2 Minute Reviews
TiGr Titanium Mini Lock
TiGr Lock
The TiGr Mini lock is a lightweight, titanium device, and a beautiful example of designing simplicity.
As much as we lust after anything Ti, this isn't a product you might expect to read about on NSMB.com. That said, it's been on enough Shore rides now that I think the extra 439 grams that's been riding along in my pack deserves this mention.
It would be easier to cut through my frame than the TiGr Mini.
There are more compact options but the security to weight ratio is best in class.
The North Shore is an amazing place to live. Good coffee, incredible trails, an awesome riding community, and terrible traffic. I'm very fortunate because I can easily pedal to some of the best mountain biking in the world and be on single track in about twenty minutes.
I often like to stop on my way home for a coffee or a beer. Sometimes it's just to get caught up on e-mails and sometimes it's for some post ride sh*t talking. I then spend half my time worrying about someone grabbing my bike, or NSMB's test bike, and riding off with it.
Riding from home and going somewhere after? I always ride with a pack so I can have a change of shirt anyways: #sweaty.
The TiGr fits easily in every regular sized pack I've tried. With the Acre/Mission I move my tool roll into the main pocket.
Total length is 10.5" (26.67cm) x 4" (10.16cm) but that includes the barrel. The length of the U-Lock portion is 7" (17.76cm).
Unlike various cable-lock options, no one is going to cut the TiGr and ride off on my bike in between glances up from my 'Muricano Misto and checking my phone to see if Charlie Sponsel is writing about bikes again.
True, I'm relying on luck and thru-axles since the Mini can't get my frame and wheel but this is the biggest lock I'd be willing to carry on the trail and I'd still rather lose a wheel than my whole ride.
When the locking mechanism is open the two posts of the U-Lock can be pushed inwards to disengage the bow coupling.
When the locking mechanism is closed the security posts engage fully with the bow coupling.
The security posts can spin 360° within the coupling but there is no space to disengage.
Installation and removal of the locking mechanism are very easy. The lock splays open wide and the titanium leaf spring structure is easily compressed to get the best fit for my frame and whatever solid object I'm locking it to. A PVC sleeve covering the titanium prevents scratches and TiGr will replace this protective cover free of charge, aside from shipping the lock to them, should it ever wear off.
Open the locking mechanism using one of the two included keys.
Compress the u-lock arms to disengage the security posts from the coupling.
Squeeze the u-lock arms together to reinsert them into the coupling.
The titanium u-lock naturally opens very wide which makes it easy to lock my bike.
Is the extra 439 grams in my pack noticeable? Yes and no. On hot days I ride with a water bottle on my bike and about 1.5 liters of water in my hydration pack. If I'm bringing the lock along I'll drop the bladder volume and have a tall glass of water before I leave home. I wouldn't ride trails with a lock just for the hell of it but the peace of mind in a high-theft market makes a post-ride pint a lot more enjoyable. In that sense, it's worth the 439 grams and 100 USD to me.
For the clearest visual example of how the TiGr system works, there's a nifty cutaway modeling of the locking bow coupling interface on Sketchfab here. For more information on the locks themselves check out TiGr's website here.
Comments
Agleck7
5 years, 8 months ago
Great @teamrobot reference :)
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Andrew Major
5 years, 8 months ago
:-).
Someone should set a trap to get him back writing... maybe pen a piece about “flowing” janky Shore trails on DH-Casing 29’er rubber while using Crankbrothers pedals and meeting some former pros turned brand ambassadors for craft beers after. How could he resist?!
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lojack
5 years, 8 months ago
You might want to watch this video:
https://www.reddit.com/r/bicycling/comments/1n13in/the_tigr_lock_is_incredibly_easy_to_break_127/
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Andrew Major
5 years, 8 months ago
You can get through most U-Locks with a set of massive bolt cutters too - like butter.
Even when you can’t, I once removed a super-thick U-Lock for a shop customer (locked up bike / lost keys) with a cordless angle grinder, on a busy street, 2x blocks from the local cop shop with sparks flying everywhere. Not one person stopped and asked what I was doing or called the police.
I’m under zero illusion that any lock is doing any more than keeping honest people honest, giving unprepared thieves the motivation to go for softer targets, or potentially giving me the time I need to defend my property.
I’d challenge you to suggest a better option with any degree of portability.
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lojack
5 years, 8 months ago
Apparently the video showed their 3/4 inch tall bow lock being cut, and the mini is 1.25 inch and its small size may make it harder to get bolt cutters on it. So it seems it might be a decent medium duty choice. Small heavy duty u-lock for me--they are going to have to use the angle grinder to get my bike.
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Andrew Major
5 years, 8 months ago
With bolt cutters that huge, if they can get part of your U-Lock into the jaws I’d be surprised if they can’t cut through it.
Regardless, I’ve been taking the TiGr on trail rides and maintain its the peak weight vs packabity vs protection lock that I’ve come across.
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Cooper Quinn
5 years, 8 months ago
Anyone who's under the impression any lock is more than a deterrent is delusional.
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IslandLife
5 years, 8 months ago
If you translate, you'll hear that they even tried with a smaller bolt-cutter (which is shown in the last part of the video)...same result.
Of course no lock is unbreak-able... but check this site who sawed, chopped and cut 27 different locks to come up with their best - https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-bike-lock/
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Andrew Major
5 years, 8 months ago
First, as LoJack noted, the lock in their video isn’t the same product that I’m writing about here. It has a 0.75” shank (the TiGr Mini is 1.25”) and hasn’t been produced since 2014.
Second, are you going to mountain bike with a Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit Chain + U-Lock combo in your pack?
Even the New-U that won the test you linked to weights 3.55 lbs. that’s over 3.5x heavier than the lock I’ve reviewed here.
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Cooper Quinn
5 years, 8 months ago
It also doesn't take very long to get a full f*ck off Kryptonite in half.
Ask me how I know.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/71yg8pcdW6hGUAqB8
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grambo
5 years, 8 months ago
$188CAD on Amazon? I get the light weight and packability benefit and good for stopping opportunistic thieves. I guess it depends on your ride, I'm not lucky enough to pedal from home, but if I was doing a loop I'd just drop my heavy ass Kryptonite U-lock or Abus at the apres spot on my way up...
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Andrew Major
5 years, 8 months ago
That would be great if my ride from home was regularly an out-and-back with a stop for coffee along the route.
The TiGr is not significantly more than what I paid for my Bordo and there are some Kryptonite U-Locks around that price territory as well. Whether it’s the right lock for the job is going to be a personal decision but I don’t think pricing is insane for what it is.
I usually compare USD SRP vs USD SRP as I find that’s the best apples : apples reflection of street price. Generally.
Nothing is cheaper than what you already own of course!
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kain0m
5 years, 8 months ago
Just buy something like an ABUS bordo. You can get them in a similar weight and much more compact format. And I'd guess they are more secure as well, and they won't nick your frame.
https://mobil.abus.com/unterwegs/Highlights/BORDO/Faltschloesser/BORDO-Lite-6055-60-black
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Andrew Major
5 years, 8 months ago
I have an OG Bordo I use for commuting. It’s a tank. Definitely not something I’d take on a trail ride.
My wife has a Bordo Lite. It’s just north of 650 grams (can’t remember the exact weight off my head) and I wouldn’t trust it over the 439 gram TiGr. I guess it could be the best option if the TiGr didn’t fit great in my pack.
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