Follow
CyclingTransportationSecurity

What are the best bike locks for city riding?

6
Options 
Considered
8
User 
Recs.
Last 
Updated
Related Questions
Activity
Have feedback or ideas?
Discord logoJoin our community
on Discord
Here’s the Deal
Slant is powered by a community that helps you make informed decisions. Tell us what you’re passionate about to get your personalized feed and help others.

6 Options Considered

6 Options ConsideredPriceWeightLock type
Abus Bordo 6000
2.69 lbFolding
Abus Granit X-Plus 540
 4.12 lbU-lock
Kryptonite New York Noose
6.7 lbChain
New York Legend 1515
15.95 lbChain
Kryptonite Kryptolok Series 2 955 Mini
3.90 lbChain
See Full List

Abus Bordo 6000

Add Video or Image
Inguna Gudareva
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.
Inguna Gudareva
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.
Mo Hax
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).
Inguna Gudareva
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.
Inguna Gudareva
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.
Inguna Gudareva
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 4 more Pros & ConsSee 4 more Pros & Cons

Abus Granit X-Plus 540

Add Video or Image
Inguna Gudareva
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. Ev...
Mo Hax
Top Pro

Plastic coated to avoid scratches.

•••
Inguna Gudareva
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.
Inguna Gudareva
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.
Inguna Gudareva
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 3 more Pros & ConsSee 3 more Pros & Cons

Kryptonite New York Noose

Add Video or Image
Inguna Gudareva
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...
Inguna Gudareva
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.
Inguna Gudareva
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 1 more ProSee 1 more Pro

New York Legend 1515

Add Video or Image
Ryan
Inguna Gudareva
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.
Inguna Gudareva
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 plen...
Inguna Gudareva
Top Con

Expensive

•••
This is one of the most expensive locks, but it does seem to be worth the investment.
See 1 more ProSee 1 more Pro

Kryptonite Kryptolok Series 2 955 Mini

Add Video or Image
Inguna Gudareva
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.
Inguna Gudareva
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.
Inguna Gudareva
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.
Inguna Gudareva
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 2 more Pros & ConsSee 2 more Pros & Cons

Kryptonite Kryptolok Series 2

Add Video or Image
Inguna Gudareva
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.
thermoplastics
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.
Inguna Gudareva
thermoplastics
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.
Inguna Gudareva
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 2 more ProsSee 2 more Pros

8 Community Recommendations

Inguna Gudareva
Mo Hax
Community Icon
Request recommendations from the community
No highlighted recommendations.
I Recommend...
Help millions of people make better decisions.
Each month, over 1.7 million people use Slant to find the best products and share their knowledge. Pick the tags you’re passionate about to get a personalized feed and begin contributing your knowledge.
undefined