n'lock Bicycle Security Stem (Review; Picture Heavy)
Hi all!
I thought I'd share a hidden gem with my fellow Beyonders.
For fellow cyclists that didn't know, I own a Dahon Jack which looks like this:
As you can see, the handlebars become quite cumbersome whenever I fold it in; I can't fit it in a bag and whenever I'm on the train, it's usually in my way.
I was looking for alternatives such as a folding handlebar but the ones I've found were either not compatible or still in concept.
I did however, find another alternative to my woe; the security bicycle stem.
When I discovered this in Google, I first discovered the Oredon FreeLock and upon learning that they do not ship in Canada and did not return my email, I found its competitor, the n'lock system.
Designed in Switzerland and engineered in Taiwan, the n'lock system was able to satisfy my need to minimize the space the folding bike takes up.
I immediately email their customer service and spoke to
Franklin Niedrig which seems to be the head-honcho for the n'lock system. We exchanged emails and finally, recommended the n'lock plus system that can also add cables for more protection (check out their website for more information.)
To save on shipping, I had the package shipped from Taiwan rather than Switzerland and it came quite prompt.
Well packaged too!
After unraveling the many newspapers...
There it is. Great packaging and very attractive advertising.
So this is pretty much how it works:
- You install it on your bike like a regular stem
- When you insert the key, the stem locks. You cannot remove the key until you squeeze a mechanism, which releases it
- Once the key is free from the n'lock, you'll have difficulty steering the bicycle
For installation, this was pretty much my main stumbling block:
The NVO stem that came stock on my Dahon. Thankfully, it was just a slip-on:
Gonna need spacers for this...
Brass tubing for plumbing will be a temporary spacer until I find an aluminum spacer.
And thanks to this...
No more cumbersome handlebar!
I'm writing this review to expose this device to as many people as possible and I'll also be writing a review for the Dahon forums so that others may enjoy this device.
It comes in two sizes (standard and oversize, the latter of which I got) and it can also fit in quill but you'll need to purchase an adapter.
So check out the website and ride safe!
Oh, and here's a crude video review:
If you have any questions, I'll try my best to answer any of them.
EDIT:
For the n'lock plus oversize adjustable stem, it will cost ~$145CDN and shipping was ~$25CDN.
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