What’s The Best Bike Lock? Top Eleven Revealed

The Sportneer Bike Lock lies at the top of our list because it is one of the most popular models that ticks off all the checkmarks on our rating list. The lock weighs one point five pounds which makes it incredibly light but effective. This reliable protection is thanks in part to the zinc alloy material Sportneer uses when creating the cylinder. Once attached the bike lock remains cut-proof and easy to take on and off at a whim. The company makes the wire itself out of manganese steel that is point twenty-seven inches thick.

You also do not need to worry about bad weather on certain days when you use the product. The Sportneer Bike Lock comes both waterproof and dustproof, so a rainstorm will not ruin your day. However, keep in mind that the locks itself only runs three feet long. For some people, this length was too small for their larger bikes — but for most people, it remained just a slight inconvenience.

With a five digit code, you will not need to worry about someone guessing your system since over one hundred thousand possible code combinations exist. You also do not need to worry about carrying around the key and possibly losing it since the lock does not require a key. The Sportneer Bike Lock’s low price should also be an enticing point of sale for the buyer on a budget. One bike lock costs around fifteen dollars, making it both affordable and dependable at its job.

If you want to maximize the lowest possible price with the highest possible effectiveness, then we recommend the GoFriend Bike Lock High Security. The bikes like only cost twelve dollars and come in a variety of colors which you can match to fit the scheme of your unique bicycle. Like the Sportneer product, the GoFriend uses a five number combination for security that is almost impossible for anyone besides you to get access to the bike.

The GoFriend Bike Lock High Security is half an inch thicks and four feet wide, which makes it a little more maneuverable than the Sportneers lock. However, the PVC lining is not as flexible as the mesh included in the other product. Still, it does contain a bike mount, so you do not need to worry about applying the combination every time you get on and off your vehicle.

However, we should note that the GoFriend Bike Lock is not perfect. Considering the low price, you should expect this lack of a guarantee. If a thief owns a pair of decent wire cutters, then they can probably get through the security device eventually. As such, if you live in a city that has a significant crime problem, or the bike model you own costs a lot of money, then we recommend looking at the next product for an unbreakable lock.

But, if you live in a town with a relatively low crime rate, then the GoFriend should present enough of a deterrent for the average thief. The locks open and close smoothly and considering the low price they work above and beyond the traditional standards.

If you are waiting for a genuinely solid bike lock on this list, then the ONGUARD Beast Chain Lock is without a doubt made for you. ONGUARD’s lock received a security rating of ninety-nine, so you know it is the absolute best that money can buy. However, this added level of security does not come cheap — one Beast Chain lock costs between ninety and one hundred twenty dollars depending on what size you purchase. The product consists of a steel chain circling a stable U-lock.

Nothing short of high-energy power tools will get through this look. Wire cutters, bolt cutters, and battery-powered drills will not make a dent in the product. You would need a considerable die grinder for getting through the Beast Chain. So, while it is technically possible to get through it, very few thieves likely have the means and equipment for even attempting it.

You open the device with a key, and they include four extras in case you lose some throughout your ride. However, keep in mind that this product is incredibly significant in size — it is sixty-three inches long and .66 inches thick. As such we think this bike lock might be a little too much protection for the average rider. But, if you live in a high crime area, or want the absolute highest level of protection for your bike, then we think the ONGUARD Beast Chain Lock will work best for you.

The Titanker Bike Lock Cable works well for people who want a simple, bare-bones bicycle lock. The security device runs four feet long with steel cable material surrounded by a vinyl shell. The cable itself is a half an inch thick. It is flexible and can fit on a lot more different spots than a fixed u-lock. It also costs very little. One lock, complete with adjustable mounting bracket, only costs twelve dollars which makes it another one of the more affordable options on this list.

However, the Titanker Bike Lock Cable does come with a few downsides — though they are more like minor conveniences if we are honest. For example, during frigid weather, the cable itself can become stiff and hard to bend correctly. The bike lock also features a four digit, which does not offer the same reliability as the five number locks, but it still gets the job done for the most part — it would even take an expert or an extreme stroke of luck to get through the lock.

If you want a good compromise between the affordability of a cable lock and the heavy-duty protection of a chain lock, then the SIGTUNA Bike Lock is perfect for you. At thirty-two dollars per bolt, this product will add another level of security to your bike without breaking the bank. The SIGTUNA Bike Lock features a steel sixteen-millimeter bar of hardened steel for deterring thieves that prefer wire cutters for getting through locks.

The bike lock even works well in bad weather. The keyhole used for unlocking the device resists dirt and rust, so you do not need to worry about rain or snow messing up the function. It comes with a mounting bracket, three laser-cut keys, and a double lock mechanism for protecting the wheels of your bike. All too often when thieves cannot get the frame of the bike itself, they resort to taking the wheels, or anything they can get their hands on — as such, having an additional layer of security provides a great deterrent.  

Some people reported that their locks malfunctioned and they could not open them, but this seems to be an isolated incident. However, if something does occur, then SIGTUNA’s excellent customer service should help you gain access to your bike. The lock also comes with a three-year warranty and sixty-day return window, so if you are not satisfied with the product, then you can get a replacement or your money back.

The Kryptonite 2079 New-U Evolution bike lock is another product that falls under our upper tier category. They make the shackle itself out of thirteen-millimeter steel which resists both crowbars and bolt cutters. Ideal for high-crime environments, this bike rack offers a little more versatility than some of the other more The product costs seventy-three dollars and comes with three keys, steel cable for protecting the wheels, and an LED key fob for seeing in the dark.

This lock is one of the more effective u-locks on our list mainly due to its small size which prevents the leverage from crowbars from getting a good grip on it. If you live in a high crime area, but do not want a chain lock, then we believe the Kryptonite 2079 New-U Evolution Mini-7 will be good enough for even the most expensive bike. Thankfully, if something does happen to your bike while you locked it with the Kryptonite device, then the company will provide theft insurance for the bicycle that the thief took.

The main problem with the product is it is not resistant to dust, which can cause the lock itself to malfunction if you live in a very dusty area. Luckily, the company addressed this and included and dust cover which does help protect the device. The device is also quite heavy, weighing a little over three in half pounds. While these flaws are not deal breakers, they are things you should still keep it in mind when you shop.

If you want a good u-lock, but do not want the stress of keeping up with another key that you could lose, then you should like the Amazer Heavy Duty Combination Bike U-lock. Instead of a traditional key lock, the product instead features a four-digit combination lock. Since key locks seem prone to malfunction due to rust and dirt, then this combination method can see preferable. It also prevents potential lockpicking thieves from getting through with that method.

In terms of the specs, the product features a twelve-millimeter shackle made of performance steal. This shackle attaches to a three-millimeter lock covered in PVC material which prevents rusting. Additionally, dust covers keep dirt away. It weighs a little under two pounds but feels sturdy enough for staying secure while in use. One lock costs around sixteen dollars most of the time, but the retail price is thirty dollars.

However, some customers did have some issues while using the product. While the small size of the device works well to prevent power tool entries, it also makes it difficult finding a spot to secure your bike if there are no bike racks readily available. Some people also reported that the lock would sometimes accidentally reset itself while it locked. In a few circumstances this error resulted in someone stealing the bike, so make sure the lock remains secure before you leave it.

The hardened manganese steel on the chain resists even the most intense exertions of pressure. The cinch loop included on the product allows for less chain used during lock up. However, this gold standard of security does not come cheaply. One Kryptonite New York Noose 1213 Bicycle Chain Lock costs one hundred dollars. Still, if you just suffered from having your bike stolen and want a dependable investment, then you cannot go wrong with this product.

The chain itself is twelve millimeters thick and runs the length of one hundred and thirty centimeters — a sturdy and dependable length. The lock itself lies on top of a fourteen-millimeter shackle. It comes with three replaceable keys and a LED fob you can attach to each one. As dependable as this lock might seem, it is a bit inconvenient to use, and it comes with a fatal Achilles heel that you should know about before buying.

As is the case with most chain locks, this product weighs a ton, roughly ten pounds. As such commuting with it, every day is no easy task. Other reported that the chain or lock itself would become rusted and unstable after a month. A dependable chain is only as good as its weakest link, and if a thief can pinpoint a vulnerable spot, then they will take advantage of it. Other users who had their bikes stolen report that while the bike chain remains dependable, someone can quickly pick the lock with a basic pick set.

Though it might not look like much, the brightly colored plastic exterior of the Ottolock bike lock holds multiple layers of steel and kevlar. Depending on the size or need of your bike, you can order the Ottolock in the following sizes: eighteen inches for sixty-five dollars, thirty inches seventy-five dollars and sixty inches for eighty-five dollars. The sixty-inch waist, in particular, is excellent for holding together multiple bicycles on the back of a car rack if you every travel.

Unfortunately, the bike lock only features a three digit number code. Because most of the other bike locks use a five code system, and that there are ways to crack three-digit codes, this feels like a pretty big design flaw. What is more, the lock itself constantly malfunctions on people. Not to mention the fact that the device easily comes off with the help of any saw.

The light nature of the product is the best thing it has going for it. The Ottolock device is small and light enough so it can fit easily into your pocket. But this portable benefit does not make up for its general weakness and design flaws. Generally, we do not recommend this product unless you need large amounts of bike secured together, in which case the sixty-inch size remains a pretty good option.

If you were waiting for the cheapest item on this list, then you want the AKM Bike Locks, 4-Feet Bike Cable Lock. At eight dollars and fifty cents, the bike lock barely costs more than a combination lock. The product also weighs the least on this list — less than one pound.

However, as you can guess, these benefits do not necessitate that the product works. Despite the have inch steel diameter, many customers reported that their locks were cut off with ease. So, if you need a good deterrent for the opportunistic passerby, then this second lock works well. But against actual thieves, your bike probably will not stand a chance.

While the TURBOLOCK product sounds like a good idea — a bike lock that you can unlock with a battery powered keypad — the reality is entirely different, the truth is this product remains almost universally broken. You need to charge the bike lock for the keyboard to function continually. Though the product claims you can access the bolt with app software, the product does not do any of this.

Naturally, this oversight creates many scenarios where the battery runs out while the bike remains secure, forcing the customer to cut the lock to secure the device. But do not worry: the cable cuts easily — suitable for both you and bike thieves. However, even if you do charge the battery properly, many people still reported that their locks malfunctioned on them. Altogether, it is in no way worth the twenty dollars asking price.