If you have never used a HIPLOK you are in for a treat. The HIPLOK is a wearable waist belt chain lock designed for cyclists. Rather than having to stuff a lock in a bag or carry it somewhere on your bike, the HIPLOK is designed to be worn around your waist just like a traditional belt.

The advantage of wearing it around your waist is the weight (i.e. chain) is equally distributed, making it feel not as heavy. Another advantage is the HIPLOK Gold comes with a reflective casing, which is perfect if you ride in the early mornings or at night.

HIPLOK GOLD Review

HIPLOK Gold is the highest rated lock HIPLOK sells and you can see why. It comes standard with a 12mm hardened steel shackle (Lock) and a 10m hardened steel chain. This makes for a very tough lock to pick, cut and/or break. It certainly can be done given the right amount of time, but most thieves will move on to easier targets.

Combine the HIPLOK gold with a HIPLOK DX U-lock and your bike will probably be as safe as it could ever be.

HIPLOK Gold Keys

The HIPLOK comes with 3 replaceable coded keys and can be replaced for ¢$19.47. I found the keys to be super solid and you really feel confident when using them. They are about the beefiest keys I have used for a bike lock.

Make sure to register your HIPLOK and key code in case you lose them. Given the fact that every lock comes with 3 keys, you should have 2 spares in case you lose one.

HIPLOK Gold Technical Specifications

Color: Superbright

• Our High-Security Wearable bike lock for high-risk areas
• 8mm hardened steel chain combines with our 12mm hardened steel shackle sleeved in a robust impact-resistant nylon.
• Huge 85cm locking circumference fully adjustable to fit waist size 28-44″
• Hiplok’s patented wearable design – never locked when worn
• Removable, washable 600D nylon sleeve with optional reflective detail
• Sold Secure SILVER rated
• 3 keys are included featuring Hiplok’s unique, smooth action, curved design.
• Retail: $139 (I have seen it for less on Amazon)

TIPS FOR LOCKING YOUR BIKE

When locking your bike I have found it is best to use 2 locks. I like to use a combination of a chain lock and a u-lock. While you can use the top tube to lock the bike to a rack, it is usually better to lock your bike using the downtube or seat tube. If you can combine locking a wheel or both wheels as well, all the better.

I really like the HIPLOK Gold bike lock. In fact, it is my go-to lock when biking downtown and knowing I will be leaving my bike unattended for a while. While bike theft is possible, it does give me more peace of mind compared to many other locks on the market.

Having a hardened steel chain lock sure beats the heck out of cable locks and while it is heavier, bike thieves will probably move on to easier targets.

I also use a product called HEXLOX to make the bike even more secure.

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In 2018 at Interbike I got introduced to a rather interesting bicycle lock called the Hiplok Z Lok.  You can think of it as a reusable lockable zip tie.  It sounded sort of weird and sort of cool at the same time.

Hiplok History

Hiplok was found by Ben Smith and John Abrahams who are product designers by trade and cyclists at heart.  They launched the company back in 2011 with a lock called the Hiplok.  The company is based in the UK in Leamington Spa, a township north west of London.

Hiplok Z Lok Bicycle Lock Review

I am sure you’re wondering how can a zip tie be very secure, aren’t they just made of plastic.  As it turns out the Z Lok has a stainless steel core, which makes it much more difficult to cut than a standard zip tie would be.  For example the stainless steel core pretty much eliminates the ability to cut it with a knife, so a thief will have to use a cable cutter.

Hiplok has created 2 versions of the Z Lok including the Z Lok Combo and Z Lok Single or just Z Lok.  The Z Lok Combo includes a 3 digit 10 numbered combination lock, while the Z Lok uses a 2 pronged key.

The Z Lok comes with a 2 pronged key that gets inserted into 2 holes releasing the zip tie like locking mechanism.

It gives you the convenience of added protection without having to lug around a heavy lock.  When I lock up my bike in the city, I generally will use a 2 lock method consisting of a heavy gage Chain Lock and a U-lock.   I also use two different company brands, to make it even harder for a potential thief.  Using 2 different types of locks usually means a thief will have to use 2 different types of lock attacks.  It’s not full proof, but usually in the end a thief will probably move on to an easier target.

Funny enough as fate would have it, my chain lock is actually a HipLok that I had purchased a few years back.  So far it’s worked flawlessly.

One thing that can be rather annoying is what to do with your cycling helmet after you lock up your bike.  You certainly can’t lock it up with a chain lock and a U-lock is also out of the question.  It’s not that much fun lugging a helmet around, so that is where the Z Lok comes in handy.  Since it works like a zip tie, as long as your helmet has air vent holes, you should be able to lock it up pretty much anywhere on your bike.  You can make it even more annoying for a thief by locking the helmet over your main lock, around brakes or even your wheel.

Where I can see the Z Lok really coming in handy is when you’re at a cafe or some other cool spot and you can  lock up the bike near your table, without having to pay full attention to it.  After a shop ride, we will often put our bikes in the cycling store racks (inside) without locking them up.  Usually this is the case because when you’re riding a road bike on a group ride, you don’t carry a lock.  It’s simply too heavy and burdensome.  A thief could easily walk away with a road bike and probably wouldn’t get noticed until it was too late.

Normally when people go on group rides and stop at a gas station, they leave their bikes unattended for a short period of time.  This can and has been easy pick-ins for an opportunistic thief.  Having at least a little security could thwart the theft altogether.

The Z Lok is really light and can easily fit in a jersey rear pocket, allowing you to carry some measure of lockable safety.

The Z Lok comes in an assortment flavors including Red, Yellow and Grey, purple and blue.

A really great use for the Z Lok is on bike racks to give them a bit of extra theft protection and security.

SPECIFICATIONS

Z Lok Single

Description: Secured Reusable Armoured Zip Tie for use on car racks, with accessories and other outdoor equipment.
Security Level: Low Risk
Security Rating: N/A
Product Specification: Double sided ratchet design, reinforced steel core, universal release key.
Weight: 20g
Locking Size: 40cm locking diameter
Cost: £14.99
Weight: 0.020 kg

Z Lok Combo

Description: Secured Reusable Armoured Zip Tie for use on car racks, with accessories and other outdoor equipment.
Security Level: Low Risk
Security Rating: N/A
Product Specification: Adjustable locking diameter 8mm reinforced steel core. 3 digit combination.
Weight: 100g
Locking Size: 40cm locking diameter

Bottom Line | Hiplok Z Lok Bicycle Lock Review

The Z Lok is a really cool concept, something that I sort of took for granted.  While it certainly true that the security rating on the Z Lok is low compared to a larger cable or chain lock, it still is really useful and definitely has a place in the cycling market.

For around $14 to $25 depending on Z Lok model, you get a no frills quick lockable device that in many situations is just about perfect.

To find out more about Hiplok and the Z Lok (http://www.hiplok.com/) check out their website.

The post Hiplok Z Lok Bicycle Lock Review appeared first on Gear Mashers.

For those cyclists out there, bike security or the lack thereof can cause major headaches. HEXLOX was created to help solve some of the issues a cyclist may encounter when leaving their bike unattended.

Bike thieves love to steal bike parts and anything that isn’t locked is easy prey. HELOX uses a unique metal bit call a HEXLOX (0.5 of a gram) that can be inserted into a bolt’s HEX opening preventing hex tools from being able to loosen the bolts. Each HEXLOX can be inserted or removed using a specialize HEXLOX key.

Once inserted, bike thieves will not be able to easily steal things like saddles, seatposts, and wheels. Combining HELOX with other security measures like U-Locks and chains will provide the best overall protection for your bike when left unattended.

HEXLOX Unboxing

We reached out to HEXLOX to send us a kit to check out and review. Within a very short period of time a package arrived. We received 2 very cool items from HEXLOX including a Saddle & Seatpost Gift pack Set ($67) designed to secure a saddle and seatpost and the Wheel Anti Theif Set.

NOTE: Each HEXLOX key comes with a unique 3 digit code that you will want to keep in a safe spot should you need a replacement.

HEXLOX Review

When I first saw HEXLOX, I thought it was a really novel approach to preventing theft. After receiving the kits, I found the whole concept brilliant.

The way the system works is you simply insert one of the HEXLOX 4mm – 6mm bits into the appropriate hex bolt using a special HEXLOX key. Each HEXLOX has a magnetic end that helps adhere the bit inside the bolt. Once fitted properly you turn the key and HEXLOX stays. To remove it, you simply insert the key into the little HEXLOX hole twist and pull the HEXLOX out. It really doesn’t get any easier.

HEXLOXes come in 4mm – 6mm widths and can be mixed and matched based on a bikes setup. They also sell various bolts and skewers if you need those as well.

HEXLOX Mounting

Above I added the HEXLOX to the seat rail screw, providing security so the seat will not get stolen. Although I have never had a saddle stolen, this gives me a bit more peace of mind.

Next, I added a HEXLOX added to the headset, securing the stem, and fork.

I also added a HEXLOX to the seatpost clamp, securing the seatpost from being stolen.

As you can see from above, depending on your bike, you have lots of options.

Based on my experience with using the HEXLOX I have a pretty good idea that it will stop anyone from using hex wrenches to easily steal seats, seat posts, and wheels.

It will not prevent your bike from getting stolen, you will need good locks for that, but it certainly will go a long way to preventing part theft.

The HEXLOX works great. The only issue I see is if you lose your HEXLOX key and can’t the 3 digit code, you may have a heck of a time removing any bike parts where the HEXLOX has been used.

Check out HEXLOX on their website.

The post HEXLOX Total Bike Security Review appeared first on Gear Mashers.

Welcome to our Pinhead Lock Review.  At Interbike a few years back we were introduced to a very cool company called Pinhead (https://pinheadlocks.com) who make really cool products to help secure your bike.  I was immediately fascinated with their lock design since it doesn’t use a traditional key.

Pinhead Locks History

Pinhead was founded in 1997 to make better more enjoyable locks.  The company operates out of Edmonton, AB Canada and distributes their locks to over 20 countries.  Their mission is to improve cycling security and safety with high-quality locks that protect the bike and provide a safer ride.

Pinhead Lock Review

Let’s face it getting your bike stolen is no laughing matter.  Since being in Austin, I have had one bike stolen and have friends who have also had their rides stolen.  In many cases, bikes were left unattended with simple cable locks as the only security.  My bike had one of those big chain locks but still fell prey to a thief.  A couple of my friends had their bikes stolen literally from under their noses as they were walking to them.

It’s just one big hassle having to file a police report, call your insurance company (Hopefully if you have renters or home insurance) and waiting a few weeks to get money to replace your bike.  For many people, their bikes have a certain sentimental value that really can’t be replaced.  The other aspect of course is you feel violated that some punk took something that belonged to you.  All in all not fun.

How To Help Avoid Bike Theft

Pinhead has created a whole ecosystem for bike security including making locking skewers, headset locks, seat locks, a u-lock and an oval lock they call the city lock.  The really cool trick is all these locking devices can be opened with single Pinhead key.

When I go for a run around Austin, I will sometimes venture up near the University Of Texas campus.  On these runs, I will often pass bike racks and see an occasional frame missing both wheels and the seat.  The frames always appear properly locked, but everything else was fair game to a thief.  When it comes to theft, bike thieves love quick release skewers and seat posts, especially wheels, since wheelsets can run in the hundreds and even thousands of dollars.

When a thief sees a bike all decked out in Pinhead locks, they may think twice and move along.  Realistically a bike thief is going to have a really hard time figuring out what to do with Pinhead’s lockable skewers and seat post locks.  From my estimation, most bike thieves, especially ones who are looking for a crime of opportunity, aren’t going to have the right tools to really deal with them.

Pinhead Wheel and Seatpost Locking Skewers

Pinhead sells wheel locking skewers for both quick release and thru axle bikes as well as seat post locks, which help prevent wheel and saddle theft.  Now since the skewers aren’t truly locked, a thief could use a metal hole punch and hammer and slowly unscrew the locking mechanism.  That type of attack, however, will take a lot of time and effort just for one wheel or saddle.  The other downside, of course, is it makes a lot of noise as they hammer and potentially draw a lot of unwanted attention.  Now imagine the whole bike is decked out with Pinhead locks and most thieves will move on to easier targets.

Earlier versions of the pinhead wheel locks could be defeated with a Gator Socket (3/8 inch drive and a 3/8 inch drive ratchet), available at most hardware stores.  The steel pins move over and around whatever they are being pressed on and form a tight grip that they can use to turn.

After the Gator socket attack was discovered, Pinhead came out with Pog security washers to prevent this from happening.  These washers are a free upgrade for any previous Pinhead customers who have the older non-pog locking mechanism.  Currently, this new upgrade is only available for quick-release wheels.  Until Pinhead has a fix for their thru axle wheel security, they could be prone to this type of attack.

The Pinhead seat post and headset locks are recessed with a metal ring around them, which I believe thwarts a Gator socket type attack.

Pinhead Key Registration

Pinhead provides key registration should you lose your keys and need replacements.  Pinhead locks use a special key. Each key is engraved with a 9-digit code. It is important that you keep a record of your key code so the key can be replaced if lost.

Pinhead Lock Review | Bottom Line

Pinhead gets major kudos for designing and implementing a whole array of bike security features.  With prices starting at $59.99 and going to $159.99, there are a lot of options for people to choose from.  We absolutely love how the key mechanism works and makes it rather fun just to play around with it.

As an added bonus, each Pinhead key also comes equipped with a bottle opener, should the need arise.

Are there any downsides?  Replacing any quick release skewers with security skewers does come with a cost and that is removal time and having to bring or use the Pinhead key.   I am not quite certain I would want to add Pinheads locking wheel skewers to my road bike simply because I remove both the front and rear wheel a lot when using my indoor direct drive trainer.

For any anyone who is a regular commuter and leaves their bike unattended for any length of time, having a more secure bike definitely has its benefits and probably outweighs the extra time needed for wheel removal.

Checkout Pinhead (https://pinheadlocks.com) and their entire line of bike security and safety products.

The post Pinhead Lock Review appeared first on Gear Mashers.

Today we are talking bike locks, specifically the Abus Bordo 6000 Alarm Bike Lock.  It’s a folding lock that is a combination bike lock and alarm all in a nice little package.

Abus Bordo 6000 Alarm Bike Lock with Security Level 10

Abus Bordo 6000 Alarm Bike Lock comes with 2 keys, a user manual and a lock housing.

Abus Bordo 6000 Alarm Bike Lock folded for transport

Abus Bordo 6000 Alarm Bike unfolded

Abus Bordo 6000 Alarm Bike Lock Review

Bike Theft is a real annoyance in cities like Austin.  I know first hand how a bike thief can ruin your day by taking off with your 2 wheeled mode of transportation.   Bike locks are supposed to make you feel secure, but bike thieves know otherwise.  Leave a bike alone in a dark unlit area and given enough time, a bike thief can compromise just about any lock.

The goal of using a bike lock or locks is really to deter a bike thief from stealing your bike and moving on to an easier target.

Bike thieves are usually looking for a crime of opportunity, so the less vulnerable your bike appears, the better your chances are for it not getting it stolen.

Abus Bordo 6000 Alarm | Two Layer Security

The Abus Bordo 6000 Alarm or Abus Bordo 6000A is considered a two tiered or two layered security lock.  First and foremost Abus uses hardened steel to make cutting and/or leveraging attacks more difficult.  Secondly it adds a 100db alarm to help draw attention.  It’s similar to a burglar trying to break into a house or car that has an alarm.  The alarm is a secondary layer of added security to door locks and window locks, but if a burglar is able to defeat the locks, an alarm sounds.

Abus also adds vibration detection (smart 3D Position Detection sensors) into the mix.  If a would be thief starts to jiggle the lock, a 5 second warning goes off.  If they continue to do so, a full 100 decibel high pitched alarm sounds, which hopefully either scares the thief away or draws attention to their activities.  In either case, they may move on to an easier, more vulnerable target.

The sensor technology incorporated into the BORDO™ Alarm 6000A can distinguish between picking attempts and the small vibrations which occur when the lock is connected, for example, or a football bounces nearby; in these situations, the lock will emit a small warning beep but will not sound a full alarm. Acoustic signals provide information on battery level and activity status.

Abus Bordo 6000 Alarm | Security Rating

The Bordo 6000 Alarm has a security rating of 10 on a scale of 1-15. Bicycle locks with a security dial rating between 10-15 offer the maximum protection and are intended for use with higher-end bicycles, bikes locked in urban areas and for use in areas of high-theft risk. Fifteen (15) is the maximum bicycle security and is represented by a completely red dial.

The highest security level Abus offers is 20 and geared towards motorcycles to provide maximum security in areas of high-theft risk.

Abus Bordo 6000 Alarm Bike Lock Specifications

Technology:

• 5 mm bars with extra-soft two-component casing to prevent damage to paintwork
• The bars and body are made of specially hardened steel
• Alarm at a volume of at least 100 dB for 20 seconds, followed by automatic reactivation
• 3D Position Detection – detects vibrations and the smallest of movements in all three dimensions and triggers an alarm
• Smart alarm – the lock only emits a small warning beep in the event of minor and brief vibrations, e.g. if a football bounces nearby
• Acoustic signals provide information on battery level and activity status
• Bars are linked with special rivets
• ABUS Plus cylinder for maximum protection against attempted manipulation, e.g. picking
• Retail Price – $169.99

Know Thy Enemy

As a rule of thumb, always try to lock both the bike frame and both wheels to a bike rack.  If that isn’t an option, your next best bet is to lock the rear wheel and the frame to something permanent.  In most cases, your rear wheel will be the more valuable of the two, so locking the rear is a better option.

Choose multiple types of locks rather than the same type.  That way the thief will have to use multiple tools.

Lifting—This is the easiest way to steal a bike.  Simply lift the bike over whatever it’s attached to.  Don’t be fooled if their is a signpost, because thieves can remove the sign’s bolts and up and over the bike goes.

Levering—Thieves love it where you leave a gap for them to work with.  They will use leverage tools like a crowbar or jack to break a lock apart.

Striking—Sometimes blunt force is used against locks, this is usually done in out of way places where noise isn’t an issue.  Thieves may use a hammer and chisel to break or split open the lock.

Unbolting— Let’s face it, most professional bike thieves know how to take a bike apart, so if you just lock your front wheel or your frame, everything else is fair game.  Leaving a bike unattended over night gives them plenty  of time to completely strip your bike, including the pedals.

Cutting—Thieves weapons of choice are bolt cutters and angle grinders.  Having heavy gauge chain and locks can help thwart their attempts.  Again leaving your bike unattended over night gives them plenty of time to try different methods of cutting.  This is probably what happened when my bike was stolen.

Picking—Professional bike thieves will carry picks to open locks if they think that is the fastest method.

The Abus Bordo 6000 Alarm Bike Lock is well made and with the alarm functionality adds an extra layer of security that most bike locks don’t have.

The downside to the lock is it is quite expensive.  Still you get what you pay for and having a reliable lock may help prevent theft.

The Bordo Alarm is available for $169.99.

Check out the Abus website (https://www.abus.com/) for more information.

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