Various Sold Secure and Thatcham chains chopped.

CaptainCropper Says:

Aug 19, 2009 - Problem with cables is that they have to be thin in order to be flexible enough to use, and as a result they are open to attack from a multitude of easily available and cheap tools. I wouldn't use one on anything over £100. Wrapping a chain tightly can't hurt, anything that buys you time is a winner, wrapping a cable will make little difference as they need so little pressure to cut though. Thus far I haven't seen a sub 16mm chain that cannot be cropped.

porkstamina Says:

Aug 19, 2009 - Thanks for making this video. I am shocked at how quickly these chains were defeated. Is it true then that the shackle of any U-Lock can be destroyed with the same bolt cutters? Even the beefiest ones available in the US, like the Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit, seem smaller in diameter than the chains you tested.

haroldpark Says:

Aug 20, 2009 - Thanks for the reply. Its just i was watching a Dutch video where a former bike thief is going through cables and a ulock on a bike and the armoured cables seemed to take the longest. He had to twist them to get between the plates and i thought maybe if it wasnt hanging so loosely he wouldnt be able to twist it...but you are saying a decent cropper can still go straight through it armour and all? Am about to buy a new bike myself and hoping to find a lock that doesnt weigh more than the bike :-(

CaptainCropper Says:

Aug 20, 2009 - I use a Kryptonite 16mm D lock on my pushie, it comes with a handy clip to make it easier to use on the bike. Ok so it's not perfect, but if you make sure there isn't toom for an orange to pass though in the D section of the lock once you're done, it should serve the purpose. If you leave a biggish gap in the D, it can be jacked.

CaptainCropper Says:

Aug 20, 2009 - If the Dutch thief had proper cable cutters, he's have made mincemeat of those cables in a couple of seconds. I have a vid showing the strength of cables.

CaptainCropper Says:

Aug 20, 2009 - The key here is shackle size, if the size of the metal in the D is 16mm or over, then generally you'll be safe from cropping because most D locks are hardened. What you do need to do, is never use anything with a round key (see the picking vids with pens) and make sure that you fill the lock with frame, wheel, post, whatever, if there's a gap in the D big enough for an orange, then it can be jacked and broken. I haven't encountered a chain or D lock under 16mm that can't be bolt cropped.

porkstamina Says:

Aug 20, 2009 - Captain, thanks again so much for the info. It looks like the 16mm U-locks (or D-locks) available here are the Kryptonite NY STD and the Onguard Brute STD. Both companies make ones with 18mm shackles, but in the mini size. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe a longer shackle is better so it can encompass the rear wheel and the bicycle frame as well as the pole. With those three things secured, there should definitely be less space than an orange within the D.

makeminealarge1 Says:

Sep 8, 2009 - Do you wana sell me your bolt cutters? LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL

Eztoez Says:

Sep 16, 2009 - I used 2 D-locks and an Oxford Chain on my m/bike. End of the day, its insured, and if some toerag really wants to nick it they will. All the 3 chains do is slow them down.

CaptainCropper Says:

Sep 16, 2009 - That's a rather simplistic view. I had a ZZR1100, someone tried to steal it by ripping off the seat and messing with the CDI, my Almax didn't slow them down, it stopped them dead. This scenario has been played out many times. People who have substandard security usually make excuses for it, if you use Oxford stuff then fair enough, go for it, but at least you have the info needed to make an informed decision now.

kawaiiultraneo Says:

Sep 23, 2009 - They'll be completely useless on my bike :p

e155lut Says:

Oct 1, 2009 - make and model of bolt cutters please.....

CaptainCropper Says:

Oct 1, 2009 - Same as Sold Secure use. Why?

snifnscratch Says:

Oct 3, 2009 - Looks like these guys have a lot of experience at this................

fireisgreat Says:

Oct 23, 2009 - the smaller and thicker the links are the better. plus if you have a bike in a garage then you have more security. i have 3 chains on the bike the workshop is locked and alarmed

CaptainCropper Says:

Oct 23, 2009 - Also, the smaller the links are, the more metal there is in the chain per meter, as a result, they are about 30% heavier than long link chains with little or no advantage.

Brute4rce Says:

Oct 29, 2009 - how do you guys hardened the steel? really could use that chain on some of my powertools!

CaptainCropper Says:

Oct 29, 2009 - Hello, not quite sure what you're asking here. You asking if the croppers are hardened?

Brute4rce Says:

Oct 29, 2009 - oh, sorry. What I meant is what type of heat treating/hardening process does that chain have to go through in order to make it that indestructable. Is it some special alloy steel?

CaptainCropper Says:

Oct 30, 2009 - I take it you're talking about the other vid with the Almax in. The steel is a very particular alloy and goes though quite a few processes in order to get that ultra hard coat but retain inner ductility. I don't actually know the specifics and given the amount of time and effort that went into the RD of the Almax chain, I think the specifics are well guarded. I'm sure you understand.

Brute4rce Says:

Oct 31, 2009 - oops, yea I meant to comment on your other video. Thanks for the info, I have never seen anything like that chain and I will definately get that same one in the future. Im from USA, about how much would it cost here? Thanks!

CaptainCropper Says:

Oct 31, 2009 - They're only available from the UK ( Almax US will eventually arrive), but the exchange rate and reduced taxes your end mean that you get a pretty good deal, even after shipping charges. Give them a ring on 0044 191 264 2773, they'll call you back of you don't want to hammer your phone bill.

dowsell Says:

Nov 5, 2009 - There are several industrial processes for surface hardening parts. Careful selection of the starting alloy and hardening process can give you a high tensile core with a thin hard layer on the outside. I'd imagine this is what almax are doing. The key step is the final heat treatment which probably includes rapid cooling of the outer shell of the links for maximum hardness while allowing the inner core to cool more slowly to retain ductility.

AzzyAsi Says:

Nov 5, 2009 - Those are awful big pliers, i don't know if anyone wanders with that thing around for a quick pick on my bike (i have a standard chain 13mm to tie my bicycle when I'm in a store or something, not a valuable bike also, also got a cable lock for front wheel) A motorbike that sits outside for long time it may be concerning

AmericansSexualPreds Says:

Nov 7, 2009 - well its a question of leverage wtf u coudl lengten teh handles of the bold cutter haha