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review
£14.99
VERDICT:
A simple but well-thought-out piece of kit providing extra peace of mind
Weight:
36g
Contact:
At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.
What the road.cc scores meanGood scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad.
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Hiplok Z-Lok Security Ties are a practical, small, well-designed alternative to a 'proper' lock. They certainly don't have the same level of security as a full-on bike lock, but for some situations they provide just enough peace of mind.
- Pros: Small, light
- Cons: Not as secure as a 'proper' lock…
The Z-Loks look just like slightly larger, regular zip-ties. They fit in your pocket easily or you can just wrap them around your wrist to transport them. What sets them apart from run-of-the-mill zip-ties is that they have a reinforced steel core, so you can't just twist them to break them. They are also reusable, with a universal key.
> Find your nearest dealer here
The Z-Loks are never going to provide the same kind of security as a regular lock – you'll get through them fairly quickly with pair of cable snips – but for peace of mind when your bike's on a rack within eyesight or you're sitting outside a coffee shop, for example, they're a great idea.
In terms of use they are very simple: you simply feed one end through the hole in the other, which then secures it in place. Each tie is around 40cm long, so it easily fits around most things you would think of locking, and if not you can attach one to the other and double the length. To undo them you use the universal key by pressing the pins into the slots either side of the tie, then pulling it back through. It's a really simple and quick-to-use design.
Each tie weighs 18g, so very light for carrying around in a pocket or saddle bag, and they come in a pack of two (hence the scales of truth registering 36g).
> Beginner's guide to bike security
Their RRP is £14.99, which I think is a decent price given how useful they are, for bikes and almost anything else. It's one of the cheapest currently available at Wiggle, for example. Hiplok's wearable cable lock or its FX retractable lock are next up in the Hiplok hierarchy as easily portable alternatives.
I was really impressed with the Z-Lok Security Ties. It's such a simple idea, and one that has been executed really well.
Verdict
A simple but well-thought-out piece of kit providing extra peace of mind
If you're thinking of buying this product using a cashback deal why not use the road.cc Top Cashback page and get some top cashback while helping to support your favourite independent cycling website
road.cc test report
Make and model: Hiplok Z-Lok Security Ties
Size tested: 40cm locking diameter
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 small, easily transportable security aid.
Hiplok says: "The first secured reusable zip style tie provides ultra-convenient added protection for use on car racks, with accessories and other outdoor equipment. A cutting edge concept in security with a multitude of applications"
This seems about right. I haven't seen reuseable versions before and given their small size and robustness, they're definitely useful for that little bit of protection.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Hiplok lists:
- Stainless steel core.-
- Double sided locking.
- Security cover.
-Universal key.
Rate the product for quality of construction:
8/10
Well made, and much more secure than you would expect from just looking at them thanks to the steel core.
Rate the product for performance:
8/10
Simple to use and add a bit of peace of mind.
Rate the product for durability:
8/10
Reusable.
Rate the product for weight (if applicable)
10/10
They hardly weigh a thing, but still offer a bit of protection so somebody can't just snatch your pride and joy.
Rate the product for value:
5/10
Difficult to say given that it doesn't really have much competition in this area. Not a huge layout for what it could save you...
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Very well, easy to store, can fit round most bits of kit, and is simple to fit and remove when needed.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
The simplicity; a really easy, simple design that makes using them a breeze.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Nothing springs to mind.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Use this box to explain your score
They look really simple and almost pointless, but in reality are a really useful piece of kit to have in your jersey pocket, small enough that it doesn't really matter if they don't get used.
About the tester
Age: 29
I usually ride: Mercian King of Mercia or Cinelli Gazzetta My best bike is: Cannondale Supersix Evo
I've been riding for: 5-10 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, mountain biking
George is the host of the road.cc podcast and has been writing for road.cc since 2014. He has reviewed everything from a saddle with a shark fin through to a set of glasses with a HUD and everything in between.
Although, ironically, spending more time writing and talking about cycling than on the bike nowadays, he still manages to do a couple of decent rides every week on his ever changing number of bikes.
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15 comments
Surely as said above, a retractable cable lock with a combination lock is better?
Same security level, smaller, cheaper (£10) and no key to lose, and unique code for you. I must be missing a use case here but I cannot see it!
Example:
https://www.tredz.co.uk/.System-EX-Cafe-Race-Combination-Cable-Lock_6214...
I've got one of these, it's very light and easy to carry, ideal for the coffee stop. I like the way the z-lok looks, works and feels. The little pronged key is small enough to fit in alongside my credit card, back door key in my pocpac wallet thing.
Common sense dictates that an opportunist will follow the path of least resistance, so this kind of lock just gives me better odds in a sea of bikes left unattended at a coffee stop. For my purposes it's brill.
That thing in the photo. The locking one's helmet to Sheffield stand thing. Why the hell would anyone do that?
The range of uses for this type of lock are few, and the company's marketing department is even smaller.
I've bought these, though not really used them in anger. It's 18g of extra weight in my saddle bag, the one key (stingy!) is on a keyring in my phone case.
The only use case for me is those events like Sportives where you occasionally end up leaving your bike on a rack with many others while you have to pop to the loo/registration etc.
I bought this after that chap reported his v expensive bike being nicked in exactly those circumstances - they are obviously not high security, but for leaving your bike somewhere for five minutes I think they are worth it.
Or do what sensible people do and get a retractable combination ski lock in your seat bag/back pocket.
While this is a great fundamental idea, I'd repeat the long term observation that the keys are very easily bent. Store them carefully.
Someone at Rapha is kicking themselves and saying, "Why didn't we think of selling luxury zip ties?" They could've had the Chinese manufacturer colour the plastic pink, it would've been perfect.
Only x1 key supplied with supplied per pack (x2 locks) was a bit disappointing
I thought the same - emailed Ziplok and they immediately sent me two spare keys for free. Probably sensible for them to include two in the pack to start off with, but awesome customer service nevertheless.
It seems like a good, well designed idea at first. But what if it becomes really popular? Having many people going around with a universal key to unlocking your bike does not sound like a good security idea to me.
Yes, this would seem to be the fundamental flaw, if one key fits all locks and it seems that you don't need to buy one to get a key just email Hiplok and they'll send you free keys.
they are only good to stop opertunists by seeing an unlocked bike, but with around a minute and a flat blade screwdriver, toodle pip bicycle.
one thing i have to say about these is, be bloody careful with the key, as they bend easily and one of the prongs snapped off mine and had to break in to the lock but at least the decent people at hiplok replaced the broken in to Z-lok and gave a set of completely metal keys.
Confirmed - had mine for about 3 months and then the key snapped. Luckily it happened when I was at home and with tools at hand to remove the broken pin, but I consined the thing to the recycle bin - great idea - flawed implementation.