TMD’s keyless bike lock is a $280 solution to a $60 problem
TMD has launched a keyless Bluetooth bike lock with a motion alarm and ART-2 certification, priced at €249. While convenient, it costs significantly more than comparable traditional locks.
TMD, a company that originally developed keyless access systems for bank ATMs, has entered the bicycle lock market with its Chain Lock. The lock combines a Bluetooth proximity sensor, a motion-activated 100dB alarm, and a hardened steel chain wrapped in lightweight Dyneema and Kevlar fibers. It is flexible enough to wrap around a seat post and does not scratch the bike. However, the price is €249 (about $283).
The lock is ART-2 certified, meeting insurance requirements in many European countries. During testing in Amsterdam with an iPhone 15 Pro, the lock recognized the user's approach about 19 out of 20 times, allowing quick unlocking by pressing a single button. A drawback is that the bike remains unlocked while within Bluetooth range of the phone, so others can unlock it if the phone is nearby. This can be mitigated by turning off Bluetooth or moving the bike.
Battery life is claimed to be up to nine months, but during a week of testing it dropped 16%, likely due to constant proximity checks. The lock charges via a proprietary magnetic cable, not USB-C. If the phone dies, a four-digit emergency code can be entered on the lock’s button.
By comparison, an analog ABUS 8900 lock in the same length costs about €60. The TMD Chain Lock is recommended only for those who dislike keys or need digital key sharing.
