Hiplok - Z Lok Combo Lock Yellow

I mostly use the lock in a secure bike room where its main purpose is to stop my bike being knocked over rather than stolen. It's perfect for that because it is so quick and easy to put on and off (I don't bother setting the combination in there) and the zip tie design pulls the bike frame snug against the rack. It's small and light enough to live in my pack ready for quick stops at shops. The combination numbers are a bit small (I can't read them without reading glasses) and the plastic coating is quite hard so it might wear paintwork with repeated rubbing.

Defective combination lock - don't buy

I was really excited about this lock when I first got it. Super lightweight. Great second lock to secure my other wheel. But I wish I had read the other reviews on this site before purchasing, because my experience was pretty much the same.After using for a couple of months, the unlock combination changed without me knowing. I had locked my bike up, and when I came back to unlock, my combination no longer worked. Luckily I was at a bike shop and was able to borrow some tools to cut it off. It wasn’t until I got home that I read about other people’s experiences and realized the unlock combination had changed.Kudos to MEC for exchanging it for me, but with this many bad reviews I'm surprised they still keep it stocked. I would definitely not recommend this lock ... MoreI was really excited about this lock when I first got it. Super lightweight. Great second lock to secure my other wheel. But I wish I had read the other reviews on this site before purchasing, because my experience was pretty much the same.After using for a couple of months, the unlock combination changed without me knowing. I had locked my bike up, and when I came back to unlock, my combination no longer worked. Luckily I was at a bike shop and was able to borrow some tools to cut it off. It wasn’t until I got home that I read about other people’s experiences and realized the unlock combination had changed.Kudos to MEC for exchanging it for me, but with this many bad reviews I'm surprised they still keep it stocked. I would definitely not recommend this lock for anyone. It could leave you stranded with minimal security if you’re unlucky.

Disappointment

I was excited to find this (at REI in Scottsdale, AZ), as it seems the perfect lock to carry in your jersey pocket for when you stop at a coffee shop and may lose sight of your bike for a few instances. It worked the first time, but only then. When I tried to open the lock the next day to adjust the position for a better fit in my pocket, it would not budge, and it hasn't since. So on the basis of my experience, it's unreliable (which, again, is very unfortunate, because theoretically, this is the kind of thing any cyclist could use).

Great Lock for Intended Use

Maybe I got lucky and picked a solid lock that has worked flawlessly for the last five years, but I've not experienced any of the problems that others have. This is a great secondary lock for longer-lockups. Not much of a deterrent by itself, but to a thief it may present more hassle than they want to deal with when paired with a hardcore lock. I also throw it in my jersey pocket for road bike treks. Just locking a wheel and frame to a secure object gives me the peace of mind to relax at a cafe without having my ride within arm's reach at all times.

Great idea not ready for prime time

This lock could have been the ideal solution for a quick lock while popping into the store. It's not there yet. Two improvements would be a longer strap, perhaps 24", as 16" is just too short for most situations. Also, the numbers are too small for my eyes to read clearly. But the deal killer, and the reason for my low rating, was the auto-reset behavior of the lock. Coming back from the store, I found that the lock had automatically reset its combination from my custom number. My personal combination no longer worked! Imagine my frustration when I couldn't access my own bike 50 miles from home! After a few minutes of playing with the dials, I figured out the new combination and was able to retrieve my reliable steed, thanks to the sloppy feel of the lock's detent. ... MoreThis lock could have been the ideal solution for a quick lock while popping into the store. It's not there yet. Two improvements would be a longer strap, perhaps 24", as 16" is just too short for most situations. Also, the numbers are too small for my eyes to read clearly. But the deal killer, and the reason for my low rating, was the auto-reset behavior of the lock. Coming back from the store, I found that the lock had automatically reset its combination from my custom number. My personal combination no longer worked! Imagine my frustration when I couldn't access my own bike 50 miles from home! After a few minutes of playing with the dials, I figured out the new combination and was able to retrieve my reliable steed, thanks to the sloppy feel of the lock's detent. A bullet proof locking mechanism and other improvements would make this a 5-star winner. But not now.

If you buy this lock, bring scissors in case you need to cut it

I'm frankly amazed that this product made it past a prototype. The combination wheels are marked in a 5 point typeface that is difficult to read at the best of times and impossible under poor light or (invariably) upside-down. The combination markings started wearing off after a few months, which introduced a thrilling element of mystery to unlocking my bike. This would be a bigger problem if actually knowing the combination was important (see below). The plastic cover cracked in a couple of places after several weeks of intermittent use - either friction or magic is still holding it on the metal cable, but I wouldn't be shocked if it came off with a sharp tug. As noted by others, the combination spontaneously changes itself. This happens so regularly I have given ... MoreI'm frankly amazed that this product made it past a prototype. The combination wheels are marked in a 5 point typeface that is difficult to read at the best of times and impossible under poor light or (invariably) upside-down. The combination markings started wearing off after a few months, which introduced a thrilling element of mystery to unlocking my bike. This would be a bigger problem if actually knowing the combination was important (see below). The plastic cover cracked in a couple of places after several weeks of intermittent use - either friction or magic is still holding it on the metal cable, but I wouldn't be shocked if it came off with a sharp tug. As noted by others, the combination spontaneously changes itself. This happens so regularly I have given up resetting it. Fortunately there's a noticeable 'click' when you chance upon the right tumbler position which makes it pretty simple to pick. On the plus side, I have used it for short cafe stops in an urban setting for over a year and I still have a bike.

Interesting idea, well executed, but too short.

This thing works on the same principle of security chains, which have an octagonal cross section to force bolt cutters bite a larger surface area. This is the same idea taken to the extreme, and it probably would stand up against a pair of ordinary sized bolt cutters nearly indefinitely.You likely could work your way through it with a pair of long handled tile nippers in a few minutes, but that's OK. It's not for long term storage in a high risk situation, it's for securing your bike in plain sight for a few minutes as you nip into the coffee shop. Just look at the combination: it'd take a thief about ten minutes to work through every possible number so obviously you shoudln't use it to lock your bike overnight.The combination lock is well executed -- it gives ... MoreThis thing works on the same principle of security chains, which have an octagonal cross section to force bolt cutters bite a larger surface area. This is the same idea taken to the extreme, and it probably would stand up against a pair of ordinary sized bolt cutters nearly indefinitely.You likely could work your way through it with a pair of long handled tile nippers in a few minutes, but that's OK. It's not for long term storage in a high risk situation, it's for securing your bike in plain sight for a few minutes as you nip into the coffee shop. Just look at the combination: it'd take a thief about ten minutes to work through every possible number so obviously you shoudln't use it to lock your bike overnight.The combination lock is well executed -- it gives no tactile feedback until you dial in the last digit. That's actually what you want -- it makes it harder for a lock hacker to find a shortcut. The only drawback to the combination lock is that the numbers are small and hard to read in low light.The biggest drawback with this thing is that it's so short, about fifteen inches long. This is long enough to lock just your frame to a bike rack, but in many impromptu locking situations you'd be out of luck. You'll have to be content with locking the wheel to the frame and hoping nobody carries your bike off. This is inexplicable to me because a 30 inch strap would be so much more versatile, and still so light you wouldn't notice it.Finally some kind of retaining strap that kept this thing coiled (like Ottlock has on their similar offering) would make it even easier to carry.Overall, this iis well-made, but too short to be useful except as an auxiliary lock or in situations where you simply want to prevent someone from riding away -- and that only if your bike isn't a fat tire bike. It won't even fit around one of those tires.

It's not because it's flimsy...

Looking at this lock, it's obvious it's only meant to delay a thief. It's so svelte and light, finding the lock that's keeping the bike tethered will take a bit longer than cutting it. What isn't obvious is that after a few times using this lock, you're going to *need a thief* to get your bike back. That's because the locking mechanism will one day fail to respond to any combination, even your own. So that's the risk you take with this lock -- not that you'll lose your bike to a thief but that you won't be able to unlock it. It took mine 3 days of use to lock up, and it took a kind gentleman working at restaurant (!) less than 3 seconds to cut it.

Pushed My Luck

Per my previous review, the first one of these I purchased has held up well over several years. Two things I think I failed to mention: The combo dials are extreeeemely small and the numbers can be very difficult to read. Were my average-sized fingers much larger this lock would be unworkable. Also, after a couple years of regular use, the dials stick noticeably as you scroll past the combo number, making it very easy for a curious thief to dial in the combo.Buoyed by my first purchase, I decided to replace my lock with one that didn't so easily betray the combo. That turns out to have been a mistake. The very first time I used it in the wild (I tested it at home first) I was unable to slide the lock open with the correct combo entered. Luckily, I was parked ... MorePer my previous review, the first one of these I purchased has held up well over several years. Two things I think I failed to mention: The combo dials are extreeeemely small and the numbers can be very difficult to read. Were my average-sized fingers much larger this lock would be unworkable. Also, after a couple years of regular use, the dials stick noticeably as you scroll past the combo number, making it very easy for a curious thief to dial in the combo.Buoyed by my first purchase, I decided to replace my lock with one that didn't so easily betray the combo. That turns out to have been a mistake. The very first time I used it in the wild (I tested it at home first) I was unable to slide the lock open with the correct combo entered. Luckily, I was parked outside a gym and, with considerable effort (so kudos there) was able to break the band with heavy duty bolt cutters.I guess it's a roll of the dice with this lock. If you get a good one it's well worth the price (which I think has dropped significantly — not shocking), if not, you could find yourself very much stuck. Definitely do NOT recommend.

Too easy to unlock

The weight and strength of this is fine for what it is, a simple basic lock. But the problem is that I can easily open the combo lock with my eyes closed if you feel the lock clicks. Takes me about 20 seconds max to do this. I was going to return the item but I'd already opened it and felt bad for the retailer/didn't want the hassle of arguing for my money back. My view is that these are not very good combination lock mechanisms (very cheap) and I've basically wasted £20 on it. Never leave reviews for stuff but doing this in the hope others don't bother!