London Fixed-gear and Single-speed - Bikes & Bits - Xena XZZ6 Disc Alarm Lock: A Review

clefty · 1st July 2009

Morning,

After some discussion on another thread about good locks for camping, GA2G suggested a disc alarm lock. I'm going to be doing some camping/touring next month in the Netherlands and will be taking the new build with me, whilst NL is 'not London my friend' I wanted to be able to leave my bike outside my tent and not worry about it going walkies. This seemed like a good solution.

After some investigation I decided to invest in a Xena XZZ6 Disc Alarm Lock, it's the smallest and lightest in their range, and has the widest locking point available, it also said that this would fit on Bicycle disc brakes, whilst I don't have disc brakes I decided to take the plunge anyway with a view to fitting it to my chain ring.

I bought it from here for around £30 it took about 5 days to arrive.
here it is in the box, it comes with a built in battery pack, 3 keys and a metal fob that has a unique number on it so you can order more keys
http://www.londonfgss.com/attachment...1&d=1246438713

Here it is in my hand for a better size comparison, it's about the same weight as a Mini Evo D-Lock
http://www.londonfgss.com/attachment...1&d=1246438713

The lock fitted on my chainring with ease, there was a little bit of space left, and from reading the documentation it will fit chainrings up to 42mm in width. The Lock is self arming, there is a sensor within the arm that needs contact or it's beam broken by metal, once this is done it will arm when you push the metal key barrel down to push a 6mm locking pin into the other side of the lock it clicks into place. It will beep to confirm that it is armed. The battery pack can be changed and is reached by a release catch actually inside the lock, so it is impossible to get the battery pack out whilst the alarm is attached.

Here is another pic of it fitted, as you can see the bike is impossible to ride away in this state, unless you remove the chain that is, and believe me you don't want to get that close.
http://www.londonfgss.com/attachment...1&d=1246438713

Once armed, if I tried to move the bike or lift it, the alarm emits 4 loud warning beeps. If the agitation/movement stops in that time the alarm will not be triggered and it will go back into its armed state. If movement continues an ear piearcing 110db alarm is sounded for 10-15 seconds, the process is repeated until movement stops. Standing next to the bike, the alarm seriously hurt my ears and I had to step back a bit, I would imagine anyone crouched down of closer to the bike attempting to break a lock would be in a lot of pain.

This has so far only been tested in dry, warm conditions with no wind, I will report back about how sensitive it is in other more inclement weather.

In conclusion, whilst this is no substitute for a couple of good locks I think it could be useful as a pub lock, for when you have a group of bikes locked together and you are within earshot. As a detterrent and to attract attention, and in my case when you haven't got anything solid to secure your bike to, but will be sleeping next to it.

Further tests:

Does it fit a Kryptonite FUG Chain?: NO - the chain link is just too thick.

Can you fit it on your spokes? YES - It will lock around 3 spokes - I personally dont think this will work, as snipping three spokes means you can slide it off and be away. Pics below:
http://www.londonfgss.com/attachment...1&d=1246475527
http://www.londonfgss.com/attachment...1&d=1246475527

Will it lock to more than one chainring? YES! - I managed to get it around my double chain ring - I am 90% sure, however, that it wouldn't fit a triple. pics below
http://www.londonfgss.com/attachment...1&d=1246475527

Where else will it fit? Well the only other bits I managed to fit it on, were the pedal - this obviously depends on what pedals you have, the saddle rails and the chain itself.
http://www.londonfgss.com/attachment...1&d=1246475527
http://www.londonfgss.com/attachment...1&d=1246475527

For the sake of 30 quid, I think its a pretty good investment.
Any questions, or if you want a demo, come see me at South Beers.

Cheers

C.

1st July 2009	#1
clefty	Xena XZZ6 Disc Alarm Lock: A Review Morning, After some discussion on another thread about good locks for camping, GA2G suggested a disc alarm lock. I'm going to be doing some camping/touring next month in the Netherlands and will be taking the new build with me, whilst NL is 'not London my friend' I wanted to be able to leave my bike outside my tent and not worry about it going walkies. This seemed like a good solution. After some investigation I decided to invest in a Xena XZZ6 Disc Alarm Lock, it's the smallest and lightest in their range, and has the widest locking point available, it also said that this would fit on Bicycle disc brakes, whilst I don't have disc brakes I decided to take the plunge anyway with a view to fitting it to my chain ring. I bought it from here for around £30 it took about 5 days to arrive. here it is in the box, it comes with a built in battery pack, 3 keys and a metal fob that has a unique number on it so you can order more keys http://www.londonfgss.com/attachment...1&d=1246438713 Here it is in my hand for a better size comparison, it's about the same weight as a Mini Evo D-Lock http://www.londonfgss.com/attachment...1&d=1246438713 The lock fitted on my chainring with ease, there was a little bit of space left, and from reading the documentation it will fit chainrings up to 42mm in width. The Lock is self arming, there is a sensor within the arm that needs contact or it's beam broken by metal, once this is done it will arm when you push the metal key barrel down to push a 6mm locking pin into the other side of the lock it clicks into place. It will beep to confirm that it is armed. The battery pack can be changed and is reached by a release catch actually inside the lock, so it is impossible to get the battery pack out whilst the alarm is attached. Here is another pic of it fitted, as you can see the bike is impossible to ride away in this state, unless you remove the chain that is, and believe me you don't want to get that close. http://www.londonfgss.com/attachment...1&d=1246438713 Once armed, if I tried to move the bike or lift it, the alarm emits 4 loud warning beeps. If the agitation/movement stops in that time the alarm will not be triggered and it will go back into its armed state. If movement continues an ear piearcing 110db alarm is sounded for 10-15 seconds, the process is repeated until movement stops. Standing next to the bike, the alarm seriously hurt my ears and I had to step back a bit, I would imagine anyone crouched down of closer to the bike attempting to break a lock would be in a lot of pain. This has so far only been tested in dry, warm conditions with no wind, I will report back about how sensitive it is in other more inclement weather. In conclusion, whilst this is no substitute for a couple of good locks I think it could be useful as a pub lock, for when you have a group of bikes locked together and you are within earshot. As a detterrent and to attract attention, and in my case when you haven't got anything solid to secure your bike to, but will be sleeping next to it. Further tests: Does it fit a Kryptonite FUG Chain?: NO - the chain link is just too thick. Can you fit it on your spokes? YES - It will lock around 3 spokes - I personally dont think this will work, as snipping three spokes means you can slide it off and be away. Pics below: http://www.londonfgss.com/attachment...1&d=1246475527 http://www.londonfgss.com/attachment...1&d=1246475527 Will it lock to more than one chainring? YES! - I managed to get it around my double chain ring - I am 90% sure, however, that it wouldn't fit a triple. pics below http://www.londonfgss.com/attachment...1&d=1246475527 Where else will it fit? Well the only other bits I managed to fit it on, were the pedal - this obviously depends on what pedals you have, the saddle rails and the chain itself. http://www.londonfgss.com/attachment...1&d=1246475527 http://www.londonfgss.com/attachment...1&d=1246475527 For the sake of 30 quid, I think its a pretty good investment. Any questions, or if you want a demo, come see me at South Beers. Cheers C. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by clefty; 7th September 2009 at 21:45. Reason: edited how its armed as its easier than i thought.
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