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review

OnGuard Pitbull U-Lock

8
£36.99

VERDICT:

8
10
A good security solution for everyday riding
Weight: 
0g
Contact: 
www.todayscyclist.co.uk

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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The Pitbull is a mid-range lock from a mid-range manufacturer but it punches above its weight when it's attacked and is a worthy deterrent around town. The bracket isn't the best but other than that it performed very well.

The lock is built around a 13mm hardened shackle that's locked at both ends by a centrally mounted cylinder lock. There's a rotating dust cover – though we never have too much trouble with dust round here – and five keys, one with an LED light. The mount scores for being very adjustable but loses points for not being very sturdy. It should be fine around town though and you can always sling the lock in your bag, it's not too heavy.

We attacked the Pitbull with our standard thieves' armoury – big bolt croppers, persuader, hammer, cold chisel and hacksaw – and it lasted the full five minutes. Although the dust cover and plastic barrel cover broke off the internals remained intact, and though we bent the shackle we couldn't prise it out. It wouldn't last as long against power tool attacks as some of the beefier units around but it's a good all-purpose lock for your town bike, and you'd be looking to spend a bit more anyway if you've got something really tasty to lock up.

Verdict

Normally cheaper locks are a false economy but there are some very decent U-locks in the £30-£40 price range and the Pitbull is one of them. A good security solution for everyday riding

road.cc test report

Make and model: OnGuard Pitbull U-Lock

Size tested: n/a

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
7/10
Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 36  Height: 190cm  Weight: 98kg

I usually ride: whatever I\'m testing...  My best bike is: Trek 1.5 with Ultegra 6700

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, sportives, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, mtb, Mountain Bike Bog Snorkelling, track

Dave is a founding father of road.cc, having previously worked on Cycling Plus and What Mountain Bike magazines back in the day. He also writes about e-bikes for our sister publication ebiketips. He's won three mountain bike bog snorkelling World Championships, and races at the back of the third cats.

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