Consumer Editor of Bennetts BikeSocial, John's owned over 20 bikes, has been testing motorcycle kit for more than 25 years and is a member of the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators, and part of the Motorcycle Crime Reduction Group.
Available in sizes 0.8 to 6.0m, we’ve tested the 1.5m Pragmasis 16mm chain, which comes with a tough fabric sleeve, zip-tied at both ends, to protect your bike. These sleeves do hold water if used in the rain, so carry a plastic bag if you need to transport it.
The long links mean either end can be passed through any point in the chain, which is important to allows the lock to be kept off the ground, further reducing its susceptibility to attack.
While available with a choice of locks, our package includes the Pragmasis RL21 RoundLock, which fits snugly into a link, and also doubles as a disc-lock. The lock features a well-retained cover over the keyway to keep dirt and rain out, and for an extra £4 this lock can be keyed-alike to other RoundLocks, as well as Pragmasis’ U-Locks. Three keys are supplied.
Both the chain and padlock are approved to Sold Secure Motorcycle Gold level.
Size and weight
Rolled up, the chain covers a diameter of approximately 30cm, and has links with a typical thickness of 15.9-16.2mm. Our 1.5m sample weighed 7.30kg (that’s 4.87kg/m), while the padlock adds 0.53kg, making for a total of 7.83kg.
This makes the lock relatively transportable if you need to carry it, while the compact, light design of the RoundLock makes it a very convenient package.
Resistance to attack: chain
Using 42” bolt croppers, the chain showed just minor marks on the surface.
With a noisy hammer attack, and in the ideal conditions of a make-shift anvil with plenty of space, we broke the chain in 3 minutes 32 seconds, the weld cracking after striking for 3 minutes 5 seconds. As with most chains, if a criminal uses freeze spray correctly, this time would be substantially reduced, so despite it being a very unlikely form of attack, it’s important to keep any chain off the ground.
Under our angle grinder attack – which is a worst-case scenario, giving ourselves easy access to the links – we cut through it in an average amount of time.
Resistance to attack: padlock
We were unable to break this lock. Using a sledge hammer we repeatedly struck it, leaving only dents in the casing regardless of the angle of attack.
We gave up on the angle grinder after a long test as the grinder was bucking dangerously.
After both tests, the lock still opened and closed.
To understand how best to use your lock, click here
BIKESOCIAL TEST RESULTS
Product: Pragmasis Protector 16mm chain with RoundLock RL21 padlock
Size tested: 1.5m
Weight as tested: 7.83kg
Rolled diameter: 30cm
Bolt cropper attack:GOOD
Sledge hammer attack:AVERAGE
Angle grinder attack:AVERAGE
Conclusion
While obviously not as resistant to attack as a thicker, heavier chain, the Pragmasis 16mm offers very good protection for its weight and price. Keep it off the ground (which is easy thanks to the long link design) and the resistance to sledge hammer attack becomes irrelevant (though it still performed well).
While it can, like anything, be cut by an angle grinder, it offers a very good deterrent to all but the most determined thieves.
The RoundLock is outstanding, offering excellent security in a small, light package, as well as adding even more value by doubling as a disc lock.
To see the other chains and locks tested by BikeSocial, click here
Find out how and why we did this test
Consumer editor John Milbank explains how you can get the best out of your chain and lock, and how this test was done
