Hiplok Heroes

“Everything we do must have a point of difference, and that difference has to be of value to the end consumer”, John Abrahams, Hiplok Co-Founder.

Using design expertise and rider experience, Hiplok delivers innovative, quality bike locks which protect your bike and the joy of riding. Over the years, some of our core products have become staples within bike security. They also have interesting backstories.

These are our Hiplok Heroes. This is Hiplok.

Hiplok Hero | ORIGINAL

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Hiplok Hero | AIRLOK

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Hiplok Hero | Z LOK

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Hiplok Hero | D1000

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Hiplok Hero | ORIGINAL

Launched 2011

We understand the pain, annoyance and grief that comes with a stolen bike. Because it’s not just a bike.

John Abrahams’ bike was stolen in 2009. But to him, it wasn’t just a bike. It was the bike he took his son to nursery on.

“I was so frustrated. And a way of venting my frustration was to think about a new product, because that’s how my brain works. I thought there must be a better way of carrying a lock.”

And so, Hiplok was born.

Established in 2011, John and fellow product designer Ben Smith, embarked on a mission to redefine practical bicycle security. They began with the design and launch of the Hiplok ORIGINAL – the original wearable bike lock.

Their innovative design made it easy to carry a tough lock with you. Featuring a patented belt fastening, the lock can be worn around the waist, without being locked to the body.

After several months of sketches, prototypes and testing between John and Ben, they went into production, unsure whether anyone would actually buy it.

But as John remembers, “feedback was overwhelmingly positive and that gave us a lot of confidence.”

Within a few weeks of launching the ORIGINAL on a new website, Hiplok.com, they were approached by retailers and distributors looking to sell the innovative product.

“We’re really grateful to the people who got on board with us in the early days.”, Ben.

ORIGINAL Key Features:

• Patented wearable design
• 85cm locking circumference fully adjustable to fit waist size 28-44”
• Sold Secure Silver rating
• Toughened nylon removeable washable sleeve

What came next?

Following the successful launch of the ORIGINAL, the range quickly expanded to offer locking solutions for a variety of circumstances. Wearable functionality was a key element integrated into developing D locks and cable locks.  

Hiplok’s initial growth focused on bicycle security while out on the bike. However, thoughts soon turned to bicycle storage and security at home.

Hiplok Hero | AIRLOK

Launched 2017

As we know, cycling offers many benefits. But bike storage can often be challenging, particularly in smaller living areas where space is at a premium.

John explains their approach. “Taking feedback from the market, we looked at what was available and how we could improve it.”

At the time of development, various products were available that stored bikes on the wall, freeing up floorspace. They were also popular with people wanting to proudly display their bike, not hide it away. However, these products had no security features. The only security options at home were a chain lock and an anchor.

AIRLOK combined these elements into one stylish and practical product. It was the world’s first and remains the only high-security bike storage hanger, certified Sold Secure Pedal Cycle Diamond.

The product was so unique that security testing facilities like Sold Secure had to approach their testing slightly differently. As John explains, “it’s not a wall anchor, it’s not a wall hanger, yet it is both”.

Using a hardened steel frame and integrated locking pin, it’s not only super secure, but, as Ben says, “It’s a cool-looking bit of kit”.

AIRLOK Key Features

• Premium hardened steel frame
• Integrated hardened steel lockable bolt
• Suitable for a wide variety of bike frames

What came next?

As with the ORIGINAL chain lock, the AIRLOK solved a problem for cyclists and marked a new product development phase for Team Hiplok.

“It led us to think about storage and home security more widely”, says Ben.

The secure storage range expanded over a few years to cater to different users and requirements. For instance, JAW, a compact bike rack that allows bikes to be stored vertically, was another innovative product designed to improve bike storage for cyclists.

Hiplok Hero | Z LOK

Launched 2018

“I still remember exactly where I was stood when we had the idea”, says Ben. A late-night product session at Hiplok HQ and the spark of an idea led to a completely new sector within bike security.

Six months before, a sales rep had told them about a friend who would take a zip-tie and a multi-tool on a bike ride. At the café stop, he would zip-tie his bike to something. That would be enough to deter an opportunist thief, and mean they’d take someone else’s bike instead.

John says “It’s a neat idea. It offers a rudimentary level of security, but that really is all you need in that environment. It will stop a walk-away theft”.

Taking that idea, Ben and John looked to make something more secure than a cable tie and reusable.  And that’s how the Z LOK was born – a lightweight and surprisingly robust café lock.

Developing the initial design and concept was a really quick process. But it took a number of months to refine and get the product to a point where Ben and John were happy with it.

But it paid off. Once Z LOK was launched, it was awarded the Design & Innovation Award 2018.

Z LOK Key Features:

• Multi-Use Steel Core Security Tie
• Unique Cinch Locking Mechanism
• Award-Winning Design
• 400MM Locking Length
• Weight: 20g

What came next?

An expansion of the range quickly followed with the Z LOK COMBO, which features a combination lock, and launched a whole new sector in bike security.

John recalls, “The development of the Z LOK was risky” as there wasn’t anything like it out there. “But we must be doing the right thing if our competitors are now making similar products”.

Hiplok Hero | D1000

Launched 2021

Each Hiplok Hero was designed to solve a problem for cyclists. The latest and most significant issue, is angle grinder thefts. It’s the weapon of choice for the professional bike thief and the bike security industry didn’t have an answer to it.

As John explains, “The reality is that most bike locks can’t withstand angle grinders to any meaningful degree.”

But in 2021, Hiplok released the D1000, the world’s first portable anti-angle grinder lock.

Two years before this, Ben and John started working with material experts in the UK who had developed a graphene composite material that could effectively resist angle-grinder disc cutting. What followed was months of design and development to create a fully functional angle grinder-resistant bike lock.

Not without its challenges.

Firstly, “the material was very brittle.”, John says. The biggest challenge was incorporating it into a product and utilising its properties, whilst also ensuring the lock could withstand all other usual attack methods, such as bolt croppers, lock picking etc.

Secondly, “It was going to be an expensive product”. Given the materials, product development and manufacturing process, the D1000 was going to be the most expensive security product Hiplok had made. So, there was a risk in developing the product, without knowing if people would buy it. Ultimately, a good go-to-market plan was fundamental to the product’s success.

The reaction

“The reaction was incredible”, Ben says. Confident in the product they had, Hiplok sent out multiple samples to industry experts, with no restrictions or instructions, in the hope they would do some real-world testing on the product and give us honest feedback. And they did…

“A lot of people just couldn’t believe it.” It really was a game-changing product.

D1000 Key Features:

• Resists angle grinder attacks
• Optimised for bicycles and e-bikes
• Sold Secure Powered Cycle Diamond

What came next?

Following the launch of the D1000 and the blurring of lines between e-bikes and motorcycles in urban mobility, Hiplok has introduced the 1000 Series. The Hiplok 1000 Series includes the world’s first anti-angle grinder anchor systems and a larger D lock, optimised for motorcycles and larger-framed e-bikes.

This entry into the motorcycle market marks a new and exciting chapter in the Hiplok story.  “Whilst we’re cyclists at heart, what we’re most interested in is keeping people’s gear safe.”

Hiplok has always been product design-led, innovating and solving problems for consumers. Ben and John will continue to innovate and develop new products. So, there’s sure to be more Hiplok Heroes in the pipeline – watch this space.