LITELOK in Munich | Testing Bike Locks Against Angle Grinders

On 13 October, we brought our Anti-Grinder Roadshow to Munich, hosting another edition of our Tested on Thieves experience at Zirka Space, a centre for interdisciplinary spatial and cultural work.

It was fantastic to meet cyclists and motorcyclists from across the city, discuss the realities of bike theft, and put bike security to the test.

Tested on Thieves 

Real Locks. Real Results.

At the heart of every Anti-Grinder Roadshow is one key question: How long can your bike lock withstand an angle grinder attack? 

Our Tested on Thieves experience gives riders the opportunity to put their own locks to the test against a power tool commonly used by thieves, before comparing the results with the LITELOK X3.

Attendees brought a variety of locks, including chain locks, folding locks and other unarmoured designs. The results were eye-opening. Most unarmoured locks were cut through in seconds, with one lock defeated in as little as three seconds.

These real-world demonstrations highlight just how quickly a thief equipped with an angle grinder can compromise a lock. By testing locks brought along by riders themselves, we can demonstrate the difference between how secure a lock might appear and how it performs when faced with a real attack.

Photo Credit: Nikolas, Foto Spezl

The aim of our Anti-Grinder Roadshow isn’t to discredit alternative locks. Every lock can play a role in bike security, and using multiple locks can help deter thieves by increasing the time and effort required to steal a bike. Unarmoured locks can still be useful as a secondary layer of security, depending on the situation. However, when it comes to protecting your bike, your primary lock should be your strongest line of defence. With angle grinders increasingly used in bike theft, we recommend choosing an angle-grinder-resistant lock with a Sold Secure Diamond rating to help give your bike the best possible protection against this type of attack.

Why Angle-Grinder Resistance Matters

Many attendees were surprised by the results, reinforcing an important message, choosing an angle-grinder-resistant bike lock is increasingly important in today's theft landscape.

With angle grinders readily accessible, traditional locks can leave bikes and motorcycles vulnerable to rapid theft. A lock that offers resistance against these attacks can make a crucial difference.

Photo Credit: Nikolas, Foto Spezl - Neil Barron & Mucho69

That's where the LITELOK X range comes in. Designed to resist angle-grinder attacks, LITELOK X locks feature Barronium® technology, engineered to work against the grinder itself. Rather than simply resisting the cutting disc, Barronium® wears down the disc and drains the tool's battery, making the attack progressively more difficult.

The LITELOK X3 puts this technology into action, giving riders a practical way to see how advanced materials and purpose-built security engineering can help protect their bikes against one of the most common tools used in theft.

Bringing Better Bike Security to Munich

Our Munich roadshow was another reminder of why we take our Tested on Thieves events directly to the cycling and motorcycling community. Seeing the results first-hand gives riders a clearer understanding of the risks they face and helps them make more informed decisions about protecting their bikes.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us at Zirka Space, brought along their locks and took part in the demonstrations.

The takeaway is simple: when it comes to bike security, not all locks are created equal. And when an angle grinder is involved, the right protection can make all the difference.