favorite bike locks to discourage thieves
Owning a bike lock is an important part of anyone's cycling kit. Though it's not as vital as a helmet, a reliable bike lock does provide immense peace of mind that your bike stays secure wherever you leave it. To get more news about ebike lock, you can visit magicyclebike.com official website.
And while there's no end-all-be-all bike lock capable of deterring a well-equipped thief, there are a number of options designed to slow down or discourage them.
Having lived and biked in the cycling-heavy cities of Portland, Oregon, and New York City, I've handled my fair share of locks. And with bike thefts on the rise here in NYC, I know all too well how important they are. Be it mountain bike trips, e-bike outings, or casual rides around my neighborhood, I've tested a variety of locks designed to secure whatever I'm pedaling.
Below are my six favorites, each of which I've grown to trust to keep my bike safe and secure whenever I lock it up. Along with the picks, I've also included insight into how I test bike locks at the end of this guide.
Best bike lock overall
Kryptonite is the top name in the bike lock industry. That's why we've included two of its locks in our guide. One of the factors that set Kryptonite apart is its Anti-Theft Protection Offer.
When you get your lock, you must register it with the company right away. Then, if your bike is stolen while it is covered by anti-theft protection, the company will pay to replace your bike. For the Fahgettaboudit Mini, the first year of registration is free. After that, it is $24.99 for five years of coverage.
Best budget bike lock
The Titanker Bike Lock Cable is made of flexible steel cables that measure a half-inch in diameter. The 4-foot cable is covered with PVC coating and recoils back into its original shape when not in use. The four-digit combination lock has 10,000 possible passcodes. This lock is the lightest option in this guide at 11.2 ounces, and it mounts to your bike with the provided bracket.
The cable design offers flexibility in what you can lock a bike to, and the combination key is also convenient. While a lock is a good deterrent in general, this option doesn't offer the level of protection as the other locks on this list. Still, the thick cable should deter most thieves.
Best D-lock bike lock
Hiplok is one of the who's who in the bike lock industry (we've written about, and loved, its Z-Lok) thanks to its wide selection of dependable products. With the DX, Hiplok not only offers one of the most heavy-duty D-locks on the market, but it challenges the Kryptonite lock that nabbed our top spot.
What makes the DX particularly stand out is its rugged and durable design, led by a double deadlock and 14mm hardened steel shackle that would take nothing short of a tank to break through it. This means you should feel comfortable locking up your bike anywhere and can rest assured it'll be there waiting for you when you're reading to ride again.
Best U-lock bike lock
The design of the Kryptolok Standard Bicycle U-Lock is fairly similar to the Kryptonite locks we covered in previous slides. It has a center keyway, high-security disc-style cylinder, reinforced hardened crossbar, and a hardened MAX-Performance steel shackle. However, there are some key differences. The shackle is 13 millimeters thick, the U-lock is 4 x 9 inches, and there is not a double locking mechanism.
Best quick-use bike lock
Though Hiplok's Z-Lok looks like some sort of beefed-up zip tie (it essentially is), it's still a highly useful bike lock. Perfect for locking up your bike in a pinch, say, while running some quick errands or popping into a store, the Z-Lok is a great companion to a larger, more robust bike lock.
What makes the Z-Lok particularly stand out is how easy it is to use. When first using it, it allows you to set a custom combination code, and then using it to lock up your bike is as easy as tightening a zip tie. Just slide the lock through wherever you want to secure your bike, feed the end of the lock through the locking mechanism, and tighten. Unlocking it is just as easy as you only need to put in your set combo and then slide the unlock button to fully loosen it.
Best on-bike bike lock
We've all been there: You're getting ready for a ride, you've packed a backpack, grab your helmet, and jet out the door. As you get to your destination, you realize it; you forgot your bike lock. Now, you're left with a decision, do you leave the bike there and quickly run inside to get what you need, or do you ride back home? With the Lobster Lock, those forgetful moments cease to exist.
Thanks to a design that allows you to permanently attach it to your bike's frame, the Lobster Lock goes wherever your bike goes, all day, every day. By attaching to where you'd put a water bottle cradle, the lock is able to stay out of the way enough to avoid hindering you as you ride, yet is perfect for attaching to a bike rack (including through your wheel, too).