Bicycles

Could a textile bike lock make the cut?

Could a textile bike lock make the cut?
The tex-lock is made from five types of textile
The tex-lock is made from five types of textile
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The tex-lock is made from five types of textile
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The tex-lock is made from five types of textile
In the future, a layer of conductive fibers might be added to the tex-lock
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In the future, a layer of conductive fibers might be added to the tex-lock
Tempered steel eyelets are located at either end of the tex-lock rope, which go through the shackle of an included mini U-lock or padlock
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Tempered steel eyelets are located at either end of the tex-lock rope, which go through the shackle of an included mini U-lock or padlock
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Steel cable-style bike locks may be lighter than U-locks, but they're also notoriously easy to cut through, plus their coiled design can make them difficult to use. Chains are one alternative, although they're quite heavy. So, what's lighter than a chain, and more cut-resistant than steel cable? According to an all-female group of German designers, their textile-based lock is.

Known as the tex-lock, its rope is made up of five layers of different types of material. Although we're still waiting to hear back from the women regarding what those materials are, we do know that the middle one is reportedly saw-resistant, followed by layers that are cut-resistant, fire-resistant, waterproof, and dirt-repelling.

In the future, a layer of conductive fibers might also be added, along with some electronics. This could allow the lock to send an alert if anyone tried tampering with it.

In the future, a layer of conductive fibers might be added to the tex-lock
In the future, a layer of conductive fibers might be added to the tex-lock

Tempered steel eyelets are located at either end of the rope, which engage the shackle of an included mini U-lock or padlock, depending on the size selected.

The designers claim that the tex-lock is much lighter than either steel chain or cable, while being more difficult to cut through using traditional bike-stealing tools such as bolt cutters. It's also very flexible and isn't coiled, making it easier to work with.

The lock is currently the subject of a Kickstarter campaign, where a pledge of €78 (about US$84) will get you a short one if all goes according to plans. Longer models are available for larger pledges.

Sources: tex-lock, Kickstarter

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4 comments
4 comments
AndreiSava
The only issue is the actual lock of the device, which is very easy to cut. No sense of making a bike lock device if you are still going to use a accessible to cut regular looking lock...
guzmanchinky
Just bought one, I've been looking for something for my electric skateboards that wasn't so heavy...
JimFox
There seems to be not a single lock that cannot be defeated; at best they are a deterrent of variable performance. Battery-powered diamond saws are cheap & easy to use. If you own a very valuable motorcycle then keeping it hidden in a secure garage is the obvious best option...
Martin Hone
I'm guessing Kevlar might be one of the fibres.....