Squire High Security Padlocks, Accessories and Alternatives

This page provides details on the specific padlocks, disc locks and U-locks available and the options that relate to them.

• Lock Size & Weight
• Closed Shackle or Open Shackle?
• Security Ratings/Approvals - CEN, British Standards, Sold Secure
• Keyed Alike?
• Dimensions & Technical Information
• Using a D-Lock
• Number of Keys and Spare Key Blanks
• Door Security: Hasp & Staple and Pad Bars

Lock Size and Weight

The Squire Stronghold closed shackle locks are available in different sizes: the larger size (the 65mm SS65CS) is a much stronger lock with a higher security rating than the smaller 50mm SS50CS. The larger lock is also heavier (SS65CS weighs 1.0kg; SS50CS weighs 0.6kg). We offer several alternative locks suited to different chains and different situations.

Note: The SS50CS, ASWL2 and SHCB65 locks are too small to be used with the Protector 16mm and 19mm chains! Indeed, only the SS65CS is recommended for use with either of the ultimate security Protector 19mm chains, and the SS65CS or Untouchable locks for the Protector 16mm chains. The shackle opening on several of the smaller locks is not large enough to go around the links on 16mm or bigger chains. The ML2L motorcycle disc lock can be used to lock the entire range of Protector chains, but is not recommended for the 19mm and is likely to be the weak point when used with the 16mm. However, it may offer a useful alternative when it is difficult to fit a chain through a structural part of the bike and the Anti-Pinch Pin is unsuitable.

The ASWL2 warehouse lock is able to accept two links of the Protector 13mm chain, indeed, we recommend that when the 13mm chain is locked with the ASWL2 lock, the shackle should be passed through both end links of the chain to give protection to the shackle.

The Untouchable locks are suitable for use with the Protector 13mm and Protector 16mm chains, only (note that the Untouchable lock is not suitable for use with the 11mm or with the 19mm!).

Lock dimensions and other technical details are listed below.

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Closed Shackle or Open Shackle?

A closed shackle padlock is the higher security option because the lock body partly surrounds the shackle (see the photo above), whereas an open shackle padlock has much more of the shackle exposed and thus vulnerable to attack. We do not supply open shackle padlocks. D-Locks and motorcycle disc locks are designed to suit different situations and heavier shackles are offered to counteract the fact that they are exposed.

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Security Ratings/Approvals - CEN, British Standards, Sold Secure

CEN is the main European lock standardisation and approvals body. The new CEN EN12320 standard is basically the same as the British Standard BS EN 12320 - lock testing standards are being harmonised across Europe. A higher CEN rating indicates a higher security lock: CEN 6 is the highest rating and CEN 1 is the lowest on that scale. This standard only relates to padlocks and padlock fittings (such as padbars); it does not relate to chains.

Sold Secure is an independent British security testing and approvals organisation that awards Gold standard to the highest security products, with Silver and Bronze for lower grade products. Note that Sold Secure awards these grades according to a range of criteria appropriate to the intended use. Hence, Sold Secure Motorcycle Gold is different (in fact a much higher standard) when compared with Sold Secure Bicycle Gold. It is important to know the type of grading as well as the level that is required.

Classe SRA and NF are both French security testing certifications (with NF the more stringent). Thatcham is another UK organisation that specialises more in certification of immobilisers, alarms and similar electronic products; we do not regard them as good as Sold Secure for testing physical security products.

The following table shows the ratings and approval information for various of our padlocks:

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Using a D-Lock

D-locks, otherwise known as U-locks, are useful compromises between security and weight for carrying. They are not recommended for high-value items such as motorbikes but are much better than nothing - and much better than virtually any type of cable lock - for portable security for bicycles.

However, it is important that they are used correctly.

D-locks are commonly attacked by thieves by twisting them. If you loop a D-lock through some railings and around the seat tube on a bike, for example, and if you leave a lot of spare room in the 'D', it is easy for a thief to insert a piece of timber, scaffold pole, or other strong lever through the 'D' and to apply a large twisting force to the lock. With enough space to use a big lever and with enough leverage applied, most locks will fail. It is therefore imperative that you don't purchase a lock that is too large (as that creates more space in the 'D') and it is crucial that you fill as much of the 'D' as possible. You can fill the space by looping the lock around the bicycle wheel as well as the seat tube, and by going through two or three railings rather than one, for example. Ideally, and especially if you have quick-release wheels, it is advisable to remove the front wheel and to lock it and the rear wheel and definitely the frame to an immovable object. The front wheel then helps to fill space inside the 'D' as well as being protected itself.

A D-lock can be used to lock a chain by simply looping links of the chain over the arm(s) of the 'D'. Note that a D-lock is invariably not as secure as a more compact and more protected lock, so you should be aware that relying on a D-lock for home security is not likely to be as good as using a good quality chain with a proper padlock. Of course, you do improve your security by using a chain and lock and a D-lock as well. We are able to supply the Squire Urban Paramount D-lock and the Squire SS50CS locks all keyed-alike, so you have the same key working all locks. A further SS50CS could be ideal on the shed door as well, again worked with the same key.

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Keyed Alike?

Multiple Stronghold padlocks (SS65CS/SS50CS), Urban Paramount U-locks and ML2L disc locks can all use the same key, even when mixing different sizes and types of lock. This makes life much easier if you are locking multiple things, such as two motorbikes or a bicycle and a shed - you could use a pair of SS65CS padlocks for highest security or one SS65CS for the bike and one SS50CS for the shed, or an Urban Paramount D-lock when you're out on your push-bike and a higher security Protector chain and SS50CS lock (and the D-lock) when you're back at home. All locks using the same key means you don't have to fumble for the right key and you don't have to carry multiple keys. There is a small extra cost to this option but it is only a small fraction of the cost of the locks. We generally keep a stock of various keyed alike sets and can also order locks to match a previously-purchased lock of these types. Special orders from Squire usually take about 2 weeks.

The Squire ASWL2 warehouse locks are also available keyed-alike, but note that they use a different type of key that cannot be used with the SS65CS/SS50CS/U-Paramount/ML2L locks.

The Untouchable, M50D and DCL1 locks are not available keyed-alike.

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Dimensions & Technical Information

Details common to Squire SS65CS, SS50CS, ML2L and Urban Paramount:
  Mechanism: 6 pin tumbler, 250,000 combinations, anti-bump, anti-drill
  Shackle: Hardened steel
  Shackle Material: Boron alloy steel

Details for the Squire ASWL2:
  Mechanism: 5 pin tumbler, 1,500 combinations
  Shackle: Hardened steel

Details for the Master Lock Excell M50D:
  Discus-style stainless steel body with anti-drill plate and covered keyway
  Shackle: Hardened boron carbide steel, octagonal section

Details for the Squire DCL1:
  Discus-style stainless steel body providing compactness and light weight
  Shackle: Hardened steel, round section

Details for the Squire SHCB65:
  Mechanism: Recodable combination lock, 10,000 combinations
  Shackle: Hardened steel, rotating

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Number of Keys and Spare Key Blanks

Each of the Squire keyed padlocks is supplied with two keys; keyed alike sets have two keys for each lock in the set (e.g. a keyed alike set of two locks is supplied with a total of 4 keys).

Spare key blanks are available for all of the Squire 6-lever locks if you want additional keys and your local key copying service or locksmith does not have the right blanks (beware that the latest Stronghold locks have a different key design to older models - the cylinders changed around 2006).

The Untouchable locks are each offered with 3 keys. Keyed-alike is not available for these.

The M50D lock has 4 keys, with keyed-alike not available.

We do not offer a key copying service.

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