When it comes to researching, there are some things that end up being deep rabbit holes, and bike security is one of the topics that ranks high on that list. Start researching and it can quickly consume you with endless choices and considerations; the process might feel like a full-time job, but for us, it literally is. We have the time to do the research and we’ve built relationships with experts who can answer questions when we have them. Recently we’ve leveraged those resources to put together recommendations for the best bike locks on the market. With that done, we got a little more focused and put together another list covering the best ebike locks available.
If you check both lists, you’ll find there are a number of crossover products, because as crowded as the bike security market might be, the best products have a way of rising to the top. One of those products is the Hiplok Gold chain lock. Now that we’ve had a chance to spend more time with the lock, we are ready to discuss it in more detail. If you are looking for a balance of high security and ease of use, keep reading to see if the Hiplok Gold chain lock fits your needs.
Design and aesthetics
The fundamental problem with all bike locks is that the bigger and heavier you make them the more secure but less usable they become. In the case of the original Hiplok, the solution to this was to take a pair of designers and let them do what designers do, solve problems. Cyclists have been wearing chains around their waists since before Hiplok’s founding in 2011 but Ben Smith and John Abrahams made it safe. The Hiplok Gold is essentially the same product but the security has had an upgrade.
Like the Hiplok original, the Hiplok Gold is a bike chain with provisions for wearing it without locking it. The chain itself uses 10mm thick hardened steel to form links, there’s 85cm of locking length and at the end is a padlock with a 12mm thick shackle. It’s this padlock design where the innovation really starts.
Instead of a standard padlock, there are two main differences. The outer housing isn’t flat but rather curved like a belt buckle. Locking and unlocking it requires using one of three coded – and replaceable if registered – keys but there’s an extension that…
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