London Fixed-gear and Single-speed SJS Cycles

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.

Good reveiw, thanks for taking the trouble Clefty.

I shall have a good look at it next Monday.

Looking good, would like to see it in the flesh.

How will you attach it to a bike with more than one chainring? Do you think it will fit?

It looks like there will not be room?

E.g

Personally I don't think it would fit, but I will try it on the Rourke tonight and let you know

Thanks, may be it would fit somewhere on a rear derailleur? Or somewhere else on the chain / drive chain. I like you're idea of using it to immobilize the bike as well as make the noise.

Might fit around some spokes close to the hub, stopping wheel rotation?

That could work, although easier to remove by just snipping the spokes. I'll have a play tonight and see where else I can fit it (fnarr)

Interesting review clefty, am starting to wonder whether it would be worth investing in a non-alarmed one for chainring immobilisation when locking around town....hell even if not 100% effective it may work as yet another decent pocket sized detterent...

I have one of these on my motorbike, which i have used on my road bike, and it fits over campag mirage doublering

http://www.hein-gericke.co.uk/shop/p...oducts_id/6469

Whats the weight like on that thing?

Heavier than a Krypto Mini D

If you snipped through some spokes would the alarm go off?

How many spokes would the lock go around, i.e. would the wheel be fubar'ed and unrideable after cutting that many spokes?

Thanks for the review. My tourer is a campag triple so can you please check whether its a fit? Also, l cover my bike with a taut tarp, but in windy weather would a flapping tarp trigger off the alarm?

I think if the flapping tarp was hitting the alarm constantly itself it might set it off, but apart from that I dont think so. There is a little play, as if its moved slightly you only get the warning tones.
I'll update the thread when I can try it on more bikes and on more parts of bikes, I would imagine it will get a thorough testing at Souths on Monday.

New york D, mini evo D and this sounds like a killer locking combo. It might even prevent saddles and seat posts being stolen. I think that I will be investing in one of these in the future. Do you think you could weigh it Clefty? My lock combo already weighs in at 3kg so carrying even more heavy lumps of steel isn't top of my list.

Just weighed it on the work scales 425g

would it fit to a chain, as in if you already locking up with a chain could this be put on to act as a further deterrent (obv. only the noise)?

Cheers Clefty, I think I'll get one before Uni starts again next term.

Nice one clefty, I'll be having a look too on Monday if you don't mind, unless you're coming down Wests way tomorrow. Looks a good deterrent for £30, thieves hate having attention drawn to themselves...

Actually, silly me I will be at Wests this week - so will bring it down then as well.
@n3lson I'll try it on my FUG chain this evening and report back with pics

Great idea Clefty

OP updated with further tests, let me know if you think of any more.

Im on a lookout for locks, so quite pleased youve posted a review about this, if youre about at wests tomorrow I'll have a natter with you if you dont mind, about it? :)

Sure, I wouldn't recommend it as a replacement for a lock though, more an additional security measure. But I will be at Wests tomorrow to demonstrate it and make a few ears bleed so come and talk to me.

Sure, I meant as an addition to locks specially where I live, but Id like to hear the demonstration as I suffer from tinnitus so I would like to know if i would be able to hear the difference, if that makes any sense?

quote: "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."

DAMNIT!!

Guess you could fit alarm to the saddle rail??? My saddle is chainlocked to the stays so any disturbance should be enough to set it off, but bike would be still rideable.
is the alarm really sensitive to movement? and the flapping tarp test? TIA!

Just checked, it will also fit to saddle rails, will update the original post.
I'm afraid i don't have a tarp or a high speed wind generator so wont be able to do that test in reality.
It's pretty sensitive to movement yes, but only goes off it there is continuous movement within a 10 second period.

Sorry clefty, didn't want to get all 'myth busters' on you. Looking at your pics and my triple l think l may be able to squeeze it on so l will chance it. Thanks for sharing!

ha, mythbusters is my second favourite program in the world. I base my testing procedure on that program - just wish I had the facilities they have, I'm actually watching it now.
Most favourite is 'destroyed in seconds' though.

Excellent job love. Funnily enough, I did say later that I'd thought yellow or red would be the two best colours to buy the device in, as they stood out best. Your yellow is unmissable. I also thought to answer TheBrick(Tommy)'s question, that fitting through the saddle rails was a workaround if unable to fit to triple chainrings......and there the answer was already. Very thorough.

Yes Clefty, great idea. ;)

Don't listen to him he was just trying to get out of nursery.
you know you're my hero
xx

But Clefty, you are still the FIRST (in the world) to try a whole new concept in bicycle security.

You are my hero too. ;)

forumance

can we have video review of this as well :) ?

Only if I film it, Hillbilly and Tommy play the parts of Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage and we get to blow something up at the end.

That's Tommy on the right?

great review ms. c. very thorough!! I feel well informed and excited about a new locking possibility. I need a smaller lighter 2nd lock.

When did "America's Next Top Model" fall from grace?

It's out of season at the moment I am eagerly awaiting the next installment of Tyra time.
That is if MOC doesn't ban it in the house again...

Nice one Clefty. Opens up a whole new market for Xena, and maybe other lock makers.
http://www.xenasecurity.com/news/2009/LFGSS/page1/

This disc lock business seems to be the Business ! Love the idea of it making some thieving twat deaf and leaving your bike alone and moving on.

Clefty have you tried it when in a pub or something similar, can you hear it from in there when you're having fun ?

Ha! I should be on comission for Xena!
Havent tried the pub test yet - would depend on the pub, I think if it was locked outside the C&H and I was inside I would defo hear it - not sure if I was ensconced inside a noisy pub with the doors shut mind.

Clefty, thanks for the review. I just ordered one to add my arsenal of locks because I love my bikes and it would break my heart to have one stolen.

I also get a perverse pleasure in inflicting pain upon a bike thief. Even if only aural.

Was on holiday at the time so missed this, great work clefty, thanks for being at the sharp end of bike security and doing such a comprehensive review :)

Just spotted this - cheep cheep!

http://www.mandp.co.uk/productinfo/9...Reminder-Offer

Clefty - many thanks for that review. My Xena had its first test in the wild yesterday. My son and I had stopped off at a cafe for lunch and we locked the bikes up to a stand outside, alongside one other bike on the the stand.

We were sat in the window watching the world go by when this woman arrived and started to remove her bike. She kept jostling mine but ignored the warning beeps. When it went off I swear she went six feet in the air and just as many backwards. Everyone in the vicinity froze as well. Lots of puzzled looks - so it has great entertainment value too!

Worth every penny. Thanks.

Thanks for the review and links have ordered one, sounds great for when within hearing range of the bike, my garage is underneath my bedroom so can use it there as well

Read this and just ordered one! I'll post up a mini review when I get it.

Cheers clefty.

Has anyone ordered one for £20 from the site I linked?