Commuting Accessories

First Look: The Foldylock Bike Lock

See how we got on with the new compact folding bike lock from Seatylock

When you ride your bike to the shops, or to work, you want peace of mind that your pride and joy is safe and secure when it’s locked up. With there being so many varieties of bike locks and security devices on the market, it’s sometimes hard to locate the perfect one for your needs.

In the UK, bicycles are the most commonly stolen item from households, with railway stations being one of the most popular sites for thieves. The best thing you can do for yourself and your bike, is to invest in a quality secure bicycle lock.

Everything you need to know about bike theft

Last month we saw a new innovative bike lock design from Seatylock, smash through its crowd-funding target with what can only be described as something resembling a Meccano-esq child’s toy.

So naturally we wanted to give the new Foldylock a go, and here’s what we thought.

Foldylock Bike Lock

Developed and designed by keen cyclists at Seatylock, this new bike security device is like nothing I’ve seen before. It breaks the traditional form of D-Locks and chains, and goes for something a little more compact and versatile.

As with all bicycle locks, there’s an extensive amount of testing that has to be carried out in order for these locks to achieve a Sold Secure rating. This accreditation can then be used to inform insurance companies and the police, it also provides a little more peace of mind for the customer too.

The new compact Foldylock has a silver rating from Sold Secure. What this means is that the lock can “resist for three minutes with a wider selection of tools” and “offers a compromise between security and cost”.

When the Foldylock first arrived at my front door, my first impressions were about its size and its weight. While it does have some hefty weight to its body, it only comes in at 1kg, which is pretty good considering popular D-Locks can weigh more than this. The Foldylock tucks away neatly into a frame fitted holder, and the kit comes with bolt fixings, an Allen key, tough-wearing Velcro straps and a set of keys.

How you choose to fix the mount to your bike is up to you, and the shape of frame your bike has. I chose to fit mine to the down tube of my bike where the bottle mount bolts are located. However, you can also use the Velcro straps to adjust the mount placement, and the rubber stoppers on the backside prevent any damage to the frame. Of course if you don’t want to carry the bike lock on your frame, you can just as easily pop it in your bag, or secure it to a lock fastener if your bag has one.

Using the Foldylock was just as easy as installation. When you want to lock up, pull the lock from it’s mount, unfold and tie around your chosen anchor. Unlike a D-Lock that’s a fixed shaped, the Foldylock has more mobility to wrap around a number of things or varying shapes and widths.

Sold Secure rating: Silver
Weight: 1kg
Unfolded Length: 80cm
Folded Length: 19cm
Body: 6 hardened steel links over-molded by a reinforced polymer
Keys: 3 automotive safety keys
RRP: Pre-Order for $70 / £57

The hard plastic casing of the Foldylock protects the paintwork on your frame, and the secure locking mechanism feels solid and reassuring.

The most secure way to lock up your bike is through the frame and the wheels, but with most D-lock styles, through the frame is often the best you can do.

The Foldylock comes stand alone, without any other accessories, however the amount of play you can get out of its versatile shape allows you a number of locking possibilities.

Owing to the snug mount fixture, the Foldylock is totally silent when it’s on your bike. No rattling and annoying noises to distract you or damage your beloved steed.

All the locks, hinges and bearings are carefully sealed, making them totally water-poof with the entire design being ideal for all weather conditions. This gives the Foldylock its durability, and maintains functionality after periods of cold, wet and grime.

Verdict

Having used the Foldylock on my trips around town, to and from the shops, it’s really come in handy. There’s a number of features that I really love about this lock, like the secure and compact mount which keeps the bike lock in place and rattle free. I like the playful and bright lime green – with other options available – and the design itself. It feels weighty, secure and remains totally practical.

The only areas that I could find fault with lie in its own limitations. Having a fixed length of 80cm can be a problematic when you have two bikes to lock up, or the most convenient anchor happens to be a thick post. What would be ideal is having an optional cable accessory which loops the wheels and frames together, or the option of having a longer length lock.

The compact Foldylock can be pre-ordered for approx. £57, which is very reasonable when you consider rival products on the market. For its light, functional and secure build, it’s a worthwhile and solid investment to keep your bike safe and locked up.

Colours: Grey – Orange – Yellow – Blue

Available to pre-order here.

If rely on your bike for transport, or you’ve invested a lot of money into your steed, then don’t skimp out on a secure bike lock. While no bike lock is 100% secure from being broken, there are a number of devices out there that act as a very good deterrent for the opportunistic thieves.