

Our guide on how to lock a bike suggests using multiple different types of lock, as this will double or triple the amount of time a thief needs to take to steal your bike, which will prove a major deterrent.įor those making quick stops or locking their bike out of reach but within eyesight, heavy-duty locks will always provide the most security, but the best lightweight bike locks can offer reasonably good performance whilst also being portable and easy to carry. Unfortunately, the folding lock's downfall is the mechanisms that enable this functionality, the pins, which can be bested with a small power drill, rendering your folding lock useless. They are pretty heavy, but offer tons of security and add flexibility as to what the lock will fit around.įolding locks have become a popular option for commuters because they are lightweight, compact, made from materials that are hard to cut, and allow you to lock your bike to something oddly shaped or with a large circumference, like a tree or signpost. Look for bike-specific locks from reputable brands such as Abus, Hiplok or Kryptonite they not only use hardened steel for the chain links and shackle, but they also have a sleeve designed to get tangled in the teeth of a saw, making it more challenging to cut. Chains are also a good option, but again you get what you pay for a hardware store chain and the lock will not last long against a hacksaw or bolt cutters. However, these are also the heaviest locks and may limit what you can lock your bike to based on their fixed size and shape.Ĭable locks offer the flexibility to thread through complex frames and around larger anchor points, but be careful what you buy as thinner cables can be cut in a matter of seconds with bolt cutters. U-locks (also known as D-locks) are largely considered to be the most secure as they are made of hardened steel that will even give handheld angle grinders a run for their money. There are a few different types of bike locks, and they all have their merits and their pitfalls.
