New U-Lock with angle-grinder defense
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#27
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I am so glad I do not live in a city and have to contend with this sort of thing.
The purpose of the outer layer is to keep the grinder wheel from being able to reach the steel part. A larger diameter grinder will have more reach to the wheel that would allow the wheel to reach the steel core and defeat the lock. Grinders larger than 5" are also pretty bulky things so a thief is more likely to move on to another bike.
Take a look at their video, it locks around what look like standard bike racks. The lock is on an entire different scale from standard bike locks...
The purpose of the outer layer is to keep the grinder wheel from being able to reach the steel part. A larger diameter grinder will have more reach to the wheel that would allow the wheel to reach the steel core and defeat the lock. Grinders larger than 5" are also pretty bulky things so a thief is more likely to move on to another bike.
Take a look at their video, it locks around what look like standard bike racks. The lock is on an entire different scale from standard bike locks...
Obviously, this lock does nothing to secure either wheel. I don't think there's any getting around that leaving expensive bikes unattended outside is always going to be risky no matter what you lock them with.
#28
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I still think SkunkLock was on the right track. Until then:
#30
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I suppose either a lifestyle or geographical area I’m obviously not accustomed to, but where in the heck would one be leaving their bike that would warrant a lock such as that?!?
Last edited by one4smoke; 08-09-19 at 12:51 PM.
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#31
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im aware that the inner size is standard, but that severely limits it already, then it’s size makes it impossible to protect your wheels or even a wheel. But just think for a second, for a bike thief who saw this lock everyday permanently installed on the same rack, for a bike they wanted. They could just take the angle grinder to the rack itself. The bike would be 13lbs heavier but they could still get away nearly as quickly and then have plenty of time later to cut through the lock. Or they could cut the rack when the bike isn’t there and get rid of the lock. Would the bike owner spend another 300 bucks to replace it? Any lock that’s designed to be ‘left locked to a rack’ is a bad design, especially that big. If you can’t take it with you, it’s pointless. A thief could badly damage it when your bike isn’t there and even if not technically ‘broken’, what owner would want to keep using it? Force the bike owner to switch to a lock that can be cut through. You don’t need to be a thief to understand this is incredibly bad design, you only need to use a few moments of common sense.
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The only place I had a bike stolen is from inside my house, while the GF and I were home and awake.
#35
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If someone was taking up a scarce bike rack just to store one of these, I might be tempted to mess with it out of spite. Wouldn't do it, but super glue would be an obvious choice.
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#38
Cycleway town
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#39
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And the Altor Lock.
One might wonder how many people would try to break it just because it looks like a joke.
Have to build a rack just to carry that lock!!
One might wonder how many people would try to break it just because it looks like a joke.
Have to build a rack just to carry that lock!!
Last edited by CliffordK; 08-10-19 at 09:24 AM.
#40
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i work as a auto body tech. i use cut off wheels every day at work.
in theory the lock sounds like it will work, in my opinion it would be easily defeated.
they make cut off wheels that are designed to cut thru dual compound alloys like this. also in the video they try to cut thru the center bar of the lock. looking at a cut away of the lock all you would have to do is cut thru the bottom of the tube where it joins to the lower lock area on both sides of the U and you remove the lock. in this area there is only a 1/4" thick pin. cut 1/2 way thru the lock in this area and the lock falls off.
if they really wanted to make a tough lock they should use the new ultra ultra high strength steel they are now using on cars. a regular cut off wheel won't touch it. you have to use a special diamond infused cut off wheel to cut it. or better yet use a hard alloy with rotating pins inside of them. if the pins rotate it's almost impossible to cut thru them no matter what you use other that a oxy/acc torch, AKA flaming wrench.
as others have posted any lock no matter how strong it may be is a just a small deterrent. just cut the tube of the bike that the lock secures then part it out. and scrap the frame. i am not a bike thief but in my opinion if someone is walking around with a battery powered cut off wheel. most likely they have a support transportation near by to haul it away instead of riding it away..
in theory the lock sounds like it will work, in my opinion it would be easily defeated.
they make cut off wheels that are designed to cut thru dual compound alloys like this. also in the video they try to cut thru the center bar of the lock. looking at a cut away of the lock all you would have to do is cut thru the bottom of the tube where it joins to the lower lock area on both sides of the U and you remove the lock. in this area there is only a 1/4" thick pin. cut 1/2 way thru the lock in this area and the lock falls off.
if they really wanted to make a tough lock they should use the new ultra ultra high strength steel they are now using on cars. a regular cut off wheel won't touch it. you have to use a special diamond infused cut off wheel to cut it. or better yet use a hard alloy with rotating pins inside of them. if the pins rotate it's almost impossible to cut thru them no matter what you use other that a oxy/acc torch, AKA flaming wrench.
as others have posted any lock no matter how strong it may be is a just a small deterrent. just cut the tube of the bike that the lock secures then part it out. and scrap the frame. i am not a bike thief but in my opinion if someone is walking around with a battery powered cut off wheel. most likely they have a support transportation near by to haul it away instead of riding it away..
#41
Full Member
Here's an idea. Make the U part hollow and fill it with pink or purple paint under high pressure like a rattle can. Once a grinder breaks through paint starts squirting everywhere covering the thief (and probably your bike too) with paint. Even if they take your bike at least you'd get some satisfaction they'd be scrubbing themselves for a few hours.
#43
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Here's an idea. Make the U part hollow and fill it with pink or purple paint under high pressure like a rattle can. Once a grinder breaks through paint starts squirting everywhere covering the thief (and probably your bike too) with paint. Even if they take your bike at least you'd get some satisfaction they'd be scrubbing themselves for a few hours.
#44
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I use a TiGr but wouldn't be avers to some sort of ... let's call it a deterrent agent dispersal system. Something that's easy to wash off a bike but not so much clothing or skin. Skunk Spray coupled with a very visible marking dye so that it would be obvious that an attempt was made?
#45
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If the thief knew how much the lock cost they'd cut the bike and steal the lock
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#46
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For lock-and-leave usage, my "grocery" bike needs no "lightweight" or "competition" pretensions, so just about any Goodwill-sourced $60 bike will do (adding in the effort/cost of tuning it up and outfitting with an accessory or two).
I guess then that it is perhaps fashion-conscious riders of newer/better bikes that might need extra protection, not that someone won't someday try to steal my locked-up old Supersport that looks like it has spent much of it's 50 years in the city.
A ten to fifteen-years-old lightweight carbon bike can be bought for around $600 and is light enough to be carried around after the ride is over. I've seen riders who remove the wheels and put their bike in a shopping cart while making purchases at WalMart, and for that matter I have wheeled my road bike through a less-crowded store (where parking the bike isn't usually allowed). Some markets allow a bike to be stowed in an unused checkstand aisle during low-traffic hours (I've been invited to do this).
What burns me up is employers who won't provide any safe place for a commuting employee to park their bike, even when there is plenty of space inside where the bike won't get in the way.
And the excuse that "insurance" won't allow a bike inside of a building, should be a law against that!
I guess then that it is perhaps fashion-conscious riders of newer/better bikes that might need extra protection, not that someone won't someday try to steal my locked-up old Supersport that looks like it has spent much of it's 50 years in the city.
A ten to fifteen-years-old lightweight carbon bike can be bought for around $600 and is light enough to be carried around after the ride is over. I've seen riders who remove the wheels and put their bike in a shopping cart while making purchases at WalMart, and for that matter I have wheeled my road bike through a less-crowded store (where parking the bike isn't usually allowed). Some markets allow a bike to be stowed in an unused checkstand aisle during low-traffic hours (I've been invited to do this).
What burns me up is employers who won't provide any safe place for a commuting employee to park their bike, even when there is plenty of space inside where the bike won't get in the way.
And the excuse that "insurance" won't allow a bike inside of a building, should be a law against that!
Last edited by dddd; 08-13-19 at 06:13 PM.
#48
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Nice solution!
Yes, I'm curious as well. However, given the NY Fahgettaboudit is 18mm, the difference is 1mm. And a powerful angle grinder will get through both sides in short order, unfortunately. I think you're over-confident in your lock's ability to withstand attack.
I'm very interested in seeing this project be a success. I've customized U-locks over the years to improve their security. Here's one attempt:
(Krypt Rock Lock Mini LS with custom multi-fit "Bad Bones" with pipe sleeves to discourage attack.)
So given my security obsession, I'm willing to put up some cash and take some risk. However, given that they're only at 5% of the money needed to proceed, it looks like it's going to fail. Given that, I'm gonna hold off. But if things look rosier, I will go for it.
I encourage anyone here as fanatic about locks as I am to consider taking the risk too. Might be pretty damn cool to own a massive, one-off piece of future bicycle security history!
I'm very interested in seeing this project be a success. I've customized U-locks over the years to improve their security. Here's one attempt:
(Krypt Rock Lock Mini LS with custom multi-fit "Bad Bones" with pipe sleeves to discourage attack.)
So given my security obsession, I'm willing to put up some cash and take some risk. However, given that they're only at 5% of the money needed to proceed, it looks like it's going to fail. Given that, I'm gonna hold off. But if things look rosier, I will go for it.
I encourage anyone here as fanatic about locks as I am to consider taking the risk too. Might be pretty damn cool to own a massive, one-off piece of future bicycle security history!
Last edited by LV2TNDM; 08-16-19 at 12:57 PM.
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#49
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I've lived and commuted on a nice commuter bike for decades without theft. (I also tried the "ride a crappy commuter bike" approach and HATED it! I ride for utility AND pleasure, so riding junk is a non-starter.) I don't think it has to come down to the simple "either/or" scenario you describe. Or the other poster who said, "If you need a lock like this, see a realtor instead." Sure, you COULD move, but really? THAT is your approach to challenge? Leave? I live in the SF Bay Area East Bay where crime and bike theft are epidemic. I've had one bike stolen and that was because I was using seriously inferior security at the time. But since then, I've always tried to stay ahead of the problem and informed about bike theft. I lock bikes in my locked garage. There is no bike "too nice for a lock." If you own nice bikes, you should own nice locks.
But avoiding theft is a combination of smarts and luck. And don't think I don't realize I've benefited from some luck over the years. Utilize a quality lock and use it properly and you greatly reduce your risk of theft. It's the lazy person who doesn't take an extra few seconds or spends a few extra bucks that has their bike stolen (usually). I mean cable locks? Really?!!!
But thieves are opportunists and lazy. They'll go for the easy pickings. So if your lock is the biggest in the bike rack, thieves will go for the other bikes.
I feel the SAF Lock is a really creative solution to the current state of affairs as far as angle grinders go.
And to the poster who mentioned one of the high-strength steels used in the auto industry, I highly doubt the industry lock designers and engineers are ignorant about these materials. The question is can they be utilized in this application with an acceptable cost/benefit ratio. If it was such a superior material against grinder attack, it would already be on the market.
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#50
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im aware that the inner size is standard, but that severely limits it already, then it’s size makes it impossible to protect your wheels or even a wheel. But just think for a second, for a bike thief who saw this lock everyday permanently installed on the same rack, for a bike they wanted. They could just take the angle grinder to the rack itself. The bike would be 13lbs heavier but they could still get away nearly as quickly and then have plenty of time later to cut through the lock. Or they could cut the rack when the bike isn’t there and get rid of the lock. Would the bike owner spend another 300 bucks to replace it? Any lock that’s designed to be ‘left locked to a rack’ is a bad design, especially that big. If you can’t take it with you, it’s pointless. A thief could badly damage it when your bike isn’t there and even if not technically ‘broken’, what owner would want to keep using it? Force the bike owner to switch to a lock that can be cut through. You don’t need to be a thief to understand this is incredibly bad design, you only need to use a few moments of common sense.
Yes, the weak link then becomes the bike rack or the frame. This isn't new news. But having the biggest lock means most thieves will go to easier pickings. It doesn't matter when you're stealing $500 to $1,000 bikes; they're all either getting chopped up and parted out or sold on the corner for $50 anyway. It's when you get to the $12k bikes that you have to worry. These will indeed be resold whole on CraigsList. We can all do our part by NOT buying that "really, REALLY good deal" on Craigslist. Tell sellers you only buy legitimate used bikes with original receipts. We perpetuate bike theft by trolling the used ads and giving thieves our cash.