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CyclingTransportationSecurity

What are the best bike locks for city riding?

6

Options
Considered

9

User
Recs.

Aug 20, 2019

Last
Updated

Here’s the Deal

6 Options Considered

Best bike locks for city riding	Price	Weight	Sold Secure rating
-- Kryptonite Kryptolok Series 2 955 Mini	$45.95	3.90 lb	Silver
-- Abus Bordo 6000	$90.99	2.69 lb	Silver
-- Abus Granit X-Plus 540	$159.99	4.12 lb	Gold
-- Kryptonite New York Noose	$88.95	6.7 lb	Gold
-- Kryptonite Kryptolok Series 2	$34.85	2.85 lb	Silver

Kryptonite Kryptolok Series 2 955 Mini

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Top Pro

Easy to wrap around objects

This Kryptonite chain has the flexibility of a cable lock. Even at the mini size, it will still be able to wrap around more objects than any u-lock. See More

Top Con

The lock might freeze

Be careful about using this lock in winter conditions. There are some users who report the key-hole freezing shut. See More

Specs

Sold Secure rating:Silver

Lock type:Chain

Top Pro

Good for lower risk situations

The chains on this lock are 9mm in diameter, which makes it good for only quick stops in busy urban areas. Chains under 13mm can still be cut with bolt cutters, which isn't good enough for higher-risk settings. See More

Top Con

Heavier than u-locks

At 9mm diameter and 21.5" length this is not nearly the heaviest chain around, but it's noticeably heavier than most u-locks. See More

Abus Bordo 6000

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Top Pro

Wraps around more objects than a u-lock

The Bordo 6000 can be wrapped around a wide variety of objects, since the shape is relatively malleable. U-locks have a rigid 'u' shape, which you cannot bend to suit the object you're trying to lock on to. See More

Top Con

More expensive than same security level locks

Coming at around $100 it's definitely not the cheapest bike lock with a Sold Secure rating of Silver. See More

Specs

Sold Secure rating:Silver

Lock type:Folding

Top Pro

Great for medium/low risk situations

This folding lock is a great alternative to u-locks and chain locks of the same security category. If your security risk is medium or low, for example, you have a cheap bike, or you only ever leave it in the hall of your apartment building, the Bordo 6000 will do the job. See More

Top Con

Can be difficult to unfold

The folds on this lock can get tangled, so you might have to spend more time to put it in place than you would using a u-lock or chain lock. See More

Top Pro

Lighter than then heavy duty chains and U-locks

Still not light, but a lot lighter than most of the chains and U-locks (like Abus Granite). See More

Top Pro

Easier to transport than u-locks or chain locks

As the name suggests, the folding lock folds into a compact bundle, which you can just attach to your bike using the holder it comes with. It's lighter than chain locks, so you won't be carrying as much extra weight with you. See More

Abus Granit X-Plus 540

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Top Pro

A great u-lock for high-risk circumstances

This Albus u-lock is a great option if you have an expensive bike, and if you need to leave it in more dangerous areas of the city. The 'u' part o the lock is a parabolic shape instead of round, which makes cutting it with bolt cutters, car jack or saws too time-consuming to be possible. Every part of this lock is made from temper hardened steel. Any thieves would need power tools to break this lock. See More

Top Con

More difficult to transport than chain locks

U-locks don't generally transport well outside of backpacks or specialized u-lock holders that mount to the frame of your bike. It's a choice between having less space and more weight in your backpack or cluttering up your bike frame with an extra accesory. See More

Specs

Weight: 4.12 lb

Sold Secure rating:Gold

Lock type:U-lock

Top Pro

Plastic coated to avoid scratches.

Top Con

Difficult to wrap around some objects

As with any u-lock, the shape does not bend and it could be difficult to find a place to lock your bike to. See More

Top Pro

Relatively lightweight

This lock weighs around 4 lbs, which is not the heaviest nor the lightest lock. Considering the security level, it's definitely one of the more lightweight options when compared to locks with a similar security rating. See More

Kryptonite New York Noose

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Top Pro

A great chain lock for high-level security

The New York Noose has a Sold Secure rating of Gold. The chain links are 12mm thick, and are six sided instead of round, which makes them impossible to cut with manual bolt cutters. Given that any thieves would need to use power tools to break this chain, it will buy you plenty of time to save your bike, and it will also deter most thieves from stealing your bike. See More

Top Con

Heavier than similar security-level locks

At 6.7 lbs it's not the easiest to carry with you on a daily basis. See More

Specs

Sold Secure rating:Gold

Lock type:Chain

Top Pro

Less weight for the same length

The New York Noose gets its name from the cinch loop- you can wrap the chain around your object of choice like a noose. This allows for nearly the same usable length as a standard chain lock, but without the actual extra chain links, which means less bulk for you to carry. See More

Kryptonite Kryptolok Series 2

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Top Pro

For low-risk situations

This u-lock can work well in low-risk situations, or as a secondary lock to secure your wheels or seat. See More

Top Con

Can be cut with the biggest bolt cutters

Do not expect this lock to protect your bike in high risk situations (leaving your bike where there's a crowd, especially if your bike attracts thieves attention). The tubes 13mm diameter is not invincible against bolt cutters. See More

Specs

Sold Secure rating:Silver

Lock type:U-lock

Top Pro

Keeps wheels safe

There is an included cable with the U Lock, that allows you to secure the other bike wheel (not locked with the U Lock itself), or the seat. This is great for city riders who have quick release wheels, as an unlocked wheel makes for easy theft. See More

Top Pro

Relatively easy to transport

There is an included mount for the U Lock, which allows for one to easily transport the lock with the bike with no further equipment needed. See More

New York Legend 1515

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Top Pro

Best for stationary security

The New York Legend 1515 chain is very heavy (15+lb). It's so heavy that it would be impractical to take it with you on a daily basis, but it's great to be used as a stationary lock at, for example, home or work. See More

Top Con

Expensive

This is one of the most expensive locks, but it does seem to be worth the investment. See More

Specs

Weight:15.95 lb

Sold Secure rating:Gold

Lock type:Chain

Top Pro

Great for very high risk circumstances

With a chain thickness of 15mm it's impossible to damage this lock with manual bolt cutters. If the thief is really determined, they'd have to use power tools, and it's hard not to notice someone sawing away, sparks flying at a bike chain. At the very least, this lock will buy you plenty of time, or attract lots of attention to the thief brave enough to attempt to break it. See More

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