Pewag Security Chains and Viro Lock Review

Pewag makes a slew of chains, mostly for commercial and industrial applications, such as lifting heavy equipment and tire traction control and tire protection. They initially designed their famous 12mm 3012 chains for traction purposes, but its strength and impressive qualities made it a highly functional security chain. Pewag decided to create an original security chain utilizing the same basic design of the 3012, but for longevity, they added an anti-corrosion electro-galvanized finish and now offer it in three useful sizes, 7mm, 10mm, 12mm (9/32″, 3/8″, and 1/2″).

For further information, refer to pewagchain.com.

Each of the chains has a Surface Hardness of 62 HRC, which makes it tough to cut and the square shape of the link prevents bolt cutters from getting a proper bite. These qualities make them ideal for locking up your bicycles, motorcycles, and other valuable equipment.

Highlights

• Square, case-hardened links
• Electro-galvanized finish for corrosion protection
• Surface Hardness:  7 and 10mm 62Rc 10% deep/49Rc core min, 12mm 62Rc 6% deep/43Rc core min

12mm Chain

I tested all three chain sizes during this review but found the 12mm or 1/2″ version with a Viro shrouded lock to be the most ideal and theft-resistant set up for protecting bikes. You can purchase any of the chains by the foot or as a kit with a lock (2-20 foot lengths) from various rigging supply companies on the internet. Though they aren’t cheap, especially the 12mm model, they are well worth the investment to protect your precious and pricey bikes against theft opportunists. You can also get nylon chafe sleeve to protect things from the chain, though I ended up cutting an old innertube to keep my bike and rack from getting banged up.

Be forewarned, the 12mm is a massive brute, and a 6-foot chain weighs around 20 pounds and its not something you’d want to throw around your waist. On the other hand, those qualities, toughness, heft, and difficulty to cut, making it ideal as a high-security chain to lock your bike at home, the garage, and on your vehicles bike rack.

Viro Locks

A comparable lock is required to match the impressive high-security Pewag chains, and the Italian Viro company makes some of the best in the business. The solid Viro EuroMonolith is high-security padlock, which is designed to work with 7/16″ (12 mm) square security chain. The body is constructed from a one-piece, special case-hardened and tempered steel and the finish is achieved via an exclusive “NIPLOY PROCESS,” which results in a corrosion-proof nickel plating.

For further information, refer to www.viro.it.

The deadbolt is made from case-hardened, tempered steel. The security cylinder is built with six pins and is protected by a rotating anti-drill plate in special case-hardened, tempered 4.4 mm thick steel, and it uses pick resistant dimple nickel-plated brass keys.

The design of the EuroMonolit has the deadbolt completely shrouded and when protected by the 12mm square security chain thieves won’t have access to use bolt cutters or a grinder. An expert lock picker can get through most locks, but it’s much easier and quicker to just cut the chain.

Cut Testing

I cut all the various sized chains with a powered angle grinder with aluminum oxide wheel, with the chain locked down tightly in a vise. I also tested cutting the chain with it hanging loosely, which is how it would be in a typical situation when your bike was locked down. It took around 15-20% longer when it wasn’t secured in a vise since the chain moved around somewhat and caused the wheel to bind occasionally during cutting. During my testing, I pushed as hard as I could with my angle grinder to cut through the 12mm chain, not caring about the grinder wheel, things binding up, and my safety. After some experimenting and running multiple tests, I’d think it would take a tad under 1 minute to cut the 12mm chain in a real-life situation. I tried to replicate how a thief would hurriedly cut the chain, and not do it correctly. The standard method is to be careful, cut slow, not allow the wheel to bind, and move back and forth during the cut.

Bottom Line

Nothing is theft-proof, but the excellent pewag 12mm security chain with the Viro EuroMonolith pick resistant shrouded padlock requires an angle grinder to cut. Having to use a powered tool to cut the chain, which is a noisy and challenging operation, slows down the process and making your precious item a less likely target. I’ll continue to use the 12mm chain and the shrouded lock to secure my bike on my trucks bike rack, in the bed of the topper, and even on various racks around town.

Any of the pewag security chains with a shrouded lock is an ideal candidate as a theft deterrent to protect your bike, with highlights to their 10mm and 12mm sizes.

About pewag

The Austrian based pewag industrial conglomerate is one of the oldest chain manufacturers in the world and traces its lineage back to a forging plant in 1479. Their well-engineered state-of-the-art quality products mainly focus on snow chains, forestry chains, hoist and conveyor chains, do-it-yourself products, engineering, lifting and lashing chains and accessories and tire protection chains. The international company has locations throughout Europe, and several locations in the US, including our local favorite in Pueblo Colorado (they produce traction chains).