LITELOK GO Saves Race Bike in Switzerland #151

Bike theft can happen at any time, even in broad daylight. For Emanuel, three people attempted to steal a new race bike in Basel, Switzerland, between 5 and 6pm on 9 September, but the LITELOK GO Flexi-O gave them more than they could handle.

“Just to let you know that your product holds up to the highest standard. Yesterday, three thugs tried to steal my new race bike and the LITELOK GO FLEXI-O made them give up." 

The bike was a Lapierre Xelius SL 700 FDJ Team Edition, purchased second hand by Emanuel for CHF 1,200, which is around £1,089 in the UK. 

"It’s a Lapierre Xelius SL 700 FDJ Team Edition and I bought it second hand for a very reasonable price of 1’200 Swiss Franks."

The bike had been secured to a metallic guard railing using only the LITELOK GO Flexi-O.

“The GO was the only security device. It held the frame and the front wheel and the guard railing together.”

The LITELOK GO Flexi-O is designed to provide a combination of security and portability, making it ideal for cyclists who need effective protection without carrying a heavy, bulky lock.

At its core is our patented Boaflexicore® strap, constructed using high-tensile steel and complex polymer materials and joined to a hardened aerospace-grade steel alloy lock body.

The GO Flexi-O is designed to resist a range of common bike theft attacks, including bolt croppers, cable cutters and wire cutters. It also provides protection against leverage tools such as crowbars and long bars, as well as twisting attacks.

The lock is independently rated Sold Secure Bicycle Silver and ART 2.

The attempted theft involved using another bicycle component as a makeshift lever in an effort to twist the lock until it failed.

Emanuel explained exactly what happened:

“Three guys took the saddle of my co-worker's bicycle and used its saddle rod as a lever in order to turn the lock on itself until it would snap. It didn’t. They finally abandoned because either a girl next-door interrupted them and called the police and, also, due to the force they applied to the lock the carbon bike frame started to slightly crack.”

Despite three people working together and applying significant force to the lock, the GO Flexi-O held. The attack ultimately ended without the bike being stolen.

Bike thieves don't always rely on traditional cutting tools. When a lock is difficult to cut, attackers may look for alternative ways to defeat it, including applying leverage or attempting to twist the lock until the locking mechanism or cable fails.

The GO Flexi-O is designed with these types of attacks in mind.

Another real-world test. Another bike saved.