Each year the guys at C+ do a very thorough lock test with all the popular brands represented. They are master testers and have provided us with some great feedback over the years (thanks, guys!). They do such great testing that their ‘Recommended Buy’ ratings are highly coveted in the industry.
I’m bouncing in my chair like a 5 year old at Christmas because of the results. Bouncing. Bouncing. Bouncing!
When asked, we submitted two locks to the C+ test. In the chain category we went with the New York Fahgettaboudit chain and kept it all in the family for the U-locks, submitting the New York Fahgettaboudit U-lock. The magazine recommends both of these locks!
I’m bouncing…really.
They test the locks two different times. The first they use “an extending bar for leverage to twist locks, a hammer, pliers, mole grips, wire cutters, chisel and the trusty axe. This year we’ve added large bolt croppers. The locks are subjected to a maximum of five minutes abuse in test one.”
The second test is where they go at the locks with a barrage of power tools. I think they do this more for their enjoyment than anything since they do say, “When reading through this test remember that Test 1 is the more important test; the Test 2 is used only by professional thieves.”
So….how did they do in the tests?
The chain passed test 1 with flying colors and with all the power tools it lasted 1 minute 19.6 seconds. The next closest chain lasted 1 minute 18.8 seconds and then it dropped off dramatically from there with the third best lasting 52 seconds. Now 1 minute 19.6 seconds doesn’t seem all that long does it? But, remember that’s with sparks flying…and lots of noise….“the noise and commotion this created would draw a crowd unless you’re silly enough to park your bike in a cave”. Thieves do not like to draw attention to themselves, it is detrimental to them staying out of jail.
The U-lock went through a similar test. It passed the first battery of tests without breaking a sweat, and in the second with the power tools? 2 minutes and 59.5 seconds. (in my best carnival voice)… “We have a winnah, folks”! The next closest was 2:34 and then the drop off to only 30 seconds! Woa….
What did they say about our ‘little baby’? “The Fahgettaboudit Mini is the stiffest, toughest lock we’ve ever put to the sword…At one point we used our 4.5ft lever in the shackle and two people (25+st) hung off the bar and it still didn’t budge.” Yes, they mention that it is a little more expensive than the rest of the bunch, but your bicycle will be there when you get back. Me thinks it might be worth a few extra dollars/pounds. But that’s just me.
It’s spring here in New England (64 degrees and sunny) and we just put the C+ guys to a full workout. It’s a good day….
5 comments:
Hey, congrats on the testing results. I didn't realize the fugghetaboutit came in a u-lock variety. I love my evolution mini which has kept my bike unmolested in high-bike-theft San Francisco.
Have you seen this video yet?
(please also note my comments associated with that video)
Still, in NYC 2 whole minutes with a power tool would yield very little "public outcry"... People would just walk by and say nothing!
I've got both the u-lock and chain of the NYC FU lock and they will BOTH be locking my bike up!
Hey Fritz - got your answer for you in a post from today. :)
Prolly - welcome to the blog! Thanks for being such a great Kryptonite customer and advocate of great security lock ups.
Safe riding to you both.
So, the Kryptonite corporate page has a page about the European testing agencies that have tested Kryptonite locks, and that's great and all, but how about providing links to the agencies? How about links to the reports?
This is, after all, The Web. Each of those logos on that page should be a live link to the agency represented.
I've got this ART logo on my lock, but I can't find a thing (in English) about it. Not only that, but the logo has 4 stars and a +, ART, and 3044. Google ART & 3044, and you get something claiming 3044 only gets one star. Ja, ja, check for yourself.
Hi Anon - thanks for visiting both of the Kryptonite sites on the web. There are many places on the Kryptonite main site that link off to other places, which is counter productive in some cases (as a company you want people to stay on your site as long as possible, right?). Here, on the blog, is the place for as many links as we want..and we link everywhere!
Sorry you couldn't find what you were looking for on the main site, though. We'll look at that decision again....good feedback. Thanks! It's an ever evolving site (some changes coming in the next couple of weeks, too!) so we'll look at it again.
Unfortunately, linking to the Cycling Plus article can't happen...they don't have it on the web anywhere. I've looked! I'd link to that in a second!
Here is the link to Sold Secure, which is the testing agency that is in English...maybe that will help you a little bit.
http://www.soldsecure.com/
See if you can find your lock there...it might help explain things a little bit.
Post a Comment