Tested: Abus Steel-O-Chain Ivy 9100 review

Date reviewed: July 2017 | Tested by: John Milbank | Price: £116.99| Weight: 3.58kg | www.abus.com

The Abus Steel-O-Chain Ivy 9100 (18904) is a combined chain and lock that forms a smooth loop thanks to the design of the integral locking mechanism. While we’ve tested the 1.4 meter model, it’s also available in lengths of 0.85, 1.1 and 1.7m.

The chain is protected by a mesh-type sleeve that’s fully secured at both ends. This sleeve won’t absorb water, but it does let it in, so it’s still worth popping the Ivy in a plastic bag if you take it home in your luggage.

Two keys are supplied with the lock, but there’s no cover over the keyway, so make sure it’s kept away from the ground, where grit could be thrown up in a rainstorm.

Being completely sleeved, and with a plastic cover over the lock, this Abus shouldn’t mark your paintwork.

Size and weight

Coiled up, the entire chain and lock covers a diameter of 22cm. It weighs 3.58kg, but we also measured the 1.7m model, which comes in at 4.40kg

Resistance to attack: chain

Using 42” bolt croppers, we were able to cut the chain in 29 seconds. Using a sledge hammer – in the worst-case scenario of an anvil and plenty of room to work – the link cracked at 40 seconds, and broke at 58.

The 115mm angle grinder cut through the square, 9.6-10.2mm thick link in an average amount of time.

Resistance to attack: padlock

Using a sledge hammer, anvil and plenty of space, the lock was broken open in just 38 seconds, but remember that sledge hammer attacks can be defeated by keeping the lock off the ground.

To understand how best to use your lock, click here

BIKESOCIAL TEST RESULTS

Product: Abus Steel-O-Chain Ivy

Size tested: 1.4m

Weight as tested: 3.58kg

Rolled diameter: 22cm

Bolt cropper attack: POOR

Sledge hammer attack: POOR

Angle grinder attack: AVERAGE

Conclusion

The Abus Steel-O-Chain Ivy is a very convenient lock to use, and poor results in the sledge hammer attack can be negated by keeping it tight and off the ground, but it is vulnerable to bolt croppers. It’s a good deterrent to the less determined thief, but the lack of cover for the keyway also lets it down for motorcycle use.

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