Lock

Back in 2015, former aeronautical engineer Neil Barron presented his Litelok as a lighter, more flexible alternative to bicycle U-locks. His company is now offering a rougher, tougher version, called the Litelok Core.

While not everyone wants to lug around a heavy, bulky U-lock, they may worry about thieves trying to get through a lighter-duty lock. That's where the alarm-equipped electronic Pealock is designed to come in.

So-called "porch pirates" are generally looking for packages that they can grab quickly and easily – if anything presents a challenge, they'll move on to another porch. It was with this in mind that the Snare Parcel Protection system was created.

It can be a hassle, removing your bike lock from its frame mount (or from your bag) every time you want to use it. The Lobster Lock is different, though, in that it stays attached to your bike at all times – even when the lock is in use.

Bicycle locks have a tendency to be big and heavy, so they're kind of a hassle to bring along on rides. Some companies have attempted to address that situation, by designing locks that are actually a part of the bike. Here are a few of our favorites.

A new startup called Yeeuu Tech has thrown eight different unlocking methods into one device. The S1 Smart Lock can be unlocked through passcodes, NFC, an app, fingerprints, or Bluetooth, among others, and can be fitted into most existing locks.

If you regularly park your bike in the same place and need something to lock it up to, it can be frustrating to always be searching for a signpost or whatnot. Hiplok's new Ankr is made to help, serving as a semi-permanent locking point.

When it comes to locking your bike securely, a U-lock is pretty much the best way to go. The things are heavy, though, plus their rigid shackles can't be bent to pass around obstacles. That's where the Litelok Flexi-U Silver is designed to come in.

While smart door locks do have some useful features, swapping your existing locks for smart ones certainly is a hassle. Yeeuu's K1 Smart Lock Box offers an alternative, by bringing smart functionality to "dumb" locks.

Back in 2011, we heard about a rather quirky but apparently effective bike lock known as the TiGr. Now, its makers are back with a new version that's more compact and harder to cut through.

We're seeing an increasing number of "smart" locks that are installed over top of a door's existing old-school lock. This means that they protrude from the door, potentially getting in the way. The Level Lock, however, goes inside the door.

Invented by siblings Joe and Christine Edell, the AirLock is both a tire pump and a cable lock.