Category Archives for Bike Lock Advice

With an immense number of product options available like chain locks and cable locks on the market to stop the bike thief. However, finding the right bike cable lock for your individual needs can be a cumbersome process as there are so many contenders.

With myriad brands producing specialized steel cables aimed at consumers looking to protect their bicycles and other valuable equipment, it can be more than a little frustrating knowing what product will best meet your needs.

Cable bike locks are highly versatile tools that offer many adaptability opportunities. Generally regarded as less secure than the more robust U-lock style bike locks, cable locks still remain a popular purchase for consumers looking for a convenient way to secure their valuables and to provide just enough deterrence to theft for peace of mind.

With the plenitude of options available on the market today, there are cable bike locks that come with keyed locks, integrated combination locks featuring four digits or more, armored coating for unparalleled protections, slide-style sizing, and even aggressively-themed aesthetic components designed to further thwart thieves.

Read on below for our top bike lock cable picks for 2017 and let us help you find the best bike lock for your individual requirements.

With plenty of options to choose from, our at-a-glance informative reviews with pros and cons will ultimately help you make the best choice for your security needs.

Read on below to learn more about the top 5 bike lock cables available on the market today in 2017!

1. UShake Bike Lock Cable

Topping best seller lists across retail sites throughout the Internet, the UShake Bike Lock Cable is a trusted consumer favorite backed by plenty of glowing reviews and product-affirming accolades.

Offering a lengthy 4 feet of self-coiling cable with fully resettable combination bike locks results in heightened security for users. An included mounting bracket measuring 4 feet by .5 inch ups the convenience factor for easy transport.

The combination lock has a 4-digit locking mechanism for ultra-convenient keyless use and offers users up to a whopping 10,000 numerical possibilities, thus making this lock code virtually uncrackable by thieves.

Fully resettable, your personal number combos can be set back to default within minutes. Despite primarily being used for bicycle security, the Ushake is also a popular option for consumers looking to add protection to their skateboards, ATVs, grills, sports equipment, lawnmowers, ladders, tool boxes, gates, and more.

​Distinct from many competing bike lock cables, the Uhsake features cutting-edge performance with its top-of-the-line, premium-grade braided steel cables that are flexible, strong-cut for paramount levels of resistance and coated with durable PVC material to heighten overall durability and prevent scratches and dings.

PROS:

CONS:

Master Lock 8417D Python Adjustable Locking Cable

This adjustable steel cable measures a robust 3/16-inch in width by a lengthy 6 feet. Eponymously named for its python-printed facade, this cable bike lock features an abundance of features including a pin tumbler mechanism that is 100% pick-resistant. Fully-coated cable and ultra-durable ABS-style lock cover bumper.

With an easy to use mechanism requiring users to merely pull the cable tight and lock it down, the Python secures all of your valuables with an adjustable cable allowance of anywhere from six inches to six feet in length, depending on the item you use it for.

Noted by many users to its ability to secure valuables and property tightly with threading mechanisms not found on competing cable locks, this cable remains a top value among those looking for the perfect combination of affordability, performance, and durability.

PROS:

CONS:

Master Lock 72DPF Heavy-Duty Looped End Cable

Heavy, durable, and featuring a whopping 15 feet of your choice of self-coiling cable or braided steel cable, the Master Lock 72DPF has heavy-duty performance elements backing up its industrial appearance.

With its 10-millimeter diameter braided steel, this cable offers consumers an incredible amount of strength and durability. Self-coiling options create effortlessly easy storage opportunities for users and the protective PVC-style coating will protect your many tools and pieces of equipment from scratches.

Perfect for securing larger, bulkier items as well as offering industrial-grade protecting control over smaller valuables, the Master Lock 72DPF is a heavy-duty behemoth in a class all its own.

PROS:​

CONS:

Master Lock Python Trail Camera Adjustable Camouflage Cable Locks

Camouflage patterned locking heads adds a rugged look to these powerful cable locks offered by Master Lock. Coming as a complete set that includes two identically keyed locks along with keys, this set can be customized by ordering the keys and locks keyed differently for maximum levels of security.

Offering a fearsome look, these locks will make thieves think twice before attempting to steal your valuables. With the Master Lock Python’s fully adjustable locking mechanism, you are able to fully secure anything that is threaded through its Python-style braided steel cables.

Great for protecting bikes, treestands, all terrain equipment, tools, grills, ATVs, motorcycles, lawn mowers, furniture, skis, boats, and even leather jackets, consumers are able to find a wide variety of uses for these absolutely essential cable locks.

PROS:​

CONS:

Kryptonite Kryptoflex 815 Combo Cable Bicycle Lock

​The Kryptonite Krytoflex 815 Combination Cable Bike Lock is a great deterrent for thieves.

With its fully integrated resettable locking head that has 4 digits and provides seemingly infinite numerical combinations in addition to its flexing hinge mechanism that prevents leverage-style attacks, the Kryptonite Kryptoflex is a superb choice for those consumers seeking the ultimate combination of affordability and performance.

Reasonably priced, the Kryptonite Kryptoflex offers many of the same features as its much higher-priced competitors. Along with a 4-digit numerical lock that is fully resettable, consumers are provided with a protective vinyl coating to eliminate scratching, and infinite numerical combinations available for the utmost in security.

PROS:​

CONS:

When you are going on a bicycle tour, the chances are you are worrying about whether or not your bicycle wheels will be missing when you come back. Most bikes nowadays are fitted with a quick release skewer to easily allow you to remove your wheels without the use of tools. While they are incredibly helpful if you end up with a flat tire, they are also an easy way for people to steal your rear wheel bike tires, the bike wheel, or even the entire bike frame itself from the bike rack.

So, how do you prevent this from happening if you have a bike with wheels that have a quick release skewer, or even just plain old wheel attachments? The best thing that you can do is to purchase a quality bicycle lock for your wheels.

Since there are so many different types on the market, it can be pretty overwhelming trying to figure out which one is a good buy. We are going to help you out. In this article, you will find a guide that will help you find the right type of bicycle lock for your wheels and help you protect your bike wheels!

Cable Locks

While cable locks do help to prevent your bike from being stolen, they also tend to be super easy to cut with wire cutters. Cable locks tend to be a cheaper option when compared to most other bike locks, which is a plus for most people but don’t just buy it because of that reason. They are a good buy if you are not too worried about your bike pieces being stolen in the area that you are. However, if you are really worried about your bike being stolen stay away from cable locks.

Wheel Locks

Wheel locks are also known as o-locks, ring locks, and frame locks. These types of locks are found on all bikes in the Netherlands, Japan, and most of Europe. These types of locks attach directly onto the frame of your bike to help prevent it from being stolen. Once it’s installed, you will just insert your key and push down the level so that a metal ring slides between the spokes of your back tire to prevent it from being stolen.

They are incredibly convenient too because they are installed right onto your bike. No longer will you have to worry about ensuring that you packed your bike lock when you go on trips or lugging around heavy chains. It’s right there on your bike, all you need is the key.

While these types of locks are great, they are not ideal for overnight security in a big city; anyone could just lift up the back wheel of your bike and be gone. They work best for if you are just stopping for a little break, running into a shop, or taking in a view.

D-Locks or U-Locks

These types of locks are more secure than cable locks, plus more than likely if a potential thief were to see one of these they would walk away. Instead of a cable that can easily be cut with a wire cutter, these types of locks use metal as the loop and then have a lock attached to it. Because of this, they can easily resist just about any type of tool that someone would use to remove it.

If you decide to go with this type of lock, you need to find one that leaves little to no space between it and the area that you are locking it around; this helps ensure that your bike is safe.

Some downsides to D-locks (U-locks) are that they are incredibly bulky and heavy. Therefore, they are rather cumbersome to carry around when you are on a bike tour. They can also be rather expensive and might not actually work to protect the area of your bike that you are hoping to protect.

Heavy Chain Locks

These are a great buy if you are living in a big city and are worried about your bike wheels being stolen. They are incredibly durable and keep your bike secure—you can leave it on overnight and know that everything will still be there in the morning. They resist any type of tool that someone would use to remove it, just make sure that you get a padlock that is just as sturdy.

While these are incredibly secure, they can be super expensive and heavy and bulky to carry around on your trips.

Locking Wheel Skewers

Locking wheel skewers disable the quick release skewer feature on your bike which prevents thieves from using that convenient function to steal your wheels. They are easy to install and they don’t take up any extra room on your bike or on your person. Plus, you can use them on your seat if it has a quick release skewer as well!

A downside to this type of lock is that they can require a special wrench that comes with it in order to install. If you lose this wrench, then you are either stuck without the quick release function on your bike, or without a really good bike wheel lock.

Bike Lock Keys vs. Combinations

Keyed locks are exactly as they sound: Bike locks that require a key to unlock it. They are easy for someone to pick if they want to, sometimes all they need is a ballpoint pen. They usually come with two keys so that you will have a backup if you lose one, but you could also get a new one made by a key maker. You will find these types of locks on U-locks and chain locks.

Combination locks are locks that require a certain code to be entered into them in order for them to unlock. They are super convenient because you don’t have to try to remember to grab your lock keys as you are leaving, but they can also be annoying because you should remember a code. They are a step up from keyed locks, but they can have the same issues as them. You will usually find these on cable locks.

Keyed locks and combination locks work well if you are really not worried about it being picked or if you live in a low crime area, but not ideal if you live in a big city with a lot of theft.

In the end, it’s up to you and your needs to help you figure out which bike wheel lock is perfect for you. But, hopefully, this guide helped make it a little easier for you when you’re out shopping!​