Design & Ergonomics
Like the vast majority of folding locks, the Elops 500 comes in the form of a series of segments, six in this case, linked together by rivets. The objective is obviously to offer a lock that is both flexible and practical to carry. A goal rather well fulfilled by the Decathlon model whose weight of 1.4 kg facilitates transport.
Especially since the Elops 500 Pliant is sold with a support that allows you to attach it to the frame of your bike. The fixing system still requires having a free bottle cage slot, which is not the case with all bikes. Once screwed to the frame, the support is practical to use, the lock slips into it and is easily removed.
The finishes of the 500 Pliant are far from being at the level of those of an Abus Bordo 6500K. On the one hand, the materials used are not very elegant and the plastic of the support gives some fears as to its lifespan. Above all, the joints between each segment show a slight play which could tend to increase over time. It may also present a risk of breakage.
The great advantage of a folding lock like this is its great simplicity of installation. The grip of the Elops 500 Pliant is sufficient to encompass the front wheel, the frame and a fixing point in most cases. It will be possible to look for slightly distant attachment points, or even to combine two bikes in the lock if necessary.
The lock is protected by a cover that you have to remember to fold down to protect the mechanism from water and dust. The insertion of the key is done correctly, despite some hiccups during blind attempts. Once the key is inserted, its rotation takes place without concern.
