Chain or … chain? Choose it based on its characteristics and those of your vehicle!

With the arrival of spring, more and more people move by bicycle, e-bike, moped and motorbike, and so, if the right attention is not paid to security, the thefts of these vehicles tend to increase.

The chain plus padlock solution is undoubtedly a must for the 2-wheeler world but, when choosing, what distinguishes one chain from another? First of all, it is good to consider that each type of vehicle may require a different level of protection.

Here’s the answer by out 2-wheeler safety experts of the most common questions before buying:

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1. 90, 120, 150 (and +) cm chain? How do I choose the right length?

In order to protect a bicycle chains ranging from 90 to 120 cm are effective. In this case it is necessary to evaluate the type of fixing point to which the bike is secured most frequently and choose the right length to be able to secure the wheel, frame and fixing point without leaving excessive empty spaces where cutting tools or shears can be inserted.

For a moped or a motorcycle, chains with lengths from 120 cm up to 200 cm can be considered, making sure not to place the chain on the ground once secured, in order to obstruct any thief in their attempts to cut it.

2. Two different chains have equal lengths: which is better?

Which chain is better

If you have already identified the right length (e.g. 120 cm) and the choice falls between two chains, there are other variables that can be evaluated:

WEIGHT

If the vehicle is a bicycle, for example, it is worth taking into account the weight of the chain: a sturdy but not too heavy anti-theft device, of between 1 and 2 kg, can be a good solution, considering that there are chains on the market that exceed 5 kg and which are generally more suitable for mopeds and motorcycles.

DIMENSIONS OF THE LINKS

For the same length, a chain consisting of a greater number of links, which are more compact with each other (and therefore leave less free space for the introduction of burglary tools) is preferable to a chain with longer rings which therefore leave larger“empty spaces”.

CROSS-SECTION OF THE LINK

Another feature to consider is the cross-section of the chain link, which is a factor visible to the naked eye. In chains with a larger cross-section, the shear strength is more likely to be higher. In order to protect a bicycle, chains with a cross-section greater than 5 mm are most suitable, whilst to protect a motorcycle, chains with a cross-section of 10 mm should be considered.

CROSS-SECTION PROFILE

Furthermore, considering that the manual cutters and shears available on the market have cutting blades suitable for holding round profiles, such as those of iron rods, electro-welded meshes and common chains, chains with links with semi-square or hexagonal cross-section profiles are more difficult to attack.

MATERIAL AND TREATMENTS

Finally, it is worth evaluating the material of the chain and the treatments it has undergone. Viro chains, for example, are all made of special steel (manganese) that is case-hardened, tempered, drawn and galvanized as well as being covered with a protective sheath made of scratch-resistant fabric.