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New U-Lock with angle-grinder defense

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New U-Lock with angle-grinder defense

Old 08-08-19, 09:45 AM
  #1  
JonathanGennick 
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New U-Lock with angle-grinder defense

Interesting!

https://bikerumor.com/2019/08/08/alt...inder-defense/

The use of a softer metal and the non-uniform pattern inside the outer core is an intriguing defense.
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Old 08-08-19, 09:52 AM
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13 POUNDS!!! LOL. Interesting if you leave it in one place, but I don't see myself carrying this on my bike!
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Old 08-08-19, 09:57 AM
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Makes sense. I always thought this kind of composite was feasible, with both a grinding-resistant component and a shear-resistant component.

Last edited by tyrion; 08-08-19 at 07:59 PM.
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Old 08-08-19, 10:52 AM
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Yes, this concept makes a lot of sense. The actual lock is necessarily bulky though, which might inhibit its application on the variety of things to which one would lock a bike.

I don't doubt that thieves would eventually figure out how to most efficiently disable this lock, but if it takes an additional minute or so they may not bother and move on to easier pickings.
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Old 08-08-19, 07:30 PM
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I considered an aluminium outer, with a steel core, as the alloy would gum-up the cutting wheel. But it'd still get through it.

My latest U lock is 19mm thick. That's thicker than a Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboutit.. It requires two cuts and is harder to pick for having dummy tumblers.

Yeah it's heavy, but barely heavier than my series-2 Kryptonite as it's shorter. And, you know, e-bike.. so it doesn't matter.
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Old 08-08-19, 07:36 PM
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Originally Posted by ChinookTx
13 POUNDS!!! LOL. Interesting if you leave it in one place, but I don't see myself carrying this on my bike!
And $300 retail...And also, needless to say, Kickstarter. Odds are your money will be gone and you'll never get it anyway
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Old 08-08-19, 07:46 PM
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Wonder if the LockPickingLawyer would be able to open it...
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Old 08-08-19, 08:02 PM
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Originally Posted by MikeyMK
I considered an aluminium outer, with a steel core, as the alloy would gum-up the cutting wheel. But it'd still get through it.

My latest U lock is 19mm thick. That's thicker than a Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboutit.. It requires two cuts and is harder to pick for having dummy tumblers.

Yeah it's heavy, but barely heavier than my series-2 Kryptonite as it's shorter. And, you know, e-bike.. so it doesn't matter.

What brand/model of U-lock do you have?
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Old 08-08-19, 08:07 PM
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That looks completely useless. You would be lucky to fit it through the frame and a rack. 13 pounds and you'll need locks for the wheels.
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Old 08-08-19, 08:16 PM
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It stops "angle grinders up to five inches." So, beyond that is still iffy?
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Old 08-08-19, 08:17 PM
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Interesting.

If that outer rubber casing is all that is holding the alloy halves of the U together, it looks like it ought to be easy to use the grinder to make an outside diameter cut of that U to peel the rubber casing off. Then remove the alloy halves, which would leave the steel core is exposed.

I'd guess they maker might use steel epoxy to hold the halves together? If not, they should use it liberally in the voids of that alloy shell.

Any criminal seeing this video is probably thinking the same thing.
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Old 08-08-19, 08:24 PM
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Remember, bike weight plus lock that works adds up to a constant; that constant depending on the city. (Also locale, time of day, etc. And second to the rule that a bike only needs to be less attractive or better locked than the bike next to it.) Daytime in decent areas in Portland, 28 pounds works pretty well. I have two 26 pound bikes with 2 pound U-locks. Now, if you wanted to lock a 15 pound wunderbike next to my city bike, you might well need that 13 pound lock.

Ben
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Old 08-08-19, 08:34 PM
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When you cut the outer layer, that’s when the spiders inside are released
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Old 08-08-19, 09:40 PM
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Originally Posted by SylvainG
Wonder if the LockPickingLawyer would be able to open it...
One is binding, two is loose, click out of three…
wouldn't take him long

plus, if you're out and about stealing a bike with an angle grinder, might just cut the pole that the lock/bike are attached to..
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Old 08-09-19, 12:30 AM
  #15  
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Sorry, but all you have to do is see this image and it looks like an April Fools joke: https://c1.iggcdn.com/indiegogo-medi...mfcly14wn5f24e

Might as well ride around with a floor safe strapped to your back.
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Old 08-09-19, 01:58 AM
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At that weight and price it'd make better sense to just keep buying decent used bikes for under $200, any good U-lock and replace it as needed.

If I lived in an area where bike theft was that much a problem I wouldn't get too attached to a commuter bike.
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Old 08-09-19, 04:17 AM
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Originally Posted by canklecat
At that weight and price it'd make better sense to just keep buying decent used bikes for under $200, any good U-lock and replace it as needed.

If I lived in an area where bike theft was that much a problem I wouldn't get too attached to a commuter bike.

It's not just the weight, the size is absurd. Carrying it around will be no fun, and there's no way it's going through a wheel and frame when locking it to anything substantial.
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Old 08-09-19, 04:42 AM
  #18  
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Originally Posted by livedarklions
and there's no way it's going through a wheel and frame when locking it to anything substantial.
Good point. The lock alone would barely fit around most sign poles I lock my bike to when I commute/run errands.
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Old 08-09-19, 04:58 AM
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Originally Posted by indyfabz
Good point. The lock alone would barely fit around most sign poles I lock my bike to when I commute/run errands.
If you look at the picture I linked above, you can see it's approximately the size of a basketball. Where would you stow it while riding?
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Old 08-09-19, 07:19 AM
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Originally Posted by livedarklions
If you look at the picture I linked above, you can see it's approximately the size of a basketball. Where would you stow it while riding?
You mean it doesn't come with a seat tube bracket to hold it? What a rip off!
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Old 08-09-19, 10:16 AM
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Lol, this is beyond parody. Besides, as already mentioned, anything small enough for this thing to fit around could easily be cut instead, by the angle grinder, rendering this thing completely useless. This is something that never should have gone beyond the initial design stage. But there are always way too many suckers....
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Old 08-09-19, 10:24 AM
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Originally Posted by indyfabz
You mean it doesn't come with a seat tube bracket to hold it? What a rip off!
I think the real purpose of the soft coating is so you won't fracture your knees while riding.
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Old 08-09-19, 10:43 AM
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Originally Posted by ChinookTx
13 POUNDS!!! LOL. Interesting if you leave it in one place, but I don't see myself carrying this on my bike!
In fairness, they clearly state that the lock is intended to be left where you lock your bike. Still...what a monster.
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Old 08-09-19, 10:52 AM
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I am so glad I do not live in a city and have to contend with this sort of thing.


Originally Posted by Dirt Farmer
It stops "angle grinders up to five inches." So, beyond that is still iffy?
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.

Originally Posted by seamuis
Lol, this is beyond parody. Besides, as already mentioned, anything small enough for this thing to fit around could easily be cut instead, by the angle grinder, rendering this thing completely useless. This is something that never should have gone beyond the initial design stage. But there are always way too many suckers....
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...
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Old 08-09-19, 11:09 AM
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My question is, what do you do if you ever lose the key?
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