ABUS

ABUS is a German security company that manufactures safety products for the cycling industry. The company specialises in bike locks and helmets across a range of cycling disciplines.

History

ABUS is now one of the largest security companies in the world, but it came from humble beginnings. Its origins can be traced back to 1924 in the small German town of Volmarstein where August Bremicker and his sons created a padlock: the ‘Iron Rock’.

While there were many other blacksmiths creating padlocks at the time, the ‘Iron Rock’ proved to be popular and the company quickly expanded from a small family enterprise run out of the Bremicker’s cellar to a company with over 300 employees. In need of new facilities to support its operations, ABUS bought a new manufacturing plant in Hegestraße in 1929.

The company’s first bike lock quickly followed in 1931, the ‘no. 1000’, and ABUS has been at the forefront of bicycle locking technology ever since. It was one of the first companies to develop a two-wheel lock in 1958, which it built on with a two-wheel shackle lock 13 years later. In the interim the company was making inroads on the international market, opening its Hong Kong office in 1969.

With its continued success, it expanded its security products and knowledge to other industries throughout the rest of the 20th Century, although cycling still remained a focal part of the company. Its innovation also earned it a place in the "German Standards - Brands of the Century" book.

In the 21st Century ABUS has turned its focus to helmets, leading to its first foray into professional cycling. The German company became helmet sponsors for Movistar in 2017, with the announcement coming in parallel to the release of the ‘Game Changer’ helmet.

That partnership is still going strong although the technology has moved on a little with the Spanish team now using the ‘AirBreaker’, although it still uses the ‘GameChanger’ for time trials. Alongside these, ABUS offers a wide range of road helmets as well as protective headwear for off-road and urban riding, plus child-specific helmets.

Key moments

Following its fast growth, ABUS turned its attention to bicycle locks. That kickstarted a century of bicycle security innovation and the German company is still a market leader today.

The 1990s was a watershed moment in the history of modern technology with the foundation of the internet. ABUS embraced this new technology in 1998 with the foundation of its website.

Nearly 100 years after its foundation, ABUS joined the professional cycling ranks for the first time by sponsoring Movistar. The partnership is still going strong today.

ABUS product range

Helmets: The ‘GameChanger’ is the choice of the Movistar WorldTour team and leads the German brand’s wide range of road products. Its multi-position design ensures an optimal aerodynamic profile regardless of head tilt, while it also incorporates enhanced ventilation technology. Alongside it there is a wide range of other helmets, including for all types of road, urban and off-road riding.

Locks: From coil and cable to chain and folding, ABUS has bicycle locks for every need, offering the best level of protection. Featuring cutting-edge technology, this now includes smart locks such as the 770A SMARTX which is keyless and automatically triggers an alarm if it detects suspicious vibrations or movements.

Did you know?

Pro racing

Movistar, Rad Pack, Lotto-Kern Haus

• ABUS made its pro racing debut with Movistar in the 2017 season. It proved to be a successful season for the Spanish team as they won 31 races including a Monument as Alejandro Valverde won Liège-Bastogne-Liège for the fourth time.
• That success transferred to the Grand Tours in 2019 when Richard Carapaz won the Giro d’Italia title. Adding to that, Movistar won stages at each of the three Grand Tours, amounting to five stage wins in total.
• Enric Mas finished second at the 2021 Vuelta a España, before backing it up the year after by finishing runner up once again. It was the third time he had finished second at the race having also done so in 2018 with his previous Quick-Step Floors team.
• Alejandro Valverde narrowly missed out on a victory in his final race as a pro at Il Lombardia in 2022, finishing sixth. Teammate Enric Mas came even closer, losing out to winner Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) in the two-up sprint as he finished second.