The Greatest Bike Locks of 2024

How We Take a look at Bike Locks

We vetted the most well-liked locks available on the market and ordered a number of completely different types — chains, U locks, folding locks, and cables. We then evaluated them for match, end, and performance. Our testers carted these locks throughout city on the lookout for safe locking factors and evaluated portability, safety, and ease of use for every lock. 

Then they put among the producer’s safety claims to the take a look at and tried to interrupt into among the featured locks to see in the event that they actually stood as much as assaults. What we got here again with are the most effective choices for the completely different types of locks available on the market immediately. We stratified our outcomes into the Greatest Total lock, Greatest Chain lock, Greatest U lock, Greatest Finances, Most Transportable lock, and the most effective of the remaining.

Our knowledgeable testing group consists of skilled cyclists and outdoors-oriented individuals on the lookout for the most effective merchandise available on the market. Our workers consists of former bike racers, leisure cyclists, of us who bike-commute 60 miles every week, and everybody in between — individuals who care about match, end, and performance in each product we use. 

Lead tester Paul Mandell has 2 a long time of expertise within the saddle as a aggressive racer and leisure rider. He accomplished his grasp’s diploma in train science the place he studied the essential energy mannequin for biking. Nowadays, he prefers lift-accessed gravity driving and lengthy journey rides with loads of descending. He nonetheless finds time to get out for the occasional gravel grind or single-track loop close to his dwelling base in California’s Jap Sierra.

Easy methods to Select a Bike Lock

Bike locks historically are available in 4 completely different types.

U-Locks

U-locks (also referred to as D-locks) have a hardened metal U-shaped shank that matches right into a straight lock that closes the loop. These can have a locking mechanism on one or each ends of the U form. If it locks each side, it normally signifies that the lock should be minimize twice to be eliminated. For most people in most conditions, a stable U lock just like the Kryptonite New U shall be greater than satisfactory.

U-locks supply the most effective mixture of safety and portability, however you’ll wish to be certain that the lock you select matches your particular bike. Of us contemplating a U lock can also wish to decide up a cable lock to assist safe your different wheel and/or baggage while you’re away out of your bike.

Chain Locks

Chain locks are a series with a locking mechanism that locks the 2 ends collectively. Some chain locks include a padlock, and others have a built-in locking mechanism. Chains additionally should be minimize twice to take away, making them troublesome to interrupt, however not not possible. The worth of a series lock is that it takes a very long time to chop by means of, and normally attracts consideration. Chain locks supply extra flexibility when locking. They help you lock up extra bikes without delay or lock your bike to a bigger merchandise.

Chains are solely nearly as good as their weakest hyperlink, so select one with a powerful padlock or locking mechanism. Moreover, some chain locks just like the ABUS 8808C have a mixture lock which isn’t as strong as a padlock or shackle. Padlock-style locks are prone to assault with the wrench and cutter strategies. Locks just like the Kryptonite 1090 which makes use of a deadbolt are safer than padlocks and conventional shackles.

Folding Locks

Folding locks just like the ABUS Bordo are composed of a set of hardened metal bars which can be connected by pivot hinges at every finish and a lock that connects the 2 free ends. These permit the identical flexibility as a series lock however at a lighter weight.

The pivot hinges are designed in a approach that hinders leverage at these factors. In principle, they pressure the thief to chop by means of a bar to interrupt the lock, however some hinges on some locks might current a possible vulnerability. You’ll want to do your analysis when contemplating this fashion of lock — did the corporate take a look at the shackle and the pivots?

Cable Locks

We right here at GearJunkie don’t think about cable locks safe on their very own, and neither do you have to. They’re solely meant as an adjunct to your fundamental lock and can be utilized to lock your wheels or different gear that’s in your bike.

These locks use a braided metal cable that’s connected at every finish with a lock. Cables might be minimize extraordinarily simply and silently, which makes them the number-one lock we now have seen bike thieves search out when stealing bikes.

Ease of Use

Every lock fashion works in another way, and discovering the one that matches your wants is fairly simple. Our tester is an enormous fan of mixture locks as a result of they’re fast and straightforward, and there’s no likelihood of shedding your keys. 

U-locks are a superb possibility for most individuals. Tremendous easy, fast to lock and unlock, and simply moveable, U-locks are superior.

When shopping for a lock, take a great take a look at how the locking mechanism works, in addition to how simple it’s to lock and unlock earlier than deciding which one is best for you. The entire locks featured on this information scored nicely in ease of use, however particular person preferences might range. Do keep in mind that combo locks are normally extra prone to assault than deadbolts and shackles, however supply a barely simpler locking and unlocking scenario. 

Measurement and Portability

Locks are available in a wide range of sizes and styles, you’ll wish to select the one that matches your particular wants. U-locks are available in sizes that match one bike or as much as 5 bikes. Chain and folding locks come in several lengths and usually bigger and stronger locks make for much less portability however are safer. Then there are extremely moveable folding locks just like the ABUS Bordo, or easy-carrying U locks just like the Kryptonite New U — what do you want out of your bike lock?

You’ll wish to have a stable method to transport your lock, which is why body mounts just like the one included with the OnGuard Bulldog are so useful. Different issues embody the accessible objects to safe your bike to; is there a devoted rack the place you’re going, or will you have to use an indication or perhaps a tree, and might your lock accommodate it?

Safety

Each lock firm has its personal safety rating system, however all of them appear to be fairly correct compared and averaged. A simple method to know if the lock you might be shopping for has a high-security score is to search for the “Bought Safe” emblem, which is an independent-party score system. Some, however not all the locks we featured on this article are vetted by Bought Safe — a number of locks from Kryptonite, ABUS, and Hiplok include this score

Bought Safe has 4 classes: bronze, silver, gold, and diamond. We advise taking a look at both gold or diamond in case you are in a metro space or faculty campus.

Value and Worth

On the whole, as the value will increase, so does lock safety. To search out the fitting worth for you, a steadiness of worth and safety, think about the worth of your bike and your safety dangers. Nobody desires their bike stolen, however clearly, when you have an costly bike, it’ll fetch the next worth, and thieves usually tend to danger slicing a flimsy cable lock and even going after a sturdier D-lock with an angle grinder.

You’ll desire a lock system that means that you can safe the body and the entrance wheel of your bike. Bear in mind, any lock might be minimize finally, and safety comes from the period of time it takes to interrupt a lock. A sturdier lock just like the Hiplok Gold will do the trick, particularly should you depart your bike in a extremely seen space the place somebody going at your bike lock with a grinder will entice consideration. An inexpensive elements bike for around-town cruising gained’t have the identical attraction, and you may most likely get by with a inexpensive, lighter-duty lock.

Should you stay in a school city or bigger, you’re probably at a excessive danger of motorbike theft. A bigger inhabitants means thieves could have a better time reselling your bike as nicely, making bike theft a extra attractive hustle. Even when your bike is cheap, it might be your main method to commute, making it very precious to you, so think about a lock that’s heavier and safer, just like the robust, but inexpensive OnGuard Bulldog.

Lastly, you may prolong the worth of your lock by contemplating the lock producer’s “insurance coverage” coverage. For instance, Kryptonite gives an Anti-Theft safety program that can cowl the price of your bike should you fill out the registration and your Kryptonite lock is damaged by pressure. Whereas there’s positively some tremendous print to contemplate, it will increase our confidence within the model’s safe, albeit costly, bike locks.

Regularly Requested Questions