A new bike lock idea

A friend of mine sent this link to me. (I/we have no affiliation with the maker or the kickstarter account.) I thought it looked kind of interesting...

TiGr Titanium lock.

 

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Permalink Reply by Roscoe Village Bikes on July 21, 2012 at 1:56am

We just ordered in a sample for the shop which we should see in a few days if anyone wants to see one in person.  We're considering stocking a few if people are interested. 

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on July 21, 2012 at 2:04am

Does anyone know what the MSRP of these locks is?

Permalink Reply by Joe Willis on July 21, 2012 at 2:15am

James,

$165-$200

h',

 I'm in!
h' said:

Can we set up a time to have a public destroying?

Roscoe Village Bikes said:

We just ordered in a sample for the shop which we should see in a few days if anyone wants to see one in person.  We're considering stocking a few if people are interested. 

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on July 21, 2012 at 2:29am

Oh, so we are talking about ABUS level pricing then.   

Quite a bit lighter though.  The website lists that as about a pound or a pound and a half depending on the model.  Now that I got off my ass and finally Googled it myself I see the MSRP as well.

Joe Willis said:

James,

$165-$200

Permalink Reply by S on July 21, 2012 at 4:19am

+1 on this.  Check google and you'll see a bunch of people who have reported significant frame damage because their tire ended up rubbing against their Ti frame and that created a significant gouge in the frame.

notoriousDUG said:

once again I will say this:

With the right blade that will cut as quick, or quicker if you can get the right angle on the cut, than a U-lock. 

If you like it great but don't fool yourself thinking it is somehow better than a less expensive U-lock when it comes to locking up your bike.  I have significant experience working with Ti and I can tell you for a fact that it cuts very easy with a grinder.  Look into it's properties compared to well hardened steel alloys and you will be surprised as to just how weak it is in certain conditions.

Permalink Reply by Robert on July 21, 2012 at 7:46am

i disagree. i think it makes a thief's job much more difficult... creating the "i'll pass on this and hit what I'm familiar with" opportunity... to me, that's a great accomplishment for a lock. My bike, locked in a smart place has a better chance of staying my bike.

h' said:

Just to be clear, you do realize these locks are not harder to defeat than a quality U-lock . . .?

Also, just curious-- you personally know at least 10 individuals who have had U-lock and cable combinations cut to steal their bikes? Can you elaborate a bit? That's kind of astounding.

Robert said:

 Enough counts to fill two hands of friends who have used ulock plus cable combos to protect now stolen bikes..... It's most definitely worth it.
Permalink Reply by Robert on July 21, 2012 at 7:49am

no offense, fellow cyclist... but this is getting way too armchair.... you have no experience with this lock. I do. I know it's better and unitl i experience something else, that beats the tigr, it's the only like that i want to use.

h' said:

I think the video linked in this thread clearly shows how "weak" it is.  It's about as easy or hard to cut as a heavier Kryptonite.  So, if the folks who have bought them and like them feel they're worth the premium over a heavy Kryptonite, I have no argument.

"Peace of mind" on its own is certainly not an argument, as these locks are not more secure than much cheaper Kryptonites, but presumably the proponents are happy about some of the lock's other qualities.

Permalink Reply by Zoetrope on July 21, 2012 at 8:31am

I like the idea of this lock a lot, the longest version in particular.  It's really light, can be carried easily and provides enough length to lock both wheels and the frame.  However, the price is the big knock on it for me and it would never be the only lock I used.  Not a chance.  Seems perfect for trips where you wont be away from the bike for too long, though.  I love how it doesn't require a bag or anything.  Nice to see innovation like this.      

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on July 21, 2012 at 11:34am

That is more than a comparable Abus.

James BlackHeron said:

Oh, so we are talking about ABUS level pricing then.   

Quite a bit lighter though.  The website lists that as about a pound or a pound and a half depending on the model.  Now that I got off my ass and finally Googled it myself I see the MSRP as well.

Joe Willis said:

James,

$165-$200

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on July 21, 2012 at 11:39am

How do you know it is better?

How much experience do you have cutting, machining, forming or welding titanium?  I used to work with titanium on a regular basis and based on my experience cutting it I would rate this no better, if even as good as, an a upper tier u-lock with a heftier price.  Due to it's shape it can be easily cut with a common angle grinder.

It's your lock, your money and your bike if you want to lock up with this guy go for it but don't fool yourself into thinking that you have a security advantage.  In fact depending on the specifics of the material it may be even EASIER to cut.


Robert said:

no offense, fellow cyclist... but this is getting way too armchair.... you have no experience with this lock. I do. I know it's better and unitl i experience something else, that beats the tigr, it's the only like that i want to use.

h' said:

I think the video linked in this thread clearly shows how "weak" it is.  It's about as easy or hard to cut as a heavier Kryptonite.  So, if the folks who have bought them and like them feel they're worth the premium over a heavy Kryptonite, I have no argument.

"Peace of mind" on its own is certainly not an argument, as these locks are not more secure than much cheaper Kryptonites, but presumably the proponents are happy about some of the lock's other qualities.

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on July 21, 2012 at 1:45pm

I was thinking the Abus Bordo Granit which isn't quite that much but more or less in the same league -also the more comparable (if anything can be comparable) to this kind of lock.   This thing IS pricey.  The Bordo isn't exactly light though.

Speaking of Abus, I didn't see anything on the Tigr site referring to the lock guarantee/theft insurance.  Maybe I just missed it.  I doubt it rivals the Abus.  I think it would be hard for any start-up to do that anyhow -regardless of how good the lock was. 

I also have my doubts as to the use of titanium as a secure lock material.  Sure it is LIGHT -but it's not really all that strong or dense compared to steel.   Get the right tooth/inch saw or the right compound grinding wheel and it would go through it like butter.  The thieves might be thrown off for a while but security by obscurity isn't a good philosophy.

But when all is said in done this lock is much better than a cable of any type.  I'm sure in the 'burbs this lock would be plenty security -especially in the daylight.   Bang for the buck?  I don't know.  Jury is still out on that.  I wouldn't give it away if someone gave one to me.  But I wouldn't trust it as primary security in the city overnight or at a CTA stop while I was at work.

Being light, not taking up much "space" on the bike, and flexible/long enough to be able to go through both wheels is a nice feature.



notoriousDUG said:

That is more than a comparable Abus.

James BlackHeron said:

Oh, so we are talking about ABUS level pricing then.   

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on July 21, 2012 at 3:19pm

Any bi-metallic disc will cut it just about as well as it does steel.

Many people don't understand the strength/weight/cost triangle nor do they understand that a material strong in one manner is not necessarily strong in another.  Ti may have great strength structurally but it does not have superior abrasion resistance.

James BlackHeron said:

I was thinking the Abus Bordo Granit which isn't quite that much but more or less in the same league -also the more comparable (if anything can be comparable) to this kind of lock.   This thing IS pricey.  The Bordo isn't exactly light though.

Speaking of Abus, I didn't see anything on the Tigr site referring to the lock guarantee/theft insurance.  Maybe I just missed it.  I doubt it rivals the Abus.  I think it would be hard for any start-up to do that anyhow -regardless of how good the lock was. 

I also have my doubts as to the use of titanium as a secure lock material.  Sure it is LIGHT -but it's not really all that strong or dense compared to steel.   Get the right tooth/inch saw or the right compound grinding wheel and it would go through it like butter.  The thieves might be thrown off for a while but security by obscurity isn't a good philosophy.

But when all is said in done this lock is much better than a cable of any type.  I'm sure in the 'burbs this lock would be plenty security -especially in the daylight.   Bang for the buck?  I don't know.  Jury is still out on that.  I wouldn't give it away if someone gave one to me.  But I wouldn't trust it as primary security in the city overnight or at a CTA stop while I was at work.

Being light, not taking up much "space" on the bike, and flexible/long enough to be able to go through both wheels is a nice feature.



notoriousDUG said:

That is more than a comparable Abus.

James BlackHeron said:

Oh, so we are talking about ABUS level pricing then.   

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