If you’re interested in mixing up your commute to work, or maybe you love riding your bike around the city. You must have an excellent bike lock to ensure that your property is safe, no matter where you leave it.
There are a lot of different options where bike locks are concerned. But some of those on the cheaper end offer very little protection from thieves. Do you want something to just ‘look’ secure, or do you really want to protect your pride and joy?
We’ve done a ton of research so you don’t have to, and we’ll break it down for you. But, apart from simply keeping your bike secure, we don’t know what is most important to you. So we’ve highlighted the extra things that should help you with your final choice, tie breakers if you will.
You can feel as confident as possible that with any of our recommendations, your bike will remain precisely where you left it! If it does get stolen, well.. you couldn’t have done anything more to protect it.
Our Pick of The Best Bike Locks
- TiGr Mini Bicycle Lock
- Kryptonite Bicycle U-Lock
If you are in a hurry, and I know, I get it, then pick from one of these two, you can’t go wrong. But if you’ve got just a little bit more time, then you might find the differences between our best 5 picks having you choosing differently. Below you’ll find our reviews of the top five bike locks for 2022.
The Best Bike Lock for 2022: Keeping your Bike safe
The first and foremost defense to protect your bike is to have a strong lock. Finding the most secure lock for your bike is a never-ending process. We spent much time compiling this list of the five best locks for your bike. It is a trustable list as we focused on every possible aspect to give you a strong bike lock to protect your cycles.
| Image | Product | Details | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Kryptonite U-Lock for Bicycle | Brand: Kryptonite Color:Black Finish Type: Painted Lock Type: Combination Lock Shape: U Shape Item Dimensions:3.15 x 1.18 x 1.18 inches Item Weight: 2.06 Kilograms | Check Latest Price |
 | TiGr Mini Lightweight Bike Lock | Brand: TiGr Lock Color:Titanium Material: Titanium, Polyvinyl Chloride Finish Type: Painted Lock Type: Disc Tumbler lock mechanism Shape: Heart Item Weight: 0.39 Kilograms | Check Latest Price |
 | Kryptonite Ring Security Chain | Brand: Kryptonite Color:Black Material: 3t manganese steel Finish Type: Painted Lock Type: Key Lock Shape: Oval Item Weight: 3.15 Kilograms | Check Latest Price |
 | ABUS 551604 Bordo GRANIT Folding lock | Brand: ABUS Color:Black Material: Alloy Steel Finish Type: Painted Lock Type: Key Lock Shape: Round Item Weight: 1.58 Kilograms | Check Latest Price |
 | Master Lock Street Cuff® Locks | Brand: Master Lock Color:Black Material: Alloy Steel Finish Type: Polished Lock Type: App, Touch Shape: Chain Item Weight: 3.21 Pounds | Check Latest Price |
If you did not uncover the best option for your bike lock, then I have given you a buying guide on choosing the right lock for your bike. I also covered different types of bike locks with their pros and cons at the end of the article. It will give you a precise vision of what kind of lock you need for your bike security.
Bicycle theft is epidemic. In my city, I spend more time worrying about my bike getting stolen than my car. It’s true! The ugly truth is that bike theft is difficult to combat. If your bike is lifted, chances are you won’t see it again, but you can really reduce the chance of that happening by using one of these best bike locks.
The best precaution against theft is to buy a good lock and be smart about where you leave it. The best bike locks are secure, virtually unbreakable and simple to use. Here is the list of 5 best bike locks of 2022. For each, I’ll offer pros and cons, and hopefully point you towards some great, proven brands. Let’s look at what’s out there!
Top 5 Best Bike Locks (Reviews)
I will review all the top 5 products for the best motorcycle locks in detail. Read this precise note on all the best products for a strong bike lock and fetch an opinion about locks that cannot be cut with bolt cutters and protect your bike safety.
1
Kryptonite New York U-Lock for Bicycle (Editors Choice)
Bike thieves are already running away with this ultimate anti-theft protection. The venerable Fahgettaboudit U-lock, by Kryptonite, is one of the most unbreakable & most secure bike locks you’re going to come across.
Reasons To Buy
- Strong and Heavy as Hell, Piece Of Steel.
- It’s extremely durable.
- Heavy lock offering top-notch security
- Double deadbolt shackle, hacksaw proof, vinyl coating.
- Resistant to bolt cutters
Reasons To Avoid
- Heavy, Weighs about 4 pounds
It’s not the cheapest, but it will give you peace of mind which is why this is our absolute favorite and what we consider the best bike lock available. It has a smooth locking mechanism to make the locking/unlocking process a cinch.
The whole lock is made from hardened steel that’ll quickly turn away bolt cutters and hacksaws, which is more than what we can say for Abus Granit locks.
True story: I was once hired (legally) by an apartment building to clear out a locker of abandoned bikes. The bolt cutters made quick work of cable locks, but when we came across a Fahgettaboudit, we were stuck.
The lock has a double deadbolt/shackle design (it must cut through both sides to compromise it). It uses a disc cylinder that’s difficult to pick.
This heavy lock weighs over 4 pounds. That’s unfortunate but worth it for the protection hardened steel adds. The whole lock is covered in a durable vinyl coating that prevents bike scratches, proving its well-designed design.
Note: give the lock cylinder a bit of grease if you keep it in the rain, or the locking mechanism can be tricky. Also, this disk lock doesn’t come with frame mounting hardware.
Overall the Kryptonite Fahgeddaboudit reviews well. It’s one of the most challenging and robust U-locks, which is why it’s on the top of my list. It is the best lock for your bike in a high-risk area.
2
TiGr Mini Lightweight Bike Lock (Top Pick)
Many great locks will review well for security and ease of use, but they fall short in one essential category: weight. Most of the time, you can’t carry heavy locks. Due to its portable design and lightweight, it is our second top bike lock of 2022.
Reasons To Buy
- Fierce as a tiger & lightweight as a feather
- Excellent Mount and Smooth Lock
- Best lock for tourists & quick to attach / detach
- Great as secondary lock, resistant to bolt lockers
Reasons To Avoid
- Small size makes it less useful for large frames
Hardened steel is heavy stuff. Conversely, lightweight bicycle locks tend to be less secure. The lighter the steel, the deeper the compromise. Unless you move away from steel. To titanium.
The TiGr Mini is an excellent little all-titanium lock that’s exceptionally lightweight. Despite that, it’s one of the strongest U-locks in this category. Its locking mechanism isn’t as smooth as that of Kryptonite’s, but it’s still darn good.
The flat shape of the lock body and the ductile qualities of titanium makes cutting a chore. Check it out yourself. Titanium’s natural hardness makes hacksaws ineffective too.
The small size of the TiGr mini gives thieves no room to work, and the hardened, stainless steel lock cylinder is difficult to pick, which will deter bike thieves.
The air is easy to use. The lock cylinder pops on and off the rivets like magic. You can stretch the TiGr mini around your frame and whatever you’re looking for, then squeeze it closed to attach the cylinder.
You can carry this bike lock in your touring bag to secure your bike anywhere. The total weight is featherlight 490 grams (0.9 pounds) and comes with a frame mount. Ifyour bike has fat tiresor a beefy frame, you’ll probably need the larger Mini+. It’s a beautiful auxiliary lock, good for securing the wheel to the frame.
Small and light bike lock, this is one of the best lightweight bike locks; it reviews well, and I love using it. Here’s a more in-depth review.
3
Kryptonite Ring Security Chain (best Overall)
I’m generally into chain locks for a few good reasons. First, chains are flexible like a cable and easy to attach around oddly-shaped items. That’s super handy. Second, hardened steel chain locks are durable and will probably outlast your bike. Third, combine that with an excellent locking mechanism and have Kryptonite’s New York Noose 1275.
Reasons To Buy
- It gives you many lengths to lock up
- Thwarted Thief with this Power Tool!
- Great for long commutes to the city
- Most secure lock you can find, easy to attach
Reasons To Avoid
- It’s very heavy
They’re challenging for thieves to cut, even with an angle grinder. The links move around and shift; cutting through is just not fun.
The outstanding Kryptonite Evolution chain lock ticks all three boxes. Each chain link is thick and strong, made from six-sided (hex-style) manganese reinforced steel. Good luck getting through that with a hacksaw or bolt cutter!
You’ll be impressed by the size and durability of the links, and the pictures don’t do it justice. It’s latched by a small Kryptonite shackle reinforced with a complex, four-cylinder design that mimics their bigger U-locks.
The chain is smartly covered with nylon fabric to protect the links and prevent your frame from being scratched. It also serves as a dust cover.
This indestructible bike lock is heavy! It comes in at around seven pounds. Good protection has its drawbacks. Weight notwithstanding, I’d swear by a hardened chain like this one. There’s a reason why professional bike messengers use them. I’ve heard reports that the lock cylinder can get sticky if wet, so be sure to oil it.
The Kryptonite Evolution chain lock reviews nicely. It’s a perfect bike lock with secure, robust features. Not exactly lightweight, but your bike is ultra-secure, so who cares?
It’s no surprise that Kryptonite has 2 locks in the top 3. After all, it is the best uncuttable bike lock brand and has most of the market share. Bike thieves run when they see a Kryptonite disk lock.
4
ABUS 551604 Bordo GRANIT Folding lock (also Good)
Sometimes a great strategy is to throw thieves a curve ball. The unique, foldable Abus Bordo Granit is an exciting lock design that’s efficient but also effective and lightweight.
Reasons To Buy
- Excellent solution for an e-bike with fat tires
- Solid and very easy to use
- Short in length but very strong!
- Very light, folds up to become extremely portable
- Unique design and one of top folding locks
Reasons To Avoid
- Short for electric bikes with fat frames
- You need to use the key while locked and unlocking
Folding locks have great flexibility like a chain or cable. It consists of 6 metal bars that fold out, each riveted to the following chain style. Because they’re flat, you can fold them up into a tiny size.
It’s one of the best bike locks for both weight and portability. It weighs in at 2.6 pounds, and when folded, it is more compact than any U-lock.
The Granit is coated in a rubberized material that prevents it from scratching the hell out of your frame, and it comes with a frame bag and mounting bracket.
The lock cylinder is high quality and difficult to pick for bike thieves. The metal bars are hardened steel; like other high-end bicycle locks, the only practical way to break them is by using a grinder.
Notes: The lock must be turned when unlocking and securing, which is a bit of a hassle compared to others that ‘click’ shut. The rivets will loosen as you use them, which is pretty typical for folding locks; according to Abus, that doesn’t affect security.
This is a fantastic choice for a rider who wants a nearly unbreakable system with portability that is lightweight. Easily our favorite out of available folding locks.
5
Master Lock Street Cuff® Locks (Budget friendly)
As mentioned, it’s advantageous to use a unique lock that thieves don’t often see. These fabulous ‘street cuffs’ by Master Lock are great bicycle locks with some nearly theft-proof features.
Reasons To Buy
- You can lock your bike, scooter, or motorcycle
- Very sturdy & intimating to defeat easily
- A great alternative to cables and U-locks
- Unique design and easy to use
- Inexpensive and Great for tight spaces
Reasons To Avoid
- You might get strange looks since it looks like a steel shackle
These are essentially regular handcuffs, which seems weird until you realize it isn’t. They have a single link chain that pivots on both cuffs. For that reason, securing your ride in a pinch is quick and easy. Just attach one end to your bike and the other to a convenient bike rack or signpost. It’s slightly weaker than the Abus Granit brand, but it provides much more flexibility.
The cuffs are small and can be folded to save space in your pack. It’s probably the most portable lock on this list.
They work great independently or make an excellent “secondary” lock for components. I use the steel shackle to secure my wheels.
The housing is made from hardened steel, both cuffs, and links. They’re only really vulnerable to a grinder attack. Their small size makes them difficult to cut off a frame cleanly, and the unique cylinder is tough to pick.
They’re lightweight bicycles lock at 2.9 pounds and have a reach of about 12 inches. If you need more space, opt for the 9-link version, which is 22 inches long.
Note: If someone digs through your backpack and finds them, you might get some funny looks.
Convenient and inexpensive, these cuffs will get you tons of comments. They’re one of my best bike locks, with positive reviews, good strength, and nearly unbreakable construction. Check them out!
How to lock your bike
If you can’t secure your bike without having an unbreakable lock, then there is nothing worse than this. Because only investing in one great lock is not enough to secure your bike, you must know a few critical points in locking your bike and preserve these suggestions in mind when you park your bike.
Many people don’t know how to lock up their bicycles properly. I see cables looped around the wrong places.
- Always remember to lock your bike before leaving
- Park your bike in a crowded place.
- Prefer a fixed object to lock
- Fill the inner area for u lock
- Use a second lock or chain for added security
Ever seen a rusty bike lock with just a wheel attached? The thief detached the front wheel and made off with the rest of the frame! Please take advantage of your locking mechanism and make the thieves pick or break it, at least!
Here’s The Proper Way To Do It:
- Find a post to lock around.
- Remove your front wheel, and place it beside your rear one.
- Run your lock through your rear wheel, around your chainstays or seat stays, then around the post.
- This works best with a chain or a larger U-lock.
That’s all you need to do! This secures your frame and wheels in one go, with one lock. It allows you to make the most of one lock. If that all sounds like gibberish, check out these excellent diagrams. I prefer the middle technique.
(If you don’t have a removable front wheel, consider a secondary lock to secure it to the frame.)
It’s quick to attach your bolt cutter-proof bike lock in this way, and it’s very effective in protecting against bike thieves! Remember, using any of these is no good if you don’t lock your bike!
Beyond The Lock: Making It Secure and Safe
I’m surprised by how often I see a poorly locked bike. I have even seen bikes with nothing more than a lock securing the rear wheel to the frame (as though one couldn’t simply pick it up). The largest, most unbreakable and best bike locks in the world won’t save your bike if it’s not secured properly.
Don’t Lock Your Bike In An Alley
If you don’t want your bike to be stolen, don’t leave it somewhere where it can be easily tampered with. Choose a busy place with lots of foot traffic and it will be much safer. People tend to notice things like angle grinder sparks.
Leaving it somewhere tucked away is trouble. It gives a potential thief time and space.
Don’t Give Thieves Room To Work
As a rule of thumb, don’t give thieves a lot of room to work on your lock. You want the smallest possible lock that works. That way, they can’t reposition it to make things easier to cut.
Make It More Trouble Than It’s Worth
Bike thieves go for the low-hanging fruit first. If you make your bike seem like a lot of trouble to steal, they’ll probably move on to easier lock pickings.
How can you do this? Use a small, effective, hardened lock that’s difficult to cut. Secure all your removable components (like the wheels). Lock it up in a conspicuous area. All these things will help.
How we tested the best bike locks
Our team spent hours testing different brands and used every technique thieves can use. We gathered data by creating different polls on social media and listed all the methods by which thieves stole bikes and which way they used to cut various types of locks.
Don’t pick a bike lock on the rating provided by different organizations like sold secure. Because most of the time, manufacturers do not present all their locks for testing. Sometimes some brands offer the best product and don’t use the same material in all items.
So we decided to purchase the best bike locks on the market from different brands. Then we provided all the tools to our other team members to break the security of the best bike locks. We asked them to think like a thief and use all practices for trashing to check the level of the shield in the best bike locks. Then we left out all the bike locks that don’t offer security. Because our direct attention is to use a bike lock for safety, this list is prepared without any compromise on security.
How to choose the best lock for your bike
I will give you a complete guide on what to look for in a bike lock when foraging for the best product that meets your need. The best bike lock will provide your bike security, but you can’t escape every raid. So before picking the best bike lock, look at how bikes are robbed? The reason is that you can’t choose the best one without knowing the technique of a thief. What you need to have in your bike lock to protect your motorcycle from thieves.
- Bolt cutters: Thieves mostly use bolt cutters for low-security bike locks. These cutters are easy to hide and make no noise to help thieves steal a bike. These bolt cutters are effective against Unlocks, cable, and chain locks.
- Angle grinders: These are small in size, fast in action, and inexpensive lock cutters. These are mostly used for cutting cable bike locks.
- Breaker bar: It is the most used tool for breaking bike locks. It is just like a steel pipe used to fix it in the lock and twist it until it breaks the bike lock.
Now we come to the central buying guide for picking the best bike locks. Before finalizing your decision:
- Check what level of security you need according to your surroundings and where you use it.
- Check different types of bike locks and which brand is offering this product.
Step 1: Choose the right level of security
You can pick the best bike lock based on risk level because it is not always to choose the strongest one from the market as the strongest and unbreakable lock is manufactured with material that can be heavy. Also, you can’t pick a simple cable lock in an area where thieves are active, and you have to park your bike for hours. So always choose according to the right level of security that you need.
Step 2: Choose the correct type of bike lock
There are different types of bike locks in the market. I am explaining all the classes using them so I can pick one for you.
U-locks / D-locks
It has been the most used bike lock due to its balance between price and security. It is a go-to option for most cyclist cyclists due to its simple structure and ease of use. Its small shape makes it difficult for thieves to insert a crowbar to break lock security. It is available in different sizes and price ranges. It is best when you lock a frame with a fixed object like a bike race.
Chain locks
The bicycle chain lock is the best option if you need the best lock at a lower price. It is best for high-risk areas as these are difficult to cut with angle grinder hacksaws. Chain locks are portable but heavy, making them best for stationary use. Chain locks are
Folding Locks
Folding locks are relatively new in the market. These are the best portable locks providing a good amount of security. Their flexibility and length can provide extra comfort for your bike lock needs.
A downside is that they are not resistant to a few lock cutters on the week joint points. You can trust one folding lock for high security if you do not use a U lock.
Cable locks (not recommended)
I don’t recommend cable locks to anyone as I can’t compromise your bike security. Yes, these are versatile, portable, and cheap, but they can’t provide much protection.
But this type of cable lock can be the best option as a second lock with a U lock. Because if you are parking your cycle for 1 to 2 minutes, you can use it instead of Unlock.
What’s The Most Effective Bike Lock Style?
In my opinion, the best, most secure & theft-proof bicycle locks on the market areU-locks and chains. They can be made from nearly uncuttable metal, and both are convenient to use. A well-designed U-lock is almost unbreakable.
The least effective is the cable lock. Why? Cables are easily cut withbolt cutters. Anyone can get through a cable lock in ten seconds and can be cut with avariety of tools. They’revaguelyuseful for securing components (like your saddle, for instance), but even that is a risk.
What’s The Most Effective Material For Best Bike Locks?
In my experience, the best and strongest locks are made from hardened steel or exotic materials like titanium. Many cheap locks are constructed using softer alloys. Bolt cutters, hacksaws, and sawzalls cut cheap metal like butter. The more expensive kind is made from hardened steel, and they’re impervious to hacksaw and bolt cutter attempts which will scare away most bike thieves.
Really, the only way to get through hardened steel or titanium is by using anangle grinder. Unfortunately,thieves often carry portable ones, but they’re noisy and cause a shower of sparks; in the open, they’re very conspicuous.
Step 3: Choose the right bike lock brand
At this point, I can assume that you know everything about choosing a bike lock according to your needs. The final step is selecting the right brand so you can always get quality products. I will recommend you buy from Kryptonite, OnGuard, and Abus.
Making the Final Decision
In this testing phase, we used 26 types of locks from all the prominent brands. We know thieves can cut any lock in 5-7 minutes, except keystone bike lock. Internet Lock is the toughest we found for security reasons. For another lock, we suggest you not leave to bike in a dangerous location for more than 5 minutes. Bike locks can give you security, but they do not make it impossible for thieves to steal. So keep it secure by parking in a crowded area and using extra lock-in unsafe zones.
Frequently Asked Questions about Best Locks for Bike
1. How much does a bike lock cost?
A bike lock costs anywhere from about $15- $120. However, the top choice is probably around $85. The cost depends on the style (combination lock, u-lock) and materials.
2. Are U locks better than cable locks?
Kryptonite U-locks are better than cable locks because they are almost impossible to cut through. Cable locks are relatively easy to cut through since the cable is quite vulnerable. They are good secondary locks to protect your wheels and accessories, but a U-lock is needed to reliably protect your bike.
3. How do I keep my bike from being stolen?
Keep your bike from being stolen by using a kryptonite U-lock for ultimate thief protection. Bolt cutters can’t cut through the steal and your bicycle will be very secure.
4. What is the correct type of bike lock?
Best type of bike lock depends on the specific needs of the rider. However, some general tips on choosing a bike lock include considering the strength of the lock and the type of bike being locked up. U-locks are often considered to be the most secure type of lock, while cable locks are less secure but can be more flexible in terms of what they can lock up.
5. What’s the strongest bike lock?
Generally, it depends on the level of security you need. in our list Kryptonite New York U-Lock For Bicycle is the strongest.
6. What is the difference between a U lock and a D lock?
There is no difference. These names are given based on the lock shape as the d lock is like the letter D when the brace is fitted, and with our brace, its shape resembles to letter U.
Have a bike theft story to share?
I’d love to hear about your experiences, feel free to comment below. Thanks for reading and don’t forget TO LOOK AT MY #1 CHOICE HERE
Steve Beck
Steve Beck is a passionate cyclist and experienced writer covering the cycling industry for over a decade. He has a wealth of knowledge and expertise in all bike-related things, from the latest products and technologies to the best routes and trails. His articles are well-researched, informative, and engaging, and he has a talent for explaining complex cycling concepts in a way that is easy to understand. Steve can be found on the road when he’s not writing about bikes, putting his knowledge and skills to the test.
