How to Choose Bicycle Lock | Buyers Guide 2022
While a helmet protects your head from various types of injuries when you ride, a bike lock provides security to the bicycle itself. Therefore, it is an extremely important cycle accessory to have.
If you are searching for the best one and you don’t know how to choose bicycle lock, we are here to help you.
We have prepared this guide with all the information you need to know about locks so that you are some of an expert at the end of it and you can buy the most suitable one.
So without further ado, let’s start.
How to Choose Bicycle Lock: Everything You Should Know
Benefits of Bike Locks. Why Do You Need a Bicycle Lock?
The main reason you need a bike lock is to ensure your favorite cycle's safety and security. It lock keeps the thief at arm’s length from the cycle.
The set of benefits a bicycle lock offers its users are as follows.
Secure Your Bike
One of the greatest benefits is that it keeps your favorite bicycle safe from theft. As you are locking it away, there are minimal to zero chances that someone can walk away with it without anyone noticing.
A thief must first break the lock (which is quite impossible) and then take it. But breaking a bike lock is not easy and it might draw the attention of onlookers.
Peace of Mind
Another advantage is that it offers you peace of mind. You don’t have to worry about theft whenever you park it anywhere, even inside your garage.
This security lock will keep thieves at arm’s length and make sure that you always don’t need to worry about your favorite bike at the back of your mind.
Store Your Bike Lock on Your Bike
One interesting and convenient aspect of bike security locks is storing it on the bike itself. This means that you don’t have to carry extra bags or pouches to keep it with you whenever you ride- you can always mount it on the cycle and use it wherever and wherever you need.
They’re Made of Steel
Excellent quality bicycle locks are made from premium quality steel material, meaning they are extremely strong and sturdy and cannot be cut through easily.
The steel construction is also considered advantageous as it makes more secure and makes sure your bike is safe from thieves.
Variety of Lock Styles
Another advantage you can enjoy is the variety styles available in the market. Keeping in mind the user's versatile needs, manufacturers offer varieties of lock styles so that you have the freedom to choose just the right one according to your needs and budget.
Bolt Cutters Won’t Work.
As the bicycle security locks are made from high-quality steel materials, they provide you the best security ever.
Thieves will find it extremely hard to cut through the lock, let alone take the cycle with them- even bolt cutters cannot cut through them. So you can enjoy supreme security.
Types of Bicycle Locks
Keeping in mind the different needs and wants of different types of riders, manufacturers produce different types of bicycle locks to meet their demands. The types of bike security locks that are available in the market are:
U-lock / D-lock
However you call them, U or D-locks are one of the most inexpensive types of bike locks in the market. But then again, these are also the most durable ones.
The U-locks look like a giant padlock and comes with a metal shackle to provide maximum security to your cycle.
Because of the metal shackle, it is quite impossible to cut or saw through it and take your bike. Even though these consist of metal, they are still lightweight and don’t weigh your bike down.
Chain Lock/chain Link Lock
As the name suggests, the chain-link lock are actually a long link chain made entirely from metal. Specially designed to protect your cycle from theft, these can resist hacksaws or chisels and provide the users leverage over the thieves.
Moreover, to protect your cycle from the metal links, these are wrapped in a piece of fabric sleeve so that they don’t scratch the bike surface and damage it.
However, even though the chain locks provide you top-notch security, they are heavy and bulky and might be a little inconvenient for you to use.
Folding Lock
The folding locks are constructed using a chain of metal plates connected by rivets to provide exceptional security to your bike like the chain lock.
Even though the folding locks are fairly new in the market with a new concept, they gained immense popularity because of their size and weight.
When folded, these turn into a very compact size so that you can carry them easily whenever or wherever you go.
Cable Lock (Are Rubbish!)
As the name suggests, cable locks are long cables that you wrap around your bike to secure it from theft. These are versatile in design and extremely lightweight for the best convenience of the users.
Usually made from fiber material and PVC, these are keyless and only operate using a combination of four or more characters.
The main benefit of these versatile locks is that they are super easy to carry and can be attached to the bike whenever you are riding.
However, they are not as secure as the other locks on the list. Thieves can cut through using a bolt cutter effortlessly and can actually take the bike away.
Locking Wheel or Seat Skewers
You might be happy that your bike has quick-release wheels and seat posts as they are extremely easy and convenient to use. But remember that they are also convenient for the thieves and make it easier for them to steal your cycle.
To keep your bikes with quick-release features safe, manufacturers offer you a Locking Wheel or Seat Skewers capable of disabling the quick-release features and making it extremely tough for the thieves to steal your favorite bicycle.
Bike Lock with Keys
Bike Locks with Keys are generally the bike security locks that come with a key attached to it.
The lock needs to be unlocked with the key; it won’t work without the key and therefore, you need to be as careful with the key as you are with the bike itself.
Combination Bike Lock
From the name, you can understand that combination bike locks are the security locks that operate by using a combination of 4 or more characters. You have to both lock and unlock it using the right combinations.
Even though from the concept, it seems like the best security lock to protect your bicycle, in reality, it isn’t. these can be easily cut through and can be stolen in a matter of minutes.
GPS and Chip-enabled Lock
The most advanced locks you can use on your bicycle for security purposes are GPS and Chip-enabled Locks. The modern age locks use Bluetooth and GPS modules and include a SIM card to ensure top-notch security.
Moreover, you can always track the ride whenever it is lost or stolen because of the GPS tracking system.
Features to Consider in a Strong Bicycle Lock
When you decide to buy, there are several features and factors that you need to think about.
Below, we have discussed the things that you should keep in mind when buying so that you end up getting just the right one for you.
Material: What Are Bike Lock Made of?
The material of a bike lock matters. This is because the level of safety largely depends on the material.
Remember that the stronger the lock material, the more difficult it will be to cut through and vice versa. And therefore, pick a locked material that is strong and sturdy.
While shopping, never pick a lock made from a blend of several metals.
Try choosing the one that is constructed with manganese steel or twisted cable wire because these materials tend to provide the highest level of safety and cannot be broken easily.
Length & Weight
The lock's length and weight are also important because these aspects also plays a crucial role in keeping your cycle safe from thieves.
While making your purchase, make sure that the lock or chain attached to it is long enough to attach your bike to a post or fence effortlessly. Otherwise, there are high chances that you might end up not securing your bike at all.
Similarly, you should also check the weight. Even though heavyweight locks are more secured, they also increase the overall weight of the cycle and might affect maneuverability as well.
Weatherproof
When choosing, don’t hesitate to pick up the one with weatherproof features. The lock needs to be weatherproof because, even though you are not living in any damp or humid area, it collects moisture from time to time.
Also, when it rains, the lock gets drenched and has the chance of suffering from rust and getting damaged.
The weatherproof feature will protect the lock and extend its longevity.
Smartphone Tethering
If you have the budget to spare, getting an advanced locking system would be great. Many modern locks come with enhanced Bluetooth technology that is synced with your smartphone to provide you additional convenience. With this tethering technology, you can unlock your bike even without a key.
This advanced locking system is the perfect choice for riders who lose their keys more often than not.
Built-in Alarm
One interesting feature you can look for in your bike lock is a built-in alarm system. Even though this advanced feature is usually in the most high-end locks, there is no harm in looking.
As the name suggests, this involves an alarming system linked with your smartphone and rings up as soon as your bike's security is being compromised.
Thickness
In addition to all other features, never forget to check the lock's thickness when you are buying one. It would be best if you had a thicker chain rather than a thin one because thick chains are harder to cut through and vice versa.
When searching, check the millimeter and compare it with others. Generally, a higher mm means the chain is thicker and would keep away thieves at arm’s length.
Anti-theft Policy
One interesting aspect you might want to avail of when shopping, is the anti-theft policy. If a lock comes with this policy, never hesitate to take this.
The anti-theft policy offers you the opportunity to claim back a certain amount of money when your lock breaks or malfunctions during the warranty period. The higher the price of the lock, the more return you will get.
In addition to the anti-theft policy, as if any insurance covers the lock. So if it comes with an insurance policy, take it too.
Lights
Many bike locks come with lights- the lights are a fancy accessory and help you identify your cycle if you have parked it in a dark place. It would be nice to have a security lock with lights on your bike.
Durability
You wouldn’t want to buy a lock that is not super durable. Durability is important, especially in bike security locks, because it provides you longevity and makes sure it won’t break off or get damaged easily and hamper your cycle's safety.
Cleaning
Bike security locks need regular cleaning and wiping to keep them running smoothly.
Regular maintenance extends their life and improves security features. For these reasons, it’s the best idea that you get a security lock that is extremely easy to clean and maintain- no one wants to spend all day cleaning their lock.
Other Considerations
In addition to the must-have features, some other factors are to keep in mind about bicycle lock. Let’s discuss them briefly for easy understanding.
Budget: How Much Money Should I Spend?
Before making your purchase, you must set a budget and decide on the money you want to spend on your bike lock.
As there are many bicycle security locks available in the market at every price range, it won’t be a problem for you to find a suitable one for you according to your budget.
Ease of Using
When locking your bike, you wouldn’t want a very difficult process. Most riders prefer locks that are easy to use as they don’t have the time to secure their bikes. And if you are one such rider, then getting a safety lock that is extremely easy to use will be an excellent choice for you.
Risk Level: What is Your Level of Risk?
Measuring the risk level of the areas you visit frequently should also be considered before making your purchase.
If you park your cycle in high-risk areas more often than not, taking extra precautions is necessary to ensure the highest safety. For example, you might think of using 2 different locks to keep thieves at bay.
On the other hand, opting for more than one lock would be a bit much for areas with low-risk levels. In addition, this would increase your overall cost.
Moreover, mounting more than one lock on your bike would increase its overall weight and affect the movability.
Local Environment: Park in a Well-lit Area
The local environment where you park your cycle matters. This is because safe surroundings will ensure that your bike will also remain safe.
According to experts, it is best to park your bike and lock it in a well-lit area where there is quite a crowd to keep it secure.
However, even when parking the cycle in a secure place, don’t forget to protect it with an excellent lock for additional safety.
How Long Will Your Bike Be Unattended?
Another key factor to consider is how long your bike will be left unattended. This is an important consideration because, depending on the hours, you have to determine the security as well.
For instance, if you leave your bike for say 60-80 minutes or even a little longer, then securing it with a bike lock is enough.
However, if you think of leaving it for a day or two, you might have to consider more security options than just a mere lock to keep it from being stolen.
Look Out for Good Brands
Branding is really important when it comes to bike accessories, and bike locks are no different.
Even though we are not saying that locks from lesser-known brands are bad, we suggest that you pick your one from a popular brand as it will serve you better than the others.
Buy Two Locks. Don’t Buy a Cheap Lock.
To ensure the highest level of security, don’t ever buy cheap locks. By cheap, we mean cheap quality and not price.
Moreover, you shouldn’t also hesitate to buy two locks for your cycle so that if one even fails, the other protects your bike.
If you have two different locks of two different types, then it would become more complicated for the thieves to break and take it away- there is nothing wrong to be overprotective.
Bike Lock Security Rating: What Security Rating Do You Need?
Never forget to check the lock security rating before making your final purchase decision. The bike lock security rating is important as it determines the level of security and safety it will provide to its users.
To ensure that you have the most secured lock, don’t hesitate to look at both the brand ratings and independent ratings.
Key Features
One of the most important decisions you have to make when buying is the type of locking mechanism you want- do you want a keyed lock or a combination one.
Let’s understand the concept of both these locking mechanisms before making any decisions.
- Key Lock
As the name suggests, this lock uses a key to operate, which is either a flat key or a cylindrical one. While flat keys are the newer edition and are extremely effective, the cylindrical ones have earned a bad reputation of not working as efficiently as users expected.
If you choose the key lock, make sure to buy the one with a flat key.
- Code / Combination Lock
From the name, it is clear that these don’t need any keys. Instead, they are operated using different codes and are hence, difficult to break.
Bicycle Lock Maintenance
Like other bicycle accessories, bike locks also require regular maintenance to keep them running for a long time.
When you maintain the lock with the utmost care, it will not only serve you for an extended period but at the same time, also provide excellent security.
Some of the basic maintenance tips you should know are:
- Always keep the lock clean and dry; don’t forget to clean up the keyhole
- If you have a chain lock, always keep it well lubricated to extend its life
- Don’t forget to oil all moving parts and latches of the lock.
- Keep an eye on the lock regularly to check for wear and tear.
- You can use special oils specially designed for bike locks for better performance.
How Do Thieves Cut Through the Best Bicycle Locks
To keep your favorite bike safe when you park them outside, you need to know how bikes actually get stolen, even with locks.
To prevent theft, you have to think like a thief. So let’s understand how a thief cuts locks and takes precautionary steps accordingly.
Cable Cutters
Thieves use simple cable cutters to cut through cable bike locks. As the wire cutters are easy to find, cheap, and can be carried inside the pocket effortlessly, your bike can be gone in seconds.
That’s why you should combine your cable lock with other types of locks to ensure maximum security.
Hacksaw
Similar to cable cutters, hacksaws are also widely available and can be found in any hardware store. However, they are not as fast and therefore, require more time to cut through the locks.
And when you have a thicker, excellent quality lock, the job becomes even harder and it is very unlikely that any thief will go to such extent to take away your bike.
Lock Picks
One exciting thing about lock picks is that they are extremely quiet and super portable to carry. However, they require skill and dedication to operate, and therefore, not all thieves can use it properly to steal your cycle.
Also, different types of bike locks need different types of lock picks and therefore, the thief needs to spend quite some time behind your bike to keep an eye on you before making his move.
Bolt Cutters
A bolt cutter is also another type of tool that can cut through even tough materials easily. It is also incredibly lightweight and can be carried around easily.
A thief who is carrying a bolt cutter can cut through any lock easily. However, it doesn’t work on every type of chain lock.
Drill
A drill is the most uncommon tool used to steal your cycle. Although it is not as convenient as the others on the list, thieves prefer it the least.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Important Are Bicycle Lock Brands?
One thing that you must know is that brand names are pretty much important in the cycling world, and that’s why when it comes to securing your bike, you should always pick the lock from a well-reputed brand than a new company’s one.
But then again, you should also remember that a bicycle locking system from a relatively less popular brand doesn’t mean that they are bad- you stick to a branded one because of the other related services as well.
How Should I Lock My Bicycle on the Street?
To lock your bike on the street, first choose a busy spot because it is harder for thieves to steal from any busy areas- it would be best to pick a parking spot with CCTV cameras.
Then, pick a sturdy object that cannot be moved. Choosing a post, railings, or a regular lock-up point would be a good idea.
Now with your favorite one, lock up your bike to keep thieves at arm’s length.
Is It Possible to Break Through a Bicycle Lock?
Unfortunately, yes, it is very much possible to break through a bike lock. That’s why you should 2-3 types of locks together to ensure the maximum safety of your favorite bicycle.
Can I Reset a Bicycle Lock?
Yes, you can reset your bike security lock if it comes with a reset tool with it.
Wrapping Up
Securing your bike is a must to keep it safe from thieves. And what better way to keep it secured other than using a lock?
As this bike accessory is not expensive, you should never hesitate to buy one for your favorite cycle to keep thieves at bay. And with this article as a guide in your hand, buying the bike lock could never be easier.
