Best Bike Locks: Never get stranded without your bicycle again
With crime soaring all over the world, it has become extremely important to invest in more and more mechanisms that will protect you and your valuables. Bikes are an easy target and since they do not provide any natural safety mechanisms, it is up to you the rider to ensure that your bike is protected.
It may sound daunting when we have to take all the responsibility for our bikes and unlike cars, we will not have anyone else to blame but ourselves if they get stolen. We have decided to help you in reducing the stress and even encourage you to get back on your bicycle to explore the world once again.
We have looked far and wide and found the top 5 bike locks that we think will definitely help you improve the safety of your bicycle and should really give you more peace of mind when you need to make a quick stop and mount the bike.
Before we get into the top 5 bike locks, we would like to share the best features that you need to look for when buying the ultimate bicycle lock. These features could really make a huge difference in the results and once you understand them, you will also be able to narrow down the specific ones you need and save some money.
Key features to consider before buying a bike lock:
Not all bike locks are the same and once you understand these features, you will know what to look for and you will also be able to make a more informed and better choice about your bike lock.
- Construction type and size: While we know that steel is the most durable construction material on the market, it is also worth noting what the size of the steel is that has been used in the construction. The bigger the steel size, the heavier the lock, but you will also receive better protection.
- Weather protection: Does your safe offer weather protection? We may easily forget about how weather impacts steel over the long run and by leaving your bike locked outside in the rain for too long, you might notice rust starting to build up on the frame. Vinyl or rubber coatings will ensure that you have fewer problems with weather, but even these need to be replaced every once in a while.
- Weight: If you love riding longer distances, weight will start becoming a factor. And while many of these locks can easily be attached to the bike, you will need to find something that matches the distances that you like to travel.
- Locking mechanism: The all-important locking mechanism should never be overlooked and you should give special attention to this. It is also great to know exactly how the lock works and if it used one or two bolts to lock with. Understanding this will give you better knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of the lock.
These four features are extremely important and we encourage everyone to first consider these before simply just buying a lock. This could save you time and money in the end.
With that being said, let’s look at the top mini bike locks to keep you safe:
Image |
Product |
Price |
Rating |
| Kryptonite 994589 New York Lock M-18WL | $$$ | 4.4/5.0 | |
| ABUS Granit X-Plus 540 U Lock 540/160HB300 + USH | $$$ | 5.0/5.0 | |
| Abus Bordo GRANIT X Plus 6500/85cm (33.46 in) | $$$ | 4.3/5.0 | |
| TiGr mini Lightweight Titanium Bicycle Lock | $$ | 4.5/5.0 | |
| Abus Folding Bordo Combo 6100 Lock | $$$ | 4.7/5.0 | |
| 560G Titanium Bike Lock | $$$ | 4.7/5.0 | |
| VINQLIQ 9-Section Zinc Alloy Bike Folding Lock | $$ | 4.0/5.0 | |
| MEETLOCKS 20CrMnTi Foldable Bike Lock | $ | 3.6/5.0 | |
| INBIKE Bike Folding Lock Bicycle Chain Lock | $$ | 4.6/5.0 | |
| Xtreme Bright Illumilock Blade Bike U-Lock | $ | 3.6/5.0 |
Kryptonite 994589 New York Lock M-18WL
Featuring one of the toughest steel construction methods, this lock will certainly keep your bike from getting stolen in all dangerous locations and spots. The kryptonite brand has been in the game for multiple years and they definitely understand all the fundamentals associated with creating a top of the line bike lock.
The lock features durable 18 mm frame that should keep anyone busy or a while trying to break open the lock and the lock has been tested to resist bolt cutters, saws, and even jacks. The locking mechanism has been designed in the middle of the steel cylinder and while this may seem strange, it is highly beneficial as it will resist any attempt that uses leverage to try and open the lock.
The keys have been uniquely designed as well and you will receive three keys upon receiving the product. One of these keys has been fitted with a LED light bulb. This should give you clear vision of the lock during the evening.
To ensure that the weather does not get the better of you, the lock is also fitted with a vinyl coating and dust protective sliding cover to ensure that they keyhole is clean and that rust does not damage the steel frame in any way shape or form.
Pros:
- Easy to mount on bike
- Durable 18 mm thick steel construction
- Customizable locking features
Cons:
- Might be a little heavy for the young ones to mount and dismount
Overall, we would highly recommend this to all bike riders. The lock will certainly provide you with satisfaction and multiple years of use to ensure that you always have protection for your bicycle.
ABUS Granit X-Plus 540 U Lock 540/160HB300 + USH
Packed with quality features from a company that has been in the game for multiple eras, the ABUS Granit X-plus lock should definitely be perfect for anyone looking to get quality for a reasonable price. With multiple years of experience, you should be put at ease over experience and know that the lock has been put through many anti-theft tests to bring you one of the ultimate bike locks.
The locking mechanism uses two steel deadbolts that will ensure that no one can pry open the lock and use leverage to do so. The 13 mm patented steel structure will also give you optimal resistance against bolt cutters, saws, or any other form of prying equipment use to break open the lock.
With the lock, you will also receive two keys that have been fitted with small LED lights to ensure that you could quickly access and unlock your bike in the darkness of night. This will help protect you from muggings as well as robberies that have been targeted to people that spend time trying to unlock their bikes.
Furthermore, the lock weighs just over 4 pounds and can be easily attached to the bike if not in use. The protective rubber shell will keep the rain out and prevent any rust from forming on the steel and weakening the material. With this feature, you will be able to ride in wet conditions and even leave your bike outside, although we do not recommend this as it may damage the bike.
Finally, the lock has a security rating of 15 out of 15 and thus the developers claim this to be the perfect mini lock. With all this quality, you can be sure to trust the brand and the lock.
Pros:
- Highly trusted brand
- Average weight and easy to mount
- Protective rubber shell to withstand all weather conditions
- Reasonable priced
Cons:
- Made specifically for round frames and average sized frames
Overall, this lock can easily be used in conjunction with most other locks and the benefit of being able to customize the key locking system will spare you the trouble of carrying one of those heavy bunches of keys around for all your locks.
We recommend the lock anyone traveling long distances and even professionals with highly expensive bikes. The quality is definitely not exaggerated.
Abus Bordo GRANIT X Plus 6500/85cm (33.46 in) – Folding lock, Bike lock
The Abus Bordo is the first folding lock that we have on our list and it provides you with great multifunctional use. Not only is the lock lightweight, but it has also been designed and constructed with extremely strong materials to ensure quality and the perfect fit for your bike. The lock can easily be folded and you will be able to easily fit the lock on your bike when traveling and not in use.
All of the elements on the lock have been made from extremely high-quality steel and the folding mechanism will not only make the lock more portable, but also more compact when transporting.
The lock also features 2 keys and one has been fitted with a LED light to ensure that you are able to quickly access the lock and open the lock when it is dark. This will prevent burglaries and the possibilities of getting caught while still unlocking your bike.
Furthermore, the locking cylinder has been specifically designed to protect the lock against any form of prying and even lock pickers may have an extremely hard time trying to get into the core locking system of the lock.
Unfortunately, the lock may be subject to weather damage, but you will also receive a protective case to keep the lock in. You will not be able to use the lock in this case, but it can easily be strapped to the frame of your bike using the Velcro tape provided and this will keep rust from setting in and damaging the 5.5-inch steel links.
The links have also been tested against various prying equipment and you can be sure that the average bolt cutters and saws won’t easily break the links. The only weaknesses might be the different linking points for each link.
Pros:
- Easy to mount
- Extremely thick links for more versatility
- Easy to fold and store
- LED lighted key for night use
Cons:
- Might be vulnerable to weather conditions
Overall, we believe that this is one of the best locking systems on the market. It has been fairly priced and you will also have a lot of versatility when using the lock to ensure that your bike is always safe and secure in any location or situation.
TiGr mini Lightweight Titanium Bicycle Lock with Mounting Clip
Titanium is one of the most durable and even weather resistant materials on the market. The material is extremely difficult to get through and in larger sizes can even be impossible to break without the use of heavy machinery and specially designed equipment. With this lock, you will receive all of these benefits for an extremely reasonable price.
While the United States are renowned for making some of the best equipment on the planet, you will have the benefit of knowing that your lock has been handcrafted to eliminate any possible mechanical flaws that may be left by machinery. This also makes the product more trustworthy and reliable.
The lock can easily be mounted to your bike and the added PVC protected coating will ensure that the titanium does not leave scratches or damage you frame in any way. You will be able to quickly lock the bike as it features a quick push-button style to engage the lock and make it active. The clicking sound will indicate that it has been locked and you will be able to test the sturdiness of the lock as well.
The design may be a little odd, but after some use and experimenting, you will see just how easy it is to use and that the titanium makes all the difference compared to average locks.
You will receive two keys with the lock, but they are not LED lighted like the previous locks. While this may be discouraging to some, others will enjoy the entire mechanical feel of the lock and you will never need to stress about batteries dying and light breaking.
The lock weighs less than one pound and this will make it versatile and extremely easy to strap to the frame of your bike. The lock is great for transporting and will be a great addition to your biking equipment.
Pros:
- Titanium steel benefit
- Lightweight and durable
- Push-button locking feature
- PVC protected coating
Cons:
- Lack of lighting feature might waste time when unlocking at night
Overall, this lock is great for children and students that prefer to ride bicycle to school. The lock is light weight and the push-button locking system will save you time when you need to mount the lock. The lack of a night light may make the process of unlocking at night more stressful and time-consuming.
ABUS Chain lock Bordo Combo 6100 Folding Bike Lock
Abus is one of the industry leading bike lock designers and with this folding lock, they have hit the nail perfectly in the center. The lock is unique designed from all of their other locks to bring you a versatile and easy to use experience while biking.
The lock features a coded locking mechanism which may be like by some. Others will still be drawn to the key lock as it is easier to unlock and will not waste that much time when in dangerous situations. The benefit of the coded lock is the fact that you will not need to carry keys around and lock picking becomes nearly impossible as it is now changed to a guessing game.
The foldable feature will make the lock easy to carry along and you will also be able to attach the lock to your bike with the added Velcro straps that have been provided. The durable steel links have also been coated to ensure optimal weather protection and to allow you to ride during arduous weather conditions.
On the downside, the lock may be heavy to some, especially children and the lack of a LED light will make it harder to use at night and you might be left vulnerable to robbery. The lock will be perfect in the day and will keep the bike secure when you are not present.
Pros:
- Foldable feature for portability
- Easy to attach and transport
- Highly effectively coded locking system
- Never worry about losing your keys
Cons:
- Lack of LED light limits night time usage
- Quite heavy for children and women
We highly recommend this lock for daytime use by adults and anyone that likes to ride shorter distances. The unlocking process may take some time, but you will know that your bike is safe and secure no matter where you choose to set it.
Final Thoughts:
Choosing the best one was quite difficult, but we have found the TiGr mini Lightweight Titanium Bicycle Lock with Mounting Clip, to meet the most of our requirements. Even though the lock may not be coated and may look out of style, it has been handcrafted and made from durable titanium to ensure that you have quality and all the necessary protection.
We would like to thank you for reading this article and we hope that you now have a better idea of how the top mini bike locks look and operate. We hope that you will also be able to make a more informed decision and that you really understand how important it is to have a quality bike lock.
We would like to encourage you to let us know what you think about these locks and if you have any suggestions that may help us give you more advice and help you find the perfect bike lock for your needs.