Yep, they certified it, all right. The larger TiGr was ART Certified as a "2" on a 1 to 5 scale - about what a ulock with a street price of 10% as much might rate. Note: TiGr's own videos compare their lock to very humble ulocks. It is what it is: light, expensive,
modest security.
The ART rating has economic value to consumers and insurance providers in the Netherlands. For anyone who is curious about the ART scale of 1 to 5 please check out the complete list of ART Certified locks here:
Stichting ART |
You will see that there are no 5-star rated u-locks. There are a few locks in the chain category with a 5-star rating. The 5-star locks tend to be very heavy and designed more for locking up a motorcycle than for carrying around on a bicycle.
The New York Fahgettaboudit, along with a few other u-locks from other manufactures, have a 4-star rating. They are excellent locks.
There are a fair number of locks with 3-star and 2-star ratings, also excellent locks. You can see for yourself what other locks have the same 2-star rating as the 125 TiGr Locks. You don't see lower-end u-locks, or chain or any of the lighter folding locks on the list because they either do not meet all ART standards or because the manufacture has not submitted them for ART certification.
We have not been able to break 1.25" wide TiGr Locks with bolt cutters in our testing. That is not to say there are no bolt cutters in the world than can break it. There may be; we just haven’t found any. The 125 TiGr met the ART Foundation standard for a 4-star rating in their bolt cutter machine testing.
The 0.75" wide versions of the TiGr, which are lighter, more flexible and less expensive than the 1.25" wide versions, are susceptible to bolt cutters because there is a 1/2" less Ti to break. Bolt cutters are efficient machines (although hard to conceal as noted above). Unlike cable, the 075 TiGr Locks are not susceptible to wire cutters or tin snips (hand tools that are easy to carry/conceal), or leverage attacks.
At the end of the day, your bike lock choice comes down to balancing your wants as a rider with your needs for security. You always want to enjoy the ride. Sometimes you need a good lock. At TiGr Lock we want to protect both your bike and your bike riding enjoyment.
Please send a note to
info@tigrlock.com if you have any questions for us about our locks. We love to talk bikes and locks and would love to hear from you.