twice. It's not long enough to go round a waist but like the steel-o-flex fits round the shoulder nicely. Recommended.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Abus_Steel_O_Chain_810_85cm_Chain_Lock/5300006181/
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About
Locks that work
Posted by
@GA2G
This list will not include rope locks, as they are useless. Primarily this will list shackle locks with a bar diameter of at least 16mm, 18mm being preferable if choosing between either (The exception to this is Abus' specially hardened 13mm steel, which has survived testing that some 16mm steel U-locks failed.).
Other, lock types (armoured cables, and heavy chains) will be listed, but in a different section.
There will be no compromise based on weight or price. Only the best will do.
Best of the best
U-Locks / D-Locks
These are the very best:
These others are pretty damn good:
Chains
Only one is good enough to be considered the best. Leave it at work, or at university, so you can relock it each day.
PJB Untouchable 19mm
A mini-review by forumenger GF between Pragmasis and Almax 16mm chains, shows that they are of similar competence. But the gaps between the links meant that the final solution for GF was a Pragmasis chain with an Ingersoll Extra Closed Shackle. Now, this is the most expensive solution on this thread, but if your bike is worth that much, then this could be exactly what you need.
Cutting time ratios for 11mm 14mm 16mm and 19mm chains - testing performed by @Pragma
Skewer Locks
Solid Axle
Quick Release/Hollow Axle
The full list
Heavy Duty D-Locks/U-Locks (Primary security)
18mm/19mm:
16mm/17mm (or equivalent strength):
Wilson Cycles, Peckham
Chains: 16mm minimum
(Extremely heavy, and will last long enough to put off most thieves, but not indestructible)
Armoured Cable Locks
There are no recommended armoured cable locks.
Alarm Disc Locks
Very useful in shared accomodation, outside the pub, or at university - not primary security.
Alarm Padlocks
Again, nearly essential security in London, but not as primary security).
Axle / Skewer Locks: (additional security, NOT primary security)
For solid axles (ie. fixed gear hubs):
For hollow axles (ie. quick release):
Demoted
Other links
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