Schwinn 240 Recumbent Exercise Bike Review - Best Recumbent Exercise Bike Reviews
bike locks review
Transcript of bike locks review
-
7/29/2019 bike locks review
1/6
February 2004WhatMountainBike 53
Locks group test
Lockitloseit
ow secure is your bike right
now? One of the worst things
that can happen to a cyclist is
that sickening feeling when you
return to find your lock on the floor,
and your bike nowhere in sight.
Most bike thefts are opportunist
crimes.You pop into a shop for less
than a minute and when you return
your bikes gone.That might not
have happened for less than a
tenner and ten seconds of your time.
Likewise, locking your bike up for a
whole day while youre at work with
just one lock is asking for trouble.
No matter how good the lock is, if
someone has the time and the
inclination they can get around it.
A good quality lock or locks might
cost you about 100 if you also buy
a nice anchor to lock your bike to at
home.It might take you 30 seconds
to lock your bike up properly. But
thats a tiny price to pay, considering
your bike could be gone in seconds.
Weve tested 16 locks of various
shapes, sizes, and strengths to help
you choose your security device.
Bike crime is a constant threat, but with asolid and secure lock you can stop thieves
from stealing your steed. Here are 16 of thetop locks to help you keep your MTB safe
Words: Paul Smith Photo: Joby Sessions
H
M
Only the very best productson test get theWhat MountainBike seal of approval
VALUEMountainBikeWhat
# # #
CHOICEMountainBikeWhat
# # #
GOLDMountainBikeWhat
# # #
Awarded to kit thatreceives a combinedperformance andvalue score of 18out of 20 or higher
This representsexcellent valuefor money
Our pick of thebunch and simplythe best on test,regardless of cost
LOOK OUTFOR THESE
or
WMB27.gt_locks 15/12/2003 12:45 PM Page 53
-
7/29/2019 bike locks review
2/6
LOCKS
54WhatMountainBike February 2004
SQUIRE PARAMOUNT PLUS43 Squire 01922 476711One of the real heavyweights in the test. With a 16mm thick hardened boron steel shackle that
locks into a hardened steel lock body, the Paramount Plus is one super tough lock. The six-tumbler
lock takes a flat key,and is shielded by a sliding dust cover. The lock
mechanism has around 120,000 different combinations, making it
virtually pickproof. The shackle fits deeply into the lock body and is
a blind entry system that withstood all attempts at opening with
high-pressure car jacks and bars up to six feet long. By itself this is
a stunningly good U-lock; add to it a cable lock of good quality and
you have the makings of fundamental security for your bike.
AXA SECU CITY40 AXA 01584 841051
Right up there with the best of them and excellent value for money. No matter what we
did we couldnt break open the Secu City.The lock design is classic and simple,but the
materials used are fantastically tough.Although the lock
comes with a bracket to attach to your frame its not as
good as some,such as the Kryptonite NY. But were just
nitpicking here really,as there is very little else to let the
lock down. Theres no dust or waterproof cover on the
lock hole, so keep the keyhole lubed from time to time to
prevent possible sticky-lock problems. Other than
that, this is a belter.
GOLD
What
# # #
MountainBike
ABUS GRANIT X-PLUS 54
SHACKLE LOCK 230MM60 Zyro 01423 325325Put simply, this is a great lock. The first factor of importance is that the shackle itself is not
made from a round bar, its square, and the U-section does not feature a round bend, its
more parabolic then semi circular. These two details coupled with the slippery cover make
it a difficult lock to physically break open.The lock unit itself is massively strong and also
has some neat and innovative features.Abus uses what it calls Powercells to enclose each
end of the shackle,so even if one end of the shackle is burst or cut through, the other end
remains locked and because its square it cannot be rotated
to open the lock. Add these features together with one of the
toughest lock mechanisms around (not only physically tough
but nobody we contacted had ever seen one picked) and you
have a stunner of a U-lock. Also available in 300mm version
for an extra 2 and comes complete with easy-to-use frame
mounting bracket.
WMBVERDICT
One of the three bestU-locks with anincredibly tough shacklePERFOR MANCE 9
VALUE 7
WMBVERDICT
Very heavy, but very,very strong.One of thebest U-locks availablePERFORMANCE 9
VALUE 8
WMBVERDICT
Massively strong, highquality lock, stunningvalue for moneyPERFORMANCE 9
VALUE 9
CHOICE
MountainBikeWhat
# # #GOLD
What
# # #
MountainBike
SQUIRE URBAN PROTECTOR30 Squire 01922 476711If the huge robustness of the Paramount Plus (above) isnt your idea of something youd like to
carry or have fitted to your bike bracket, then the Urban Protector is an ideal lock,offering a nice
balance between weight and strength. Our test model was 230mm
long with a 13mm diameter hardened steel shackle, double locking
mechanism,a keyhole dust cover and a new improved mounting bracket
to fit it to your bike when not in use. The lock is a four-tumbler unit not
quite as secure as the six-tumbler unit found in the Paramount, but still
virtually pick proof. Designed to be easy to live with day to day, but not
sold as being the ultimate in security, its a great lock that wed happily
use in conjunction with another.
WMBVERDICT
Strong and secure forits weight and ease ofday to day usePERFOR MANCE 7
VALUE 8
WMB27.gt_locks 15/12/2003 12:45 PM Page 54
-
7/29/2019 bike locks review
3/6
KRYPTONITENEW YORK 300060 Madison www.ultimatepursuits.co.ukWith a 16mm diameter hardened Kryptonium steel shackle and a host of improvements, the
New York is back at the top of the U-lock pile.A new Piksafe disc-style cylinder lock would
take even a master locksmith an absolute age to try and pick,and the lock bar itself has been
further strengthened with a steel sleeve completely covering it.
The lock is a double-deadbolt design, making twisting the shackle
out of the lock body more or less impossible with any bar that
can be carried undetected (under a jacket/coat for example).
Comes complete with three keys, one of which features a handy
little light to see the lock at night and it also has one of the best
and most universal brackets available. All in all the New York 3000
has just become the best U-lock currently available.
BASTA CLICK30 Basta 01584 841051Costing more than the AXA SL 7 (over the page) youd expect the Basta Click to bebetter, but it isnt. Fitting as it does on the brake bosses,it would be a silly thing to use
this device by itself, as you could just unscrew the
bolts and leave the wheel behind with the lock still
attached. When its on the bike it doesnt fair well
against a regular hammer either. But... used in
conjunction with another device,such as a good
quality U-lock, its a further deterrent, and something
the thief will have to deal with thus spending more
time on your bike which is not something they want
to do. Its also easy to fit and simple to use.
SPECIALIZED WEDLOCK50 Specialized UK 020 8391 3500Six hardened steel plates are linked together with hardened steel orbital rivets in this lock
to form a strange looking loop which folds down small to fit in its own rubber case.
Although the design means its not the toughest
lock around its quite tricky to get enough
leverage on it once its fitted to a bike, although if
you do manage to get enough leverage it doesnt
stand up to abuse for too long. But, as a mid-level
bit of security it works fine, and added to a
U-lock it offers a very different challenge to a thief
who has come armed to attack a U-lock. Its not
too heavy, packs down small,and is easy to use.
WMBVERDICT
Busted with a hammerquite quickly, idealas a secondarydevice thoughPERFOR MANCE 5
VALUE 6
WMBVERDICT
The benchmark bywhich all other locksshould be judgedPERFORMANCE 9
VALUE 7
WMBVERDICT
Mid level only, usewith somethingmore substantial ifleaving your bikefor longer periodsPERFORMANCE 6
VALUE 6
MAGNUMULTIMATE ATB20 Moore Large & Co 01332 274200Made from square section hardened steel, the Ultimate ATB is similar to the Abus
Granite X-Plus 54 in the way it has a square section shackle, but its not parabolic
in shape at the loop and so it wont be strong as the
X-Plus 54. Coming complete with a whopping five keys
and its own two-way fitting bracket, the Magnum is a
great lock for the money.The construction is first rate,
and the lock stood up to all the abuse we could throw at
it with normal thief tools.A Sold Secure rating would be
nice,but as it is, this is one very tough lock indeed.
WMBVERDICT
Top quality features,nice and weatherproof,very toughPERFORMANCE 8
VALUE 10
GOLD
What
# # #
MountainBike
GROUP TEST
GOLD
What
# # #
MountainBike
February 2004WhatMountainBike 55
WMB27.gt_locks 15/12/2003 12:45 PM Page 55
-
7/29/2019 bike locks review
4/6
56WhatMountainBike February 2004
AXA SL 720 plus SD cable 17 AXA 01584 841051Although most of you will be thinking an immobiliser is a rather stupid thing to fit to
a bike, when used in conjunction with a good U-lock or
cable lock theyre actually a smart idea. It gives the thief
something else to have to work around in order to ride off on
your bike rather than carry it. The SL 7 is a very neat unit indeed,
and we tested it here with the optional SD cable that plugs into the top and measures a
handy 1.8m. Our initial reservations were soon brushed aside though, and the Sold Secure
Silver rating is indeed true its a bugger to try and beat. With the addition of the SD cable its
options are greatly expanded, making it a good addition to other primary security devices.
SPECIALIZED RAPPER30 Specialized UK 020 8391 3500
A Kevlar-core is wrapped around with braided steel cable,andsurrounding this is a series of interlocking hardened steel cups
that are articulated.The weak part of any cable lock is always
the part where the cable ends and the locking stub is fitted.
After quite a lot of abuse with a regular hammer the Rapper was
still in one piece, although more determined attempts did
eventually break it and separate it from the lock body.The lock
body itself is pretty tough, though, and stood up to a hammer
attack nicely. As a secondary security device this is ideal,but by
itself its not a lock to rely on.
WMBVERDICT
A great addition to agood primary lock, easyto use and a neat LED inone key for night timeunlockingPERFORMANCE 6
VALUE 7
OXFORD CABLE LOCK12 www.oxprod.com 0870 990 9620Despite claming a diameter of 12mm, the actual wire inside the plastic shroud is only 6mm.
Considering the price of the lock, though, this is no bad thing, just a little misleading.With a
handy 1.8m length and coming complete with two different brackets for mounting to your
bike it all seems good. But... we broke this lock in seconds with a
normal everyday hammer. The problem lies in the very thin lock
barrel casing. It appears to be made from 1mm thick cheese like
alloy, and it burst open and let us rip the lock apart in less than
seven seconds. Basically, turn your back on your bike locked with
this, and itll be gone.Fine as a deterrent, but even a thief with a
simple house brick could smash it off your bike in an instant.
WMBVERDICT
Poor. Only acts as adeterrent,and can besmashed in secondsPERFORMANCE 2
VALUE 7
LOCKS
WMBVERDICT
Surprisingly tough, easyto use and fit muchbetter with the optionalcable thoughPERFORMANCE 7
VALUE 7
MAGNUM PRO TITAN16 Moore Large & Co 01332 274200The Pro Titan is 15mm braided steel cable measuring a handy 1.8m long. The cable is wound to be
self-coiling,which can be a pain sometimes as its fiddly to pull it
out straight, which is made even harder once you have cold
hands.Despite the strong cable and very well made endings,we
managed to bust the lock open in a few seconds using a hammer.
Again, this is one of those locks that should be used in
conjunction with a good quality U-lock and not relied on to secure
your bike by itself.The mounting it comes with is neat though, and
will fit almost any bike, thanks to its dual position system.
WMBVERDICT
Well made, but a littletoo weak whenattacked witha hammerPERFORMANCE 6
VALUE 8
WMB27.gt_locks 15/12/2003 12:45 PM Page 56
-
7/29/2019 bike locks review
5/6
GROUP TEST
MAGNUM CHAIN +ULTIMATE PADLOCK50 Moore Large & Co 01332 274200This is a bit of a bargain really. A hardened steel chain with links made from 12mm thick
rod, it comes complete with its own well-secured cover and a bomb-proof padlock. Like all
the Magnum products which use a key, it comes complete
with five of the buggers. The chain and padlock are designed
to work together to give next to no room for a bar to be put
between any of the links to enable twisting.Although we did
manage to get a bar in there, it was so small in diameter that
the bar bent and nothing happened to the chain. The padlock
is really tough too, and withstood all kinds of abuse, including
a high-speed drill.
WMBVERDICT
Brilliant value, anddamn tough tooPERFORMANCE 9
VALUE 10
GOLD
What
# # #
MountainBike
KRYPTONITE
FAHGETTABOUDIT99 Madison www.ultimatepursuits.co.ukQuite possibly the toughest bit of security you could put on a bicycle and would
even be suitable for motorbikes.The chain itself is made up of six-sided 11mm
diameter hexagonal links made of triple heat-treated boron manganese steel (which
even angle grinders struggle to cut). The chain is made
so the space inside the links is insufficient to get
anything, such as a crow bar, inside to apply leverage, and
even if this were possible its so strong its doubtful one thief
could exert enough force to burst a link open. With a 13mm steel
shackle and the Picksafe lock mechanism this has all the features
of the New York 3000 lock ut in a smaller padlock shape. If you
really dont want your bike to be stolen, then you should have one
of these and attach it to something suitably tough like a proper
ground anchor.
ABUS COMBIFLEX 20213 Zyro 01423 325325Small and light enough to be taken with you on any ride, and thats the whole
idea here.This lock is not for securing your bike when its going to be left
unattended for long periods of time: its for locking it to something, or your
mates bikes when you stop at the caff for a cuppa and cake. Using a 90cm long
2.5mm diameter plastic coated cable, its long enough to lock quite a few bikes
together, or to go through your own frame wheels and through something
secure.The reset-able three-digit combi lock unit cant be put under tension and
picked easily, just remember to keep it out of sight of prying eyes when you use
it. For the money, this is a must-have item.
ABUS WBA100GROUND/WALL ANCHOR50 Zyro 01423 325325
Its no good having a great lock and then having nothing secure to use it on when you get home.Too many bike thefts
happen when bikes are locked up together in a simple wooden garden shed. To counter this youre best off using a
properly designed anchor system. This offering from ABUS has a massive 16mm
hardened steel shackle, which has an opening large enough for any lock or chain
system currently available. It comes complete with four extra long bolts which
need a 16mm masonry drill bit and a good quality hammer drill to fit. With the
right tools its a simple anchor to install properly, and thats the key right there.
Take your time fitting it properly and itll deter even the most determined
thieving scumbag.
WMBVERDICT
One of the best anchorsavailable, simple as thatPERFORMANCE 8
VALUE 7
WMBVERDICT
Heavy, but surprisinglyeasy to carry over yourshoulder. Tough as abloody tough thingP ER FOR MANC E 10
VALUE 7
WMBVERDICT
Perfectly strong andmobile for the pub/shopstop, but not for lockingbikes all dayPERFORMANCE 8
VALUE 9
February 2004WhatMountainBike 57
WMB27.gt_locks 15/12/2003 12:46 PM Page 57
-
7/29/2019 bike locks review
6/6
What you need to knowWhat were trying to persuade you
to do is run two different kinds of
locks on your bike. Although this
might be heavy and cumbersome
at times, it will secure your bike
from all but the most determined
and professional thief. Of the U-
locks tested wed say the AXA
Secu City is the overall winner its as good as the Kryptonite New
York 3000 and the ABUS Granit X-
Plus, but much cheaper. For the
ultimate, though, the Kryptonite
New York 3000, Squire Paramount
Plus and the ABUS Granit X-Plus
are the best U-locks, with the
Magnum Ultimate ATB a very close
runner up, but with no Sold Secure
rating its unproven despite being
very good in our tests.For
permanently mounted security the
AXA SL-7 is a neat bit of kit, and
the SD cable makes it even better.
The new Abus compact retractablewire lock is a great idea, plus its
compact, tough and affordable.For
the ultimate lock, though, you need
the Kryptonite Fahgettaboudit
chain, with the Magnum chain and
padlock close behind.
WMB OVERALL VERDICTANCHORSA lock is only as good as the thing you
fasten it to.There are a whole bunch of
anchors available on the market, such as
the Excellent ABUS and Kryptonite offerings
and most are available in either cement-
in-place or bolt-in-place versions. Although
these are expensive they are very good. On
the budget side, though, Squire have just
released a real bargain into the shops with
the 6 wall or floor mounted anchor.
Although not as complex as the other
offerings, when fitted properly using thesecurity bolts its a great bit of kit.
Remember, though, that an anchor is
only as good as your workmanship in fitting
it. If you make a bodge of drilling holes then
it can be ripped out of the ground. If you
mix your concrete so its too sandy
then it can be broken up quickly
and easily. Take your time and
use your common sense,
read the instructions
carefully and youll end
up with a highly
secure place to
lock your bike(s).
Our top lock choices, what makes a good lock and some hot tips to beat the thieves
LOCKS
The Axa SecuCity U-lock isour all-roundbest buy
CHOICEMountainBike
What
# # #GOLD
What
# # #
MountainBike
but thisKryptoniteanchor isseriouslyheavyduty
Squires 6 anchorwill do the job
SOLD SECURENorthumbria and Essex Police
established Sold Secure in 1992 with
the help and backing of the Home
Office. Sold Secure is now administered
by the Master Locksmiths Association
and works from purpose built
laboratories in Daventry, where it liases
with insurance companies to collate the
latest information on criminal methods.
Information gathered in these labs ispassed on to security manufacturers to
enable them to produce more effective
products and only the best locks
manufactured then get the Sold
Secure seal of approval.
If you have your bike insured then
contact the insurance company to see
what locks they approve. If you use a
lock that is not approved by your
insurance company (even though it
might be a great lock) then your
insurance could be classed as null and
void. Theres a complete listing of all
Sold Secure cycle locks on the Sold
Secure website, (www.soldsecure.com)
complete with the relevant ratings and
contact details.
QUICK TIPSFit two different kinds of locks (such as a U-lock and a cable lock), and the seasoned
bike thief will realise itll take far too long to steal your bike and move on to the next.
Also use two locks which have two different types of key. Pay attention to what you
lock your bike to. Its no use locking it to something which can easily be
snapped/cut/pulled out etc. Write down your key numbers and keep those numbers
somewhere safe along with contact details for your lock manufacturer. Try to
change where you lock your bike once in a while, and use sensible, well lit
places which are usually busy all the time, not just in the
morning, lunchtime, and in the evening. If you lock your
bike in a shed/garage then make sure that thisplace is secure too, and try not to
leave tools that a thief can use (to
break your lock) in the same place
that you leave your bike.
DONT LEAVE ITIf you lock your bike up in a regular
spot and you dont want to be
carrying your heavy lock home every night
then do not leave it locked to the bars where you lock
your bike. If a thief wants to practise picking a lock then
he/she wont have to buy a lock, they can just sit overnight and
practise on yours.Then when theyve learned to pick the lock
guess whos bike isnt secure the next day? If at all possible
leave it inside where you work, or carry it with you. Sure it might
be heavy, but taking it definitely beats losing your bike
Carry locks withyou at all times as
leaving them behindgives thieves ideas
WMB27.gt_locks 15/12/2003 12:46 PM Page 86