We love our bikes. Many of us spend hours every day on them commuting to and from work. When we leave this prized possession somewhere we want to know it will still be there when we get back. Therefore a good bike lock is the second most essential purchase after the bike itself. This is one part of cycling where saving money is a false economy. This guide will take you through what to look for and recommend some popular bike locks.
How to choose a good bike lock
- Security rating – in the UK there is the Sold Secure rating system. This classes bike locks as Gold, Silver or Bronze. The three different levels represent how long it will take a bike thief to breach the lock. If you have bicycle insurance then getting a Sold Secure lock is usually part of the terms and conditions.
- Size – a lock with a bigger locking diameter will mean you can secure it against a wider range of objects. The downside is this gives the thief more space to try and use a leveraging bar to break the lock.
- Weight – obviously this is something you need to carry around with you often and any additional weight on the bike means additional pedalling effort. Usually a better bike lock will also be heavier.
- Maintenance – you should use WD40 to keep the locking mechanism working well and not seizing up especially during cold weather.
- Spare keys – there is nothing worse than losing your keys just as you are about to set off to work. Most bike locks come with at least two spare keys but a third is often very useful.
Best bike locks
Abus Centuro 860mm
Cable locks have a bad reputation for security. They are far easier to cut through than D-Locks. As a secondary lock however they can be a good choice. The Abus Centuro is one of the best of the budget bike locks. The big advantage is that it has a convenient 110cm length allowing you to lock it against a big range of objects. It also comes with a frame mount making it easy to transport and quick to use. In terms of security it has multiple strands making it hard to cut through. Weight: 890g
Abus Steel-O-Flex Granit 1000/800mm
Offering similar convenience to the Centuro but with additional protection. It comes with a gold rating from Sold Secure. This is a popular lock amongst couriers as it easy to secure around your waist. However, it must be noted that this still isn’t as secure as D-Locks. The locks weighs around 2kg.
Kryptonite New York Standard
If safety is your main concern then look no further than the Kryptonite New York Standard. I reviewed this lock recently and it is the one I use to keep my bike safe. It comes with 3 sets of keys and provides protection against all but the most determined bike thieves. The two downsides are the additional weight (1.9kg) and the limited number of objects you can secure it against due to its diameter.
Kryptonite Evolution Series 4
Provides similar protection to the New York Standard but with less weight (1.66kg). This is another lock that is well trusted and has a gold standard rating from Sold Secure.
Your bike lock
I’m interested in hearing what bike lock you guys use and if you recommend it.
See also:
Kryptonite New York 3000 review
How to choose a good waterproof cycling jacket
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As seen on The Guardian, BBC and The Independent.
I use a Kryptonite Evolution Series 4 and it has been done an excellent job this far. The only problem I’ve encountered so far was that its width limits against what can you lock it which can often be annoying. But being annoyed is still better than being left without a bike.
Anyone know which company gives you a new bike if it gets stolen when you are using the lock?
Dorothea,
Yes! They’re called “Pie in the Sky” Ltd., and they’re based in Fairyland.
PR
This article came very timely as I need to look into this for my next bike (don’t ask), thanks.
Now, it kept me thinking, how do the Kryptonite Series 4 and the New York Standard compare security wise, because the Series 4 seems to be lighter and cheaper, if they are similar in security features, it just wins every time.
The Evolution series 4 has a 14mm steel shackle where as the New York standard bike lock has 16mm. The extra steel just means it takes longer for a thief to get through it. To be honest there is not much to choose between the two. If you leave your bike in high risk areas frequently then it is worth paying more and carrying the extra weight. If you combine the Series 4 with another lock, say a cheaper chain lock chances are a bike thief won’t attempt to steal your bike. I would therefore say rather than choosing between the two, go for the cheaper one and make sure you have a second lock to back it up with. There is more tips in the How to lock your bike article I’ve listed above.
New York standard. Its tough and locks nicely around the frame and wheel. With cable type locks vandalism is a issue, scum will kick the bike over and bend the wheels.
I use a couple… I have a great big ABUS chain and lock which I leave attached to the bike stand outside the office. I have a much lighter lock which is frankly little more than a deterrent that I take when I don’t expect to have to leave the bike. I just use it if I have to abandon the bike in an emergency.
George – if only the good locks were not so heavy!
Please don’t even think about cycling with a lock tied around your waist – if you come off you stand a very good chance of rupturing your kidneys and injuring your vertebrae.
Absolutely right, Claire. Wise words.
P.R.
Andreas, definitely.
Claire. Absolutely agree. A friend of mine used to cycle with his around his neck. Always struck me as utterly imbecilic.
Abus Granit
it fits between my rack and my wheel, with an old inner tube to hold it in place, so I can just slip it in and out and it’s secure. If it’s easy to get out and I’ve definitely got it with me there’s less chance of being tempted to leave it for a moment.
I’ve also got Pinhead locks on my wheels (while I was waiting for my new wheels when the old ones got stolen I kept seeing disk rotors on non-disk brake bikes, turns out they’re very specific to the bike => lot’s of stolen wheels being ridden on)
If I was buying wheel locks now I’d get the Zefal ones I saw in my local bike shop at the weekend – they don’t need a key but are operated by gravity Very clever
Don’t be tempted to ride around with keys left in the lock (maybe shopping) – if you drop it the key can break off in the lock and then you need a new lock
I use a Kryptonite Evolution Series 4 with a Kryptonite cable for the front wheel. Very happy with it as it feels fairly bombproof.
There are always someplaces where its hard to lock your bike, but normally thats overcome with a bit of playing around with different positions.
I felt pretty good about those K cables until last night, when it was cut through with a very clean & silent snip right outside my front door
yeah, don’t leave a bike anywhere unsafe or for long periods of time with just a cable round the front wheel – it will most likely get cut and stolen. Wheel lock (eg pitlock, pinhead) are definately a good idea..
I got an OnGuard Brute STD 5001 U Lock from Amazon (U.S.), based on reviews, and it’s a lot like the nicer Kryptonite locks. I only take it with me if I’m locking in an unsafe area, because the thing weighs almost 5 pounds! That’s like 20% of the bike weight! It came with several keys and unfortunately the one with the light on it was bent on arrival, but there are enough others it wasn’t worth messing with a return. The lock is super sturdy but I know no lock is impenetrable. I just hope to turn the thief to an easier target.
Well, thanks for the answers I ended up buying the New York Kryptonite lock. Then a few days later I found these videos about unlocking Kryptonite locks with a bic pen (yes, a bic pen), very scary!
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=bic+pen+kryptoni
te&search_type=&aq=f
I couldn’t yet find any security concerns related to the New York lock, so hopefully it’s a safe choice, but I thought I’d share the videos just in case.
Apologies, the link in the previous comment is badly formed, here’s it again
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=bic+pen+kryptonite&search_type=&aq=f
The Kryptonite New York Standard has gone up to £73.99 on Amazon.co.uk
Keep an eye on the price because it varies wildly!
Or, keep an eye on price match policies. Usually I prefer to buy from the seller with the lowest price because it seems fairer but when I bought my bike I needed the lock immediately (for obvious reasons) and I bought it from cycle surgery at amazon price, so I had my lock on the same day at a price £25 cheaper.
I did that a few other times for similar reasons and while, again, I tend to encourage cheaper retailers by buying from them, it has been very helpful at times.
Good idea. I know Evans Cycles have the same policy.
When I asked they said they had, but I haven’t used it yet. I have only used CS so far
my bike always lives in doors, currently in a hotel with me in Canada but at home either in a locked courtyard or in locked shed at home.
I thief managed to get through a decent d-lock and a cable lock to steel my previous bike from work… when they have time, space and a lack of working CCTV they WILL get through anything…
(I am not at all bitter)
It’s true a bike lock is only effective for about 10 minutes if you have the right power tools
Just had a bike stolen from Colombia Road Flower Market, London. Had it locked up with an Abus Centuro 860mm lock.
It’s a busy area with plenty of people walking around so it must have been an easy/quick job to cut through the cable.
In case it is useful for someone – Amazon has the Krypto Fahgettaboudit Mini Lock at 55% off currently http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kryptonite-York-Fahgettaboudit-Mini-Lock/dp/B000OZ9VLU/ref=pd_cp_sg_1
Cheers
Stef
Cable locks are worthless in high crime areas in my opinion- I caught someone trying to cut through my Kryptonite cable lock with garden shears. I wrote a similar article on my blog about bike locks and yes, stick to the high end ( and heavy) ABUS, Kryptonite, on On Guard U-locks or chain locks. Multiple locks don’t hurt either. And of course, what you lock it to is just as important as what you lock it with.
U-locks can be limited by what your locking them to. Steel loops that you find in the city can be cut through surprisingly easily. I always favour locking up to lamp-posts as they just simply have more structure to them.
I’ve used this lock for the last two years in inner london. Have even watched the ‘youfs’ in hoodies appraise and decide not to bother having checked out what they need to get thru.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Abus_City_Chain_X_Plus_1060_110cm_Chain_Bike_Lock/5360012112/ shop around on it & you can get it for about £80.
Not too heavy compared to chain based krypto locks. The lock mechanism being incorporated into the last link of the chain is a little odd, but works well.
In general terms on locks – if the shackle is less than 8mm and they can find a decent bite point for cutting faces to make contact with the metal – then its good and stolen. If your only using one lock, this is also an invitation – they want to ride your bike away and not be there at the scene in case someone comes up and stops them violently. So if your locking your bike up – use two locks through both wheels separately so the criminals have a really hard time making easy money off you.
Why don’t they make locks that are part of the bike frame and that disable the bike if broken? Maybe a cable that runs through the main tube and if cut releases the gear, brake, chainset… dunno… everything!
Something for Dragon’s Den perhaps!?
Releasing the components is a really bad idea, because you are giving them the components, without the need for extra tools; just locking just the frame and components is not good enough. You need something which stops the bike from being carried away, otherwise the thieves just carry it to a work area and cut off all the locking devices, at their leisure!
So what are the top recommendations for the 2nd type of lock, if I buy the Kryptonite New York 3000? A Kryptonite cable lock or? Options on price, length of lock and type would be great. Cheers C
I use the kryptonite evolution series 4 for my bike and it’s a brilliant lock. I think it’s really well worth the price.
Hi Folks, check out almax chains on youtube to be made aware of just how flimsy most cycle locks are, they also have a wall of shame video section on their website which makes for interesting viewing, recommend scaring yourself before making any purchases, i use an almax chain at home, and a D lock and cable when out and about, even for short periods of time, every time, its the only way to ensure you have a chance against these gangs nowadays, dont be fooled be secure.
I retired my Kryptonite U-Lock when I found out just how vulnerable cylinders keys are, and decided to buy a good Sold Secure Gold lock after seeing some cylinder lock-knocking videos, so I bought a heavy ABUS GRANIT 54 X-PLUS 300, and ABUS three point mounts for my back rack and frame; this is big enough to fit all bike stands, solid metal fences, and even some narrow car barriers, and never sticks.
When the ABUS isn’t big enough I use a Kryptonite cable as a tether to a secure fixing (e.g. for useless narrow wheel stands) then lock the back wheel and cable to the bike. When I use my large Carry Freedom trailer, I also have a much longer Kryptonite cable to tether this to the lock.
I haven’t bothered with lockable wheel QR, because lever cams are so useful, and I haven’t found lockable QR levers; I just use thick tie wraps as a safety measure and a deterrent. I’m amazed no supplier sells a locking cover, or a strut mounted lock, for QR levers, to stop them being pulled!
Abus Centuro 860mm offered no protection for me – just had my bike stolen and the thief clearly just cut through the cable with bolt cutter or similar. This is the second theft from Milton Keynes Central Station in three months. I’d like to see that recommendation removed from the site. From now on I’ll be using two steel hoop style locks.
That lock is only
* Level 8 protection on a scale up to 15
* Sold Secure Bronze
You need at least one Sold Secure Gold U-Lock for this location, you may even want to go for a Abus Granit Extreme 59 or an alarmed Motorcycle lock.
I can testimony for Abus City chains, my motorbike was stolen when locked with one, chain cut clean through.
The Abus Granit Mini Futura 64 is different to most D-locks because it’s about half the size and about half the weight (730g). The reduced weight will be attractive to those who find regular D-locks too heavy to carry around, while Abus’ own security rating of level 11 puts it in the Sold Secure equivalent band of ‘Silver’ – which is commendable.
There is a draw-back to this design. The 11mm thick D-shape shackle will fit around posts and bars up to 67mm in diameter. Most sign posts in the UK are 76mm diameter, so if you habitually lock your bike to sign posts this lock won’t work for you. Most bike racks are made out of tubes 50mm in diameter but in some towns they are thicker.
If you’re serious about buying this lock you need to consider what you might lock it to. The Abus Granit Futura 64 (what a mouthful) is perhaps best seen as a supplementary lock – and two locks are what you need if you have a treasured bike and lock it up on city streets.
I use a magnum D lock. Secure Silver rated and came with a cable as well for securing the front wheel.
Came with 5 (yes FIVE) Keys and also free replacement keys for life (subject to P&P) and also a £1000 Insurance backed guarantee.
A bargin at under 20 quid a couple of years ago.
P.S I dont leave my bike out anywhere overnght. Bike is only left unattended for maximum of a few hours and always in busy or well lit areas.
I got my Kryptonite and it has been doing an excellent job so far. It is the best bike lock ever and now I can leave my bike anywhere.
The New York Lock is good, in addition I would certainly recomend buying a thick cable
with enclosed ends or loops, that way one can cable the bike to just about anything and still lock it up with the New York Lock. These thick cables can be as long as six feet but they are capable of carring about one ton or more. These cables can be cut, but it will take some serious work. Just thought that this may be helpfull for anyone wanting to keep their bike.
I have locked my bike to the street sighns, a couple of guys in a pickup truck came by and lifted it over the street sighn and taking it. They waved as they drove off. I have locked my bike on the car to the rack and had someone come by with bolt cutters and take it. I was evan taught to lock my bikes up right at home. I evan lone a guy who had cancer one of my mountain bikes to use, and he ended up keeping it. I also go to Flea Markets where they sell used objects of all kinds, and evan if I lock up my bike at these sales they can still be stolen. The last one was cut off the bike rack in broad daylight. So I too have to pay attention to how I do lock up my bicycle…Thanks Paul
hi
you can take a look at this bike lock
http://www.ljbikelock.com/lj-9080bikelock/
it combites the advantage of U-lock and chain lock
thanks
This lock would be rubbish frankly and here’s why:
It locks only the frame to something.
It doesnt lock either of the wheels to the frame so they can easily be stolen.
It looks like it will be cut through in less than 10 minutes with a portable angle grinder.
I take my expensive bikes with me rather than leave them tied up anywhere, eg into the pub or cafe. I do use a cheapo lightweight lock if I leave it with friends at a pub while getting a round in or so that it won’t disappear when taking a sip.
I use my old hybrid if I have to leave a bike anywhere and then use a heavier lock but don’t care if it goes so I can get a new one.
PS Don’t forget to lock your bikes to your car when carryine them
and for those situations where you can’t take your bike with you? i.e. tube….?
Bike theft is a major issue costing tens of millions per year for the victims. How many people have ever been arrested or convicted for this? Why do the police not do sting operations watching expensive bikes with weak locks to see scum the bait attracts?
A Bicycle theft sting operation is unlikely to make the Police much money or earn much kudos, so won’t be done much, however it could make entertaining reality TV and the Police staff would probably love to get involved in that
Personally I would prefer it without the police…..just about 20 cyclists (in cycling shorts, hats etc) who jump out, hold the thief and then break his fingers one by one so he cannot do it at least for a couple of months. I would pay good money to see that on youtube.
Hello. I own a Kryptonite Evolution Mini 7 Lock with 4′ Cable. The downside is that it’s rather small, but it reduces the possibility of being broken by leverage. The good thing is that it only weights 1.4kg and it’s small to carry around. It feels solid
hi everyone, well i hade a criptonite lock but made a mistake and looked my bike to a parking signe that is 2.5 m higth , weel the thieves dismental the signe and slide the bike out of there, seconde time i both another bike and tied it to a lampost *5m higth# the thieves didnt take the bike but they tried and as a result my weels got bend and it cost me 30 pound to adjust theme , weel , the bigest probleme it s that there no security in our london city . police have no time for little thieves , specially the teenagers cause they have more power than police , weel the police will say the opposite if you ask theme , the solution is that either you take your bike at home at nigth or live in a posh area i mean a very posh one , may be near downing street , otherwise d ant listen to ancle david or ancle policemen they live in another world , than asse . thanks for looking
What the bike shops forget to tell you is to check that a D-lock will actually fit your bike! I bought a Kryptonite Series 2 D-lock and (1) there is nowhere on the frame that I can fit the bracket (and the thing weighs a ton, so would prefer to let the bike carry it) and (2) the space inside the ‘D’ isn’t actually wide enough to fit around the frame-and-back-wheel anyway. Hummph. Think I’ll get myself a chain lock.
Get a basket
Damian—-put the D-lock through the seat-stays, or through the chain-stays (and the wheel of course) onto the street-rack or whatever fixing point is available.
P.R.
Only been cycling in London for a few weeks, made my old crappy old mountain bike look like the worst ‘dog’ bike in london to deter thieves…..still got stolen from outside Peckham Pulse gym this afternoon at 3pm. Had a decent quality Oxford lock on which they broke off.
I read earlier a comment from a wiser London cyclist than me, ” spend £30 on your bike and £80 on a lock”
Beware the hoodie cycle thief…..may they all die aslow painful death
I’m now thinking of using my 30 year old Dawes tourer, perhaps this will be less attractive to the low life thieves?
Steve S……I’ve had 7 bikes since the 60′s, and most have been good quality 531 lightweights, club or race standard, and I’ve never had one stolen. As a teenager, I would often raise the seat up to its limit b4 leaving it locked in a public place, so a potential tea-leaf would assume its owner was a six-foot five inch monster. (Bit of a faff, to say the least..) Another ploy, which I still utilise occasionally, is to remove the front wheel and walk away with it….so at any rate the thieving schmuck would have to far cough and return with a suitable wheel (not difficult I admit).
I believe you’re right in thinking your old Dawes tourer less of a target, but I suspect these plonkers will nick whatever’s left around, just to keep in practice. So although I know I’ve been incredibly lucky over the years (most of my fanatical cycling was back in the 60′s, 70′s, and 80′s before bike-theft became such an epidemic), I do feel really sympathetic and bloody angry whenever I hear of cases such as yours, and I know many people in the same situation. I’d suggest getting the Dawes registered, and if you can’t take the f-wheel off the bike, think about a Q/R seat-pillar and take THAT away when you lock up….anything to discourage the bar-stewards!!
P.R.
Sorry, Oxford is not a decent lock brand, so I’m not surprise they broke it.
You need to go for premium brands like Abus, or maybe Kryptonite, with at least a Silver or Gold rating from Sold Secure; definitely Gold for high risk areas e.g. London.
I personally prefer Abus because their locks and keys seem better engineered.
I recently saw a number of videos on YouTube showing Kryptonite locks opened with a pen
This seems to be a bit of a worry
Yep, think this effected a small number of locks. Don’t think the trick still works but I’m willing to be proven wrong if anyone has managed it recently?
Ride On busted 16 locks to find the best options in Australia. The results are out now http://bit.ly/qkZm9I
Andreas have you heard of this new revolutionary lock?
Not sure whether it has been released yet but it’s made of titanium and sounds like it means business totally take over the bike lock market.
Maybe worth making contact to perhaps review one for the website?
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1051734209/tigr-titanium-lock-as-cool-as-your-bike
Many people think that two medium locks of different sorts are better than 1 maxi security on the basis that your average thief goes equipped for a particular opportunity (e.g. either a D lock or cable) and that a bike protected with both is just too much of a faff.
You shouldn’t be using WD-40 on your lock, ever.
I bought a big Abus D-lock rated at 9, reduced from GBP60. The bike was stolen when I popped in for about 15 mins to Tesco in Old Kent Road, alongside all the other bikes chained outside the main door to steel bars. Apparently bikes are regularly stolen there and the shop does and cares nothing. It seems all locks can be broken in seconds by well-equipped thieves and the money to buy a good one was wasted. Don’t park your bike in SE1.. I had done the police registration but this does not seem to have been any help in the following weeks.
by the way, the quality of the bike is no deterrent, mine was very old and cheap and apparently all are taken indiscriminately
Mate if I remember correctly, abus rating goes up to 15 or even 20 which would mean their own rating of 9 would not be a very good lock. You would need at least a 12 rated lock. However I would not even trust their own ratings. Refer to the sold secure ratings listing and check whether they gave rated your lock first. Only get a gold rates lock and discount anything leer for real safety. Also worth having the bike marked by the police.
Thanks, good advice. Lock was Abus Varedo, sold secure silver, level 9 protection (scale up to 15). So far I hardly let replacement bike out of my sight, but will save for gold standard. I had bike marked by police a week before it was stolen.
If I am not just out for a non stop ride, I do my door to door type shopping with my Brompton. Instead of a bike lock I bought “Easy Wheels” for it and push it around like a shopping trolley, and sometimes IN a shopping trolley
I had a relatively nice bike (scott hybrid) stolen from outside my work about 5years ago, which had been locked with a cheap d lock. But then I got into cycling and racing, so I started using a whacking great 2m long, 18mm thick cable with a huge padlock on my various bikes. Never had one stolen since.
but despite that, I couldn’t resist indulging in a kryptonite NY 3000 when I found it on offer for under £50! My bikes are the only safe ones in my area. 
a few tips that have enabled me to not get a really nice bianchi nicked in 8 years of locking it in London:
Never lock it overnight – it won’t be there in the morning
Take off the front wheel so you can lock through both wheels
Lock it high and awkwardly if possible
Make your bike look cheap – mine is worth over a grand but it looks like its 50 quid with black tape all over it. Plus if you ever want to sell it under the tape you’ve an unscratched bike.
I use a top range abus cable lock that’s the shorter of the two lengths. Harder to lock up but harder to break. I’ve also heard WD40 kills locks. You shouldn’t ever have to use it, if the lock seizes it will fix it. But WD40 will strip the grease from the lock and destroy it eventually, mine still works fine after 6 years.
I visited the Wiggle site and noticed that they have a sale with 20% off all their ABUS locks, in addition to lots of other savings.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/
Enjoy.
My advice for those who cycle to work in central London and don’t want your bike nicked is:
1. If your company doesn’t provide anywhere that you can safely lock up your bike then insist on taking it in the building.
2. If they want to really help, get them to provide a couple of Bykebins – where you can actually lock your bike out of sight
3. If all they will do is buy some cycle racks them get them to buy the Sheffield Toastrack style shown here – http://www.theworkplacedepot.co.uk/sheffield-toastrack-bike-stand at least then you can lock the frame and/or the both wheels. The front wheel cycle rack style are a waste of time and may as well have a sign up saying steal me!
Thanks
I read this paragraph completely concerning the resemblance
of most recent and preceding technologies, it’s amazing article.
I had my brand new bike nicked from just outside my office. i had it stranded on a metallic rigid pole with the abus centruro 860mm shown here. They had even taken the lock so I don’t even know if they cut it or picked it. The only thing I am sure about is that it had only taken them less than 5 minutes