One of the many fine things about living in Utah is that it’s almost always bike riding season. Minus a few months in the winter, two wheeled transportation is almost always possible. If you are a bicycle commuter or just a casual rider, a good lock is a must-have accessory. I have been using an OTTOLOCK this summer, and it definitely delivers big-time security in a small-time package.
Small and simple
The company describes the OTTOLOCK as a “small, safe, and lightweight solution” for cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts to secure their goods. They are absolutely correct. For starters, the OTTOLOCK 18” cinch lock that I’ve been testing is the smallest and most convenient that I own. I can wrap it around my seatpost and not notice it until it’s time to put it into action. I despise my old cable lock at times because it would slide around and hit my knees despite being wrapped up about as tight as possible; this was never an issue with the OTTOLOCK.
Aside from being small and portable, the OTTOLOCK is predictably simple to use. The three button combo dial turns smoothly, and it’s a simple trick to reset it from the factory combination. Then it’s just a matter of depressing the side button and inserting the band into the mouth, cinching tight, and adjusting the combination to a random set of numbers.
Is the OTTOLOCK secure enough for the city?
My initial thought was that this lock would not be worthy of urban riders. OTTO used stainless steel layering and Kevlar reinforcement in the band, and coated it with an easily cleanable rubber. But is it enough to keep your bike safe?
Bike thieves are lowly scum, and quite persistent when it comes to their prey. On their website, OTTO has a video that showcases its strength vs a common cable lock (check it out here: https://youtu.be/PIN5p_sKyg4). I can report that the video is legit. I attempted to cut through my OTTOLOCK with bolt cutters to no avail. It did sheer the orange coating, but failed to penetrate the kevlar and stainless steel. Perhaps the permanent scar I put on my lock will serve as a notice to potential thieves that they shouldn’t waste their time. In my view, the OTTOLOCK is tough enough for urban use.
Not just for your bike
Sure, I mainly tested this on my commuter bike, but the OTTOLOCK can be used in a myriad of other ways. I secured my mountain bike to my rack while away from my truck, locked my cooler up with it, and even used it to lock up my motorcycle helmet in the city. If you had a longer version (30” and 60” are also available) you could secure ATVs, canoes, multiple bikes or just about any item that needs locking.
My final judgement is that this is a worthy little biking accessory. It’s not impervious to thieves (OTTO does advise it is only for short-term security), but it should stop any joker looking for a quick snatch and grab of your bike. You’ll barely notice you carried it until you need it, and with a price of $55-$85 (depends on the size) it will provide piece of mind without breaking the bank. The OTTOLOCK is a small piece of gear that delivers big on all its promises.