Review of OnGuard Beast 5017 Bicycle Chain Lock

OnGuard Beast 5017 Bicycle Chain Lock
By: OnGuard
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Third times the charm

On: 2007-01-10

So, Im 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 Ive already said, I want to keep this bike. So, I got one based on the reviews of this lock.

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

There are some caveats to this thing though. Its 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.

Great Design, But Quite Heavy,

On: 2006-10-17

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.

Very secure (I hope) but heavy and inconvenient

On: 2006-03-06

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 dont 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 Ive every seen. A typical U-lock weighs less than three pounds. (Kryptonites 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.

Youll have to have some way of carrying it. I dont think you can simply wrap such a bulky, heavy chain around your seat post, though I ride a recumbent and 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 Beasts 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 cant 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 wont work with a standard u-lock.

Very secure (I hope) but heavy and inconvenient

On: 2006-03-05

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 dont 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 Ive ever seen. A typical U-lock weighs less than three pounds. (Kryptonites 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.

Youll have to have some way of carrying it. I dont think you can simply wrap such a bulky, heavy chain around your seat post, though I ride a recumbent and cant 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 Beasts 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 cant 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 wont work with a standard u-lock.