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Review: new ABUS Titalium Lock and Brooklyn Chain

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ABUS_Titalium_Brooklyn_Lock_and_Chain_Key

German lock maker ABUS has a new bike lock and chain for Brooklyn-level urban security (they give it their own security rating of 12 out of 15).  The unique 50mm alloy padlock and 10mm hardened steel chain are bombproof, and with a proven lock tumbler design, you can trust there isn’t a Youtube pen or soda can hack to worry about…

ABUS_Titalium_Brooklyn_Lock_and_Chain_on_bike

While cynics might assume Titalium is an alloy extruded by the ABUS Marketing department (or a typo), rest assured, it’s a legit proprietary aluminum alloy that is 30% lighter than traditional brass, while providing equivalent strength and corrosion resistance.  Even with the lighter aluminum lock, the 6.6lb/3kg chain was a bit too hefty for me to lug around in my messenger bag.  But when I did have to carry it, it wasn’t horrible to loop around my waist, belt-style (as suggested by ABUS).  For me, the lock and chain was best suited for my semi-permanent bike installation at the office.  I could ignore my office-bike worry-free for days at time, knowing it was firmly attached to the enclosed bike rack, and always ready for lunchtime errands.  

The lock features a hardened steel shackle with a Nano Protect coating, a 6-pin key cylinder, and a full-sized key to deter picking.  The nylon sleeve keeps the burly chain from scratching your bike.  The 3.9ft/120cm chain is plenty long enough for securing the front wheel and frame (likely good for a scooter or motorcycle too), but it was a few links too short to grab both wheels without having to remove one.  The big round first link does provide additional looping options though.

If you want a practically uncuttable chain and strong, corrosion resistant lock, and if you don’t mind the heft, than the $100 MSRP seems like a solid value.  

MobileSecurity.Abus.com

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JasonK
JasonK
7 years ago

Eh…regardless of the disclaimer in the article, I still think the aluminum alloy in question is extruded by the marketing department. Brass’s yield strength tops out at around 60 KSI, and there are several aluminum alloys that meet or exceed that. 7075-T6 exceeds that number by a considerable margin, but it isn’t especially corrosion-resistant. My money is on 6069-T6, which typically yields at 60 KSI or a little higher, but is also pretty corrosion resistant.

It’s cute that Abus is claiming that this is a proprietary alloy, but think about what that implies: that Abus is paying Alcoa, Hydro Aluminium Deutschland or some other giant smelting company to come up with the formula for a brand new alloy that outperforms all the others on the market for their requirements. Then they’re paying that smelter to cast ingots of their unique alloy so that Abus can turn those ingots into lock bodies, either by extrusion or machining.

And all of this is so that Abus can offer a slightly lighter lock body attached to a six-pound chain.

Occam’s razor says that either Abus is using 6069 (or a similar alloy) and calling it proprietary, or maybe they’re buying some aluminum smelter’s branded 6069-based alloy.

Then again, “proprietary” can mean either “exclusive to us” or just “secret.” Advertising that you use a “legit proprietary” material when it’s really a material you haven’t told anyone you use is exactly what I’d expect from a marketing department.

Who knows? Maybe this alloy is truly unique to Abus. But I wouldn’t accept Abus’ marketers claims at face value.

Sam
Sam
7 years ago
Reply to  JasonK

Well put, especially the part about the six pound chain. Seriously, who cares if the lock is a few grams lighter when its connected to a foot of hardened steel?

But despite (deleted) marketing claims this still looks like a solid lock.

JasonK
JasonK
7 years ago
Reply to  Sam

Oh, I agree, Sam! The lock actually looks pretty good. I’d ignore the marketing claims about whether Abus used a proprietary aluminum alloy, but I’d be pleased to own this lock.

Bubbrubb
Bubbrubb
7 years ago

I’m holding out for the Crabon version

stringer bell
stringer bell
7 years ago

Brooklyn level security? Is that marketing metaphor still relevant? Give me Baltimore level security please.

cousin it
cousin it
7 years ago

I hate to be the bringer of bad news, but the Author of this piece might check this video before claiming ‘no you tube hacks’ to worry about. While this is not the same model, it is a proprietary ABUS tumbler lock on a very expensive Bordo folding model……my point is any lock can be defeated, get one thats ‘good enough’ and put your savings towards a lower insurance co-pay.

ABUS tumbler lock defeated in seconds…….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiLSj84sGPQ

This video has been around for a few years and ABUS has not responded AFIK.

cousin it
cousin it
7 years ago
Reply to  cousin it

I should also say I continue to use ABUS locks as I do believe them to offer the highest security against non-professional thieves.

For me Professional bike thieves are the dudes who show up in a stolen transporter ( in the unlikely case that there is a security camera they missed while casing your location), defeat your alarm, then use a torch to cut a hole out of your Sprinter van and make off with its’ contents.

I find street security comparisons funny.

Christopher
Christopher
7 years ago

That chain will most definitely pass through both wheels, you’re just not taking advantage of the noose link. Instead of making a loop by locking one end of the chain to the other end, you’re supposed to pass the chain through itself via the noose link at one end and lock the other end of the chain wherever, like around the other wheel.

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