The Street Cuff lock: massive, but simple
5.12.2022
Translation: Veronica Bielawski
Unlike a U-lock or folding lock, Master Lock’s Street Cuff wraps tightly around the tubes and bars of your bike. In certain situations, this design is handy. But the closing mechanism proves to be the breaking point.
If you regularly hit the road on your bike, you’ve probably gone through your fair share of locks. Cable locks are flexible but easy to cut. Chain locks rattle around. Folding locks have limited mobility, but are often a good compromise. U-locks are rigid and strong, but can’t be fastened everywhere. Some people swear by the one type of lock, others by a different one. There’s no perfect solution. I, myself, have tested quite a few bike locks. But never a cuff lock. Until now. I decided to take a closer look at the Street Cuff from Master Lock.
One of its strengths comes through when your means of transport can’t be locked into place using the frame as you would usually. For example, in the case of e-scooters. The handcuff mechanism allows you to tightly enclose handlebars and secure them to the nearest railing or bicycle stand.
Source: Michael Restin
To ensure this works without damaging the paintwork, the two lock parts, which have an inner diameter of 7.4 centimetres each, are rubberised. They’re too small to attach to a lamppost, but just right for narrower pipes. The two cuffs are connected by a foldable chain made of hardened steel.
Comes out strong against the bolt cutter
At 1.7 kilogrammes, the lock definitely makes a statement. Its length of 55 centimetres offer you some wiggle room in finding a suitable parking space for your bike, scooter or motorcycle.
Source: Michael Restin
Like any lock, of course, the Street Cuff can be picked. You’ll find demos online using, among other tools, a big bolt cutter (which works with considerable effort), a nut splitter (works, but it’s slow and fiddly) and a Ramset gun (done in one shot). And then there’s the guy who just grabbed the lock at both ends and bent it over his knee, cracking it in the process. It’s indeed quite easy to create critical tension this way. But that’s hardly possible to do when it’s attached to a bike on the left and railing on the right. The chain then bends out of the way and doesn’t provide this point of attack. I’m more sceptical about the locking mechanism itself. It’s beginner-friendly from the point of view of thieves.
Weak point: the locking mechanism
Many locks flaunt plenty of hard steel, but won’t hold up to special tools in skilled fingers for long. Lock pickers are able to elegantly crack these. In fact, you’d be forgiven for thinking that manufacturers like to save on the locking mechanism, which isn’t very impressive at first glance. And this right down to the key, which is often soft as wax and easy to break. As my colleague Carolin Teufelberger found out, the reason behind this is a compromise to make the mechanism easy on the lock cylinder as well as your wallet.
Keys are lost more often than broken, though. And medium-quality spare parts are, well, cheaper. The Street Cuff comes with four keys. That should be enough. But if you know your stuff and have a few tools, you won’t be needing a single one of those. The Street Cuff relies on a circular tubular lock.
Source: Michael Restin
Metal pins play a role in opening the lock. They’re pressed into position by the key, allowing it to turn against the resistance of a tension ring. As soon as it reaches the two o’clock position, the lock pops open. With the right tools, it’s like a quick tooth check-up.
Since there’s a good amount of free space around the lock and the crucial parts are clearly visible, I wanted to give it a go myself. Without a clamping tool, I didn’t quite manage to break apart the handcuffs. However, it felt like I got very close to breaking point using only the tools I already have at home. I used a small screwdriver to press against the clamping ring, another one on the metal pins, which I clicked in one by one. It was only on the final pin that I ended up getting in my own way and couldn’t turn the ring as needed. Either way, I’ve seen enough.
One breaking point too many
Youtuber LockPickingLawyer’s verdict is that this lock is relatively easy to open, and he certainly wouldn’t use it on an expensive vehicle. Who am I to contradict him? It’s too bad, because I’m a fan of the design. The many positive reviews from the Community also suggest that it’s well suited for everyday use. But hey, using cuffs against thieves is a tried-and-tested concept, and the lock is sufficiently resistant to brute force. Just not against skilled thieving fingers.
Michael Restin
Senior Editor
Michael.Restin@digitecgalaxus.chSimple writer and dad of two who likes to be on the move, wading through everyday family life. Juggling several balls, I'll occasionally drop one. It could be a ball, or a remark. Or both.
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