The Litelok X3 is an angle grinder-resistant lock with an enviable pedigree. The model was a pioneer of this know-how, launching the X1, our outgoing finest bike lock, simply over two years in the past. From its inception, the X1 prompted a major revolution in bicycle lock know-how, a drive in direction of enhanced safety that Onguard, Abus, and Hiplock have additionally adopted. The consequence was a set of recent merchandise that we at Biking Weekly have been excited to check rigorously.
Two years on, the Litelok X1’s five-time resistance to angle grinders is not as aggressive because it was. Enter the Litelok X3, which boasts a claimed twenty instances extra resistance than the best-selling U-locks and is rated Bought Safe Diamond for bicycles and e-bikes.
Development
This extra safety of the X3 is achieved utilizing a excessive quantity of Litelok’s proprietary materials, Barronium. Barronium is a fusion of hardened metal and composite supplies that will increase the X3’s resistance to abrasion whereas upholding its energy in opposition to impacts, bending, and twisting. It is intelligent stuff, all developed collaboratively within the UK with the Swansea College Faculty of Engineering.
The ‘self-sealing silicone keyhole cowl’ ought to supply good weatherproofing
(Picture credit score: Future/Matt Ischt-Barnard)
The result’s an imposing-looking bicycle lock that weighs in at 2.2kg/4.8 lbs and provides a locking space of 195cm2/30.4 inches2, or 19.5cm/7.6 inches tall by 10cm/4 Inches at its widest. The Litelok X3 sits in the course of our 5 locks on take a look at, being the third lightest and providing the third largest locking space.
The X3’s use of an Abloy lock barrel (the world’s largest lock producer) signifies that key replacements must be obtainable lengthy into the long run. Hopefully, that should not be a difficulty anyway as a result of Litelok offers three keys with each lock. Finer particulars just like the silicone lock cowl and neoprene sleeve for storage assist the X3 stand out from the gang. Whereas it isn’t provided with a mount, the Litelok Tactical Mount may be bought at a further price.
Specification
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Weight
2.2kg / 4.8lbs
Variety of Keys
3
Bought Safe ranking
Diamond
Attain
19.5cm/7.6 inches x 10cm/4 Inches
Locking Space
195cm/30.4 Inches
Body Mount
Sure (tactical mount is a further buy)
In Use
As anticipated from a premium lock, the Litelok X3 feels sturdy and sturdy, an impression strengthened by the minimal play between the shackle and the locking mechanism. Its gentle, plant-based, eco-rubber coating enhances its tactile high quality, offering a non-stick floor and respectable body safety.
Litelok extends using gentle supplies to the lock barrel cowl, which they check with because the ‘self-sealing silicone keyhole cowl’. Nonetheless, I’m not fully clear on what they imply by ‘self-sealing’. It is extra akin to these plastic flaps on walk-in freezers. Whereas it does a wonderful job of conserving the weather out, it obstructs the view when finding the important thing within the slot. The important thing have to be inserted fairly deep, making it cumbersome to interact the lock when bending over awkwardly at a motorbike rack. Nonetheless, as soon as the bottom line is absolutely in place, the lock operates easily and feels effectively constructed, accompanied by a reassuring clunk that signifies it is unlocked.
The attain of the X3 was by no means a difficulty, even securing round my e-bike’s downtube
(Picture credit score: Future/Matt Ischt-Barnard)
My solely minor subject pertains to not the X3’s operate however to the Litelok Tactical Mount, which attaches the X3 to your body throughout transport. Firstly, this Tactical Mount prices a further £20/$25, and, what’s extra, the mount is overly massive, so I couldn’t match it to both my e-bike or gravel bike. Admittedly, they’re each small-frame bikes, however nonetheless.
Regardless of this, the X3 was sensible and labored exceptionally effectively all through testing. I completely beloved the Neoprene sleeve supplied with the lock. It stored grime out of my bag and saved small gadgets, like my gloves and glasses, making them straightforward to search out.
The Angle Grinder Take a look at
Much like my expertise with different angle grinder locks, such because the choices from Hiplok and Abus, I may solely reduce into the X3 a small method throughout my five-minute take a look at utilizing a high-powered angle grinder. In that point, I burned by means of two discs and reduce a 3rd of the best way by means of the lock.
What finally secured the X3’s third place within the angle grinder take a look at, behind the Hiplok and OnGuard, was whereas the Barronium Metal was abrasive sufficient to put on down the discs, I may proceed slicing – albeit slowly. This differed from the Hiplok, which, when you reached the core materials of the lock shackle, brought about the grinder to sit back, halting additional progress. In distinction, the OnGuard barely confirmed any indicators of being attacked by an angle grinder.
Whereas these are minor variations in efficiency, for the sake of argument, if I had the time to maintain slicing and had a number of spare discs, I’d seemingly have ultimately received by means of. In actuality, most thieves would not have this chance, and the Litelok carried out admirably.
Sparks flew, throughout our angle grinder testing
(Picture credit score: Future/Matt Ischt-Barnard)
Worth and conclusions
If not for the distinctive efficiency of the OnGuard RockSoild within the angle grinder assessments, the Litelok may need simply secured the highest place. Though there’s a minor distinction of £50/$50 between them, the additional attain and options diminish this disparity for many who want them.
The additional expense of the Tactical Mount places the X3 in step with the Abus Granit Tremendous Excessive, which is £270/$320 and encompasses a much better rack mounting system. Nonetheless, its efficiency within the angle grinder take a look at and general high quality surpass any concern about competitors from Abus and Hiplok.
How I examined this lock
After spending many hours misplaced in a YouTube black gap, my analysis indicated that opportunistic bike thieves usually have lower than a minute to steal a motorbike. In concept, making the 5 minutes I allotted for our take a look at seem beneficiant.
To take away a motorbike lock utilizing an angle grinder, you possibly can both make two exact cuts—one on the shackle and one other on the lock barrel—or make one reduce on the shackle after which twist the lock. Since most locks at the moment have anti-twist and tamper-resistant options, I’d most likely go for making two exact cuts.
That is why different assessments I’ve encountered don’t replicate real-world eventualities. If you happen to extrapolate my testing outcomes, you’ll seemingly want 5-10 angle grinder discs and round 20 minutes to take away considered one of these locks. So, I needed to be taught whether or not bike locks claiming angle grinder resistance failed in a extra real-world time scale.
Utilizing a high-powered battery-operated angle grinder fitted with high-quality metal-specific slicing discs, I allowed myself a most of 5 minutes. This may account for any disc adjustments required and be extra consultant of the time a thief may have in a low-foot site visitors space or if they’d damaged right into a shed or storage.
Matt Ischt-Barnard
I began like so many on the age of 13, doing a paper spherical by bike earlier than constantly utilizing one to commute till I received a driving licence at 17. It did not cease there. In 20 years of biking, with 15 of these within the bicycle business, I’m fortunate to have by no means had a motorbike stolen, or possibly I understand how to safe a motorbike.
