Whether bicycling is simply one of your hobbies, or you grab a Citibike to commute to work, you probably need a good lock. No matter what model you use, security is important, and it doesn’t make sense to settle for a cheap lock when they are so many better options out there. Gadget lovers, especially, should pay attention to today’s product- an unusual melding of modern electronics and heavy-duty metal.
The Bitlock is a Bluetooth bicycle reinforced U-lock that might sound a little silly the first time you hear about it- but there is a pretty solid use case. If you ever lock your bike up and wish your friend or family member could grab it, then this is the lock for you- as you can easily share access codes and don’t have to worry about handing over or making copies of keys. Plus, if you’re the sort of person who is prone to losing your keyring, you don’t need to worry about it with the Bitlock. And the lock is simpler and faster to use, once set up, than fumbling with a key (especially in the dark, when your phone will likely already be in your hand).
And don’t worry- if you lose or misplace your phone, the Bitlock still has a backup option (a four digit code using a couple of buttons that allows you to unlock it). Plus, there is automatic geotagging capability, so you’ll be able to find your bike’s location. U-locks are pretty standard, and this one looks fairly similar to others on the market but updates everything internally. It got successfully funded- where else- as a Kickstarter project that raised over $125K a couple of years ago. With a five year battery life, you should be set for a very long time, and the free app is available for both iPhone and Android platforms.
Available in six colors, there are more varieties of the Bitlock than most other locks we’ve seen on the market. The activity monitoring features might not be necessary, and it’s certainly not as flexible as a chain lock. But it’s well-sealed, weatherproof, and works even in the hot or cold (thankfully, since temperatures just dropped below freezing in New York City). We’re not starting our own bikeshare program just yet, but the Bitlock is available now, online and in stores for around $130- but make sure you want the extra functionality with make it worth the price.