Commuting - How good is the chain/lock that BikeRegistry sells ?

Does anybody have any experience/feedback regarding the chain that BikeRegistry sells ?

http://www.bikeregistry.com/estore/product_info.php?products_id=54&osCsid=ad1ff3af689ea4075d8157d8981fe7ce

http://www.bikeregistry.com/estore/images/Chain_Big.jpg

The build quality and materials used, as well as the design, are very good.
I like the fact that they designed it with very tight tolerances around the shackle. This means it is more difficult to get a tool onto the padlock/shackle area.

The pin tumbler is standard and quite easily picked open by someone who is proficient at lock picking.

Most thieves will not pick locks though, they will try to break them.
In this case the lock and chain above are quite secure.

I always recommend insuring your bicycles if you are really worried about theft. Renter's/homeowner's insurance is quite inexpensive and gives (me) great peace of mind.

Convenient and easily carried? The picture shows potential for the lock and exposed chain ends to knock against the frame.

I did notice that in the "long enough to secure both wheels" picture the front wheel had been from the fork.

I ordered and received mine today. Seems like a good quality lock setup. For $35 and change shipped, along with the free Bike Registry decal kit, I'll take it.

Played a bit in the backyard with the nearest thing I could find to a bike rack:

Just the back wheel and frame:
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff195/ahulvey/PA200021.jpg

W/front tire:
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff195/ahulvey/PA200022.jpg

I had been looking at the idea of a chain lock for a while. A U-lock here works in most cases. Sometimes you have to get creative-telephone poles, larger diameter u-racks, those little wheel benders and others-where a U-Lock just isn't an option. The price was right on this for me. And since I don't really think we have a huge bike theft issue here ,I'll take the gamble. As long as it looks like your bike is looked well and better than the one next to it, it seems to get left alone.

is it strong or stronger than kryptonites chain?
i mean with any chain its usually just *snip snip* with bolt cutters....

Their video shows them cutting it with a torch.

abus 82/70 lock picked under 45seconds.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqjZYCD6bjA

3/8" hardened boron alloy steel square link, cut with 36" bolt cutters
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jfkn0mk0X2I

cheap kryptolocks, series 2 picked.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fvjp0qGPBi4

even the Fahgettaboudit Hex Chain is cut with 42" bolt cutters under a min, search utube. i tried cutting one of these chains with 18"inch bolt cutters, could bearly make a strach. i didn't have enough leverage.

seems like ulocks are best. someone can use an angle grinder or a carjack(or bottle jack) to pop it off, but i haven't seen many picked and sawing takes a good 20-30mins atleast. even so ulocks seem to be the best bet. even the Fahgettaboudit Hex Chain is cut with 42" bolt cutters under a min, search utube. but i don't see videos of people using bolt cuttters on ulocks. dunno why.

If you carry around a 42" bolt cutter and find a bike locked up with the Fahgettaboudit chain, I think you deserve to keep that bike.

abus 82/70 lock picked under 45seconds.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqjZYCD6bjA

3/8" hardened boron alloy steel square link, cut with 36" bolt cutters
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jfkn0mk0X2I

cheap kryptolocks, series 2 picked.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fvjp0qGPBi4

even the Fahgettaboudit Hex Chain is cut with 42" bolt cutters under a min, search utube. i tried cutting one of these chains with 18"inch bolt cutters, could bearly make a strach. i didn't have enough leverage.

seems like ulocks are best. someone can use an angle grinder or a carjack(or bottle jack) to pop it off, but i haven't seen many picked and sawing takes a good 20-30mins atleast. even so ulocks seem to be the best bet. even the Fahgettaboudit Hex Chain is cut with 42" bolt cutters under a min, search utube. but i don't see videos of people using bolt cuttters on ulocks. dunno why.


Several issues.

In looking at the lock pick video he is working with a single lock. He isn't dealing with a lock on a bike through two links of chain, limiting movement. Further, looking at the tools used, one could position the lock in such a way that would more than likely frustrate attempts to use such tools.

As to the bolt cutters, consider the leverage from placing the chain and cutters on the floor. Again, by positioning the lock and chain the right way one could lessen the potential for mechanical advantage.

I don't think any one lock is the right solution. I'm drawn to the chain because of it's flexibility. At the one school I'm attending, the racks are good but the tubing is oversized. I was never able to get my U-Lock to fit in such a way that I felt 100% comfortable. I would use a much less secure krypto cable to bind the rear wheel and frame to the rack and then attach that a u lock around my frame and the rack. Not ideal in the least.

I plan on getting some locking skewers of some kind down the road and upgrading my current U-lock. I honestly think the best security is locking next to the guy with a flimsy cable lock. Is the guy with bolt cutters going to spend the 1-2 minutes on my chain or the 15 seconds on the cable lock next door?

Looks about the same as the Onguard Mastiff I run.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/images/onguard-5022-zoom.jpg

Looks about the same as the Onguard Mastiff I run.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/images/onguard-5022-zoom.jpg

IMO that disk lock is a sitting duck for the bolt cutter man! :eek:
The monoblock approach seems to be a LOT more secure since there is no room for a bolt cutter...

Well,

I was debating between this chain and the Fugheddabout it Krypto.

For $44 shipped (ordered secure skewers as well), It's worth a shot. I need a chain that I can have some peace of mind for when I commute to work. I'll give this a shot.

Maybe i'll also pick up the Krytonite as well and use this one for quick errands around my neighborhood.. ?

Now I have to shop for a good cable look to secure the seat to the frame when I commute...

In the end,it really doesn't matter.Locks keep honest people honest.If a thief really wants your bike,it's gone. You can buy a cutting torch the size of a pack of smokes.NO LOCK WILL DEFEAT THAT!

@politicalgeek:

Caught your post about the bicycleregistry lock and was wondering if you still use it regularly. I am looking to buy one, and if you aren't using it, I would be happy to buy it off you or trade for a 6,000 joule surge protector:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16842102072

Either way, have a great night!

:-)

In the end,it really doesn't matter.Locks keep honest people honest.If a thief really wants your bike,it's gone. You can buy a cutting torch the size of a pack of smokes.NO LOCK WILL DEFEAT THAT!

Hmm not so sure at least not under 10min if you add several security layers

untouchable 19mm (3/4'') thick chain + mul-t-lock 18mm padlock or ABLOY PL362 (Grade 6 padlocks)

18mm xena bullett ulock with integrated alarm system

pinhead locks

bikesheperd registered

gps tracking device

marking device

I own the Abloy PL362. It is too heavy for me to carry, which is why I am going with something lighter.

But yes, that lock is killer. No springs. Shackle moves like greased butter.

A torch on either the Abloy PL362 or a 19mm chain has some serious melting to do!