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Ottolock: An Ultralight Bike Lock That Doesn't Suck?

I want to believe

By Kat Bauman - September 15, 2016

in Bikes | Crowdfunding

The Ottolock's ultralight take on bike locks is blowing my grumpy mind. It looks like a zip tie, holds up against bolt cutters, and fits in a pocket.

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As a neurotic bike lover I often advocate (read: rant) about getting the proper bike/tool for the job, because otherwise you and your bike can wind up disappointed or worse. With locks I tend to assume there's exactly one tool for the job: you need a U-lock, it needs to be layered, super hardened steel, and anything less is willful negligence. Unless you only ride in your basement, or live in a '50s sitcom neighborhood, cable locks can't be trusted.

But what do serious riders use during hard/fun training rides? Some stopping is common, but the extra weight of a u-lock is a cumbersome distraction when you're trying to focus on the road or trail, and a cable lock (as bike thieves themselves say) isn't an actual theft deterrent.

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The Ottolock was developed as better option in the lackluster lightweight lock niche. Over the last year pro rider Jacob Rathe (Team Jelly Belly/Maxxis) and Otto Design Works pooled user input and hands-on testing to come up with a little lock that seems too good to be true. The band looks way too slim to hold up against standard tools of theft, but if their user accounts and demonstrations are true... it's burly indeed.

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I want to see the full-body bolt cutter action shot

The designers credit layers of stainless, Kevlar, and a Santoprene coating for the tiny lock's tough cred. The locking mechanism itself is a numbered combination, with an undisclosed method for directionally gripping the notched belt.

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After security, the Ottolock's most crucial detail is its minimalism. The whole lock fits easily into a pocket or seat bag, and adds just 115 grams/.25 lbs.

Coffee, water breaks, or refueling usually means an anxiously monitored stack of unlocked (and often expensive) bikes, or using a cable tiny enough to fit in a pocket. After working in bike shops for near 10 years I can comfortably say that more bikes are stolen while unlocked or locked with tiny cable locks than in any other situation. And while blaming the victim is pretty easy, U-Locks are prohibitively heavy and large for many types of riding. If it can't be carried easily, it won't be used. Whether I'm interval training or making a corner store run, reliability/portability changes where I'll go and how safe I'll feel.

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If the Ottolock's combination mechanism is around as secure as a traditional combo, I wouldn't recommend it for overnight use, or expect it to resist something like a car jack, but I'd certainly feel fine turning my back on it during lunch.

There's a silicone strap for bike or bag storage. The current campaign is offering the lock in three colors and three lengths—18", 30" and 60"—which opens the range of uses up even more. As they suggest, this type of flexible/durable lock could work in a ton of different places, from garage doors to boat mooring to keeping stuff safe at events.

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Not every lock needs to be a Kryptonite or Abus…but they should still try. As the saying goes: you don't have to outrun the bear, you just have to outrun your friends.

The Ottolock Kickstarter campaign is already solidly over its funding goal, and will run through October 12, 2016.

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Jonas Eriksson

8 years ago

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If the Thermal Formed Locking Teeth is the only locking device then you should just be able to use a lighter to melt the teeth and pull the strap out. It should be locked by friction without the plastic/rubber cover.

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Pete Schirmer

8 years ago

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...but a 3 digit combo lock can be brute force unlocked in minutes...

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- Daniel Chavarria
  
  Pete Schirmer
  
  8 years ago
  
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  And even the 6 digit ones, i also wonder how much resistance to tension it has?, how much those plastic teethes can stand wear and tension?, what about sheet metal scissors test?, this video only shows compresion test not all the other cases.. it looks cool and very practical tho.
  
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Aki Kramer

8 years ago

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I would have tried it – but 33$ for shipping on a 49$ item that advertises with it's weight and dimensions? That's not really reasonable...
Made in USA and please – only for american customers... : (

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Ian Hudlow

8 years ago

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I'm almost convinced. Could you make another video showing how it will handle a hammer to the locking mechanism. I would also like to see what happens if the attempted cut was not on the flat side and how long it takes for a grinder to get through it.

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Salvador Salcido

8 years ago

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Not too convinced about the locking mechanism yet, but it would probably make a good secondary to secure components. I have a Kryptonite fahgettaboutit (or something like that), but now use a TiGr lightweight lock- I like it.

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Laurence Koster

8 years ago

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It looks potentially great, and this article hits the nail on the head in explaining the difficulty in finding a lightweight but secure lock. The question is, will it get Sold Secure Gold rating or a similar standard to convince the insurance companies? At the end of the day I want the lightest lock that my insurance company will accept.

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