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Best Bicycle Lock Reviews
One of the most critical parts of owning a bike? The bike lock, of course. That piece of metal or plastic that you affix to your bike and to a secure object around it, so no one pilfers your ride when you're leaving your bike. We’ve had bikes stolen so many different times, both locked and unlocked, but a lock is the best insurance you have against bike thefts. And some locks are eons better than others in terms of durability, ease of use, and cost effectiveness. No matter how much your bike cost, it can be an incredibly frustrating and sad experience to lose yours to theft. There’s the inconvenience of finding another one, the loss of any attachments like that bell your cousin gave you for Christmas, or that water bottle you got at a friend’s wedding, or the custom leather saddle seat. Plus, we bond with our bikes and spend so much time with them that it breaks our hearts to know someone else is now cruising on our Kona across the Brooklyn Bridge.
So, needless to say, locks are important
A few things to consider before purchasing a lock are how much muscle you’ll need (do you live in Bushwick, Brooklyn, or a retirement community in Ohio?), what you want to spend (always an important factor), whether you want any other uses out of it (lights, for instance), style, and ease of use. For some of us, remembering a four-letter word can be pretty tough. For those who are better with numbers, a padlock-style lock is impossible. Some of us can’t keep ahold of a key to save our lives, and are more likely to lock ourselves off of our bikes than a would-be thief. Some of us maybe bike safely home after a beer or two to avoid driving, and want a lock that’s simple to disengage and carry home, so that we don’t look like idiots undoing the lock. Some of us just want something light that will, as a former landlord of mine put it when he recommended I stay at home while the plumber worked, keep honest people honest.
So, with all of these factors in mind, here are a few of our favorite ways to lock up the items most precious to us in this world. These are the strongest bike locks of all the locks we tested. When properly locked, you'll have no fear of leaving your bike. Gollum would have used one of these suckers for his ring, if he had the technology we have today (if they would have fit through a ring).
There are a few different options when it comes to finding a secure lock. The U and D locks are popular, though we find them a little annoying sometimes to fit to certain stands. They don’t work well when there are already a ton of bikes on the stand, for instance. And someone with a power tool or bolt cutter will be able to cut through them. And people can pick cylindrical locks with a pen, so you might want to avoid those. Locking skewers are nuts and bolts that protect parts of your bike, which can be great for those who customize with expensive parts. Chain locks are also popular, though they can be quite heavy, and can be sliced through with a bolt cutter. Some hardened steel chains will naturally be sturdier than others. Cable locks are another option, and they come in different varieties. You can use them in combination with other locks as well. Wheel locks keep someone from taking a wheel off your bike. Now, we even have locks that you can use a smartphone to disengage, which will send you a message if someone messes with them. In the future, we predict these locks will grow in popularity, and that the “dumber” locks will eventually be phased out.
Here are a few of our favorite models when it comes to the bike lock:
Bicycle Chain Lock, Sportneer 5-Digit Resettable Combination Anti-theft Bike Locks
Top pick. This model is a keeper. We like how you don’t have to worry about losing a key to open it (it has a resettable combination, too), and we love the cloth sleeve. It’s over three feet long, and it’s made from something called manganese steel. It’s flexible, which makes it easy to thread through tires and around whatever you're locking your bike to. It weights a mere 1.5 pounds, and costs just $13 on Amazon.
AKM Bike Lock Cable 4-Feet Bike Cable Basic Self Coiling Resettable 5-Digit Combination with Complimentary Mounting Bracket
This model is a little cheaper, and like the Sportneer version, you can also reset the combination. It has a five character passcode, and it’s great for things like skateboards or lawnmowers as well. Plus, it’s tiny and easy to carry around; it weighs 410 grams. Of all the locks tested, this one was by far the most easy to transport.
Heavy Duty Combination Bike U Lock, Amazer 12mm Bike Lock Bicycle Heavy Duty Combination U Lock Bike Lock Anti Theft
For something a little more burly, we like this lock. It’s ingenious. It’s keyless and has a dust cover to protect it from dust and wear. And if you aren’t satisfied, you can always just return it. Users liked how it’s simple to enter the code in. We like the sleek look as well. It retails for $25 on Amazon.
Bike Lock GoFriend High Security 5 Digit Resettable Combination Coiling Cable Lock
This lock is great for kids. It’s light (it weighs just over half a pound), and it comes in so many different colors, from pink to white to purple. It’s 120 cm, and it has a mount as well.
And have you heard of the Skunk Lock ? It’s motto is, “the lock that fights back.” This U-lock is fine to carry around, but it sprays a mixture of chemicals if anyone tries to mess with it. Watch the videos online to see how it works; they’re good for a laugh. Their premise is that any lock out there can be cut in under 60 seconds, so you need to be more proactive in preventing the theft of your beloved bike. Prices vary, as it’s an Indiegogo campaign.
Even with the best lock out there, however, there’s no guarantee that someone won’t find a way to steal your bike. If your bike does get stolen, report it right away, and check craigslist and your local pawn shops.
