Whether or not you’re driving your bike to work every single day or leaving it unattended momentarily to run errands, conserving it securely locked is essential. Bike theft is a large difficulty, particularly in cities, so it’s necessary to put money into one of many greatest bike locks which you can afford. It’s virtually as necessary as realizing the right way to lock a motorcycle successfully.
I’ve spent a while testing the Hiplok DX, a compact d-lock with a patented Clip + Journey system, to see if it’s possibility for city cyclists. With its Bought Safe Diamond ranking to be used with common pedal bikes, and Gold ranking for powered bikes, it might be a possible possibility for these needing one of many greatest e-bike locks too.
In the meantime, its 1.11kg weight on my scale means it nearly scrapes its manner onto our checklist of the greatest light-weight bike locks, however is it sensible sufficient to make use of every single day? And can it fulfill the greatest bike insurance coverage suppliers who ask you to make use of a lock that meets their minimal safety necessities? Learn on to search out out.
Design and aesthetics
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The Hiplok DX is compact and modern(Picture credit score: Mildred Locke)
There are two Allen bolts on the again to take away the belt clip if desired(Picture credit score: Mildred Locke)
The locking mechanism works seamlessly(Picture credit score: Mildred Locke)
The Clip + Journey patented system is versatile and straightforward to make use of(Picture credit score: Mildred Locke)
It could be honest to say the modern, all-black design of the Hiplok DX prioritises subtlety and magnificence. Whereas some would possibly favor a brightly colored lock for its potential as a visible deterrent, the minimalist aesthetic of the DX will attraction to those that favor their gear to mix in reasonably than stand out.
The lock’s compact dimensions, with an inner locking space of 150 x 85 mm, make it best for securing a body to devoted anchor factors, like Sheffield stands, although it struggles with thicker buildings like lampposts. If you happen to’re a metropolis dweller with plenty of devoted bike parking at your disposal, this gained’t pose an excessive amount of of an issue, but when it’s a must to get extra inventive together with your locking, then it’s one thing to contemplate.
What makes the Hiplok DX stand out is its patented Clip + Journey system, comprising two built-in belt clips on the lock bar. That is designed to make carrying the DX easy and handy, whether or not you select to connect it to your waistband, belt, and even the sting of a pocket. The clip system itself is barely versatile, making it simple to connect shortly, and it’s even detachable with a 5mm Allen key, if you happen to’re unlikely to put on it. Whereas it’s designed to be clipped to a belt or waistband, this isn’t sensible for everybody, so it’s not utterly out of the realm of risk. We’ll discover that extra shortly.
Regardless of its 1.11kg weight, the lock feels surprisingly manageable, compact, and well-balanced in hand. The shackle is coated in a sturdy end that seems to guard your bike’s paintwork from scratches, whereas a rubberised keyhole cowl retains the inner parts shielded from dust and moisture, making it a dependable selection for year-round, all-weather use.
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The mechanism works easily, and the keyhole…(Picture credit score: Mildred Locke)
… is protected against the weather by a sturdy rubberised cowl(Picture credit score: Mildred Locke)
It comes with three keys(Picture credit score: Mildred Locke)
Safety
The Hiplok DX encompasses a 14mm hardened metal shackle and a double impasse mechanism, which requires two cuts to interrupt. On prime of this, the anti-rotation locking system is designed to forestall twisting assaults, based on the model, which is a standard methodology utilized by thieves. The lock boasts a Bought Safe Pedal Cycle Diamond ranking, which is the very best stage for traditional bikes, in addition to a Powered Cycle Gold ranking for e-bikes.
If you happen to’re driving an e-bike and want a better Powered Bike ranking, you’ll be able to go for the Diamond-rated D1000, although it weighs considerably extra at 1.9kg. For an excellent lighter possibility, there’s the Hiplok D, which is Silver-rated, nonetheless, it solely shaves about 100g total, so it doesn’t appear definitely worth the sacrifice of the safety ranking. It’s signal that every one Hiplok locks include a lifetime guarantee.
In use, the shackle matches snugly round Sheffield stands, limiting any area leftover for prying or leverage assaults, making it a really safe possibility if you happen to’ve bought good entry to devoted bike parking. Nonetheless, its compact measurement does restrict it to slender anchor factors like these stands, slender signposts and iron railings. It gained’t maintain as much as a regular lamppost or any sort of anchor level that’s unconventionally formed.
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The Hiplok DX is designed to clip onto your clothes and sit in your hip(Picture credit score: Mildred Locke)
The built-in belt clip slots simply over a belt or waistband(Picture credit score: Mildred Locke)
Efficiency
Supplied there’s ample bike parking accessible, I can’t fault its use. The Hiplok DX works precisely as you’d count on it to. The important thing inserts easily into the lock cylinder, and the mechanism operates effortlessly, releasing the shackle with none battle. Operation is seamless.
As talked about above, the compact locking space is the proper measurement and form to safe a rear wheel and body to a devoted bike stand with minimal area left over, minimising the danger of leverage assaults. With out devoted bike parking, it’s much less versatile.
The Clip + Journey system is a spotlight and gives a really handy approach to carry the lock with out the necessity for a bracket (thereby eliminating the danger of rattling). It’s significantly helpful for fast commutes or quick journeys, although its practicality is completely dependent in your clothes.
I like the concept of getting a D-lock available at my hip, as it will probably save time and reduces the necessity to faff round with a bracket within the winter with chilly fingers or dig by way of a bag to search out it. Nonetheless, I don’t have a tendency to decorate in garments with an uncovered waistband, particularly right now of yr (November). I favor an extended winter jacket that retains most of my center coated, making it nigh-on unimaginable to make use of the Clip + Journey system in winter with out altering the best way I gown utterly (and nobody goes to alter their fashion to go well with their lock).
In the summertime, it is going to be excellent, however for a winter evaluation, I relied on my accomplice to mannequin its wearability, because it’s extra suited to his fashion. If you happen to’re utilizing it to commute and like to journey in your common garments, that is one thing to contemplate critically earlier than investing.
After all, you don’t need to put on it. Dimension-wise, if you happen to select to not clip it to your belt or waistband, it matches comfortably in bigger again pockets (and by this I imply a proper-sized pocket that you just’ll discover on most menswear, and solely hardly ever on ladies’s clothes). It could actually additionally simply be saved in an exterior bag pocket, or inside a pannier or backpack, so it’s fairly adaptable to totally different preferences.
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The compact locking space is the proper measurement to safe your rear wheel and body to a stand(Picture credit score: Mildred Locke)
There’s minimal area for leverage assaults(Picture credit score: Mildred Locke)
The scale is ideal for a Sheffield stand, however struggles with wider, or unconventionially formed anchor factors(Picture credit score: Mildred Locke)
Verdict
General I actually just like the Hiplok DX. It’s sensible, compact, and secures my bike snugly towards devoted bike stands, giving me sufficient confidence to depart it unattended for lengthy intervals of time.
With its high-security scores, it would fulfill most bike insurance coverage suppliers, and all in all, it’s a modern design that can go well with most inner-city commuter cyclists. Mixed with a equally comfortable and safe lock for the entrance wheel, you’re onto a winner. There’s even a DX+ possibility that comes with a cable included. Nonetheless, the Clip + Journey system gained’t work for everybody.
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Testing scorecard
Characteristic
Ranking
Notes
Safety
9/10
Bought Safe Pedal Cycle Diamond ranking and Powered Cycle Gold ranking for e-bikes, plus a comfortable match to resist leverage assaults.
Construct High quality
9/10
Feels actually sturdy, produced from prime quality supplies, together with a sturdy rubberised keyhole cowl.
Ease of Use
9/10
Clean and seamless operation, and when clipped to a belt, even simpler to entry on the go.
Portability
8/10
When used as meant, it’s extremely simple to put on and carry. Nonetheless, wearability is proscribed to having an uncovered belt or waistband, which doesn’t work for everybody.
Worth
9/10
There are cheaper choices, however you get a really excessive Bought Safe ranking for each pedal and powered bikes, plus the Clip + Journey system, for a good worth.
