What bike lock should i use

The locks that drills work well on such as folding locks have become more popular, though. Angle grinder: A thief with a battery-powered angle grinder will defeat any lock if given enough time.

For the thief, the biggest drawback of a grinder is the noise and sparks it emits as it grinds through hardened steel. We did not pry open any locks with car jacks, because the jack would have to fit inside the shackle video. You can make that kind of attack more difficult by using good locking technique, which means choosing a lock size that leaves very little room inside the shackle to fit a tool—all of the locks we tested were too small to accommodate a jack.

After we had our list, we needed to decide how the results of the tests would allow us to rank the locks. We believe that any form of security is only as good as its weakest part—think of a locked house with an open window, for instance, or a computer operating system with a backdoor.

So we decided that the more quickly a lock could be opened, regardless of how well it performed in other respects, the lower it would score. The first test would show if any of the locks could be picked some could. The second would reveal whether any would fall victim to bolt cutters some did , hacksawing sadly , or drilling no problem. The last would demonstrate how long each lock would take to cut through with an inexpensive portable angle grinder quicker than you might think.

After we completed all the tests, we ranked the locks based on their security and price to see where they stood, and then we factored in features such as durability, weight, portability, and ease of use. We contacted John Edgar Park , an avid lock-picking enthusiast and instructor with over 20 years of experience, and we sat down together to review all the locks we had received.

With a quick visual inspection and a few pokes from one of the many pointy tools he had brought along in a folding leather pouch, Park immediately singled out how each mechanism worked and the easiest way to defeat each lock. Park also taught us how to pick a lock, which he managed to do to one model in less than 30 seconds. And we had always thought MacGyver was a joke!

Just to be sure, we also got in touch with a lock-picking group, and we visited on a night with a presentation on disc-detainer locks, a type of high-security mechanism used in some bike locks. The meeting was in an unmarked room in an unmarked building. We learned that even the more basic disc-detainer locks we brought were very hard to pick, and nobody at the meeting had the proper tools to fit the smaller keyways most bicycle locks use.

As a result, we came away confident that disc-detainer styles were secure against most lock-picking thieves. Given that the brute-force methods we tried took even less time to destroy a lock, though, we remain less worried about lock picking than we do about bolt cutters and angle irons.

The next test: bolt cutters. You could be within 20 feet of your bike and still not hear it. Some of the locks we tested claimed to be resistant, but most of them fell to our bolt cutters eventually.

More expensive locks are hardened more thoroughly, via a different heat-treating process. However, the Altor and TiGr locks we tested were both made of titanium, which is tough but not very hard, and the hacksaw proved that: With the hacksaw, we cut through each lock, held in a vise, in less than 30 seconds. Using the vise probably resulted in a cut time quicker than that of most real-world scenarios, but practiced thieves have vise-like tricks using zip ties or leaning against the bike to steady it.

The drill we used in our testing was a 12 V Milwaukee Fuel, which is small enough to put into a jacket pocket. A quick look was all we needed to see that the hinge was probably the weakest component of each system, and we quickly removed the locks by drilling straight through the rivet holding the hinge together.

After years of hearing anecdotes from bike-shop customers, reading marketing literature, and removing the odd lock here and there, we expected it would take more than a minute for us to complete one cut. We charged all the batteries we had for our cordless grinder, made extra coffee, and mentally prepared for the hours of grinding that lay ahead of us.

Then the first lock took 14 seconds to cut through. The next, We learned that no lock could resist cutting for more than a minute against modern tools, even if it was a chain or had a dual-locking shackle and needed two cuts for removal. So why bother to lock a bike? If you can ride a less expensive bike and lock it up properly with a better lock in a safer location, you can remove the temptation for a thief to pick your bike over an easier target.

We cut lesser locks with only inch bolt cutters, but the New-U Evolution Mini-7 withstood even our inch cutters, surviving with just a couple of small scratches. The New-U Evolution line also uses deadbolts on both sides of the shackle, rather than having a non-locking bent foot on one end. The advantage of the new shackle is that a thief would most likely need to make two cuts with a power tool to pry it open.

And after making those cuts, the thief would need to twist the shackle off; on the New-U series, Kryptonite has added a small cutout to each end, making it that much harder to twist off.

The lock also incorporates the more secure disc-detainer locking mechanism. This style of keyway and mechanism is resistant to picking, requiring specialty tools, patience, and skills. After consulting with multiple lock-picking enthusiasts and experts, we decided that the chances of having a disc-detainer lock picked on the street are very slim, in contrast to the likelihood for some of the other lock types we tested. The YouTube personality LockPickingLawyer posted a video in February demonstrating how, with a tool he designed, he was able to pick the New-U Evolution in less than a minute.

However, considering his level of expertise and the conditions he was working in—able to hold the lock in his hands under good lighting—we believe that brute-force attacks pose more of a problem in real life.

If you are commuting on a bike with large tires and need to lock both wheels, the Mini-7 might not be long enough to fit over the tire and frame.

You can solve that problem by adding locking wheel skewers , but Kryptonite also sells the New-U Evolution in a larger size without the cable.

If you are unsure about the fit, swing by your local shop to check. We still believe that thanks to the hardness of the shackle and the difficulty of squeezing a car jack into a properly locked New-U Evolution Mini-7, it will thwart most attacks other than with an angle grinder better than any other lock at this price.

U-locks are the bane of bicycle mechanics everywhere because the mounts always seem to be in an awkward spot or to come loose over time.

If at all possible, carrying this lock on a rack or in a basket is definitely the preferred method, but the mount will suffice. It uses a through-hardened dual-locking shackle and extra metal in the crossbar for even more security. But as our tests showed, a more hardened metal and more of it is the key to more security. Sometimes you need a chain lock. The Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit Chain is the best chain for the money for high-security situations.

It uses 14 mm through-hardened links and comes in a fairly standard inch length which weighs more than 10 pounds as well as in a giant, 5-foot version plus pounds. Although we did not take as long to cut through this chain with the angle grinder as we did the New-U New York Fahgettaboudit Mini, we found that it provided almost as much security; it also had a more usable length. The only chain locks that took us longer to cut though were the Kryptonite New York Legend Chain and the Artago 69TE , both of which cost significantly more at the time.

In that case, a folding lock might be the solution to your problem, and among models in that category, the Kryptonite Keeper offers the best combination of security, weight, and price. The Keeper folding lock measures 85 cm 32 inches long and weighs 1. A folding lock is not very secure because the rivets in the hinges are easily compromised with a drill.

The rivets on the Keeper are 3 mm hardened steel. You can find folding locks that use thicker, 5 mm rivets, such as the Rocky Mounts Hendrix and even other Kryptonite models , but we drilled through them in nearly the same amount of time as we did the smaller rivets.

And it still carries a bronze rating from Sold Secure, the same rating as on all other Kryptonite folding locks, even the bigger, more expensive versions. Again, you have to register your lock within 30 days of buying it. Bicycle chain locks are another classic when it comes to bicycle security. This makes most bike chains suitable for securing multiple bikes. Click to enlarge. Folding Bike Locks. Folding bike locks are a relatively new addition to the market.

Cable Locks. Cable locks are locks made from multiple strands of woven metal cable. I wouldn't recommend using a cable lock like the Zefal K-Traz C6 as your primary lock, instead use it to secure your bikes accessories. I would strongly advise against using a cable lock as your only bike lock.

Accessory Locks. Hexlox can be used to secure almost all of your bike's components, lock them or lose them! Combination Bike Locks.

Bike Lock Security Ratings. If not, then take a look at their rating badges below and have a read of what each badge means. Sold Secure Bronze — Bronze-rated products offer theft resistance against a basic tool list aimed at preventing opportunist crime Sold Secure Silver — Silver-rated products offer theft resistance against an enhanced tool list aimed at preventing more determined attacks Sold Secure Gold — Gold-rated products offer theft resistance against a higher selected tool list aimed at preventing dedicated attacks Sold Secure Diamond — Diamond-rated products offer attack resistance against a higher complete tool list aimed at preventing the highest motivated attacks.

The Best D Lock. Check Price [Amazon]. I use the Fahgettaboudit Mini as my primary bike lock alongside an extension cable that I use to secure my front wheel. The Best Chain Lock. The Best Folding Bike Lock. View Price On Foldylock Website. I still use the Foldylock Compact when I want a lightweight bike lock to use whilst I'm out and about.

The Best Lightweight Bike Lock. This locking setup weighs less than 2. This makes the TiGr mini perfect for those who don't want to carry much weight. The Best Budget Bike Lock. Conclusion - Bike Lock Buying Guide. Otherwise, thanks for reading. And as always, lock it or lose it! Ciao for now. Recommended Posts. The Best Folding Bike Locks. Follow BikeLockWiki:. Twitter Youtube Pinterest Facebook.

Types of bike locks. D-Lock The D-lock is also commonly known as a U-lock. Pros Cons A proven design Generally resistant to bolt cutters depending on the quality Generally lighter than the majority of chain locks Generally resistant to picking, drilling and leverage attacks Generally cheaper to comparable quality, Sold Secure chain locks Available at every Sold Secure rating level bronze, silver and gold Most come with a bracket for mounting to the bicycle frame.

Chain Lock A chain lock consists of hardened metal links creating the chain. Cable Lock Cable locks are lightweight bike locks that can be transported around pretty easily with minimal fuss. Folding lock As per the name they are folding and have a very compact design. Not many manufactures offer folding locks, so the choice is limited but there are many new start-ups in the bicycle security industry developing constantly Have not been on the market as long as D-locks.

It is wise to take good care of your lock to prevent jamming. Sometimes dirt or other elements can get into the mechanism causing a jam. To maintain the lock always read the manufacturers guidelines, but consider occasionally checking the key hole, ensuring if it has a flap that it is closed and there is no dirt inside.

A little lubricate can be used or a water displacer spray for maintenance or if the bike lock is actually jammed. Ground Anchor Ground anchors are drilled into concrete, be that in a garage or another location to offer a secure anchor point to attach a bike lock to. Requires basic DIY skills to fit a ground anchor and some spare time Needs a suitable location close to the bike and appropriate flooring to drill the bolts into.

Can be awkward to lock the bike lock to usually best used with long chain locks. Read our guide on how to lock your bike. Pin It on Pinterest.