ABUS is a leading designer and manufacturer of bicycle security products, and they recently introduced the NutFix, which is an innovative and effective security solution system to prevent theft of your wheels and seatpost. The NutFix system is simple to use and requires no specialty tools or keys to operate. The nut is fitted with a protective cover that only releases when the bike is on its side, and while the bike is upright, the cover stays locked in place, preventing access to the inner nut for wheel or seatpost removal. The system utilizes a gravity based design so its locked and can’t be unscrewed when horizontal (bike upright) and releases when vertical (bike on its side) for removal.
The NutFix system is available in quick release pair, solid axle, and seatpost collar in a variety of sizes and red, black and silver colors.
MSRP & Sizes:
- Nutfix-Skewer Set -$69.99
- Nutfix Single Skewer (Front or Rear): $34.99
- Nutfix for Solid Axle (one axle): $34.99, available in 3/8”, M9 and M10 diameter versions.
- Nutfix w/ seatpost collar, $44.99, available in 28.6, 30.0 31.8 and 34.9 diameter versions
For further infotmstion refer to mobilesecurity.abus.com
NutFix Features
The NutFix system is comprised of security nuts that allow your wheels or seatpost to be locked in place, helping to avoid the most common threat of bike theft. The sleek gravity based mechanism only allows the protective cover to be lifted and the nut inside to be accessed when the bike is on its side. Once the cap is popped upwards, there is an inner hexagonal nut that can be adjusted with an 8mm spanner. Pushing the cover back down when the bike is upright locks it back in place, preventing component removal.
The opposing end of the skewer has a non-removable smooth and slanted cap with a washer, and it doesn’t have any interfacing for tools. The nut itself is manufactured from high-quality stainless steel for strength and durability.
NutFix Installation
You install the system in the same way as you’d install any other wheel skewer, simply slip the skewer through the wheel and the dropouts. Once the cover is popped up, you can use an 8mm open end wrench to tighten and loosen the nut for installation and removal of the wheel. Compared to a QR skewer it’s slightly harder to perform the installation. The opposing side has a washer with a tab that fits into the dropouts, and it can rotate out of place when first doing the install, making for a frustrating process on occasion. I found it easier to engage the tab into the dropout and turn the non-cover cap until the nut was slightly tightened and then you could use the wrench to clamp it down to specs. Once it’s nice and tight, you push the protective cover towards the hub, and it will pop over the hexagonal section making it locked in place and inaccessible from further adjustment and tampering. Installing the system on older style forks with ‘lawyer tabs’ can be problematic since the wide Nutfix cover, which needs to press flat against the dropouts, can have interference issues with those tabs.
NutFix Locked
Once the Nutfix protective cover is pushed down after installation, pulling the cover outwards to allow access to the nut is not permitted when the bike is in an upright position. When the bike is properly locked to a bike rack, the cover will spin around without any engagement, but yanking on the cover doesn’t do anything whatsoever, preventing the wheel or seatpost from being removed. Since the opposing side of the skewer doesn’t have a socket or anything to grab with a tool and the NutFix cover just spins freely, the would-be thief doesn’t have anything to help remove the bike component. I must admit that depending on how you lock the bike and the type of lock used; the thief might still be able to finagle the bike into a horizontal position to help popup the protective cover. It does mean they’d be more noticeable and would have to expend additional effort, and they’d need to understand the NutFix system, but it would help prevent a quick snatch and grab.
Unlock NutFix
Drop the bike on its side and give the cover a couple of yanks; push it up and down quickly, and it pops right up without much effort. Sometimes it comes up the first time, but it usually requires two to three tries to function properly, which isn’t an issue. Once the cover is up you can bring the bike upright and use an 8mm wrench to remove the wheel for maintenance or transportation.
Bottom Line
The ABUS NutFix theft prevention system is well made, easy to install and functions as intended, securing your wheels and seatpost. No fancy tools are required other than an 8mm open end wrench. When your bike is locked properly in a bike rack, and it cannot be turned on its side, the theft of your wheels and seatpost will be prevented. The NutFix system utilizes an innovative gravity based design. When the bike is upright the protective cover is locked in place and prevents accessing the hexagonal inner removal nut, but once the bike is on its side, the cover can be released, and the wheel or seatpost can be removed. It does make your bike look like it has mini BMX styled sliders on the hubs!
Some alternatives exist to this system, such as Pinhead and Pitlock which utilize unique and proprietary keys to unlock their skewers, along with some less secure ones like Hublox, etc., but I think the NutFix is a better overall design. The wheel system is naturally oriented to skewer-based bikes found on road, gravel and cross-country bikes and isn’t feasible for mountain bikes with 12mm, 15mm, 20mm thru-axles. With the seatpost clamp, it would be ideal for any bike, including those that have extremely pricey dropper posts.
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