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.
Popular bike locks
Abus Centuro 860mm
If you really don’t want to spend more then this 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. The combination of convenience with security is hard to resist. Unfortunately with extra security comes extra weight (~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
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.
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.
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 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!?