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review

Hiplok FLX lock & rear light

6
£29.99

VERDICT:

6
10
Decent lock, though a bit pricey, but would be better without the belt loop and light
Weight: 
100g
Contact: 

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The Hiplock FLX is a handy one-metre security cable for cafe stops and the like, with a convenient three-digit combination lock. But added features like its LED rear light and clip add bulk and cost without adding truly useful functions. It'd be better slimmed down to essentials.

When the Hiplok FLX came, the first impression was that the white plastic felt a bit tacky; it's a smooth and shiny brittle-looking surround but I soon came to like the finish. The second element that confused me was the integrated red LED light, which seemed like an add-on gimmick. The pocket/belt could be useful, but it's not secure enough for me to trust it to keep the lock in place on all but the gentlest of rides.

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The instructions were pretty vague, so I found a Youtube video (produced by Hiplok themselves) which showed me how to set the lock. You hold down a tiny button on the side of the lock then set the code. The tiny button isn't a particularly great piece of design as the video shows it being depressed by a pen lid (not supplied with the lock). Once you get the hang of it, it's fairly easy to get the combination set, but it does take a bit of specific pressing.

Hiplok FLX.jpg

A practice with me riding up our darkened street and my wife as a rear light spotter concluded that the single 10 lumen red LED wasn't going to be a replacement for a decent rear light. It didn't face one way continually which compromised visibility. The lock would be better off losing it and concentrating on being a lock. It's the same with the belt/pocket loop. I know that Hiplok is all about portability, but I can't imagine why you wouldn't put this in your jersey pocket or in a bag when you're going somewhere. The added bulk is unwelcome. It does look like a couple of tiny screws (beneath the light lens) could remove the light and belt loop.

Once you've figured out how to set the combination, the Hiplok FLX serves pretty well as a café lock. It has a metre of flex, which is enough to go around your frame and wheel (or both wheels if you whip the front one off). It's not going to stop anyone with a set of bolt-cutters, but it will stop an opportunist thief from sauntering away with your bike. It gives peace of mind when popping for a coffee, pint of milk, trip to the bank or like that.

The lock would be much better if the add-ons were removed, which would make it slimmer (taking the width down from 30mm to a shade under 20mm) and improve portability. I have a key-operated flex lock that is similar, and the Hiplok is nicer to use because of the combination lock. My daughter has used it to lock her bike and scooter at school, and quickly got to grips with the system.

Verdict

Decent lock, though a bit pricey, but would be better without the belt loop and light

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Hiplok FLX

Size tested: n/a

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

A 1m retractable steel cable combination lock with an integrated 10 lumen rear LED light.

The new Hiplok FLX is a wearable cafe style bike lock with a rear 10 lumen rear light integrated into it's sleek lightweight design. Its 1m retractable steel cable provides protection from the opportunist thief while the CLIP + RIDE system clips on to bag straps and jersey pockets. The FLX is the ideal solution on those road and mountain bike rides when you can only take the essentials.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Basic security

Light with flash mode

10 lumen output

3 digit combi lock

1 metre retractable cable

Integrated universal clip

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
7/10

The side button could be better, but the finish has been fine

Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10

As a lock, it's pretty good - my daughter has been using it as a bike / scooter lock at school and it's been faultless

Rate the product for durability:
 
9/10

Despite initial reservations, I've not had any problems with durability of materials or finish

Rate the product for weight (if applicable)
 
9/10

Light for its size

Rate the product for value:
 
5/10

At an RRP of £29.99, it's quite expensive for what it is, it can be had for as low as £19.99 online, but I'd prefer to see it around the £15 mark, especially as it's probably something you'll only use semi-regularly. Hiplok themselves offer a 10% discount on first orders through their website

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

The lock works well, other bits - not so sure

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The portability

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

The belt loop and the light, and the tiny code-setting button

Did you enjoy using the product? Once I'd ignored the price

Would you consider buying the product? If it was half the price

Would you recommend the product to a friend? As an option for this type of lock, yes

Use this box to explain your score

The core principle of the lock itself is good, but the belt loop and light weaken what is a decent design

Overall rating: 6/10

About the tester

Age: 34  Height: 183  Weight: 80kg

I usually ride: Kinesis Racelight T (winter) Cervélo S2 (Summer)  My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 5-10 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, club rides, general fitness riding, mtb,

Add new comment

11 comments

Avatar
Simon E | 6 years ago
0 likes

If I wanted something for more than the bare minimum of protection I'd not buy a cable lock like that.

I wonder if it's any better than the Lifeventure 3-digit combination lock I bought for £9.

Avatar
Alibrown | 6 years ago
1 like

 "being depressed by a pen lid (not supplied with the lock)". 

Poor show. Imagine expecting folk to own a pen

Avatar
don simon fbpe | 6 years ago
0 likes

Get the lock on its own for a fiver (or was it a tenner?). I've got one holding the barbecue on the back of the car.

Avatar
a1white | 6 years ago
0 likes

If you think it would be better without a light, why not review the cheaper model that doesn't have one?

http://www.hiplok.com/hiplok-fx/

Avatar
Lancesky replied to a1white | 6 years ago
0 likes
a1white wrote:

If you think it would be better without a light, why not review the cheaper model that doesn't have one?

http://www.hiplok.com/hiplok-fx/

 

Because the light is a feature that is supposed to justify the premium pricing. If the light isn't useful then the reason for the premium pricing no longer exist. Nothing wrong with that comment by the reviewer. 

Avatar
DaveE128 | 6 years ago
1 like

Useful review but bit baffled where the light is. A picture showing the belt hook might help me tell how useful it might be to me.

Avatar
hawkinspeter | 6 years ago
2 likes

I reckon a pair of scissors could cut through that.

Avatar
DaveE128 replied to hawkinspeter | 6 years ago
1 like
hawkinspeter wrote:

I reckon a pair of scissors could cut through that.

Not without a huge amount of effort. A good pair of wire cutters might manage it, but really you would eed cable cutters, or just yank it really hard - the lock body or cable retainer could be weak points. It's only really going to deter the most opportunist thiefs but still useful for that. I wouldn't leave it somewhere for any length of time or anywhere too public, but there are times (short) and places (low risk) where these locks are worth carrying.

Avatar
hawkinspeter replied to DaveE128 | 6 years ago
0 likes
DaveE128 wrote:
hawkinspeter wrote:

I reckon a pair of scissors could cut through that.

Not without a huge amount of effort. A good pair of wire cutters might manage it, but really you would eed cable cutters, or just yank it really hard - the lock body or cable retainer could be weak points. It's only really going to deter the most opportunist thiefs but still useful for that. I wouldn't leave it somewhere for any length of time or anywhere too public, but there are times (short) and places (low risk) where these locks are worth carrying.

The only way to tell is to try it. I've cut through a similar looking cable lock (for laptops) using an ordinary pair of scissors and it was easy - took about 10 seconds. Hopefully this lock is made of tougher stuff, but I wouldn't trust a steel cable that small.

Avatar
DrG82 replied to hawkinspeter | 6 years ago
0 likes
hawkinspeter]</p>

<p>

[quote=hawkinspeter

wrote:

 

The only way to tell is to try it. I've cut through a similar looking cable lock (for laptops) using an ordinary pair of scissors and it was easy - took about 10 seconds. Hopefully this lock is made of tougher stuff, but I wouldn't trust a steel cable that small.

That's not really the point with this lock, anyone going tooled up will easily get through this lock but an opportunist who just wants to pick up a bike and ride off would probably be foiled or slowed down.

This review remids me that i have a similar lock I used snowboarding and may dig out and use if I'm off riding alone and fancy nipping in somewhere.

Avatar
pedalpowerDC replied to DrG82 | 6 years ago
0 likes

 

That's not really the point with this lock, anyone going tooled up will easily get through this lock but an opportunist who just wants to pick up a bike and ride off would probably be foiled or slowed down.

This review remids me that i have a similar lock I used snowboarding and may dig out and use if I'm off riding alone and fancy nipping in somewhere.

[/quote]

 

Exactly. This kind of thing (without the unnecessary foff) has been around for ages for use on skis and snowboards when you run in for a warm-up. 

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