Hiplock D1000

£250 Angle-grinder-proof bike security

ADVANCES IN BATTERY technology have brought a wave of very portable power tools, including angle grinders, which have become the tool of choice for professional bike thieves. Thanks to UK bike-security expert Hiplok’s brand-new D1000, the thieves may have met their match, though.

How does it work? First up, it uses Ferosafe: a superhard composite graphene material around a steel core. Then there’s the oversized U shackle, 20mm in cross section and square where it fits into the lock body, helping resist twisting forces so you can’t just cut one side then rotate it to release the bike. Lastly, there are two bolts. This means you’d have to cut twice to get through this lock.

The lock’s internal 155mm x 92mm is big enough to secure a road bike, threading it around the seat tube and rear wheels, but it’s a little tight for a gravel, ebike or commuter bike with largevolume tyres.

At 1,910g, the D1000 is no lightweight so there’s no frame mount: this is one for bag stowing. Its overall 225mm x 155mm x 40mm size isn’t too bulky, though.

So, should you trust it with your pride and joy? I broke out my trusty Makita DGA portable grinder (which I always use for lock testing) and a pack of 1mm metalcutting discs. First, it took a few minutes of Stanley knife surgery to cut away the 10mm-thick rubber. Then, after more than 25 minutes of cutting, four discs blunted and battery depleted, I admitted defeat. I’d got three-quarters of the way through one side.

In all, the D1000 is about as good as locks get. It’s not the biggest, it’s heavy and it’s expensive, but I’d put my trust in it every time.