Litelok’s Core Plus 75 is the bells and whistles offering from the UK makers of bike security kit designed to see off all the usual suspects that thieves might use to steal your bike.
44% of respondents have had their bike stolen more than once, that’s according to Litelok’s own survey. Their Core Plus 75 lock aims to reduce this figure, claiming to be proof against all but the heaviest duty cutters. Pete checks in on his experiences with it.
Photos by Pete Scullion.
Key features:
- Plant-based polymer, steel exoskeleton and high tensile core
- Aerospace grade hardened steel inline lock body
- Wearable
- UK-made
- Pedal Cycle Sold Secure Diamond accredited
- 1.9kg / 4.1lb
- £139.99 RRP
- Litelok.com
Litelok’s Core Plus 75 is the boss hog of their range, feeling plenty weighty in the hand when the postie dropped it off, it’s still lighter than most Diamond-rated locks on offer. A high tensile steel core is paired with a steel and polymer outer, secured with a hardened steel lock body.
Yes, it might be lighter than most but do not take it for a featherweight either. This is a big chunk of high-grade steel aimed at seeing off angle grinders. Think of the Smith & Wesson Model 681 revolver that Tommy buys from Boris “The Blade” Yurinov in Snatch. “Heavy is good, heavy is reliable. If it does not work, you can always hit him with it.”
A determined thief will usually prevail as the old saying goes, but it is the deterrents that put the odds back in your favour. The Litelok Core Plus 75 definitely does that. Firstly because it is designed to not be the easiest to operate. Even if you have the keys, there is a laboured way of getting this clamped to your pride and joy.
Opening the lock comes with moving back the cover of the key cutaway itself. Turn the key and there is no positive click or anything else to inform you that you have achieved anything. Pull hard on both sides of the hardened steel lock mechanism and still, no give to indicate the turn of the key did anything. An almighty tug finally separates the lock.
Then, if you are short, like me, you have to find a suitable part of the bike to feed the lock through to anchor to a hard point. Again, not the easiest with a stiff lock and a large, piggyback shock. Adding another bike into the equation makes the process that bit more difficult. The reverse of this process is that little bit more frustrating.
However, what is not going to happen quickly, is your bike going walkies with someone you don’t know. It might actually be easier to steal your house. If it’s this much of an involved process to secure your bike then I can only imagine how much of a pain in the back end it will be to try and cut it off.
What do we think?
The lock was in near constant use during a four and a half week lap of the UK and was the peace of mind I needed.
We love:
- UK-made
- Tough as woodpecker lips
- Diamond-rated
Could do better:
- Not the easiest to use
