Value: £54.99
Weight: 1,054g
Shackle Thickness: 6mm hyperlinks
Chain Duration: 75cm
Safety Certification: Offered Protected Bronze, Medium, ENRA, SBSC
With regards to locking up your motorcycle, chain locks can be offering a versatile selection to conventional D-locks since they are able to are compatible round better and unconventionally formed anchor issues. It’s particularly useful in the event that they’re simply transportable. Recognized for its wearable locks, Hiplok has one such choice to be had within the type of the Hiplok Lite. It’s designed to be worn across the waist whilst using, which removes the desire for a bag or cumbersome body mount that may probably rattle as you trip. Whilst its wearability makes the Hiplok Lite a powerful contender probably the greatest motorcycle locks for city and commuter cyclists, is it probably the most easiest chain locks?
Not like heavier chain locks, the Hiplok Lite targets to stay issues light-weight and sensible. Alternatively, its Bronze Offered Protected score way it’s most definitely now not supreme for high-theft spaces or in a single day use. In the event you’ve taken out probably the most easiest motorcycle insurance coverage insurance policies and feature positive necessities to satisfy, this most definitely received’t be the proper are compatible, as maximum insurers stipulate the desire for a Gold or Diamond-rated lock. That mentioned, in case your precedence is portability and straightforwardness of use, then the Hiplok Lite may just are compatible the invoice.
Learn directly to learn the way it plays in day by day use.
The Hiplok Lite may also be worn as a belt, the usage of the padlock to safe it in position. (Symbol credit score: Mildred Locke)Design and aesthetics
Hiplok is widely known for its wearable locks, and the Lite style is without doubt one of the maximum compact choices in its vary of chain locks. Designed to be worn across the waist like a belt, it’s a sensible selection for somebody who doesn’t like to hold a lock of their bag or have one fastened to their body. The padlock doubles as a belt clasp, whilst a protracted velcro strap secures it in position, with adjustability to suit waist sizes from 26-44 inches.
Whilst the design is lovely cutting edge, now not everybody will in finding it at ease or sensible to put on, and with out a option to connect it to a motorcycle body, this is usually a problem for somebody who prefers to trip unencumbered, particularly on a scorching day in the summertime.
The chain itself accommodates 6mm hardened metal hyperlinks, measures 75cm in period, and feels tough however now not overly heavy in hand. The chain’s enclosed in a cloth sleeve that makes it much more at ease to put on and cling on a chilly wintry weather’s day, and it carries minimum branding: specifically a unmarried tab with the Hiplok brand.
It’s price noting that at the common model of the sleeve — we examined the black colourway — there’s no reflective detailing to talk of. If middle of the night visibility is a priority, then we’d counsel getting the Superbright model, which might be supreme for year-round commuters. In a different way, the Hiplok Lite is available in a spread of vibrant color choices, which is superb for somebody who enjoys including a splash of color to their outfit or prefers to have a lock that sticks out as a visible deterrent.
The Hiplok Lite is secured in position with a strong padlock threaded throughout the two finish hyperlinks. (Symbol credit score: Mildred Locke)Safety
The Hiplok Lite is Offered Protected Bronze rated, this means that it supplies a elementary degree of safety however isn’t beneficial for high-theft spaces. The 6mm hardened metal chain hyperlinks are smaller than some others available on the market, together with amongst Hiplok’s personal vary, which is smart since its USP is its wearability. Mixed with an 8mm shackle padlock, the Hiplok Lite gives a tight degree of coverage towards informal robbery, but it surely’s not going to resist extended assaults from well-equipped thieves.
With a locking period of 75cm, it has sufficient achieve to safe a motorcycle to straightforward motorcycle racks, regardless that it leaves numerous room between the motorcycle and the anchor level, which might make it susceptible to bolt cutters. Not like some longer chains, it’s now not relatively long sufficient to wrap round a stand two times for additonal safety. Alternatively for those who’re most effective the usage of it for short stops in low-risk spaces, the period has the added bonus of being versatile sufficient to navigate thicker or unconventionally formed anchor issues, like the bottom of UK lampposts, which might be too extensive for usual D-locks.
Given its score, I wouldn’t really feel at ease the usage of it for in a single day locking or in high-risk spaces. As a substitute, it’s most definitely easiest suited to fast stops in slightly protected places, or as a secondary lock when used along a extra tough D-lock. Cycle commuters with get entry to to safe motorcycle parking at paintings may additionally in finding it a excellent choice, specifically if they want one thing versatile for unconventionally formed anchor issues.
The Velcro strap will get in the way in which of 1 finish of the chain, making for a less-than-neat answer when locking up. (Symbol credit score: Mildred Locke)Efficiency
Dressed in the Hiplok Lite is extra at ease than I anticipated. The load is noticeable however doesn’t really feel over the top, whilst the velcro strap assists in keeping it securely in position. The adjustability makes it obtainable for a spread of frame sizes, which I really like, regardless that I discovered the lengthy strap to be a little bit of a hindrance when it in reality got here to locking up. The best way the sleeve is designed implies that the Velcro strap overlays the hole the place the tip of the chain protrudes. When the time comes to fasten it round your motorcycle, while you’ve secured the 2 chain results in position with the padlock, you’re left with a protracted strap that should wrap round the primary locking house after which fold again on itself, which isn’t as neat an answer as I’d anticipated.
Locking up is rather simple, regardless that now not with out its slight annoyances for those who’re in a rush. Whilst the chain simply threads throughout the body and wheel, the padlock mechanism most effective works for those who rotate the outer casing clockwise for the shackle to align correctly earlier than you’ll be able to push it in and switch the important thing. Rotating it the fallacious manner reasons it to catch towards the plastic of the padlock frame. It’s now not a big factor, but it surely provides a slight fiddliness to the method, particularly when put next to a couple locks that snap into position mechanically. Some other gripe I had, particularly for year-round all-weather commuter cyclists, is that there is no rain-protective keyhole duvet to talk of.
On the subject of portability, the Hiplok Lite is compact and simple to hold, whether or not worn as meant or saved in a bag. Regardless of its wearable design, it’s nonetheless a sequence lock and weighs 1,054g on my scales, making it now not overly heavy, however nonetheless noticeable whilst you put on it. The Velcro fastening assists in keeping it securely in position, and it doesn’t shift or trip down whilst I’m biking. In comparison to flatter and extra inflexible belt-like wearable locks, the rounder profile of the Hiplok Lite feels very at ease for me, as any individual who carries additional weight across the heart.
There is no keyhole duvet to give protection to the internals from rainy climate. (Symbol credit score: Mildred Locke)Verdict
Total the Hiplok Lite is easily thought-out. For somebody who prefers the robustness and flexibility that incorporates a sequence lock, it’s a handy and transportable choice that doesn’t overly weigh you down, and springs with an even quantity of adjustability to house a spread of frame shapes. The versatility of the chain makes it helpful for navigating non-standardised anchor issues and is particularly helpful if briefly locking as much as a lamppost, regardless that for those who’re sticking to Sheffield stands and the like, you’ll in finding it leaves a lot of room. Whilst it does include a little bit of faff to make use of, it’s a excellent wearable choice, regardless that its Offered Protected Bronze score makes it easiest suited to low-theft spaces and fast stops, somewhat than in a single day safety.
For individuals who need a light-weight chain lock this is simple to move and use, the Hiplok Lite is a forged selection. Alternatively, if you wish to have the next degree of safety, the Hiplok Gold gives a extra tough selection, albeit at the next worth and weight.
It is a easy and light-weight wearable chain lock that can go well with a really perfect many commuter cyclists. (Symbol credit score: Mildred Locke)Swipe to scroll horizontallyTesting scorecard FeatureRatingNotesSecurity7/10Sold Protected Bronze score and thick sufficient chain hyperlinks to resist opportunists, however nonetheless susceptible to bolt cutter assaults.Construct Quality9/10Feels in reality tough in hand and comprised of top quality fabrics. Cloth sleeve and Velcro strap really feel sturdy.Ease of Use7/10Wearing and commencing is easy, however the shackle design can upload a little bit of faff whilst you’re in a rush.Portability9/10Easy and at ease to put on, adjustable for various frame shapes, and moderately light-weight, regardless that nonetheless noticeable when using.Value8/10A lovely inexpensive choice that gives respectable safety in low-risk spaces, and could be very handy to hold.Row 5 – Mobile 0 Overall40/50
