TWO-MINUTE REVIEWS
OTTOLOCK Cinch Lock
OTTOLOCK
The Cinch Lock is incredibly packable, weighs between 145 and 260-grams depending on the size, and it has a do-no-harm finish that won't blemish that like-new frame finish until Ragnarok.
This product makes no claims to invincibility and let's be honest; there isn't a single lock that isn't just a deterrent. But the Ottolock is essentially invisible in my pack until I need it and it's vastly superior to the alternative most every mountain biker and roadie I see uses, which is nothing.
Whether I'm sitting down to drink a coffee, running in for a couple of beverages after a ride, or securing my bike to a tree in the middle of the woods to do a bit of exploring, the lightweight combo lock at the very least cuts out opportunity theft and requires a tool to cut through it.
The mid-size 30" (175g) OTTOLOCK is easily forgotten in any pack I own. There's a smaller 18" (145g) version that's more fanny pack friendly, and a larger 60" (260g) version that makes capturing the front wheel a snap.
The three digit combo is easy to change and use. The mechanism itself has held up flawlessly despite a few solid drenchings. That said, it takes hundreds of hours of use to really comment on the longevity of a lock and I'm not there.
The strap is made up of multiple layers of braided Kevlar for stretch resistance and high-temper stainless steel bands for cut resistance. It's all coated in a rubber-like material (thermoplastic vulcanizate) which acts like vulcanized rubber in use but is easy to process and more importantly reprocess, like a plastic.
The lock body itself is coated with ceramic paint which is chip resistant and should be gentle on frame finishes. The lock bodies and straps are universal, so it's possible to attach multiple locks together if you're stacking up bikes to grab a post group ride pint.
The TiGr lock I previously tested makes much bolder security claims and is relatively light at 439g, but it's still a product I have to plan to carry. The Cinch Lock, on the other hand, lives in my pack on any ride where I just might be stopping off quick on the way home.
'Tis the season, and I think the OTTOLOCK makes a great gift for the impossible to buy for cyclist who likes to grab a brew or a coffee on or after their ride. Prices range from 60 USD to 85 USD depending on the size, and this 30" model runs 65 USD and is available in three colours - black, green, and orange.
Cinch Locks can be purchased directly from OTTOLOCK and here in Canada, they're available from any local bike shop thanks to distribution by Orange Sport Supply.
For more information, OTTOLOCK has a great deal of information on their website or please post a comment.
Comments
IslandLife
5 years, 5 months ago
Man, people really love to get on their mile high horses and point out how easily locks can be cut... Thanks Captains of the obvious!!
It seems most simply fail to realize that unless you're willing to spend $150++ on a lock AND/OR willing to carry around a 10 pound weight in your pack... and/or fill your pack with a heavy duty chain... every other lock is simply just an "opportunity theft" deterrent.
If I'm putting a lock into my backpack that I'm riding with, I'm willing to pay for a nice lightweight minimal lock. At the same time knowing full well it can be cut with tin snips, just like every other lock!!! Any joey can throw a Cdn Tire cable lock in their pack if they want an extra couple pounds bouncing around on their back... and they both can be cut through like a nice gouda on Christmas eve.
people....
Andrew - for your sanity, and because these exact same comments plus obligatory links to "LockPickingLawyer "'s youtube channel (he must be making bank from NSMB's lock review alone), appear on every one of your lock reviews... just know that there are some of us who get how locks work and appreciate these reviews. I love how light yet durable and easily pack-able this lock looks... it's going on my Christmas wish list! Also a could be a great option for my kids bikes for use during the day with the school bike racks... lightness and ease of packing goes a long ways for them. Thanks!
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Andrew Major
5 years, 5 months ago
Thanks; no stress. Yeah, I had a few friends (who don’t carry locks) send me the video while I was working on this review with the premise that me carrying the Otto was ~ equivalent to them carrying nothing. Like someone’s going to take the time to cut my lock vs. just pedaling off with their bike.
Deterrents are always about being less convenient to f**k with than the next guy, but that said there isn’t a lock I haven’t seen defeated.
I’ve known more than one person who went to grab their bike and it was gone with their lock intact - thief doesn’t want the traceable frame anyways. Way easier to cut a high end frame than a NY-Lock.
I know mountain bikers and roadies (Enve baby!) who’ve had their forks stolen with the rest of the Bike untouched - it’s a 30-second job requiring a hex key or two.
And the worst Bike-theft feeling I’ve experienced - and I’ve had bikes stolen - was me standing 2x blocks from the local cop-shop, on a busy afternoon with tonnes of traffic and pedestrians (Lonsdale in North Van) going to town on a high-end Kryptonite U-Lock with a cordless grinder. People were walking through the sparks (or crossing the street) and I was shocked no one took my picture or called the cops. In the time I was there an officer could have strolled down from the station to have a word.
Park it out of sight, be prepared to lose it.
I still think this is a great product for what I use it for.
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Michael
5 years, 5 months ago
Re weight yes, re price no, there are as good as you can get locks on the market for much less than that; OnGuards 8001 is one example at 66buck in Canadian dollars and free shipping no less.
I'm not trying to be argumentative either. I'm a bike nerd and read about such things. Should newbs find blogs and posts like this I just want them to know that they can get the best possible for reasonable costs. AND No I wouldn't use that lock in this context, it is indeed a beast. :)
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Andrew Major
5 years, 5 months ago
An OnGuard Brute weights 2.5lbs+++, if you’re not going to mountain bike with that in your pack how is it relative to a review of a <200g lock?
I’m sure it’s an okay lock/$ for commuting but I don’t see how they’re even the same animal. It would be like a shootout review of a new SC Nomad vs a Colnago road bike.
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Michael
5 years, 5 months ago
Yes I know. I was referring to the cost statement. I agree it’s not relevant in this context as I mentioned. I should have finished with; the lock reviewed is a tin snip lock so any lock with that level of security would be as good security wise, weigh the same or less and be MUCH less expensive.
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barefootmeshback
5 years, 5 months ago
My main point is that it is really poor value for what it is. Totally understand the cheap, light lock for the quick dash into a store. If that is all you need it for there are way better deals out there.
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Kevin26
5 years, 5 months ago
I stick a retracting cable ski lock in my bag sometimes, smaller and cheaper than this
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IslandLife
5 years, 5 months ago
That's a really good idea actually.
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Greg Bly
5 years, 5 months ago
Thieves are lazy opportunist. If your expensive bike is locked for more than two hours in public. No matter what lock you have consider it gone!
My lock seized on me while my bike was locked at lonsdale near the Quay. I borrowed a hack saw and for about ten minutes I laboured to cut through the cable lock with dozens of people walking past. No one cared.
This lock is portable and relatively light. Less bulky than my cable lock. It's perfect for those after ride coffee shop moments. Even if you can see your bike a lock is a good deterrent to stop a brazen thief.
There are some great payback videos on you tube of guys setting up bait bikes tied to fishing line. Hilarious watching thieves go over the bars.
I believe there is a similar yet more expensive version of this lock made from Titanium.
Bonus for long cable locks: put the cable through the fork crown. Forks can be stolen very quickly!
If your bike is locked the lazy thieves will search for easier prey.
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Geof Harries
5 years, 5 months ago
Andrew, as an aside: I'd like to see a full side profile shot of that sweet Honzo of yours. Looks like a cool bike.
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Andrew Major
5 years, 5 months ago
Cheers Geof,
I looked but I don't actually have a full side shot yet! I'll snap one for you in the next couple of days.
Thanks for reading!
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Andrew Major
5 years, 5 months ago
Hi Geof,
Took a couple quick snaps on my cruise with my wee one today.
Cheers!
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Geof Harries
5 years, 5 months ago
Beauty. So many little interesting part choices gives it some real personality. Do you walk much with the singlespeed going up?
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Andrew Major
5 years, 5 months ago
Thanks! I’m very happy with how it turned out - great test mule for different parts but still distinctly my bike I’m pumped to ride.
I love projects.
I walk a bit for sure - more on the Honzo than my rigid Walt SS - but I think I can say not much.
I’ve cleaned No Quarter on it and ride up GSM and Legacy and Big Trouble In Little Chainring. Haven’t cleaned R+R on this one yet but I will. But, for example, there’s a straight section on NQ before it meets Executioner that I often walk - find I blow up at that point if I don’t get the heart rate down.
Gear is 32:22. With the big 2.6” SE4 our back I keep thinking about 30:22 but we’ll see.
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fartymarty
5 years, 5 months ago
Please put something squishy between the stanction and the nasty metal pole.
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Andrew Major
5 years, 5 months ago
No fork/rail contact - just an optical illusion. I do think riders are too paranoid about stanchion damage but I’m not going to call it out that callously!
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fartymarty
5 years, 5 months ago
I'm glad to hear that. I've just had to rub one of my stanchion down with 1500 grit after being careless.
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Kaptainkielbasa
5 years, 5 months ago
I don't want to be a negative nancy but apparently this lock is not good...
https://youtu.be/j7ah3RA0Alo
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Andrew Major
5 years, 5 months ago
I mean, it would appear you do but it comes down to context.
What lock do you/would you carry in your pack when mountain biking?
Not good compared to what? There are plenty of significantly heavier/bulkier locks that can get cut with fresh snips, or twisted and popped, or have such distinctive detents for the combo that they’re dead easy to ‘pick’ or etc.
It takes no time to hacksaw through a carbon frame, no matter what lock is installed, and smart thieves are just flipping parts anyways.
I’ll maintain, as I noted, that it’s a way better lock than what I see the vast majority or roadies and mountain bikers using/carrying pre/post/during a ride.
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Alex D
5 years, 5 months ago
How about a Keeper 512 for $7?
To me, locks categorize by the tools required to defeat them: tin snips, bolt cutters, or angle grinders. Both of these are tin snip locks, so they're about equal security. (It's surprisingly hard to finesse open even cheap combination barrel locks. Too much time and focus for an opportunistic thief, I think.)
I do think the Otto's improved ergonomics (and perhaps greater resilience to a twisting attack) are worth something. For me, though, that number might reach $40. $60ish gets too close to locks with better than line-of-sight security.
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Andrew Major
5 years, 5 months ago
'What's it worth?' is one of my favourite games going back to when I started working in the bike industry. Things like Fidlock buckles, MIPS, adjustable dropouts, adjustable geometry, carbon, stainless steel vs. aluminum rings/cogs, beautiful machined stems like the Chromag Ranger vs. basic forged stems.
I think you hit the nail that step in this process if I were to put my head out and review a lock again, would be to chase a min-maxed option to compare to the Otto. I have a lifetime-in-retail thick skin but the venom that at lock review is capable of drawing out in people is f**king impressive.
It's quite frankly the first lock I've been happy to carry on any trail ride where I may have a need for one so I perceive value.
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Michael
5 years, 5 months ago
I suspect much of the violent offence is in large part due to the ridiculous claims lock manufacturers make.
If one is commuting and your bike spends all work day locked up, there is simply no excuse not to get a lock that requires an angle grinder and several minutes of effort to defeat (bike thieves don't pick locks). These can be had for significantly less than this Ottolock and provide as good as you can get bike security.
In your application I'd use something like the Ottolock but with eyes wide open that this is a tin snip and seconds from being gone.
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mrraulduke
5 years, 5 months ago
This comment has been removed.
Oz Ren
5 years, 5 months ago
I had this lock and really liked it, however even dealer cost for this lock is outrageous compared to similar products.
The “similar products” I’m referring to are the Hiplok Z Lok locks.
The “key” lock is $30 Retail for a two pack and the combo lock is $35 for one. I believe that they are lighter than the Ottolock, and they are similarly “safe”.
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kylemciver
5 years, 5 months ago
So this is a nice lock because it needs tin snips to cut it. Grand. And its portable. Grand.
Or you can go to the hardware store and crimp some 1/16" cable, put on a cheap tiny combo lock and voila. It packs into about a 10cm diameter circle, weighs nothing and it worked perfectly for mine beater city rig until.....someone with tin snips came along. (I still felt violated).
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Sven Luebke
5 years, 5 months ago
I totally agree a lock is needed anywhere... Abus Mini or Kryptonite Evolution Lite for short term, visible locations. Can't be cut with tinsnips but can be defeated in a much more visible manner. Seeing those tinships slice through it makes ottolock a no-go for me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9B_G3w_iAsc
My Kryptonite Evolution Lite weighs 2.6 lbs, small enough for a pack. We have taken these touring in small town Austria with no issues (not likely a thief hotspot).
https://www.abus.com/eng/Mobile-Security/Bike-Safety-and-Security/Locks/U-locks/U-Mini-40
https://www.kryptonitelock.com/en/products/product-information/current-key/000983.html
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Andrew Major
5 years, 5 months ago
I appreciate the comment but I'm not mountain biking with 2+ pounds of lock in my pack never mind some of the massive U-Lock or multiple-lock combinations that folks were throwing out on FB.
Thanks for reading!
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barefootmeshback
5 years, 5 months ago
This lock can be cut with a pair of tin snips! It is 60 to 80 USD! You would be better off with a garbage cable lock from Canadian tire. It would probably be more secure (though barely) and you would have 50 extra bucks in your pocket.
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Andrew Major
5 years, 5 months ago
I haven’t come across a lock that is as light, stowable, and fast-easy to use and the price is a drop in the bucket compared to someone walking up and riding off with your 10k rig while you’re sitting in front of it drinking a cortado.
As I said a few times, it’s a way better deterrent than I see most riders using for quick stops on the go.
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Merwinn
5 years, 5 months ago
barefootmeshback,
Like many things in life, it's all about context,
If I was going to leave my bike for 2 mins to grab a coffee after a solo ride, I would use the Ottolock.
Apparently you'd prefer to use nothing at all? So you'd rather have no theft deterrent, and no bike, but you would have and extra $50 in your pocket. Yay?
No, this is not a strong lock, but no one is hauling around a 10 lb Kryptonite ball and chain after a solo-ride-with-no-car to get a coffee.
CONTEXT.
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barefootmeshback
5 years, 5 months ago
The context for me is that I work in a public library with a well used bike rack out front. While you might be versed enough to know the limitations of this lock, the average user will buy this and especially given the inflated price tag will think it is a lot more secure than it is. I have seen bike after bike stolen from people who don't know better. They don't know how to properly lock a bike and assume a cable lock is good enough. Every summer I have to help at least one kid fight back tears as they call their parents. We might be a bunch of bike nerds but a lot of people buying locks like this are the bread and butter of bike thieves.
There is a youtube video of this lock being cut with a pair of cheap tin snips. For the price, that is ridiculous. I don't see how it is any more secure than a cheap 30 dollar cable lock. If you want avoid a dash and go theft, there is way better value elsewhere.
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