Zefal Anti-Theft Skewers

both wheels and saddle nicked within weeks of getting these fitted ont my new bike. waste of money! a prepared thief knowing what they're looking for makes light work of these and enjoys laughing at what is so obviously NOT an 'anti-theft system'. trash.

Zefal Anti-theft Skewers are openable with a leverage device as simple as a pipe! Don't buy them. I bought a set of these anti-theft skewers and a new seat and post a week ago and today they were stolen. The thief forced the lever open with a pipe or some leverage device. Not sure if a magnet works as it's a stainless steel (not a magnetic metal) ball bearing in there, but a prepared thief with a lever in San Francisco certainly does. It's a waste of money, worthless, misleading and gives a false sense of security.

Zefal Anti-Theft Skewers are a very cost effective and simple security device for your bike.

Fitted in place of the original skewers holding your wheels and seat post to your bike, they will only unlock if the bike is upside down. With the simple precaution of locking your bike up in such a way that it can't be turned upside down, your wheels and saddle are secure. Replacing the skewers cost £15, replacing the wheels and saddle on my bike would be over £400. Easy choice.

Dead easy to fit, just grease them up and slide into place, ensuring the locking mechanism is aligned correctly so they unlock only when the bike is upside down. If fitted for some time, it might take a smart rap on the side of the skewer handle to encourage it to unlock, but this is a minor gripe. I would have preferred an option for some made of lighter material - they seem to be steel skewers with aluminium handles, and I suspect the locking mechanism is based on a steel ball bearing inside - they were almost twice the weight of my previous skewers, but this is still only a few grams I suppose - worth it for the security benefit.

I recommend them to anyone who has to leave their bike locked up in a public place, and doesn't want to carry their wheels and saddle around with them. The long flexible locks that will go through both wheels and attach them to the frame are far less secure - they are cut through in a few seconds, and they don't secure your saddle anyway.