Lightest "Theft-Proof" Lock?
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,923
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Bikes: Nature Boy 853 Disc, Pugsley SS
Lightest "Theft-Proof" Lock?
Yes, I know there's no such thing as "Theft-proof."
I want a lock for the following:
-Locking the frame and both wheels (front wheel removed) to a post. ~8-12 inches clearance should be enough for this.
-Protection from hand saws, basic lock-cutters, lock picks, and leverage-based breakage
What I DON'T need:
-Protection from massive bolt-cutters that are impossible to conceal
-Protection from power saws
What's the lightest package for this? Is something like the mini 21" chain locks from Kryptonite my best bet? Here's one.
I want a lock for the following:
-Locking the frame and both wheels (front wheel removed) to a post. ~8-12 inches clearance should be enough for this.
-Protection from hand saws, basic lock-cutters, lock picks, and leverage-based breakage
What I DON'T need:
-Protection from massive bolt-cutters that are impossible to conceal
-Protection from power saws
What's the lightest package for this? Is something like the mini 21" chain locks from Kryptonite my best bet? Here's one.
#2
Portland Fred
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,553
Likes: 54
Bikes: Custom Winter, Challenge Seiran SL, Fuji Team Pro, Cattrike Road/Velokit, РOS hybrid
That chain weighs 4 1/2 lbs. An Evolution 5 or 7 Mini 5 U bolt combined with a small cable for the wheel will provide greater security at lower weight
#5
I've used a couple Abus folding locks on rental bikes. They aren't so much light as compact, but I think I prefer it that way. They rate between a cable and u-lock in terms of effectiveness, but if you're just locking up for short periods of time in relatively safe areas, I think they'd be just as effective as a u-lock. The only thing keeping me from getting one is the price.
#7
I tried sawing an old U-lock with a hacksaw, and that was about like trying to saw through glass. So most high-quality locks are going to be fairly safe from hand-saws.
I've never heard of anyone having a lock picked, other than the Bic-pen method, which has not been feasible on new locks in several years.
I've never heard of a "standard lock cutter". They make bolt-cutters in all sizes, and the effectiveness is going to depend on your strength and willingness to damage the jaws, etc.
From past reading, when locks are cut, bystanders don't necessarily do anything to stop the process, so it doesn't really matter if the bolt cutters are impossible to conceal.
I've never heard of anyone having a lock picked, other than the Bic-pen method, which has not been feasible on new locks in several years.
I've never heard of a "standard lock cutter". They make bolt-cutters in all sizes, and the effectiveness is going to depend on your strength and willingness to damage the jaws, etc.
From past reading, when locks are cut, bystanders don't necessarily do anything to stop the process, so it doesn't really matter if the bolt cutters are impossible to conceal.
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#8
Should be an interesting thread. 
Can you define what kind of bike...relative worth, and where it would be left?...mainstreet?...college?...and approx. how long the bike would be left unattended?
PS: there maybe a mini Lo-jack out there that will detect motion and send an alert to your cell phone.

Can you define what kind of bike...relative worth, and where it would be left?...mainstreet?...college?...and approx. how long the bike would be left unattended?
PS: there maybe a mini Lo-jack out there that will detect motion and send an alert to your cell phone.
#9
Hogosha Sekai

Joined: Jun 2011
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From: STS
Bikes: Leader 725, Centurion Turbo, Scwhinn Peloton, Schwinn Premis, GT Tequesta, Bridgestone CB-2,72' Centurion Lemans, 72 Raleigh Competition
I use a masterlock cufflock when I really really really want to be sure, the 9 link version.
#10
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,923
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Bikes: Nature Boy 853 Disc, Pugsley SS
I'll be bike touring, so the bike will be out of my sight in a public place, only during the day. I want to keep the honest people honest and I want to keep the drug-induced opportunity thefts with concealable objects down. Guarding against serious bike thieves with power-saws and 2-foot cutters is beyond what I'm willing to carry, or expect to run into.
#11
I have one for my commuting bike and for when I take the kids out but never seem to carry it or if I do I hate it but it is a good locking system, it's just to heavy LOL but its strong thats for sure and if you want good I guess this is it.
OnGuard 5012 OnGuard Bulldog DT
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It may not be fancy but it gets me were I need to go.
https://www.jtgraphics.net/cyclist_bicycles.htm
It may not be fancy but it gets me were I need to go.
https://www.jtgraphics.net/cyclist_bicycles.htm
Last edited by JTGraphics; 07-12-13 at 03:30 PM.
#12
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 6,341
Likes: 326
From: Mountain View, CA USA and Golden, CO USA
Bikes: 97 Litespeed, 50-39-30x13-26 10 cogs, Campagnolo Ultrashift, retroreflective rims on SON28/PowerTap hubs
Yes, I know there's no such thing as "Theft-proof."
I want a lock for the following:
-Locking the frame and both wheels (front wheel removed) to a post. ~8-12 inches clearance should be enough for this.
-Protection from hand saws, basic lock-cutters, lock picks, and leverage-based breakage
What I DON'T need:
-Protection from massive bolt-cutters that are impossible to conceal
-Protection from power saws
What's the lightest package for this? Is something like the mini 21" chain locks from Kryptonite my best bet? Here's one.
I want a lock for the following:
-Locking the frame and both wheels (front wheel removed) to a post. ~8-12 inches clearance should be enough for this.
-Protection from hand saws, basic lock-cutters, lock picks, and leverage-based breakage
What I DON'T need:
-Protection from massive bolt-cutters that are impossible to conceal
-Protection from power saws
What's the lightest package for this? Is something like the mini 21" chain locks from Kryptonite my best bet? Here's one.
In comparison a Kryptonite Evolution Mini is 900 grams while the heavy duty Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit Mini is 1.9kg
There's also a high-security 1.25" bow form which weighs 727g or 1 pound 9.6 oz.
Standard length (24") is enough for both wheels on road bikes without removing the front wheel. Short (18") fits in back packs and long (30") is enough for longer wheelbases as on mountain and touring bikes.
https://tigrlock.com/product/
Last edited by Drew Eckhardt; 07-13-13 at 09:59 AM.
#14
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
I tried sawing an old U-lock with a hacksaw, and that was about like trying to saw through glass. So most high-quality locks are going to be fairly safe from hand-saws.
I've never heard of anyone having a lock picked, other than the Bic-pen method, which has not been feasible on new locks in several years.
I've never heard of a "standard lock cutter". They make bolt-cutters in all sizes, and the effectiveness is going to depend on your strength and willingness to damage the jaws, etc.
From past reading, when locks are cut, bystanders don't necessarily do anything to stop the process, so it doesn't really matter if the bolt cutters are impossible to conceal.
I've never heard of anyone having a lock picked, other than the Bic-pen method, which has not been feasible on new locks in several years.
I've never heard of a "standard lock cutter". They make bolt-cutters in all sizes, and the effectiveness is going to depend on your strength and willingness to damage the jaws, etc.
From past reading, when locks are cut, bystanders don't necessarily do anything to stop the process, so it doesn't really matter if the bolt cutters are impossible to conceal.
I ain't no pro at it, but I had a lock on my bike that I lost the keys for, nothing expensive but not one of those cheapo pound store ones ether, it was a propped pad lock with chain, would take a fair bit of sawing to get through.
However I gave up looking for the keys and just Lernet to pick it, I can pick it in under 5 seconds....(lock must have been utterly crap lol). While this may not be possible on most of the locks you get over say £25 or so the cheap ones really are crap.
I used to get a few odd looks from passers bye lol when I was there picking my lock, but It was quicker than useing keys lol haha.
#15
Portland Fred
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,553
Likes: 54
Bikes: Custom Winter, Challenge Seiran SL, Fuji Team Pro, Cattrike Road/Velokit, РOS hybrid
And my trike always gets mistaken for some form of adaptive technology. No one will ever touch that.
#16
Portland Fred
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,553
Likes: 54
Bikes: Custom Winter, Challenge Seiran SL, Fuji Team Pro, Cattrike Road/Velokit, РOS hybrid
You use a zip tool to cut through these. I once cut through a u-bolt to get an abandoned bike (with the permission of the apt manager). It throws some sparks, but you can absolutely get through in a few minutes.
#17
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,012
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From: Orlando, FL
Bikes: Specialized Roubaix SL3, Lynskey Cooper CX
I have one for my commuting bike and for when I take the kids out but never seem to carry it or if I do I hate it but it is a good locking system, it's just to heavy LOL but its strong thats for sure and if you want good I guess this is it.
OnGuard 5012 OnGuard Bulldog DT
Review
OnGuard 5012 OnGuard Bulldog DT
Review
#18
Thread Killer

Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 13,140
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From: Ann Arbor, MI
Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII, 23 3T Strada
Yeah, TiGr lock, without doubt. Peerless.
#19
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#20
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Joined: Jun 2012
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I would opt for a good set of locking skewers for your wheels and then a very good U-lock for your frame, I use an Abus Granit Futura 64 Mini, locking skewers for my wheels, and a Kryptonite Flex cable for my saddle. The Abus Granit Mini weighs only 695g and is a breeze to carry around, I have used the locking mech thousands of times now and it is still butter smooth.
I have a friend who has the Tigr lock and decided to stop using it because it rattled on his frame a lot which annoyed him, he also locked up many times a day and found the locking mech annoying to use. He just linked me a video which shows the thinner version of the Tigr lock being bested by bolt cutters:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kb8YoT9Q9VA
The videos on the Tigr site only show it being tested against a crappy $15 U-lock, I would like to see it tested against the top-of-the-line Abus, OnGuard and Kryptonite locks, I doubt it would prove more or even equally secure. The top locks from these companies are even cheaper than the cheapest Tigr lock. Don't buy into the hype.
I have a friend who has the Tigr lock and decided to stop using it because it rattled on his frame a lot which annoyed him, he also locked up many times a day and found the locking mech annoying to use. He just linked me a video which shows the thinner version of the Tigr lock being bested by bolt cutters:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kb8YoT9Q9VA
The videos on the Tigr site only show it being tested against a crappy $15 U-lock, I would like to see it tested against the top-of-the-line Abus, OnGuard and Kryptonite locks, I doubt it would prove more or even equally secure. The top locks from these companies are even cheaper than the cheapest Tigr lock. Don't buy into the hype.
#21
Carpe Velo
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,519
Likes: 18
From: Fort Worth, Texas
Bikes: 2000 Bianchi Veloce, '88 Schwinn Prologue, '90 Bianchi Volpe,'94 Yokota Grizzly Peak, Yokota Enterprise, '16 Diamondback Haanjo, '91 Bianchi Boardwalk, Ellsworth cruiser
I recently bought a 7mm Abus Chain with an integrated combo lock. What I have read suggests the toughness of the lock is somewhere close to a U-lock, but since it is a flexible chain, it would be hard to get leverage on it with a car jack, and won't be easy for bolt cutters. But since it is flexible, it is more convenient than a U-lock to carry and use. It is a bit on the heavy side if you are counting ounces. I really don't find it makes any noticeable difference, but I don't use it with my fancy-schmancy road bike. I also don't lock up my road bike unattended downtown.
#22
Portland, OR, USA

Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,626
Likes: 1
From: portland
Bikes: kona paddywagon, trek 2.1, lemond nevada city, gt zrx
This is where 'bents shine. I use bar end shifters that have to little resale value on both my 'bents. I suppose they could take the pedals and RD, but again, it's not worth it.
And my trike always gets mistaken for some form of adaptive technology. No one will ever touch that.
And my trike always gets mistaken for some form of adaptive technology. No one will ever touch that.
Last edited by pdxtex; 09-25-13 at 11:57 AM.
#23
Thread Killer

Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Ann Arbor, MI
Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII, 23 3T Strada
#24
Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
If you go back and read the OP's conditions and requirements, I'd like to know which lock you can suggest as comparably light to the TiGr, capable of locking both wheels and frame, and doesn't need to resist 4' bolt cutters? I don't think there is one, which would, in fact, make the TiGr peerless.
As I wrote a few posts above, I use an Abus Granit Futura 64 Mini, with locking skewers for my wheels, and a Kryptonite Flex cable for my saddle. The Abus Granit Futura 64 Mini weighs only 695g and is very light. I have a few friends that also use an Abus Mini and a flex cable for their front wheel. I would tend to trust the tried and proven Abus locks more than the Tigr lock, especially after seeing that German consumer report test. If you note at the end of that video they cut the Tigr with a 16" bolt cutter.
Last edited by ahuynh; 09-25-13 at 03:08 PM.
#25
Thread Killer

Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 13,140
Likes: 2,162
From: Ann Arbor, MI
Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII, 23 3T Strada
Yeah, you're right that there is not really one that locks both wheels as well as the frame, other than very heavy chains. However if he wants lightweight and secure, get some good quality locking skewers and a top-of-the-line U-lock, both of which I have for much less cost than a Tigr lock.
As I wrote a few posts above, I use an Abus Granit Futura 64 Mini, with locking skewers for my wheels, and a Kryptonite Flex cable for my saddle. The Abus Granit Futura 64 Mini weighs only 695g and is very light. I have a few friends that also use an Abus Mini and a flex cable for their front wheel. I would tend to trust the tried and proven Abus locks more than the Tigr lock, especially after seeing that German consumer report test. If you note at the end of that video they cut the Tigr with a 16" bolt cutter.
As I wrote a few posts above, I use an Abus Granit Futura 64 Mini, with locking skewers for my wheels, and a Kryptonite Flex cable for my saddle. The Abus Granit Futura 64 Mini weighs only 695g and is very light. I have a few friends that also use an Abus Mini and a flex cable for their front wheel. I would tend to trust the tried and proven Abus locks more than the Tigr lock, especially after seeing that German consumer report test. If you note at the end of that video they cut the Tigr with a 16" bolt cutter.
Also, where did you see the length of the bolt cutters indicated in the video? I don't speak German, but looking at those bolt cutters, I'd say they were 24" minimum, and were probably even longer if you measure the jaws in there, too.
Finally, while Stiftung Warentest may be something of a venerable German consumer safety magazine-- like Consumer Reports, perhaps-- they do not offer security certifications. Interestingly, the TiGr shares the same 2 Star security rating from Stichting ART, an organisation whose business it is to test security and issue ratings, with the ABUS Granit 6400 Bordo, so it definitely offers some type of security on par with ABUS.
In the end, no one would suggest TiGr is the most secure lock available, but it is the best answer to the OP's questions, apparently.




