Whether you are a casual rider or a professional when it comes to bicycles and bike riding, one of the best things you can do is to secure your investment with a good quality bike lock. The extra couple of dollars you spend on a lock are worth it as this can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars by preventing malevolent people from stealing your precious bike. In this review, you are going to find out more about five locks from some of the best bike lock brands out there. If you need more options, check out our other two reviews that showcase some of the best bike U locks and bike chain locks.
Overview
PROS
CONS
SPECS
Type
Material
Good for
Size
Extras
Our Top Choice
Lumintrail Heavy Duty Steel Security Cable
Lumintrail manufactures excellent bike locks and other bike accessories such as pumps, LED lights, rear lights, bottle holders, and more.
Available in several sizes. Durable steel construction. Vinyl coating prevents scratching. Sealed looped ends.
A few customers say that the cable is not 1/2 inches thick, but it actually is if you take into account the cable and the plastic covering.
Heavy-duty security cable
Braided steel construction
Bicycles, skateboards, gates
4, 7 or 15 feet long
Sealed looped ends
Best Value
Ushake Resettable Bike Lock Cable
Ushake makes a multitude of sports accessories such as bottle holders, athlete's pouches, bike locks, and swimming goggles for kids.
Combination lock – no need for a key. Comes with mounting hardware. Steel cable. PVC coating prevents scratching.
The mounting hardware that attaches the cable to the bike might be difficult to install, but make sure you read the instructions carefully to prevent this.
Combination cable
Steel cable, PVC coating
Bikes
6 feet long
Mounting bracket included
Abus Bordo Granit Folding Lock
Abus designs sturdy and reliable bike locks and other types of anti-theft systems. It has many years of experience in this business and sells thousands of items worldwide.
Made using 5mm steel bars. Security rating 15 out of 15. Plastic coated. Comes with 2 keys. Compact and durable.
Isolated complaints regarding its heaviness (approx 3.5 pounds), but this is a sign of durability and sturdiness.
Folding lock
5mm steel bars, plastic coated
Bikes
2.8 feet long
2 keys supplied
Kryptonite Steel Stronghold Anchor
Kryptonite makes high-quality bike locks, U locks, chain locks, and other security systems designed to protect your valuables and personal belongings.
16mm hardened steel shackle. Works well both indoors and outdoors. Good for bikes and vehicles. Shackle can lie flat to avoid tripping.
The installation process might be a bit tricky, so remember to have patience and read the instructions carefully.
Above ground stronghold anchor
Carbon alloy steel shackle
Bikes and vehicles
3.5 x 10.8 x 16 inches
Can be used indoors and outdoors
Inbike Alloy Steel Folding Bike Lock
Inbike makes excellent bike accessories such as locks, apparel items, bottle holders, phone holders, knee braces, horns, lights, and many more.
Available in 3 colors. Compact and easy to use. Comes with free carrying case. Enhanced protection against drilling machines.
Might be a bit heavy, but this is a sign of a well-built, high-quality product.
In a perfect world, we wouldn’t have to use surveillance cameras to protect our houses, steel doors to keep burglars away, or different types of locks for protecting our valuables. The reality is a little bit harsher, but luckily, a multitude of companies out there have designed affordable and accessible protection methods. For example, keeping your bicycle safe has never been easier thanks to the wide variety of bike locks you can find on the market!
If you are thinking "Hey, I've got my bike trailer, my bike seat, my bike shoes, my bike helmet, why would I need to spend money on another accessory?" then you are asking the right question. A bike lock might appear like an extravagance, but what if you leave your bike outside for five minutes while you go in a shop for a cup of coffee and when you get back, your precious bike is gone? Protecting your bike using a bike lock is like protecting your house against burglars or installing a serious alarm system in your brand-new Corvette. It is going to make a difference!
If you are still unsure, keep reading and get enlightened! The purpose of this guide is to get you updated with the latest bike locks currently available on the market, learn more about them, and make you understand that you deserve to have more peace of mind while you are out and about on your two-wheels vehicle. Isn’t it true that it is better to be safe than sorry?
Price
Let's begin with the price section first and understand what's what when it comes to bike locks, from a financial point of view. Today's locks are very varied, so their prices will vary as well. For example, the prices for good-quality bike locks can start from around $10 - $15 and they can go up to $100-$150 for a high-end model. As you will soon find out, the materials, locking systems, and other features drastically influence the price of a lock.
As a word of advice, though, remember to stay away from cheap bike locks for obvious reasons. Such products are made from poor quality materials and many thieves know how to spot them, so don’t imagine that you can trick them into thinking that you have a serious, durable bike lock. Go for a high-quality bike lock made by a reputable manufacturer and you will be ok.
Features
Earlier on, we mentioned that some features can influence the price of a bike lock. Let's take a look at some of them and find out more details about this to broaden your understanding about bike locks.
Materials - almost all high-quality bike locks are made from hardened steel, steel alloy, carbon steel, or even titanium. You need such strong materials to render any thief's cutting tools useless
Locking Mechanism - your options are varied here: you can go for a steel cable that works in conjunction with a u-lock for additional protection, a combination lock, a chain lock, a foldable lock, etc.
Security Rating - this can be on a scale from 0 to 15 and it basically says how strong the lock is designed to be. If your bike is really expensive and/or close to your heart, go for a lock with the highest security rating
These are just a few of the most common features shared by today's bike locks. You will see that there are many types of locks out there and each of them has its own characteristics. Your job is to analyze your needs right from the start, set a budget, see a couple of locks to get the idea, and then decide upon the right lock, its size, color, and other options.
Construction and Design
Before buying, you also need to know more about how a lock is designed and built. There are several types of locks out there such as:
Combination Locks - these devices use a combination of four or five digits and they don’t require keys. The locking mechanism is installed on a steel cable of a certain size and you can quickly lock or unlock your bike by inputting the right combination (which is resettable, by the way).
Foldable Locks - easy to use and compact, these are usually made from steel bars which fold and can be locked and unlocked using a key. The advantage of such a lock is its size and the fact that it usually includes a free carrying case in the package.
Ground Anchors - you will also find such locks out there and they are highly useful if you want to set up a permanent, safe anchor point for your bike or even a small vehicle. The anchor point can be set in the ground or in a wall, and it features a steel shackle you can use to tie your bike to. It is impossible to break or destroy such a locking mechanism, unless you own a tank!
Locks that are opened with keys usually come with one or more of these keys in the package, and one of them is lighted. This will make it easier for you to lock and unlock your bike during the night.
Performance and Ease of Use
Today's bike locks are made from some of the highest quality materials and using advanced technologies. They are designed to last for years and withstand various lock-picking methods, cutting tools, or drilling machines. Therefore, if you buy such a lock, you are going to have more peace of mind in the future. Manufacturers also offer warranty periods for their locks, so remember to look for such information when buying.
Before we wrap up, we also want to mention that some locks come with protective coatings that are made from PVC, plastic, or rubber. These coatings are designed to protect the paint on your bike and make the lock a little bit more eye-candy. The bottom line is that thieves always go for bikes that are unprotected first, so by buying a lock, you have already indirectly deterred the majority of robbers out there!
What is the Best Bike Lock?
We are sure that by now you got the big picture and you are ready to explore a few products, looking for an accessible and suitable solution for your particular bike. Remember, any protection method is better than no protection at all, and the following five locks are some of the best ones you can find on the market.
Our Top Choice
The Heavy-Duty Security Cable from Lumintrail is available in several size options and it features a braided steel construction for enhanced protection and durability. If you prefer combination locks, check out the Bicycle Combination Cable Lock from Lumintrail, which is available in three colors.
Lumintrail Heavy Duty Vinyl Coated Braided Steel Security Cable with Sealed Looped Ends - 3 Sizes Available
Lumintrail Bike Lock LKC12 – 7-FT
Features
This is not the first time when we are reviewing products from Lumintrail, as this brand is popular and renowned for making high-quality accessories for bikes and bicycles. For example, you can get different types of locks and combination locks from Lumintrail as well as bike pumps, tire patches, saddles, LED lights, and more. In other words, if you want to accessorize your bike, you must see Lumintrail's products to get inspired!
The Heavy-Duty Security Cable from Lumintrail is available in three sizes: 4, 7 or 15 feet. This cable is an ideal security option for your bicycle as well as sports equipment, skateboard, tools, lawnmowers, and many other personal belongings. Its durable and sturdy braided steel construction provides enhanced protection against thieves and any cutting tools they might use.
On top of that, this cable also features sealed looped ends which can accommodate U locks, combination locks, or other types of locks out there. The cable is covered with a vinyl coating that protects your bike's paint and prevents scratching. When the cable is not in use, you can easily attach it to your bike or put it into a small backpack as it doesn’t occupy a lot of space.
The Basic Self Coiling Resettable Combination Cable from Ushake is a four-digit bike combination lock that can be used for your bicycle, skateboard, lawnmowers, sports equipment, and more! If you are buying this lock for your bike, you might also want to get a Water Bottle Cage for those long riding sessions when you get thirsty and need a sip of water.
Ushake doesn’t sell a very wide range of products, but the few ones it has on sale are highly appreciated by the general public and useful in various situations. For example, apart from bike locks and bike bottle holders, Ushake also makes ski goggles from adults, swimming accessories, and practical pouches where you can keep your mobile phone and money when you go for a jog.
For now, let's focus on the Basic Self Coiling Resettable Combination Cable from Ushake and explore its strong points. This cable has a length of 6 feet, and it can be used for protecting a wide range of personal valuables such as your bike, skateboard, ladder, and more. This lock allows you to set a 4-digit password and use it to lock and unlock your bike. Yes, you don’t need a key for this, so one less thing for you to worry about!
The combination of the lock is easily resettable, and the actual cable is made from stainless steel that makes it very durable and resistant to wear, tear, shocks, vibrations, and cutting tools. This cable is also covered with a protective PVC coating that prevents scratching, and in the package you will also find a mounting bracket which you can use to easily attach the lock to your bike.
The Bordo Granit X Plus folding lock from Abus features thick steel bars and it comes with two keys, of which one is lighted. This lock is perfect for protecting your bike or other sports equipment. If you prefer a similar chain lock which comes at a smaller price, we invite you to take a look at the Steel O Chain Lock from the same manufacturer.
Abus Bordo Granit Bike Lock - Security level 15 of 15, Plastic Coated Steel Bars, 2 Keys Supplied
Abus Bike Lock - X-Plus 6500
Features
Abus is known for making high-quality and versatile locks and anti-theft systems for bikes, sports equipments, cabinets, drawers, and so on. Its products are made from some of the toughest materials out there (such as hardened steel) and come at reasonable prices. Abus also sells a line of interesting and practical surveillance cameras.
Before anything else, let's take a look at the Bordo Granit X Plus folding lock from Abus and explore its strong points. This type of lock has a security rating of 15 out of 15, meaning that it will deter most thieves and be impervious to cutting tools and various stealing methods. The lock weighs almost 3 1/2 pounds, which means increased durability and protection.
At the core of this lock is the specially designed Abus cylinder, which can take a lot of wear and tear and cannot be broken easily. This allows the lock to be folded quickly and makes it compact. You can use the lock for various sports equipments, but it is mainly designed for bikes. It comes with two keys, of which one features an LED light and the package also contains a free carrying case.
The Above Ground Stronghold Anchor from Kryptonite can be used indoors or outdoors and it is ideal for protecting bikes or vehicles of small sizes. If you prefer combination locks, check out the Combo Cable Bicycle Lock from Kryptonite, which uses a 4-digit combination to lock and unlock your bike.
Kryptonite 16mm Above Ground Stronghold Anchor – Steel Shackle, For Indoor and Outdoor Use
Kryptonite Bike Lock 330202 - Black
Features
This is not the first time when we review a product from Kryptonite as this brand is highly popular and appreciated when it comes to locks and anti-theft systems. Kryptonite specializes in bike U locks and combination locks, but it also designs a wide variety of locking chains and ground anchors which can be used to secure your valuables.
The Above Ground Stronghold Anchor from Kryptonite is one of those products you can use both indoors and outdoors. This anchor can be mounted directly on the ground or on walls using 5/8” cement anchor bolts. The shackle of the anchor is made from hardened carbon alloy steel for enhanced protection and durability. This shackle also lies flat on the ground when not in use, so you don’t accidentally trip on it.
The beauty of this anchor is that it can be installed virtually everywhere, making it a safe place for you to protect your bike or vehicle. It can even be attached to flat bed trucks if you want! As a result, you will always have a place where to keep your bicycle and the possibility of breaking a 16mm hardened steel shackle is very slim. In the package, you will find the necessary components for a successful install as well as an instructions manual.
The 8 Joints Alloy Steel Folding Bike Lock from Inbike is available in three colors and can be bought with or without anti-hydraulic shears. If you prefer a simpler bike lock, check out the Anti theft 5 Digit Combination Cable Bicycle Lock, which also comes in several color options.
Inbike 8 Joints Alloy Steel Folding Bike Lock – Made from Stainless Steel and ABS Rubber, Multiple Colors Available
Inbike Bike Lock - Black/Anti-hydraulic Shears
Features
As you would probably imagine, Inbike provides a wide variety of bike accessories and apparel items in various sizes and colors. If you are an avid biker, you must check out its products as you can find cell phone holders, knee braces, cycling jerseys, water bottle holders, horns, you name it! Inbike also makes a plethora of high-quality bike locks, so that’s why we included this brand into our review.
For example, the 8 Joints Alloy Steel Folding Bike Lock from Inbike can be bought in three color options (black, blue, or orange) and it comes with or without anti-hydraulic shears. If you go for the model which comes with anti-hydraulic shears, you are obtaining the maximum level of protection for this model as it has been designed to resist bolt cutters.
The body of the lock is made from steel alloy and it features 5mm steel bars that are foldable, making this model compact and easy to carry around. It even comes with a free carrying case that attaches to the frame of the bike. This steel lock is covered with ABS rubber paint which basically prevents it from scratching your bike or cause additional damages. If you are looking for a reasonably-priced, high-quality bike lock, this might be the right option for you!
You just saw how some of the best bike locks out there can help you to protect your bicycle or even skateboard or other sports accessory. It is up to you now to make the correct decision and pick a lock that will give you more peace of mind and discourage thieves!
