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review

Hiplok Spin chain lock

8
£34.99

VERDICT:

8
10
Lightweight, portable and easy to use, this wearable lock offers a great balance between security and convenience
Weight: 
774g
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.

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The Hiplok Spin is a fairly substantial-feeling chain lock that has the benefits of being both wearable and keyless (so won't be rendered useless in the event of a lost key) – although you will need to remember your four-digit combination, of course. Hiplok advertises it as 'medium security' and, while it is not Sold Secure certified, I was confident it provides enough of a deterrent to use it to lock a decent bike up for a few hours during daylight hours. It has 6mm hardened steel links and the lock barrel is protected by an outer case, another feature to help put off opportunist thieves.

  • Pros: Super-easy to use and very comfortable to wear
  • Cons: Perhaps could be a little longer

The 75cm length is ample for securing your frame to a stand or slim lamppost, but it would be more versatile if it were, say, 25cm longer (although this would clearly make it heavier).

> Find your nearest dealer here

Its light weight (774g) contributes to it being so comfy to wear – I hardly noticed it, to be honest. It is easily adjustable to fit riders from the skinny to the portly, thanks to the wonders of Velcro. The chain has a thick fabric cover (secured by Allen bolts at one end), which both protects it – from the elements as well as bolt croppers – and makes it comfortable to wear. If rained on the fabric does soak up water but dries surprisingly quickly.

Hiplock Spin - worn 1.jpg

It's very well designed in that ease-of-use is a priority – firstly, you don't need to rummage around in your bag for it, and because the lock mechanism remains open while you're wearing the Spin, you can whip it off, wrap it around your bike, insert the 'key' into the lock barrel then twizzle the numbers in mere seconds. Similarly, to remove it you only have to spin it into the correction combination, pull the key out then fasten around your waist with the single strap.

Hiplock Spin - worn strap.jpg

Setting the four-digit code is simplicity itself, and if you want to choose a new code at any time you can reset it using the same method.

Hiplock Spin - lock.jpg

While you can buy D-locks that are Sold Secure rated for the same price or cheaper than the Hiplok Spin, such as the Master Lock Street Fortnum, they are heavier with a relatively short and narrow shackle compared to the versatility of a chain, and don't offer the convenience of the Spin – being wearable is its USP. For the same RRP you can buy the Kryptonite Keeper 785 Integrated Chain, which is 10cm longer but double the weight, not designed to be wearable and uses keys.

> Buyer's Guide: 6 of the best bike locks

There are seven options in Hiplok's chain lock range, and all bar the two chunkiest ones have a wearable design. The Spin is Hiplok's lightest wearable lock, and consequently is its only chain lock without a Sold Secure badge. If you want added peace of mind, the next one up in its wearable range is the Hiplok Lite, which weighs 1kg, costs another £15, and is Sold Secure Bronze certified. Another level up again is the Hiplok Superbright, reviewed here.

> Beginner's guide to bike security: how to stop thieves nicking your bike

Overall, I'd say the Hiplok Spin is a very handy deterrent if you're not leaving your bike for too long, and it's available in black or neon yellow for extra visibility when riding.

Verdict

Lightweight, portable and easy to use, this wearable lock offers a great balance between security and convenience

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Hiplok Spin

Size tested: 75cm Locking Length

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?

Ideal if you want a convenient and portable lock that offers decent security yet isn't too heavy or expensive.

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

From Hiplok:

Weight: 800g

Mechanism: 4-digit combination lock

Size: 75cm long

Construction: 6mm hardened steel with fabric cover

Medium security

Adjustable fit (26-44in waist)

1 year warranty

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
9/10

Look after the lock by lubricating the mechanism occasionally. The fabric cover is removable for cleaning.

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

Hardly notice it.

Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

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

Very well: it's easy to use, comfy to wear and looks like a solid deterrent to bike thieves.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The ease of use.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Nothing.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

While you can buy D-locks that are Sold Secure rated for the same price or cheaper than the Hiplok Spin, such as the Master Lock Street Fortnum, they are heavier with a relatively short and narrow shackle compared to the versatility of a chain, and don't offer the wearable convenience of the Spin. For the same RRP you can buy the Kryptonite Keeper 785 Integrated Chain, which is 10cm longer but double the weight, not wearable and uses keys.

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 overall score

The Spin is undoubtedly very good and fills a specific niche in the market, but the score reflects that it isn't Sold Secure rated.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 45  Height: 170cm  Weight: 62kg

I usually ride: Marin Point Reyes 29er  My best bike is: Whyte T-130 RS

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, touring, club rides, mountain biking, audax

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3 comments

Avatar
ktache | 4 years ago
0 likes

Fluffed, I believe it's as effective as the 6mm chain.

Avatar
Fluffed | 4 years ago
1 like

Not sure how a 'thick fabric cover' protects from bolt croppers?

Avatar
Cowoner replied to Fluffed | 4 years ago
0 likes
Fluffed wrote:

Not sure how a 'thick fabric cover' protects from bolt croppers?

They prevent the bolt croppers from getting any purchase on the chain itself, so they are more likely to slide off instead of cutting. Depending on what kind of fabric was used it can be extremely cut resistant as well.
I won't buy any lock that wasn't actually tested for security, but there was definitely put thought into the construction of this one.

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