Hiplok Z Lok Combo overview: A compact and versatile lock that cinches like a zipper tie

Whether you’re new to biking or a seasoned vet, there’ll at all times ultimately come a time to analysis one of the best bike locks, searching for one thing to fit your wants.

It’s no secret that there’s an awesome quantity to select from nowadays, together with a wealth of several types of locks. From weighty however tremendous safe chain locks and D-locks, to extra easy however much less sturdy cable locks, there’s an possibility for each state of affairs. 

The Hiplok Z Lok Combo would fall into the class of among the best light-weight bike locks, because it’s primarily a brawny cable tie with a mixture lock at its centre. While it comes with no Sold Secure score to talk of, it guarantees ease of use and comfort over heavy obligation safety, in order that’s how I put it to the take a look at.

Over a few weeks in a balmy

Design and aesthetics

The Hiplok Z Lok Combo is unassuming to take a look at, and notable for a way compact and light-weight it’s. According to the model, the design was impressed by a bike owner who introduced a cable tie on their rides to safe his bike when he left it. Hiplok took this rudimentary idea and developed its Z Lok line, which is actually a reusable zip tie, albeit thicker, with a bolstered metal core and a mixture locking mechanism.

The Z Lok Combo strap is a couple of centimetre thick and provides a locking diameter of about 43cm, which is considerably smaller than, say, the Hiplok DX D-lock, although if something that demonstrates the distinction in its goal.

It feels actually stable and sturdy, though it’s versatile sufficient to supply some give, making it a flexible possibility for becoming round an ungainly anchor level, offered it’s lengthy sufficient for the job.

At one finish is the mixture lock unit, with a big plastic slider to launch the mechanism, full with a ridged floor to push your thumb towards. At the underside edge there are three very small numbered dials, permitting for a three-digit PIN. 

Everything feels actually well-made and durable in hand, and whereas its design was impressed by the standard cable tie, it’s clear that that is in a a lot greater league. The bolstered metal core lends a sturdy really feel to the Z Lok Combo. It’s seen by an uncovered panel, and thru the slatted design in the event you maintain it at an angle, and total it’s a very nice trying piece of package. The pattern I examined got here in black, which supplies it a slick aesthetic and was adequately subtle to mix in whereas secured to my bike.

For those that would like a brightly colored lock to make use of as a deterrent, or just who take pleasure in selecting their favorite color equipment, the Z Lok Combo additionally is available in pink, teal, inexperienced and yellow.

Security

The Hiplok Z Lok Combo is a later evolution of the unique Z Lok mannequin, and provides a mixture lock for additional safety. For anybody who commonly loses keys or resents having so as to add yet one more one to their keychain, the mixture lock ought to imply rather less problem.

There’s additionally a reset operate in case you wish to change your authentic PIN, and you’ll register your code on-line with Hiplok, in case you neglect it. Having mentioned that, in the event you’re something like me, you would possibly discover a three-digit PIN isn’t fairly sufficient. I struggled to select a three-digit quantity I’d keep in mind that wouldn’t be simple to guess, and want there have been 4 dials, as we’re all way more used to remembering four-digit numbers in our day-to-day lives. Still, it’s a small gripe when the lock itself is so versatile. 

In addition to locking up your bike, there are many different helpful makes use of for it, like attaching your helmet to the bike if you lock up and don’t wish to take it with you, locking your bike to a automotive rack, or securing your bikepacking luggage shut in a single day.

Of course, after we’re speaking about total safety, the extent on provide right here is minimal. This lock isn’t designed to safe your bike in a single day, or in a high-risk theft space, and that’s mirrored by the dearth of a Sold Secure score. That doesn’t have to be a deal breaker, although.

With its small locking diameter and cinching design, you may get an in depth match to a slim anchor level and defy most opportunistic chopping assaults. What’s extra, the bolstered metal core is there to forestall any actual harm from knives and scissors. It’s extra of a deterrent in low-risk conditions, like cafe stops the place your bike isn’t too far-off.

Performance

The Hiplok Z Lok Combo is extremely easy to make use of. It works identical to a cable tie: You thread one finish by the opposite and pull it tight, then scramble the mixture dials to lock it in place. It’s attainable to cinch it tremendous tight, all the way down to a locking diameter of round 5cm, which could be actually helpful in the event you’re securing one thing small to your body, or utilizing it to lock your bike as much as a slim anchor level and wish to go away as little room as attainable for motion.

I discovered the mechanism to be actually clean and simple to function, even one-handed at instances. It additionally springs open in a extremely satisfying manner if you press the discharge button.

The combo lock unit itself may be very small, and the dials are fairly tiny. It’s value taking into account that there’s a big distinction between holding it in your fingers and working it, to actual world use the place you’re bent over your bike in low gentle on a winter’s night.

In truth, testing it out in January, I discovered it fairly fiddly to make use of at instances, particularly with gloves and/or numb fingers within the chilly climate. The dials flip very simply, which is sweet information if you’re attempting to rapidly unlock, however dangerous information in the event you by accident knock the earlier dial misplaced. It’s undoubtedly finest used with out gloves, or with skinny glove liners, as you’ll want full dexterity. In the summer season although when there’s loads of gentle to see by, I’m certain this wouldn’t be a problem in any respect.

I can’t fault the portability of the Z Lok Combo. It’s extremely light-weight and simple to pop right into a pocket or a bag. You may even lock it round a rear rack or to a part of the bike body to maintain it in place till you want it.

Verdict

The Hiplok Z Lok Combo is ideal for short-term and low-risk safety. Whether it’s cafe stops on a street journey, or leaving a helmet locked to your body. It’s light-weight and compact sufficient to hold in a again pocket, safe sufficient to cease a passing opportunist from making off together with your bike earlier than you possibly can attain them, and has the added bonus of not requiring an additional key in your keychain. 

However it does have its limitations, particularly in winter. You’ll need some kind of gentle to shine on it in the event you’re unlocking in the dead of night, and also you’ll have to have some endurance working it with gloves or numb fingers.