Hiplok Z Lok Combo

Essentially a tough cable tie, the Hiplok Z Lok Combo isn't something you would trust your pride and joy to for a couple of hours outside the office, but for a quick dash into a shop or securing your helmet to the bike it's a useful detterent; it's small, light and relatively cheap.

• Pros: Okay for popping into shops or cafe, no key to lose, lightweight
• Cons: Could be longer, won't deter a determined thief

Security is understandably an issue for cyclists. There's a very real risk that even with the most expensive and hefty lock your bike will be gone when you get back. Even popping into the shops to grab a sourdough loaf on the way home from the club run (yes, that's me) is too risky no matter the value of your bike. Or how good the sourdough loaf.

This sort of 'just leaving it for five minutes' is where I feel the Hiplok Z Lok Combo is suitable. It's adequate to deter the casual thief from making off with your bike and gives a little more peace of mind that your flat white (me again) won't cost you a bike.

It has an 8mm reinforced steel core wrapped in a plastic outer, which protects your bike from scratches. You thread the tie through the open mechanism and use the three-digit combination to secure it.

Another use is for audax and touring rides, where popping into cafes for cake or a brevet card stamp is part and parcel of long-distance cycling. The Z Lok Combo doesn't take up much space or weigh much, and it's useful to secure your bike to a lamppost or railings. (I also like to leave the bike in plain sight for extra reassurance.)

> Beginner's guide to bike security

The two issues I have with it, other than that a determined thief with the right tools could likely break through in a matter of minutes, is that it's a little too short to always reach around whatever solid object you want to lock your bike to.

The other issue is what to do with it when it's not in use. It'll just about fit in a jersey pocket but not if you've already filled those, so you'll need a bag on your bike – which you'll probably have if you're doing an audax or on a bikepacking adventure.

For locking your bike outside a cafe or shop it's reasonably effective but it's no substitute for a bigger main lock for longer periods of leaving your bike unattended.

Verdict

Okay for briefly locking your bike outside the shop or cafe but nothing longer