What is sometimes heavy, loud and really annoying? Exactly, a bunch of keys. But the annoying thing is usually not so much the actual bunch of keys. It is rather the multitude of keys dangling from it that tries our patience. Sometimes it takes what feels like an eternity until we have the one we need in our hands. How great it would be to be able to operate more locks with fewer keys! Abus probably thought so too – and fortunately took action. One Key is the company’s answer to this everyday problem.
On closer scrutiny, it is not at all surprising that Abus in particular has dedicated itself to this topic. The employees of the specialist for bicycle theft protection probably handle thousands of locks and keys all the time. A good deal of composure is certainly required to keep track of everything.
A full bunch of keys sooner than you think
On a smaller scale, you can quickly encounter this situation on an ebike. If the battery is removable, the battery compartment is secured with a lock. Key number one. In this case, the bike may have an integrated frame lock or you may use a different bike lock. Key number two. The particularly sceptical among us feel more comfortable with a second bicycle lock. Key number three. For extra range, second batteries are no longer a rarity. Key number four. And then some of you may be riding more than one ebike – which makes for even more keys.
For such a scenario, however, a single key could also be sufficient. Abus enables this with its One Key option. In this case, one and the same key fits for cylinders of different bike locks and several battery compartments. Okay, but how does that work? Each key of a lock from Abus has its own key code. Depending on the lock, this is a four- to seven-digit combination of numbers or numbers and letters. This code contains, among other things, the information about which type of cylinder can be locked with it. If bicycle locks have the same type of cylinder or if bicycle lock and battery lock have the same type of cylinder, they can all be used with the same key.
Handy, handy
Let’s take an example to illustrate what the advantage is in practice. Let’s say you buy an ebike with a removable battery, but you don’t have a suitable bike lock yet. Then you can get one from the Abus range that works with exactly the same type of lock cylinder as the battery compartment of the ebike. The most common locks for ebikes are those with a plus cylinder. Consequently, the key code should be a six-digit number. You can enter this code at the shop where you buy the lock. The specialist dealer or online shop will then pass on the special order to Abus. After about two to three weeks, the lock is ready and you can pick it up or have it sent to you.
The number of locks you want to have made for one and the same key is unlimited. The type of lock can also vary. U-lock, cable lock, folding lock, frame lock and so on – everything is possible. The crucial thing is that they are all based on the same type of lock cylinder. You don’t have to decide very quickly. It is possible to make additional locks even years after the purchase.
The whole thing may also work the other way round. Some people may already have a very high-quality lock and would prefer to have the matching cylinder on their ebike. In that case, you can order the lock with the key code. Or you simply want another lock without a new key. Also feasible.
Abus currently offers the One Key option for the following four different cylinder types:
- XPlus = key with rounded tip, key code starts with an X
- Plus = key with flattened tip, key code starts with a number
- EC = key with round bore recesses
- A00 = key with one-sided key bit, key code starts with A00
Enormously huge target group
The One Key system could be interesting for many ebike riders. After all, Abus cooperates with large drive manufacturers such as Bosch, Shimano and Brose. These in turn are used by countless bicycle manufacturers. If your bunch of keys seems too heavy, check whether your battery lock or bike lock is made by Abus 😉.
Even if you can no longer find the key code, Abus promises help. Your key can still be read at a specialist dealer. And if it matches one of the four cylinder types mentioned, you too can benefit from the keyed alike locks.
Selected battery locks with One Key option
Pictures: Abus August Bremicker Söhne KG
