Tonyon Universal Folding Bike Lock
Thu, July 23, 2015 
If you use a bike for transport, securing it when you park it can be a problem. A length of chain and a padlock might do the trick, but an enterprising thief, with a set of bolt cutters in his back pack could take off with your bike in seconds flat.
The problem with bike locks, they are big and bulky, or if they are small and compact, then often they do not have the capacity to go around a stationary object like a bike rack or fence, and secure the frame and both wheels.
It was the reason the design of this lock pictured above had me taking a second look.
It folds up small when not in use, and when opened up its effective length is 32 inches. (81.3 cm.) Made up of 6 separate flat steel bars, jointed by rivets, the device folds up to measure 7 ¼ in. x 2 1/8 in x 1 ¼ in. (18.4cm. x 5.4cm. x 3.4cm.)
There is a built in lock, with what the makers call a “Class B” key, (See picture left.) making the lock difficult to open by usual lock picking methods.
In order to try the lock out and to take these pictures, I secured my bike to a nearby chain link fence.
The flat steel bars threaded easily through the wire fencing, and around the steel fence post.
I removed my front wheel and placed it alongside the rear wheel.
There was ample length to go around the fence post, frame and both wheels. (See picture below.)
The steel bars have a heavy duty powder coat, and are nicely rounded at the edges so they won’t scratch your paint. The rivets too are countersunk below the surface so they won’t scratch and also making them difficult to file or grind off.
Where the flat bars are riveted together, there is a loose washer in between, which would simply spin if any attempt was made to hacksaw through the rivets.
The lock fits neatly into a carrying case when not in use.
This is supplied with the lock and attaches to a set of standard water bottle mounts.
If you can’t afford to lose a water bottle, you could carry it in your back pack.
It would be too heavy for a jersey pocket. Weighing in at 1lb. 10oz. the weight is the one drawback.
But I don’t see a way round this. If a lock is to be effective as a theft deterrent, it has to be strong.
If this lock was made lighter by using less metal, it would be no better that a length of chain, and vulnerable to bolt cutters.
The lock comes with 3 separate keys.
Made by Tonyon the lock is available online at the Gearbest website for $31.27.
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Reader Comments (13)
Looks like it would do the job, but HEAVY. I have and always have had, a policy of NEVER leaving my bike. In fact, on the paths I am known as the crazy Englishman that even takes his bike in the restrooms on the trails, I have even played pranks on riders that DO leave their bikes out side the loo,. I take them and hide them Funny to see their faces when they come out and the bike is gone! But I know some riders like to go in coffee shops etc and have to park the bike. You want to steal my bike, then you have to take me to.
Really useful post .
Many Thanks
I'm going to look out for this lock as it sounds like just what I need.
A rivet head could probably be drilled out, but I don't suppose bike thieves carry cordless drills and a set of bits.... yet.
Actually thieves in So Cal are carrying cordless drills, grinders and saws (and they are as powerful as corded). Not just bike locks and racks, but those tools make it quick to grind into any locked container.
I think using bike locks taunts thieves: You can’t defeat this! They are a waste of money. Anyone that sees a locked bike thinks about theft (and supposed prevention of). A thief seeing an unlocked bike will assume it is being watched; that’s different than a locked bike. After all, why would you be watching your locked bike?
Like Crump, for 55 years I have never locked my bike.
If my bike is ever stolen, it won’t be because I didn’t lock it. It will be because a thief took it. Locks don’t change thieves, or prevent theft, but having eyes-mine, someone else’s-on my bike is a better deterrent. And good luck to the thief that attempts to take mine…
Looks interesting. Are flat steel "bars" stronger than the equivalent weight steel chain links?
Andy,
The bars are approx 5/16 inch thick and 1 inch wide, whereas a chain link would be about 5/16 diameter, and would be easier to cut with bolt cutters. No lock will stop the determined thief, but bolt cutters are quick and relatively silent, power tools like grinders are noisy and take longer.
Dave.
That's may be what i was looking for. Thank you so much.
so, it's basically a knock-off of the ABUS folding locks.
http://www.abus.com/eng/Mobile-Security/Bike-Safety-and-Security/Locks/Folding-locks
I would be a bit wary of this lock Dave. As the poster above says, it's a cheap knock-off of the Abus Bordo.
The concept is great and the Abus locks are really good, with different locks in the range offering different levels of security depending on the thickness of the arms.
The problem with a lock like the Tonyon is the material it's made from and the way it's put together. The locking mechanism may give you trouble after a few months. The steel will undoubtedly be of inferior quality. And the rivents (which are the weak point of these locks) will be too.
There's videos on YouTube of the lower security Abus Bordos being defeated quite easily with medium size bolt cutters.
It is pretty light but I think you'd be better off with the Abus Bordo Lite (which is actually lighter).
Or how about the Kryptonite Evolution LITE Mini-6 u-lock which will be much more secure and round about the same weight?
Great post, thanks for the details. $31 for the lock is quite affordable, will definitely purchase it in the future.
Thanks for sharing such an informative post. its really worth reading. It helped me a lot.
Nice blog. This is a very good blog on folding bike lock. I would like to thank you for all the information you give. Its really important to choose the best bikes which can be fold also but with a safety lock that makesafety for the lock . So thanks for the information you give.