Altor SAF

82/100
BikeRide Score
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Where to buy
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Facts

Lock Type
Brand
Weight
13.67 lbs
Diameter / Thickness
80, 14 mm
Width
9.5 Inches
Height
11 Inches
Color
Material
Aluminum, Steel

Summary of Reviews

We have read all expert and user reviews on the Altor SAF. In summary, this is what cyclists think.

8 reasons to buy

  • With an 80 mm outer shackle, testers took more than an hour to cut through the Altor SAF. It exhausted multiple angle grinders, multiple blades, and multiple batteries in the process.
  • Both sides of the shackle lock into the crossbar, requiring thieves to cut it twice.
  • With an uncommon ‘disc detainer’ lock mechanism, an expert lockpicker says the SAF is unlikely to be picked.
  • The SAF is covered in a “cushion” coating, to protect your bike’s frame.
  • Owners report the SAF does fit around standard parking meter poles.
  • The SAF comes with 4x ‘disc detainer’ keys.
  • Despite its “ludicrous” size, the SAF does fit in a pannier.
  • Many users believe the burly looks of the Altor SAF can scare off thieves.

4 reasons not to buy

  • At 3.2” thick, 9.5” wide, and 13.7 lb, the Altor SAF is huge, heavy, and not very portable.
  • Users say the 3.2” shackle is too large to fit between most standard bike spokes.
  • With its wide shackle and moderate internal width, owners have limited options for attaching the SAF to their bike frame and lock points.
  • One tester claims to be able to “easily” break the SAF, using a 12-volt drill.

Bottom line

Altor’s SAF is designed to resist the efforts of portable angle grinders. This cartoonishly beefy lock is shod with an 80 mm outer shackle made of semi-hollow aluminum, in addition to a beefy 14 mm internal steel shackle (wider than the ABUS Granit XPlus 540). This can take multiple blades, multiple batteries and over an hour to break through. When it comes to the SAF’s bulk, e-bike owners are less bothered than pedal-powered riders. This lock is intended for riders who can leave it in place, to tie up their bike in the same location every day.

Expert Reviews

80/100 based on 1 rated expert review
80
The Best Bike Lock

The Strongest Bike Lock

By effectively nullifying angle grinder attacks it deserves it’s place in this list. I must stress: the SAF is absolutely massive. This is not a portable U-lock. And neither is it a U-lock that offers lots of flexible locking options.

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Watch Us Cut This “Angle Grinder-Proof” Bike Lock

What was that? 6 batteries, 4 blades, 2 angle grinders, a lot of sweat on me and probably a lot of attention drawn to this lock. That was 1 hr 10 mins of cutting. An unbeatable theft deterrent.

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LockPickingLawyer

MASSIVE Altor SAF (“Strong as F***”) Bike U-Lock Picked

Because the tool required to open this is so uncommon, I can tell you the chances of this being picked on the street are essentially zero.

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What's Inside?

What’s inside the UNCUTTABLE Lock?

It’s all it’s cracked up to be. That’s how you steal a bike. You cut the frame off, because the uncuttable bike lock is too massive. Either way that’s too much work.

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Popular Mechanics

The Best Bike Locks for Keeping Your Wheels Safe – Most Indestructible: Altor SAF

Practically, it’s undefeatable. Using a cordless angle grinder, it took six batteries, four abrasive cutting discs, and no small amount of cursing to get through the gargantuan shackle. The downside is that, at 13.8 lb, it’s not exactly portable.

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User Ratings

89/100 based on 24 ratings
  • 5 star
    79%
  • 4 star
    8%
  • 3 star
    0%
  • 2 star
    4%
  • 1 star
    8%

Bike Lock Comparison

Altor SAF in comparison to averages

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