15 min read
An Introduction to the Pragmasis Protector
I got hold of a few Pragmasis 
Protector chains to test and review.
The Pragmasis Protector chains are the main model of chain that Pragmasis manufacture. These chains are all made from high-grade alloy steel and are finished with specialist heat treatment in the UK.
The Protector range offers some of the beefiest, strongest bike chains available on the internet. If you’re looking to protect your investment, one of the Pragmasis Protector chains will do you proud and keep thieves at bay.
Pragmasis supply the UK’s Ministry of Defence with their 19mm Protector Chains, for some of the most demanding security situations. The MOD declared that they are “Extremely impressed with the superb quality of the chain”. If that isn’t enough to convince you of the Protector’s quality, I don’t know what is.
Throughout this article, I’ll cover everything there is to know about these chains, as well as adding in a few helpful tips to increase your bicycle security skills!
How Secure Are the Pragmasis Protector Chains?
There is a range of different sizes, lengths and add-ons available when purchasing a Protector chain. The sizes of chain available are 11, 13, 16, 19 and 22mm.
Each of these chains will provide a different level of security for your belongings. The general rule of thumb you can follow with bicycle security is: the thicker the shackle/link the stronger the lock/chain. As you can now imagine, the most secure of these chains is the 22mm Protector Titan Chain.
These chains aren’t solely designed for bicycles, they can be used to secure almost anything. Taking a look at the 22mm Protector Titan, it gained Sold Secure Gold ratings for ATVs/Quads, Bicycles, Caravans/Trailers, Commercial Vehicles, Motor Scooters and a Motorcycle Diamond rating.
I haven’t come across any chain before with so many Sold Secure ratings, which speaks volumes about the quality and security that these chains offer.
Unfortunately, with great strength comes great weight. The 22mm Titan Chain weighs 26.45lb (12kg) per metre, which makes it suitable for only the highest security lock-ups.
Because of their extreme weight, I wouldn’t recommend the 19 or 22mm chains if you’re planning to use one to secure a bicycle. Stephen Briggs the Engineering Director of Pragmasis agreed with me that these larger chains are generally OTT and not recommended for bicycle security.
(Click to englarge)
Even when care is taken, the larger 19 and 22mm chains could easily cause damage to your bicycle, simply because they weigh so much.
If you’re looking for a Protector chain for your bicycle, I’d suggest one of the 11, 13 or 16mm variants. The different Sold Secure ratings, weights, lengths & add-ons for each chain size are displayed below.
Chain Size
| Weight per Meter | Available Length | Sold Secure Ratings | Noose Feature |
11mm Protector | 2.1kg (4.63lb) | 0.8 – 6m | · Bicycle Gold · Motor Scooter Silver | ✓ |
13mm Protector | 2.9kg (6.39lb) | 0.8 – 6m | · Motorcycle Gold · Bicycle Gold
| ✓ |
16mm Protector | 4.5kg (9.92lb) | 0.8 – 6m | · Motorcycle Gold · Caravan Gold · ATV Gold · Motor Scooter Gold · Bicycle Gold · Com. Vehicle Gold · Car & Van Gold | ✓ |
19mm Protector | 6.3kg (13.88lb) | 1 – 6m | · Motorcycle Gold · Caravan Gold · ATV Gold · Motor Scooter Gold · Bicycle Gold · Com. Vehicle Gold · Car & Van Gold | ✕
|
22mm Titan | 12kg (26.45lb) | 0.8 – 1.8m | · Motorcycle Diamond · Caravan Gold · ATV Gold · Motor Scooter Gold · Bicycle Gold · Com. Vehicle Gold · Car & Van Gold | ✕
|
All three of these chain sizes are accredited under the Police Secured-by-Design scheme, a scheme set up in 1989. SBD aims to achieve reductions in crime and reduce strain on police forces through design and other approaches.
The 16, 19 and 22mm Protector chains are the only genuinely Police-approved.
To be considered bolt cutter proof, bike locks and chains need to be at least 16mm thick. This means the 11 and 13mm chains don’t quite make the cut, however, I can promise you that cropping either of these chains is far from easy.
Wayne Winton the popular Youtuber and professional locksmith attempted to cut through the 13mm Pragmasis protector with two large pairs of bolt cutters.
If you watch the video, you’ll see that he did manage to crop the chain. However, just as he says, it would be very hard for a thief to replicate this on the street.
Instead of using his hands to crop the chain, Wayne uses a length of metal chain connected to a ratcheting device. This device tightens and increase the force applied to the 13mm Protector chain by the bolt cutters. A force that would be almost impossible to replicate with your bare hands.
This demonstration leads me to believe that it may be possible for thieves to crop the 11mm Protector on the streets, so I’d personally Opt for the 13 or 16mm variants. That being said, Pragmasis’ chains far outperform your regular bike chain.
So, if your bike is less valuable or you live and cycle in a low risk area (small town/village) the 11mm chain could do you proud.
The Pragmasis Protector Chains – How Secure Are They?
What Makes a Chain Secure?
As I’ve covered, the Pragmasis Protector chains are made from high-grade alloy steel and are manufactured under strict conditions in the UK. This makes the chains super secure and almost unmatchable in quality.
The different Sold Secure ratings for each chain thickness are available in the table above.
As always though, a chain will only be as secure as the lock it’s secured with.
When ordering a Protector chain from the Pragmasis website, all of the relevant Sold Secure information is displayed on their product pages.
You’re also able to choose from a range of locks to secure your chain, below I’ve listed the available options and further details about each lock.
DIB Series D-Lock
The DIB D-Lock is a motorcycle-grade 16mm hardened steel D lock. Pragmasis worked alongside their manufacturer to make the DIB as secure as possible.
Stephen told me that during initial Sold Secure testing, a DIB prototpye almost failed testing. Pragmasis have always wanted to go above and beyond, so scraping by a test was not an option. Instead of settling for the close pass, they went back to their factory and made important changes that allowed the new revised DIB to confidently pass Sold Secure testing.
The DIB went on to gain the prestigious Sold Secure Gold Motorcycle rating, a rating which is much harder to gain than the Sold Secure Diamond Bicycle Rating.
I only know of a handful of Sold Secure Gold Motorcycle D locks on the market, which proves how challenging this accolade is to obtain.
The 16mm hardened steel shackle of the DIB D lock is impossible to crop by hand with standard manual croppers and can even withstand the largest 42” Irwin Record bolt croppers.
Unlike cheaper D locks, the DIB D lock doesn’t use any plastic apart from it’s outer plastic shell. Plastic parts can easily be broken with a firm blow or with heat, so Pragmasis worked with their factory to make sure the DIB can withstand all types of attack.
Underneath the red plastic shell, you’ll find a hardened steel body, which protects the metal internal locking mechanism.
The DIB D lock is available in four sizes: 5.1” x 3.4” (13cm x 8.7cm) , 7.5” x 3.4” (19cm x 8.7cm), 10.2” x 3.4” (26cm x 8.7cm) and the larger 11.8″ x 3.4″ (30cm x 8.7cm).
You may notice that the with of the DIB’s shackle is narrower than most standard D locks. Because of the narrower shackle on the DIB, it’s much harder for thieves to insert bottle jacks or crowbars inside the shackle.
Hydraulic and twist attacks are two common methods used by thieves to pop open D locks. The DIB uses double shackle locking (similar to Kryptonite’s Double-Deadbolt), this greatly adds to the locks overall security and resistance to most forms of attack.
The DIB can be Keyed-Alike with other DIB locks or with the RoundLock, a feature which lets you use these same set of keys for two locks. The Keyed-Alike feature is currently only available for locks bought at the same time.
After handling the DIB, I can tell you this lock feels SOLID. The build quality is up there with the best and this lock is designed to last.
Squire Armoured Padlocks
Pragmasis offer a range of Armoured Squire Padlocks that work well alongside the Protector chains. This range is made up from six different sized padlocks, that are all designed for different chain sizes.
It’s important that to use the right padlock alongside your chain, otherwise this could lead to vulnerabilities in your setup.
- For the 11mm Protector chain you’ll want to use the Squire the SS50PS or the SS50CS Padlock.
- For the 13mm Protector Chain you should opt for the SS50CS Padlock.
- For the 16mm Protector chain you’ll want to use the SS65CS Padlock.
For the 11mm chain, where there are multiple padlocks available it’s slightly confusing which lock to choose. The SS50P5 is an open shackle padlock, which means the hardened boron shackle isn’t shrouded and is exposed.
Despite it’s shackle being exposed, the SS50P5 gained the Sold Secure Bicycle rating.
I’d personally avoid the SS50S, this padlock is another open shackle design, but it doesn’t have Sold Secure Accreditation.
The most secure option for the 11mm chain is the closed shackle SS50CS. A padlock is considered to be closed shackle when it’s shackle is protected/shrouded by some form of armour. The SS50Cs padlock gained the Sold Secure Motorcycle Gold rating, which as previously covered is much harder to achieve than the Bicycle Gold rating.
For the 13 and 16mm chains there’s only one option of Padlock, so there’s nothing to get confused about. These padlocks are the more secure closed shackle type and both obtained the Sold Secure Gold Motorcycle rating.
Squire have been producing locks since 1780, and it’s pretty obvious they know how to produce locks to the highest quality. I got hands on experience with the Squire SS50CS and was taken back by it’s quality.
These squire padlocks featured a thick rubber, storm proof covering which protects the keyhole from foreign particles and ultimately prolongs the life of these padlocks.
Any of the Squire locks bought from Pragmasis come with a 10-year guarantee with Squire, a guarantee that I haven’t seen matched anywhere else and one that proves the quality of these impressive padlocks.
You’ll notice in the price tables I’ve put together below, that the Squire padlocks are more expensive than the other locks that Pragmasis offer. The extra cost gives you the ability to get locks produced in the future that can be Keyed-Alike with previously purchased Squire padlocks. This feature is not available with the DIB or RoundLock.
The later date Keyed-Alike feature isn’t available with the DIB or RoundLock. This is definitely something to consider when deciding on a locking solution for your Protector Chain.
RoundLock
The RoundLock is a very unique lock, which is again designed and manufactured by Pragmasis. The Roundlock is a great quality lock which works perfectly alongside the Protector chains.
The Roundlock is suitable for the 13, 16 and 19mm chains (for the 19mm chain the special RL21A socket is required).
Many people don’t realise that having a lock that is a close fit to the chain, will make it much harder for thieves to attack the lock. The RoundLock closely secures to the links of the Protector chain, and will leave most thieves scratching their heads.
The Roundlock is built with hardened steel and received both Bicycle and Motorcycle Gold ratings making it a super secure option for locking your Pragmasis Protector Chain.
You’re able to order the RoundLock to be Keyed-Alike to other RoundLocks or DIB D locks, bought at the same time.
Of the three different locking solutions available, the RoundLock is the cheapest option.
How Practical are the Pragmasis Protector Chains?
The Pragmasis Protector Chain
Pragmasis sent me both the 13mm and 16mm Protector chains, which are the two I’d advise for bicycle security. As I’ve explained, the 11mm chain is Sold Secure Gold rated, but it’s links aren’t bolt cutter proof, and for the price, you’ll be paying I think the 13mm chain would do a better job.
Before we get into the nitty gritty, I wanted to let you know. I wouldn’t consider either of these chains to be portable. I imagine if you ride a motorbike you may be able to travel with one of these, but you really wouldn’t get far comfortably on a bicycle with the 13 or 16mm Protectors.
All of the protector Chains are available in different sizes. On the website you can choose from lengths of 2.6ft (0.8m) all the way up to 19.7ft (6m). Custom orders are also available for those with different needs.
When purchasing a Protector chain, you have the option to add a noose link to the chain. Note that this option is only available on chains of 2m or longer. If you’re after a Protector chain to secure multiple bicycles, this feature makes life a lot easier for you.
I wanted to give the noose link end a try and see how it worked, so I ordered the 13mm chain to come with the large O shaped end link. I’ll show you how to make the most of this feature in the next section.
The Pragmasis chains, just like the Squire padlocks are built to last and require basically no maintenance. All of the Protector chains come with a protective fabric sleeve, which keeps the chain clean but is mainly to prevent the chain’s heavy links scratching the paintwork of your bike!
Which Is the Most Practical Lock for the Protector?
If I was to purchase a new Protector chain, I’d opt for the DIB D lock, simply because of the different locking options it offers.
Aside from being used with the Protector chain, the DIB is a top-quality D lock that will do a great job of securing your bike on its own. Its shackle is guaranteed bolt cutter proof, and weighing in at 3.5lb (1.6kg) it’s suitable for use on the go.
The Squire padlocks and the RoundLock are only suitable for use alongside the chain, so by opting for the DIB D lock, you can get more out of your purchase.
The Pragmasis Protector Chain – How to Use it?
Regular End Chain
Just as you would with any chain, you’ll need to encompass your bike with the Protector chain before securing the chain to an immovable object.
Pragmasis Manufacture the Torc Ground Anchor, which works perfectly alongside the Protector chains. I haven’t yet been able to get hands-on experience with this, but I’ll shortly be covering it in an article of its own.
The Torc is essentially one of the best ground anchors out there and works well with the Protector chains. Smaller ground anchors do tend to struggle with the Protector’s larger links. More information can be found on the Pragmasis website.
So, once you’ve found your immovable object, simply lock the two ends of the chain together. It’s important to keep the chain and lock off the ground where possible, so make sure to use as much of its length to secure your bike as possible.
For those that are using a Squire Padlock or the RoundLock, you’ll need to interlock one chain end link through the other end link. From here, attach the lock to the end of the link poking through! (See image of RoundLock and chain above).
Again, you should make sure that your whole locking setup is balanced, and that there is no obvious weak point. There’s no point in using a protector chain if you’ll only be locking it to a flimsy garden fence. Thieves will just attack the fence instead of the Protector!
Noose End Chain
The Noose end chain is slightly more complex.
Steve asked me to cover the Noose End in a bit more detail as a handful of customers have been caught out using this feature ineffectively in the past. The Noose End essentially makes the Protector more effective, when securing your bike further away from an anchoring point.
Below I’ve explained the most effective ways in which a Noose Protector can be used to secure your bike.
Lasso Noose Around an Immovable Object
This is probably the quickest and easiest way to use the Noose feature. Lasso the Protector around your immovable object (ground anchor, lamppost, bike rack). From here, thread the chain back through the Noose link to form a noose around the anchor point.
The regular chain link end of your Protector chain can now be secured to your bike. I opted for the DIB D lock as the Squire and Roundlock options don’t work as easily with the Noose end.
Lasso Noose Around Your Bikes
If you’re securing multiple bikes at once, you can instead, use the noose end to lasso your bikes and their components.
Thread the chain through the bikes you wish to secure and back through the Noose link.
From here all you need to do is secure the regular end link to your immovable object.
Double Noose - Bikes + Immovable Object
Instead of using your DIB lock to anchor the Protector chain, this time we will form two nooses.
You’ll need a knife or scissors for this step as you’ll have to cut a hole in the Protector’s fabric sleeve.
First, as we did in method 1, form the noose around your anchor point with the Noose end. From here, thread the regular end link through your bikes.
You’ll now need to make a hole in the chain’s fabric sleeve. Make sure before doing so that you are creating a big enough noose for your bikes.
Once you’ve established your desired noose size, cut the sheath and you’ll be able to thread the regular link through and secure it, just as you would with the regular end Protector Chain.
How Not to Use the Noose End Link
Securing your bike is something that you should think about properly. I’ve covered the best ways to secure your bike, so if you’re looking to increase the security of your bike, have a read.
As I stated, the Noose end link has caused confusion with some cyclists. So hopefully the steps above will have made clear the best ways of using this feature.
When using any bike chain, It’s important to make sure that you don’t make your bike part of the security setup. Steve told me the unfortunate story of a customer who didn’t buy a ground anchor and instead used the frame of one of his bikes to keep his other bikes secure.
This customer locked a group of bikes together by threading the chain through their frames and securing it to the bike at the front.
This meant that a thief only needed to cut the frame of the bike at the front, to remove the D lock and steal the now unlocked bikes.
The customer had 5 bikes stolen, and the one they had left was badly damaged.
The bottom line is; thieves don’t care about your property. They will happily damage/ruin expensive items if it gives them access to something they’re able to sell.
Which Pragmasis Protector Chain is Best?
Every cyclist’s situation is different. Those with cheaper bikes that don’t attract second looks can sometimes get away with using a less secure bike lock.
My advice to you; if you value your bike, secure it with a good quality, tried and tested lock.
Out of the three Pragmasis Protector chains suitable for bikes (11, 13, 16mm) I’d personally opt for the 16mm Protector Chain with the Noose end link and DIB lock.
I invested a reasonable amount of money in my bike, so I only secure it with locks that are impossible to crop by hand and bear the Sold Secure Bicycle rating. For me, this clearly rules out the 11mm chain.
The 13mm Protector Chain weighs less than the 16mm Protector, but I wouldn’t say either of these chains are portable for cyclists. Therefore, when choosing between these two, the 16mm option is the better choice.
As you’ll see in the table below, there isn’t a huge price difference between the 13 and 16mm Protector Chains, and for a security setup that will last a lifetime, you should aim for the most secure option.
The 16mm Pragmasis Protector Chain with Noose and DIB lock offers the best security and most locking options. You can use the chain to secure your bike/bikes in one set location, and then whilst out riding, take the DIB D lock with you for portable Sold Secure Bicycle & Motorcycle Gold security.
Is the Pragmasis Protector Range Good Value?
Unlike many companies, Pragmasis’ main driving factor is not profit. They aim to provide their customers with top-quality security solutions that will last a lifetime.
I’ve put together the tables below to show the prices you can expect to pay for Pragmasis chains. The prices displayed are quoted for 4.9ft (1.5m) Protector chains, shorter and longer chains are available on the website.
The DIB D Lock is available in multiple sizes, each sold at a slightly different price.
The Noose End Link adds an additional £25 to the price of these chains. (I recommend this feature)
Bundle – 11mm Protector Chain | Price |
11mm Protector Chain + Squire SS50CS | £113.70 |
11mm Protector Chain Only | £46.75 |
Bundle – 13mm Protector Chain | Price |
13mm Protector Chain + Squire SS50CS | £121.20 |
13mm Protector Chain + 190mm DIB D Lock | £114.25 |
13mm Protector Chain + RoundLock | £101.25 |
13mm Protector Chain Only | £63.75 |
Bundle – 16mm Protector Chain | Price |
16mm Protector Chain + Squire SS65CS | £173.95 |
16mm Protector Chain + 190mm DIB D Lock | £146.95 |
16mm Protector Chain + RoundLock | £133.95 |
16mm Protector Chain Only | £103.95 |
So how do these prices compare to that of similar chains from other manufacturers?
The Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit 14mm Bike chain is similar to the chains in the Protector range. The New York Fahgettabdouit’s RRP is £129.99. Considering Kryptonite’s chain is only 14mm thick, and therefore not bolt cutter proof, this seems expensive when compared to Pragmasis’ prices.
As I cover below, there aren’t many companies that manufacture chains of the same size or quality that Pragmasis do. The above comparison shows us the prices Pragmasis charge are very reasonable and are not inflated for maximum profit.
How Does the Pragmasis Protector Compare to Other Bike Chain Locks?
To put it simply, there really aren’t many chains which compare to the Pragmasis Protector range. I’ve put together a complete guide which covers the best chain locks on the market. Have a read if you haven’t already.
The only company that comes close to the quality of Pragmasis’ chains is Almax. The chains they produce are, however, designed and marketed for motorcycles.
Unlike Pragmasis, Almax don’t produce the smaller 11 or 13mm chains, their range starts at the 16mm thick Almax Immobiliser. Almax also don’t offer their customers a noose style chain, which is a shame.
When comparing the quality of the chains from these two companies, there’s almost no difference. Both use the same materials, similar locking solutions and retail at very similar prices. Take a look at Almax’s website here.
Pragmasis offer a range of their own locks (DIB D lock, RoundLock), and seem to be the more innovative of the two companies. They’ve come up with unique solutions for securing your bikes, such as the Shed Shackle and the Torc Ground Anchor.
Alongside their impressive company ethos (which I’ll cover shortly) they also offer fast, friendly and helpful customer service. I can’t comment on Almax’s customer service, but it’s clear that Pragmasis really provide the full package.
I know this has been a glistening review, but I really haven’t been able to fault any of the Pragmasis products I’ve received. I also won’t be receiving commission on subsequent sales, I simply want my readers to have the most secure, reasonably priced setup possible.
About Pragmasis
Pragmasis was founded in 2003 after an attempted theft of a motorcycle left its owners scratching their heads looking for a more secure locking solution. At the time, there was a great lack of high-quality locking solutions, which presented an exciting opportunity and ultimately the beginning of Pragmasis.
Pragmasis always prioritise quality, reliability and customer service over anything else. Whilst being essential, profit is not their main driving force. Instead, Pragmasis strive to produce the best quality security solutions, in a sustainable and reliable manner for their customers across the globe.
Pragmasis use 100% renewable energy at their manufacturing units, an impressive feat that more companies need to take note of!
They also own and maintain an ancient woodland nearby, and won a prestigious award for their works from the Royal Forestry Society.
Pragmasis Protector Review – Summary
So there you have it, my review of the Pragmasis Protector range. I produce content for bicycle security, so didn’t cover in detail Pragmasis’ larger chains which are suitable for motorcycles.
As I mentioned, the most secure and best chain for bicycle security is the 16mm Pragmasis Protector. I recommend you take advantage of the Noose Link feature, as this greatly increases the versatility of your chain for a small additional fee.
Out of the three locking options I tested, I’d go with the DIB D Lock. This impressive D lock works flawlessly with the Noose link feature and can be used on its own as a top-quality D lock.
If you have any questions, drop me a comment below and I’ll make sure to get back to you. Otherwise, more information about these chains can be found on the Pragmasis website, so take a look if you’re interested.
Otherwise, feel free to have a look at some of my other recommendations below!
Lock it, or lose it.
