I appears the thieves with the battery powered angle grinders are moving south from D.C. and Richmond into my area. I have yet to meet someone personally that has had a U-lock cut but the rumblings are strong in the bicycle community. So I decided to take the plunge and invest in some modern security. I ordered the LiteLok X1 and X3 combo pack. Going to use the X3 on my Genuine Buddy 125 (yes, a moped) and the X1 on the Xpedition. I also discovered that sometimes I need to anchor to something when out on the Xpedition because its huge and sometimes the bike racks are full, so I got a Tex-Lock medium rope chain. The loop eyelet just fits onto the X1 shackle, no such luck on the X3. The Tex-Lock also came with a U-lock that I'll give to someone who needs a decent U-lock. I'll get pictures up later after I get everything situated, as I just got around to unpacking everything. Stay secure everyone and realize that just because you leave you stuff in the garage unlocked (or locked with a angle grinder vulnerable u-lock) it isn't always safe. Lock up all the time!
LiteLok X1 andX3, plus a Tex-Lock review.
- Thread starter sc00ter
- Start date
m@Robertson
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
Interesting. I use an X3, with an 11mm Pragmasis noose chain. The noose is more than big enough to let the X3 fit thru it. On the other side I use a Xena XSU-310 which is a motorcycle lock and enormous, but the size of it means it can reach out better, and een though its stainless shackle is huge by D-lock standards, it still fits inside the Pragmasis links.
Don't give away your small U lock. Lock it to one side of the Tex Lock. You now have a noose on the end that is big enough for the X3 I bet.
I do an X3 around my rear wheel and frame as one independent lock. The chain attaches to it and reaches forward where the Xena locks the front wheel to a solid object. Even if you manage to cut thru the Xena, you have to carry the bike off to deal with the X3.
When I am doing a quickee lockup, I use just the X3. I used to use a brake rotor lock and the X3 doing wheel and frame is a huge step up. Get yourself a cheap motorcycle reminder cable (its just plastic no steel cable underneath) like you see in use below. X3 was so unobtrusive, early on I tried to get on the bike forgetting the thing was down there. The reminder cable keeps me from forgetting and breaking a spoke trying to roll the bike away.
talesontwowheels.com
The Tex-lock is only Sold Secure Silver, which is a bummer. The 2m noose chain is heavy but I ride a bike where I don't have to care about that.
Don't give away your small U lock. Lock it to one side of the Tex Lock. You now have a noose on the end that is big enough for the X3 I bet.
I do an X3 around my rear wheel and frame as one independent lock. The chain attaches to it and reaches forward where the Xena locks the front wheel to a solid object. Even if you manage to cut thru the Xena, you have to carry the bike off to deal with the X3.
When I am doing a quickee lockup, I use just the X3. I used to use a brake rotor lock and the X3 doing wheel and frame is a huge step up. Get yourself a cheap motorcycle reminder cable (its just plastic no steel cable underneath) like you see in use below. X3 was so unobtrusive, early on I tried to get on the bike forgetting the thing was down there. The reminder cable keeps me from forgetting and breaking a spoke trying to roll the bike away.
Litelok X3 Review – From a Bike Owner’s Perspective
The angle-grinder-resistant Litelok X3 bicycle and motorcycle lock has been getting a lot of pre-release publicity. Here’s my take as an owner, not a professional trying to destroy one.
talesontwowheels.com
The Tex-lock is only Sold Secure Silver, which is a bummer. The 2m noose chain is heavy but I ride a bike where I don't have to care about that.
Thanks m@Robertson for the video links. I take it your cargo ebike is more money than my cheap-o Xpedition, even my ONE (combined). Either way, getting a bike stolen stinks! I'd be bummed if my basic moped got stolen. One day I'll upgrade to something premium, so I think of this as training in security 101. I've lost faith in most "regular" U-locks after the portable angle grinders came about. Oh, on a side note. I picked the LiteLok for another reason over Hiplok and Skunklock. NOT made in China. I know that sounds silly in this day and age but knowing that I'm supporting a real factory in England makes me feel a bit better about my purchase. I know the ABUS is made in Germany but like mentioned, the dimensions are smaller. I have a ABUS and hate the key mechanism. The ALBOY is smooth!
m@Robertson
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
Especially if you need to use it day by day. Expensive locks that really deter thievery (the angle grinder problem... solved) pay for themselves incrementally every day in peace-of-mind
I actually called out the Abloy mechanism as a hidden benefit of the X3 because of that smoothness. We all take a certain degree of fumbling and fussing with keyways as a natural thing you have to put up with, but the Abloy is such a different experience - especially when I am doing a fast lockup with just the X3 - it becomes a very real benefit to convenience. The lock you can easily and quickly use in a few seconds is a lock that you don't decide not to use just this one time...
Similar threads
