How much do you hate keys? That’s the central question posed by TMD’s new keyless bike lock, a $280 chain lock that aims to replace the traditional key-based security most cyclists rely on. The company, which previously focused on securing ATMs for banks, has adapted its keyless authorization technology for bicycles. The result is a lock that combines a Bluetooth proximity sensor, a motion alarm, and a slender core of hardened steel wrapped in a lightweight sleeve of Dyneema and Kevlar fibers. It’s tough, flexible enough to wrap around a seat post while riding, and designed to withstand shock, rain, dust, and extreme temperatures. But does it justify a price tag roughly four times higher than an equivalent analog lock?
At first glance, the TMD Chain Lock seems to offer genuine convenience for city cyclists. The lock uses a phone app to manage digital keys, which can be shared with friends and family. When you approach your bike with your phone in your pocket or bag, the lock automatically senses your presence via Bluetooth. A single push of the lock’s button – the only physical button – unlocks it. In testing, the lock recognized the phone about 19 out of 20 times, and when it didn’t, it took less than a second for the button to flash blue and confirm detection. That level of seamlessness is appealing for anyone who locks and unlocks their bike multiple times a day, which is common in cycling-centric cities like Amsterdam.
Background: From ATMs to Bike Locks
TMD’s shift from ATM security to bicycle locks is less unusual than it sounds. The company developed a centralized, keyless system for banks to authorize access to ATMs for servicing, replacing the physical master keys that posed a major security risk when lost or stolen. That same keyless architecture now powers the bike lock. The lock’s internal electronics are sealed to IP57 standards – resistant to water and dust – and the battery is claimed to last up to nine months on a single charge. However, testing revealed that the battery dropped 16 percent in a single week when the bike was stored indoors within constant Bluetooth proximity of the phone. TMD acknowledges that actual battery life may vary significantly based on usage patterns.
One of the lock’s key selling points is its ART-2 certification. In the Netherlands, independent organization ART tests and certifies locks on a scale from one to five. Most Dutch insurance companies require ART-2 at minimum to validate policies on expensive e-bikes and cargo bikes. The certification is roughly equivalent to a Sold Secure Silver or Gold rating in the UK, a 2 Roues in France, and VdS approval in Germany. The US and Canada lack a centralized independent testing body for bicycle locks, but ART-2 provides a level of assurance that the lock can withstand basic attacks from thieves. TMD claims the lock is “immune to conventional drilling and picking,” though no lock is completely invulnerable.
Pros and Cons of a Keyless System
The biggest advantage of the TMD Chain Lock is the elimination of physical keys. For commuters who ride to train stations, friends can pick up the bike later with a digital key shared through the app. Parents can allow children to unlock the bike without carrying a separate key. In a household with multiple users, the app simplifies access management. The lock also features a 100dB motion alarm that can be armed or disarmed via the app or with a double press of the button. The alarm sounds when the lock is jostled, deterring casual thieves, and shuts off automatically after about 10 seconds of inactivity.
However, the keyless convenience introduces new drawbacks. The most glaring is Bluetooth range. During testing, the bike remained unlocked while parked across the street from a café because it was still within Bluetooth range of the phone. The same issue occurred when cooking in a kitchen with the bike parked just outside the window. In both cases, the only solutions were to either move the bike or turn off the phone’s Bluetooth radio. This creates a security risk: anyone could walk up and unlock the bike if they happen to be within range. TMD may address this in a future software update with adjustable proximity thresholds, but as tested, the range is fixed.
Another concern is that if the phone is stolen, the bike becomes vulnerable. TMD offers a four-digit emergency code that can be entered via button presses as a backup, but that requires knowing the code. The lock’s charging method is also a point of contention: it uses a proprietary magnetic pin connector instead of USB-C. TMD says this was done to improve water and dust resistance and leave more room for the battery and speaker. However, many modern phones achieve IP68/69 with USB-C ports, making the proprietary cable an inconvenience. Users must carry the cable if they ignore low-battery warnings and let the lock die completely. On the plus side, a completely dead lock can be revived in just a few minutes of charging from a phone’s USB-C port.
Comparison to Traditional Locks
For the same level of security, an ART-2 certified analog chain lock like the ABUS 8900 in 110cm length costs around €60 (about $68). The TMD lock costs €249 ($283) – more than four times as much. The main value proposition is keyless convenience and the ability to share digital keys digitally. For most cyclists, that convenience may not justify the premium. However, for those who own expensive e-bikes worth several thousand dollars and lock them multiple times daily in a city like Amsterdam or Copenhagen, the ease of use might be worth the investment. TMD also plans to release an angle-grinder-resistant U-Lock and a GPS-equipped ring lock later, which could integrate into a unified keyless ecosystem – potentially increasing the overall value.
The lock comes in three lengths: 70cm (1.3kg), 110cm (1.7kg), and 160cm (2.1kg). The 110cm length is the most versatile for urban locking. Colors include Navy, Beige, and Black. TMD offers a two-year warranty. The lock’s operating sounds are notably loud – the unlocking tone hits 75dB at one meter – which can draw unwanted attention to the bike. TMD has promised a future software update to allow users to disable these sounds. The motion alarm is less shrill than expected but still effective.
Ultimately, the TMD Chain Lock addresses a real problem: the annoyance of fumbling with keys. But it does so at a high price, with trade-offs that include Bluetooth range limitations, the need for a proprietary charger, and potentially shorter battery life than claimed. If you hate keys and can afford the premium, it’s a capable lock. For everyone else, traditional locks remain a far better value.
Source:The Verge News