Zefal Locking Bicycle Hub Skewer (3-Piece Front/Rear/Seatpost)

by Zefal

Product Features

• Locking skewer system prevents theft of wheels and seatpost
• Patented design
• No keys or loose parts to lose
• For front and rear wheel and seatpost

Product Description

Skewer set for front and rear wheel and seatpost. Prevents theft of wheels and seatpost while bike is locked up. Bike must be flipped upside down to unlock. Patented system keeps skewers from being turned to open.

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B001NOECEC
• Item model number: 497001
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #79,768 in Sports & Outdoors (See Top 100 in Sports & Outdoors)
  • #49 in Sports & Outdoors > Bikes & Accessories > Components & Parts > Hubs

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Easily defeated, no tools required, but practical and convenient, September 12, 2009

By 

S. Poliakoff (NYC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Zefal Locking Bicycle Hub Skewer (3-Piece Front/Rear/Seatpost) (Sports)

I have opened the "locked" skewer in about 5 seconds. Will not post how, but will contact manufacturer - their idea is brilliant, implementation is sloppy.
Update: the original method (already public) involved a magnet; there are two more, one requiring regular pliers, another requiring no tools at all. 1) don't bother unlocking the lever, just twist off the opposing side lug; you'll need pliers for that, but the lug is conveniently ribbed to give pliers a good purchase; design needs the keyed washer just like the "lever" side to be secure, but it doesn't have one. 2) ... and this is a real caper: just turn the "locked" lever counterclockwise. Will require some force, but not too much, no tools needed. It is not supposed to give, but it will - the design has a keyed washer which supposedly prevents it from turning if closed, however the "seat" of the lever appears to be a two-piece plastic, and the outer ring simply spins if nudged hard enough...
Another important distinction between Zefal and something like Pinhead, which uses keyed lugs is purely psychological: first and foremost, Zefal looks like it *can* be opened, there is just enough stuff sticking out that can be turned, twisted, levered and so on; Pinhead, on the other hand, kills any motivation to tamper with itself: you cast one look at it, and you know you are not going to able to do anything with it...

Update: in about 6 months of use in NY, the skewers are so far provided enough of a deterrent. I do see the aftermath of attempts to open them (somewhat bent levers) - but so far no thief came up with anything more inventive than just pulling very, very hard..and that doesn't work with Zefal. I have used another skewer for a while, with keyed lugs, but in the end, it was just a nuisance: the key is chunky, carrying it at all times is impractical, and who would remember to pack it on a long ride? - in the end, you just sit roadside looking hopelessly at a flat tire that you can not change since you can't take the wheel off... I switched back to Zefal, and bought couple more sets for other bikes. The lock is not nearly as secure as,say, Pinhead, but it is much, much more convenient...
In the end, the conclusion is that this is a maddening product: they did 90% of the work just perfect, and couldn't iron out the remaining 10%...

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great product! Seat post lock only fits larger aluminum frames., August 28, 2009

By 

L. Smith "loganenator" (Davis, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Zefal Locking Bicycle Hub Skewer (3-Piece Front/Rear/Seatpost) (Sports)

Fantastic product! Now we can have the convenience of a quick release skewer for changing flats and the security of locking our wheels. I originally purchased this kit for the bike I built up for my wife since she hated taking off the front wheel. After jealously watching her locking up her bike in half the time as me I converted and I now have them on my bike. My only complaint is that the seat post lock is designed for larger diameter aluminum frames. I have a smaller diameter seat tube on my steel frame and it doesn't fit.

Cheers,
Logan

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars HELP, July 13, 2009

By 

vspa - See all my reviews

This review is from: Zefal Locking Bicycle Hub Skewer (3-Piece Front/Rear/Seatpost) (Sports)

Anyone familiar with this equipment ? Just bought it and we couldn't make the saddle lever work ... Off the bike no problem, installed on the saddle collar PROBLEM, it simply doesn't work as advertised....