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SOC 14: Rubbery U Locks from Abus, Plus Helmets?

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Abus locks helmets ugrip plus 501 (3)

Locks are one of those products that can be hard to get excited about because, let’s face it – we wish we didn’t have to use them. Since we don’t live in a world of unicorns and rainbows, bike theft happens and we rely on companies like ABUS to keep our bikes safe. Their new mega Ugrip Plus 501 takes the U lock to another level with some interesting tech.

More plus a look at some ABUS helmets after the break…

Abus locks helmets ugrip plus 501 (4)

When it comes to defeating U locks, thieves usually look to bolt cutters or angle grinders to get the job done. To combat these attempts at stealing your bike, ABUS starts with a U section that is physically too big to fit into a bolt cutter’s jaws. Next, the rubberized material that surrounds the shackle makes it difficult to cut with a saw or an angle grinder because it will gum up the blade. Add in ABUS’s dual locking shackle and you have a very secure U lock that retails for $109.99 in black, grey, or Fluorescent yellow.

Abus locks helmets ugrip plus 501 (5)

The U54 Mini is ABUS’ new high end mini U lock. Built with a 13mm shackle, the lock is specially shaped so that using a car jack to try and pop the lock will only make it lock tighter. The dual locking mechanism that ABUS uses locks at an angle to the shaft so that pulling on the shackle digs in the locking pins meaning the lock can withstand 4.5 tons of pressure on either end.

Also retailing for $109.99, both locks include their X plus key which offers 1.2 million different lock combinations.

Abus locks helmets ugrip plus 501 (6)

Abus locks helmets ugrip plus 501 (8) Abus locks helmets ugrip plus 501 (7)

Yes, these are ABUS helmets, but they’re not available in the US… yet. The helmet market is already pretty crowded, but the ABUS helmets have some unique features like retractable sun shades which are replaceable on the Helmet In-Vizz.

Abus locks helmets ugrip plus 501 (1) Abus locks helmets ugrip plus 501 (10)

The Pedelec gets built in rain covers and lights to create a nice commuter lid. We hear that these are currently available in Canada and will likely soon be offered in the US.

abus.com

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17 Comments
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Jake
Jake
9 years ago

Thieves in my area use a hacksaw or serrated knife to cut the carbon frame apart. Hard to sell a whole bike, easy to get rid of components on Craigslist or ebay. I guess you get to keep your fancy ulock.

Mike
Mike
9 years ago

Jake, you shouldn’t be leaving a carbon framed bike unattended anyway. Carbon should only be used for club rides/events/etc and not as a commuter. Steel/aluminium/alloy are what you want for a commuter, far more durable, and ‘less’ attractive to thieves, kind of.

Nick
9 years ago

“Too close for missiles- I’m switching to guns.”

Maxwell
Maxwell
9 years ago

@Jake
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/lock-strategy.html

Get the back wheel, and indirectly the frame. Back wheel is most expensive after the frame, and very difficult to cut because it’s under compression.

As for that retractable sunshade, looks awesome. Have one on my motorcycle lid, great for those of us that constantly break and forget sunglasses.

Jake
Jake
9 years ago

OK, What do you fasten this lock to that can’t be cut with a bolt cutter or an angle grinder?

Fattylocks
Fattylocks
9 years ago

Jake,,,, are you from Chicago? Here if they can’t defeat the lock they stomp the spokes in your back wheel.

Adrian
Adrian
9 years ago

Maxwell, you were saying?

esc8engn
esc8engn
9 years ago

Abus makes good quality locks, with some serious engineering. Unfortunately they can’t design a frame mount that works with 90% of bikes, so more than half of the Abus U-locks sold at our shop get returned.

Glen
Glen
6 years ago
Reply to  esc8engn

do you know if it would fit on a gt avalanche elite?

Nash
Nash
9 years ago

They should have a lock that contains fluoroantimonic acid in a sealed PTFE shell, dissolve the thieving swine on contact if they try and cut through it. You could coat your bike in PTFE as well to prevent corrosion.

db
db
9 years ago

my, the new locks look awfully like that other brand, don’t they ?

Ajax
Ajax
9 years ago

$110 for a U-lock?! Um, no thanks.

Jake
Jake
9 years ago

I use a cheap cable lock, keep my bike in view, and have good insurance. Once had a bike stolen and after insurance ended up with a better one. These fancy locks are overkill, anyone can cut a bike rack apart or damage your bike. It’s like chaining your car to a power pole just to save on insurance.

Mirwin
Mirwin
9 years ago

Are you kidding? Why would anyone leave a carbon-framed bike locked up outside????

More $ than brains.

Mitch
Mitch
9 years ago

Jake works for Kryptonite!

Psi Squared
Psi Squared
9 years ago

If your bike is in a rack with other bikes, your fancy lock will very likely push the thieves to the easier to snatch, less well secured bikes. To thieves, time is money and more change to get caught. Add to that the fact that quite a number of such beefy locks come with insurance from the manufacturer that will cover at least part of the cost of the stolen bike.

Given the logic that concludes “fancy locks are overkill”, why lock your car door or house? Both can be easily circumvented.

Surly Shawn
Surly Shawn
9 years ago

I like these locks and I would pay that for them. If I ever move to a bigger city, I would invest in one of these.

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