Security Skewers

feisty
feisty Posts: 161
edited January 2015 in Road general
I want to change the skewers on my commuter/hack bike from quick release to something that might make it marginally less easy to nick my (cheapish but still hand-built) wheels from. I realise anyone with pliars / allen keys can take off a wheel with a security skewer on and I'm not looking for anything uber fancy; the aim is to deter the casual thief. (The bike is not left out locked on the street very often at all. Maybe once every 2 months for 30 mins)

I have two questions.

1. Length of skewer
There seems to be 2 length of skewer for rear wheel: 130mm and 135mm. The bike is a Ribble CX bike and the rear wheel has a 105 hub and a 10 speed cassette. Am I right in thinking I need a 130mm length and 135 mm is for MTBs?

2. Recommendations
Can anyone recommend some that are robust? As I say, less worried about fancy anti-theftness. Allen key ones would do. But I hear stories of a numebr snapping and being a bit cheap so any recommendations?

Cheers

Comments

  • feisty
    feisty Posts: 161
    I have seen these but can't really work out how the standard set can be both 130 and 135mm long!? Seems no option to select between the two lengths

    http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Halo-Hex-Key-Sk ... oC1_Dw_wcB
  • crankycrank
    crankycrank Posts: 1,830
    Can't help with specific recommendations or axle length but stick with the type that use a special key to unscrew the ends. Any thief with an allen key can undo your wheels is seconds if they have the type in your link.
  • FatTed
    FatTed Posts: 1,205
    Why don't you try one of these, not a lot of money

    http://www.amazon.com/Pinhead-Bicycle-L ... B000XHBKOU

    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/pitlock-2pc-sec ... ear-wheel/
  • Ben6899
    Ben6899 Posts: 9,686
    It's actually possible to unlock security skewers without the 'key'.

    I won't say how, for obvious reasons.
    Ben

    Bikes: Donhou DSS4 Custom | Condor Italia RC | Gios Megalite | Dolan Preffisio | Giant Bowery '76
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ben_h_ppcc/
    Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/143173475@N05/
  • crankycrank
    crankycrank Posts: 1,830
    Ben6899 wrote:
    It's actually possible to unlock security skewers without the 'key'.

    I won't say how, for obvious reasons.
    It's possible to defeat any type of security device you have including an armed guard but the more difficult you make it for the thief the better your odds of keeping your bike/parts.
  • 964cup
    964cup Posts: 1,362
    Pitlocks are good, but don't lose the key. They used to come with two keys, but now come with only one. I ordered a second when I bought mine, and it took months to arrive. I believe they have a one-size-fits-all rear skewer (you can cut off the excess with a hacksaw or bolt cutter) but if you choose a brand with specific lengths, you will need 130mm if you have rim brakes and 135mm if you have disc brakes.
  • Ben6899
    Ben6899 Posts: 9,686
    crankycrank wrote:
    Ben6899 wrote:
    It's actually possible to unlock security skewers without the 'key'.

    I won't say how, for obvious reasons.
    It's possible to defeat any type of security device you have including an armed guard but the more difficult you make it for the thief the better your odds of keeping your bike/parts.

    No, it's actually very easy. Not just possible.

    You're right though.
    Ben

    Bikes: Donhou DSS4 Custom | Condor Italia RC | Gios Megalite | Dolan Preffisio | Giant Bowery '76
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ben_h_ppcc/
    Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/143173475@N05/

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