Kickstarter - Lock Fame or Fail

It seems that not a week passes without a bicycle related Kickstarter campaign hitting my in box.  Some of them I laugh off and others I can see becoming reality.  Recently an email promoting a new lock, called The InterLock, hit my in box. 

At first glance I dismissed it, but I ended up taking a second look a few days later and can see it actually playing a role in bike security - not a singular solution, but part of an overall strategy.  This short video introduces the concept.

 

My first thought was that the idea was a total fail because all you have to do is remove the seat and walk away with the bike. However, the inventor followed up with this video showing that the lock remains engaged even if the seat is removed.

 

There are two main reasons I can see this lock succeeding.  First, most riders I know who lock their bikes up outside for any period of time do not do so with a single lock. The most popular combo I see is a U-lock combined with a cable lock.  I do not see this lock as a "total" solution, mostly because based on looking at it a pair of bolt cutters would likely go through it like butter, but matched with another more substantial lock I think it would have a place. 

Second, many riders just want to lock their bike up for a few mintues while they run into a store to pick something up.  A lock like this would likely keep people honest and not allow someone to quickly walk away with the bike that is locked up for a short period of time.

I don't think there is a perfect lock and for a thief with the right tools and the time, any lock is not going to make a difference.  However, anything you can do to slow a thief down is wise to consider and another thing this lock has going for it is a reasonable price of only $39. Reader comments on the concept are welcome. 

 

 

Comments

[Champs]

It's still locked up—if proper technique is used—and I suppose that applies to all locks.

Cables that loop into a proper D/U-lock as supplementary security are fine, but full cable locks, just like seat pads, mountain bike aero bars, strobing (not just blinking) headlights, and those rude fenders that leave a dirty spray in their wake should be condemned to the scrap heap of bad bicycle accessories that an ethical bike shop wouldn't sell.

[Carl]

kinda pisses me off cause i thought of this a long time ago and left it at the hacked seat post point, never thought to take it to a product stage. grr oh well guess that means ill have to market my next genius bike hack lol.