I do follow LPL, love the channel. I’ve never been worried about bike thieves picking locks, I’ve never seen or heard of them doing that. I’ve only seen/heard of them them using destructive methods, typically bolt cutters.
If the average bike thief gets as good at picking locks at LPL, we’re very screwed!
I haven't heard of this being common (sorta surprisingly), but you can get a battery angle grinder for $40 these days and it'll go through literally any bike lock that exists in seconds.
Maybe it's not common because it is VERY loud and sparkly.
I feel like it would be pretty tricky on an 18-22mm thick chain without clamping them in some kind of vice. These are nearly impractically heavy (30-40 lbs for a 6' chain), but I have carried them around on my bike sometimes, and will often keep one at the rack at work and one on the rack at home, and haven't seen anyone try to get into them.
I think if a chain that thick wobbles it would just break the angle grinder blade?
Oh you might want to visit the Lock Picking Lawyer’s YouTube channel today… he’s tested all the U-locks and picks them open in 30-60 seconds.
https://youtu.be/fckVKa4K4Ps?si=Rwujt_k-QF-QYs4w
https://youtu.be/jZtNEC1uGg4?si=KMZJnogntWmMB_fA