Customer Reviews

OnGuard Beast 5017 Bicycle Chain Lock

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

As an experienced cyclist who relocated to Manhattan in the summer of `04, I wanted to purchase the most theft resistant chain available. My ambition was to use my Trek 3900 for both exercise and transportation, while not having to constantly worry about it having it stolen. Having experienced several bicycle and bicycle part thefts in Boston and Chicago, I decided to thoroughly research bicycle chains and locks. Stories about the vulnerability of U-locks and the clearly stated Kryptonite null-and-void-in-New-York warranty steered me towards a hex chain made by OnGuard.

As a previous owner of Kryptonite and Master U-locks, I initially wanted to stick with a tested brand. However, lessening the appeal of Kryptonite locks was a widely publicized story in 2004 explaining how a design flaw in certain models allowed them to be compromised with a Bic pen(!), causing a recall. In Chicago, I had a frame destroyed when one thief attempted to break a Master U-lock with a long pipe. While this failed attempt slightly bent the U-lock, it collapsed the main tube of the bicycle. Hence, I thought using a chain manufactured slightly lesser-known brand without publicized vulnerabilities would be a good idea -- much like purchasing a Mac would protect against Windows viruses.

After one year of use, I have been very happy with the 12mm Beast Chain. At 9.5 pounds, this chain is at the upper limit of what one can affix to the bicycle and still be able to ride it. In my case, I am able to rap it around the seat post and have enough clearance for my legs. For a typical bicycle, the chain adds about 40% to the overall weight. When I purchased this lock, I was unaware that a 14mm, 15 pound version existed. Even so, I would not have purchased this model, which is more appropriate for a motorcycle or piece of construction equipment.

The design of the Beast chain is exemplary. In addition to having very long, thin keys and complementary keyhole, there is a sliding keyhole cover, making the mechanism very corrosion and pick resistant. The thick polyethylene coating may serve a similar purpose while preventing freezing, which has been used by savvy thieves to make the lock more brittle. For the record, I used commonly available electronics freezing spray to embrittle an earlier-generation Kryptonite lock when I lost the key. With five hits with an over-sized hammer, the protruding barrel lock and supporting metal cracked right off. Pretty scary.

While no chain can eliminate the possibility of bicycle theft, I still have my Trek. It is impossible to tell what tactics thieves will employ next. It seems unlikely that a conventional pair of bolt cutters could cut this chain. When I emailed OnGuard customer service, they had no straight answer on its cut resistance. My impression is that only an oxyacetylene torch or hydraulic cutter could break the links. Both techniques would attract a great deal of attention. Hence, secured with the Beast chain, your bicycle will be about as safe as one can get in a public area.

This seems, to me, a very high-security lock. I bought it to protect my new bike, after my previous bike was stolen by thieves who cut through an OnGuard Rottweiler armored cable lock.

I don't think the OnGuard Beast could be cut with hand tools. The shackle of the lock is such a tight fit with the chain that it leaves no room for pry bars to pull it apart.

However, this is the heaviest bike lock I've ever seen. A typical U-lock weighs less than three pounds. (Kryptonite's New York U-lock is just under four.) The Beast 5017 weighs almost ten, more than even the Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit chain, which it resembles.

You'll have to have some way of carrying it. I don't think you can simply wrap such a bulky, heavy chain around your seat post, though I ride a recumbent and can't say for sure. If you expect to put it in a messenger bag or backpack, put ten pounds of rocks in your bag and ride around a bit before purchasing this lock. I suspect the only good way to carry it is to strap it down to a rack.

Also, the Beast's two-piece padlock is inconvenient. When you unlock it, the shackle pulls all the way out and separates. Usually it falls onto the ground. When locking it, you have to assemble the chain, shackle, and lock and hold them together (all the while keeping the bike in place) while you turn the key. OnGuard could have made this more convenient by having the padlock automatically lock when you pushed the shackle in.

OnGuard supposedly offers an anti-theft warranty with the lock, though the warranty that came with mine said that is "void out of state of New York". Like most lock warranties, you can't make a claim without evidence (the damaged lock) that someone cut through it with hand tools.

Pros:
Extremely secure
More flexible than U-lock

Cons:
Very heavy
Difficult to carry on bike
A bit clumsy to use

Recommendation:
I would recommend a good U-lock to riders with bikes that can use one. Get the OnGuard Beast only if you need super-high security or have a bike that won't work with a standard u-lock.

So, I'm onto my third bike. Not that I wanted to be on my third bike, it just turns out that normal chain & cable locks just do not stop people from stealing bikes! Of course, it says volumes about a person that would steal a piece-o-crap bike, but I digress.

So, this time I got a real bike (Hey, I commute to work on a bike, and I thought, "What the heck?"), and I really want to keep this one. So, it stays in the house or in my office.

"But", you say, "what does this have to do with the OnGuard Beast 5017 Bicycle Chain Lock?" Well, like I've already said, I want to keep this bike. So, I got one based on the reviews of this lock.

`Know what? It's great! Most people look at it, and think it would suffice for a Motor Cycle. If that's what they think; all the better. This thing looks intimidating. And talk about a conversation starter.

There are some caveats to this thing though. It's heavy - almost 10 lbs. - so this is not for the bike racer. Carrying it does cause some challenges, like where do I put this thing? I now hook it around my (rear) bike rack. It could be 1 or 2 links longer, but I can still lock it to almost anything. And it requires at least two hands to lock!

But, if want peace of mind, this is your lock.

I use the Beast to secure a gate that I have to access several times everyday. The chain itself seems to be well made and as I have not attempted to cut it myself I can only go by what the manufacture claims and hope that the property is secure. I would bet that it is.

The lock itself does not work for my situation. I live in Michigan and this lock is pretty much useless all winter as it easily freezes up. The design of it allows any moisture to run right into the top of the lock and it does not take much before you are having to use a torch to un-thaw it. I would have to take it inside and let it dry out completely before I could use it again. But as soon as there is any precipitation, once again the lock is frozen. I had to throw in the towel and after some trial and error now have a lock that works fantastic http://www.amazon.com/Master-Lock-187XD-Titanium-Padlock/dp/B00004Y8CA/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1277134515&sr=8-11

This is a very effective lock: good length, tight locking mechanism, heavy (ten pounds) but you can still lift it with one hand, unlike the longer/thicker ones you find in motorcycle stores. Not sure if I wanted to haul it around on a bike, but it's ideal for our Vespa.

First off this is one mean lock.If anyone can get through this lock with anything less than a plasma cutter which I dought many bike thevies carry around with them you probably wont have to worry about your bike being stolen.My only 2 concerns are the 5017 model is a little short on lenght.The second is its really heavy,were talking about 10 pounds for a lock and chain.They come in longer lenghts but the longer they get they increase by about 5 pounds.As far as Im concerned I have a $450 mountain bike and Ill take security over weight.Really this chain and lock will probably be 10x stronger than anything you attach it to.I would recommend putting the chain through your back tire and frame before locking your bike to a bike rack if possible,if they saw through the bike rack instead which happend to a friend of mine there gonna have a hell of a time running with your bike instead of riding off with it.

I deliberated for SO long before buying a chain. The reviews on this on swayed me - even though it's not a recent version it kicks butt. Yes it's heavy but I think everyone needs to get over this detail. If you are in an urban environment you need a heavy chain lock or you can kiss your bike goodbye. Besides -you get used to it and gain some definition in your arms while you're at it! Bonus!

It locks really easily, and I happen to prefer this interlocking system better than setting the links side by side. That's just too much battering space between the links and the lock.

After inserting the links,the padlock closes down flush into the lock body making it really next to impossible to remove it. It would take so long to dismantle this thing that a would-be thief would make too much of a spectacle to be successful - and this is key - this is the deterrent.

As a London/NYC biker said to another of the same: "First get this straight, a pro thief doesn't steal one off bikes, waste of time, but may occasionally steal several on a team surge - and THEY can have whatever they want - so there's no such thing as an impossible lock to break, so stop looking for that. ...Look for pain-in-the-butt lock. Statistically most bike thieves are kids, or not-so-bright desperate petty thieves who need an easy, and quick break. A bike lock that looks difficult to break will deter them without fail."


Folks, this beast deters.

this is a whom-ping heavy chain, I use it to secure my bike in my garage at night. Won't stop a truly determined thief, but it is extremely solid. The lock on the other hand doesn't give off the same secure vibe.

All I can say is that I have peace of mind now that I have bought this lock. Just looking at it is a deterrent, and I can't imagine anybody trying to cut through this lock, being titanium fortified and having hexagonal 12mm links. I lock my bike in the apartment building parking lot because the apartment is too crowded and I don't worry about it anymore since someone tried to steal it. They couldn't cut through the ulock I was using. Now, I use a ulock through the frame to the Beast 5017 which is looped around a large fence pole. And I got cable going through the wheels to the ulock. The only thing vulnerable to cutters are the cables. The Beast lock looks and feels unbeatable and the price was reasonable-$66.00.OnGuard Beast 5017 Bicycle Chain Lock

This thing is HUGE! I had no idea the links were so massive. Don't get fooled like I did in thinking they are standard chain links. I read all the reviews and was still shocked by the sheer mass of this thing.

Locking mechanism works well. It's pretty short. You aren't going to lock it around a thick pole and still get through your downtube and front tire.

Very happy with it. Took my bike to the store today and was completely relaxed shopping. No way will it get taken.

I took a point off because the lighted key didn't work. I took the cover off and there are two batteries and a very flimsy couple of wires for contact points. It's not worth buying two new batteries for me or writing the company for another key. I noticed another reviewer said the same thing about the lighted key. It must be hard to keep them on the shelf for a long time and have them still work. Oh well.

Definitely recommend this product but be CERTAIN you know how big this is!