LITELOK X1 review: This bike lock is so strong I use it on my motorcycle
I’m a bit of a bike lock collector. After having my favorite e-bike stolen a few years ago (as well as several less favorite bikes stolen over the years), I’ve gotten much more serious about security. After testing the LITELOK X1, I can tell you that this lock is so overbuilt that I even use it on my electric scooters and motorcycles.
U-locks, sometimes referred to as D-locks in many parts of the world for god-only-knows-what-reason, are often considered the ideal form factor for many riders. They’re compact, don’t rattle, and offer the kind of theft prevention that only a giant hunk of reinforced steel can.
The LITELOK X1 offers all of those features and more. Not only is the shackle nearly an inch thick (21x24mm), but it’s also got a hardened fine-grain high-tensile steel core coated with a patent-pending material known as Barronium to further degrade angle grinder cutting blades.
As the company explained, “Barronium® is a fused composite armor that offers unparalleled angle grinder resistance without adding extra weight. It is a super hard ceramic composite material that repels angle grinder attacks and turns the grinder’s energy and force in on itself. Continuous cutting wears down the grinder discs, batteries, and ultimately the grinder motor itself.”
That doesn’t mean the lock can’t be cut. Every single bike lock can be defeated with the right tool and with enough time. But multiple independent tests have shown that it takes many angle grinder disc swaps before the lock can finally be cut through. And even then, it uses an anti-twist design meaning that a single cut isn’t enough – the thief will need to make a second cut to remove enough of the shackle to get it off of the bike or anchor. At that point, the thief will need another handful of cutting discs, not to mention enough spare batteries to keep going with a tool that is now likely close to overheating anyway.
Suffice it to say, this is about as angle grinder-proof as it gets, even if such a thing doesn’t technically exist in reality. With a half dozen cutting discs or more, plus a few battery swaps, a thief is likely to give up before they ever make it away with your bike. LITELOK has plenty of testimonials and pictures on its site sent in from owners who found themselves in that exact scenario, returning to their bikes to find their lock only partially cut and no thief in sight.
More than just theft resistance
Part of choosing a good lock isn’t only how strong it is, but also how convenient it is. At just under 4 lb, the LITELOK X1 isn’t lightweight but also doesn’t weigh nearly as much as my 8-10 lb chain locks. It’s annoying that it can add nearly 10% to my e-bike’s weight, but that sure beats adding 20%!
The design also includes a nice reflective strip, which can be an added safety bonus when riding around with the lock mounted to the frame.
There’s also convenient neoprene carrying pouch that comes standard with the lock and helps keep your bag nice and clean, even when your lock gets dirty.
And while this is a small detail, I like how minimalist the keys are. I have enough chunky keys to keep on my ring already, so any low-profile key is greatly appreciated. This isn’t the place to take up extra real estate with big molded grips and branding on something I’m trying to shove deep down in my pocket, and I’m glad LITELOK realized that.
Security ratings
Of course, the added convenience is nice, but security ratings are still the most important factor in deciding which lock can best protect your ride.
The X1 is Sold Secure Diamond rated for both pedal bikes and powered bikes (a category including both motorcycles and e-bikes). This means the lock has received basically the highest security rating it can from the premier lock testing company, UK-based Sold Secure.
The lock is also rated ART 4 out of a possible score of 5. ART, a Dutch-based lock testing organization, considers a score of 2 to be sufficient for bicycles and e-bikes, and a score of 4 to be sufficient for motorcycles parked in public places.
In other words, the leading lock testing organizations in the industry pretty much agree that the X1 gets top marks and is probably more than sufficient for pretty much any e-bike – and likely motorcycles too.
Which is why I feel perfectly comfortable using it as a wheel lock on my own motorcycles and e-scooters.
How could it be improved?
The lock is really nicely designed, both in terms of form and function. However, there is still room for improvement.
I find that when I want to close the lock, I often have trouble getting it perfectly lined up on the shackle, meaning the key won’t turn to lock it down. I have to jiggle the lock until it seems like either the pins in the cylinder free up or the locking latches in the shackle align, and then it closes nicely. It’s annoying to have to massage it into place, that’s for sure. Maybe it’s just mine, but it doesn’t seem to be something that goes away with use.
Another area I would have liked to see improved would be to offer it in either multiple colors or at least a single bright color that isn’t black.
The problems with black locks are numerous, at least in my opinion. I don’t like how they disappear into the bike, meaning you might forget that it’s there when used as a wheel lock. You’re not going to get far if you try to ride away, but you might end up with a bent spoke or disc, depending on how you locked up. A small and cheap $7 reminder cable can help, but a brightly colored lock would be easier. Highly visible locks also serve as a warning to thieves from a distance, helping to ward them off before they invest time in examining your ride. And lastly, they’re just easier to find in a gear bag or drawer, not getting lost in a sea of other black riding gear.
Finally, this lock is expensive. I’m talking $179 expensive. That’s a significant outlay, but I always remind people to consider how much their e-bike or motorcycle is worth to them. If it’s worth more than $179 to keep it yours, then maybe such a powerful lock isn’t that expensive after all, relatively speaking.
There are other more affordable locks out there and I use many of them, but now that I’ve been testing the LITELOK X1 recently, I know I’ve got one of the highest-security locks out there to add to my quiver of options.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the Cumberland Forest Limited Partnership are turning former Appalachian coal mines into clean energy hubs. They just announced new agreements with Sun Tribe Development and ENGIE to build 14 solar farms and three battery storage systems across 360 acres in Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky.
This marks the second round of clean energy projects launched under TNC’s Cumberland Forest Project.
These projects aren’t just about clean energy – they’re about proving that clean energy can be developed on former Appalachian coal mines in a way that benefits the environment and local communities. The solar and storage hubs are expected to bring in more local tax revenue, create short-term construction jobs, and establish a community fund to support additional local initiatives.
Brad Kreps, TNC Clinch Valley director, said, “Developing projects on former coal mines – and in a way that engages with people in the local area so that communities can benefit – takes ingenuity, skill, and determination. Ultimately, we selected Sun Tribe and ENGIE, two experienced developers that have a great interest in bringing this vision to life.”
Once online, these projects will generate around 49 megawatts (MW) of solar energy and 320 MW of battery storage – enough to power 6,638 Appalachian homes annually.
Sun Tribe’s projects will be in Virginia and Tennessee. It’s planning one 5 MW solar project and three utility-scale battery storage systems ranging from 80 MW to 150 MW. These storage projects will improve grid reliability and help cut costs for utility customers by reducing the need for future grid upgrades.
“Locating solar and battery storage on former mine lands makes perfect sense to us,” said Danny Van Clief, CEO of Sun Tribe Development. “These sites and the communities they rest within have powered our country for more than a century – all we have to do is reimagine them for today’s energy technology.”
ENGIE, meanwhile, is developing 13 community-scale solar projects across Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky that will take advantage of Inflation Reduction Act incentives to help keep costs down. They’ll range in size from 1 MW to 6 MW, bringing clean energy access to more local communities.
“ENGIE is thrilled to collaborate on the development of these projects with The Nature Conservancy,” says Kristen Fornes, ENGIE head of distributed solar and storage. “These initiatives not only contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions but also generate employment opportunities, rejuvenate local communities, and enhance access to clean energy in areas where it is most needed.”
This latest announcement builds on previous first-round work by TNC, Sun Tribe, and Dominion Energy to bring renewable energy to Appalachia. Since 2021, Sun Tribe and Dominion Energy have been working on plans to generate 140 MW of renewable energy across eight sites in the Cumberland Forest. The first project, Wildcats Solar, is a 10 MW array planned for Wise County, Virginia. Expected to start construction by 2026, it’s projected to generate $800,000 in tax revenue for the community over its lifetime. Additional projects from the first round are set to be online by 2029.
Read more: Renewables provided 90% of new US capacity in 2024 – FERC
If you live in an area that has frequent natural disaster events, and are interested in making your home more resilient to power outages, consider going solar and adding a battery storage system. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. They have hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisers to help you every step of the way. Get started here. –trusted affiliate link*
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
The US State Department’s procurement forecast for the 2025 budget includes an item called “Armored Teslas” worth $400 million.
But worry not; it was approved under the Biden Administration, so Elon Musk’s DOGE will undoubtedly eliminate this waste. Right?
Elon Musk and his team at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are currently examining a large amount of US government spending.
It’s unclear if he got to the US State Department’s procurement forecast because there are a few interesting lines that would give auditors second thoughts.
The most interesting one is “Armored Tesla (Production Units)”, which is worth $400 million. Strangely, the item is listed under the NAICS code “311999 – All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing.”
The program has a target for delivery in Q4 through the next 5 years.
There are several other similar and strange budgeted items that are linked to the wrong categories:
You have “ARMORED SEDAN” under “Soft Drink Manufacturing,” “ARMORED BMW X5/X7” under “Bottled Water Manufacturing,” and finally, ARMORED EV (NOT SEDAN) under “Ice Manufacturing.”
However, all these other armored vehicle-related items are budgeted at a fraction of the $400 million for Tesla vehicles ($50 million, $40 million, and $40 million, respectively).
The State Department procurement forecast website mentions that the list was last updated in December – before Trump entered office.
Electrek has contacted the State Department for a comment, and we will update you if we get an answer.
Tesla has claimed that its Cybertruck is “armored” and “bulletproof”, but its armored capacity is quite limited. It can likely deflect low-velocity bullets if they hit the doors, but that’s about it.
Other companies have been planning to modify the Cybertruck with higher levels of armor, like the partnership between Unplugged Performance and Archimedes Defense – pictured above.
Electrek’s Take
I am not against armored electric vehicles. If you need armored vehicles, you might as well make them electric.
However, this is certainly weird. Why does the State Department need $530 million worth of armored vehicles? And why is it listed under a bunch of unrelated categories that don’t make sense?
Sounds like a job for DOGE? However, Elon will need to recuse himself from that one, I guess.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
-
Sports2 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports10 months agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports1 year agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports2 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports3 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Environment2 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment2 years agoGame-changing Lectric XPedition launched as affordable electric cargo bike
-
Business2 years agoBank of England’s extraordinary response to government policy is almost unthinkable | Ed Conway