Whereas Seatylock is maybe much less well-known than different premium manufacturers who make a few of the greatest bike locks it does supply a complete vary that features chains, u-locks and quite a lot of folding choices.
The folding fashions embody the Elite, Eternally and Basic, all of that are ‘full-size’ locks. Then there are the Mini and the Compact. As their names recommend they purpose to stability bike safety with portability. Right here I’m taking a better take a look at the Compact.
Building
The Foldylock Compact includes six metal bars, that are joined by quite a lot of chrome steel rivets, which permit the bars to pivot. Every is roofed in plastic to supply extra safety and sturdiness. The general circumference of the Compact when unfolded is 85cm.
Any folding lock has two supposed benefits over a extra conventional U-lock: it affords extra flexibility when locking your bike as a result of it doesn’t have such a inflexible construction and since it may be folded down it’s much more transportable.
(Picture credit score: Future)
Definitely, the Compact folds down right into a package deal that precisely displays its identify. It measures 7.45” / 18.9cm lengthy by 2.35” / 6 cm huge and matches right into a plastic carry case that may be fitted to a motorbike’s bottle cage mounts. On my scales, it weighed simply over 1kg / 2.2lbs, which implies it may be comfortably carried in a backpack or bike bag as properly.
The knock-on folding locks is that their USP additionally makes them extra susceptible to bike thieves; in essence, the rivets are an inherent weak point that may be exploited by thieves. To protect towards this the Compact is alleged to have ‘patented ultra-protected rivets’, which Seatylock says have been “examined and guarded towards sawing and reducing assaults”.
Foldylock states that the locking cylinder is an ‘automotive’ normal. Whereas I did not have the lock for lengthy sufficient to see how the locking mechanism held up it does state that all the lock’s steel parts are immune to rust. There isn’t any mud cowl right here however there’s a three-year guarantee in case of any points.
In use
The lock’s weight, or lack of it, is noticeable. When packed into the case it makes for a neat and tidy unit that I discovered simple to pop right into a backpack. After I secured it to my bike’s body it was equally forgettable. The carrying case was secured simply utilizing the bottle bosses and when biking it stayed in place and was silent; a rattling lock might be slightly irritating in case your journey is greater than a mile so I used to be happy to seek out that the Compact behaved.
(Picture credit score: Future)
The smaller measurement made the Compact simple to make use of too. The rivets have been clean in motion however not a lot that they rendered the construction too slack when unfolded. I’ve used different bigger folding locks and I discovered them to be a tad tough to handle when it comes time to lock and unlock your bike. The draw back right here nonetheless is that you’ve much less inner area to work with; the inner circumference of the lock is roughly 33” or 85cms. That mentioned I managed to lock my bike to a wide range of objects with none actual subject, though I’d most likely add a cable lock to work at the side of the Compact so I may safe each wheels.
The article of this check is to see how the Foldlylock carried out in use, with reference to transporting the lock and locking and unlocking a motorbike. I didn’t try to interrupt the lock in anyway so I can’t attest to the model’s claims. By way of safety, it holds a Bought Safe Silver ranking, which is pretty typical for folding locks. And it’s one of many smallest and lightest Silver-rated locks in the marketplace, providing a powerful size-to-strength ratio.
Worth
At $90 / £71 the Foldylock Compact might be described as fairly priced. The Compact is the same worth to the Abus compact folder, the Bordo 5700. OnGuard K9 folding lock is cheaper however affords a decrease Bought Safe ranking of Bronze.
