If you’re reading, then you obviously love your bike and you value its presence in your life. Perhaps you use it to commute to work or school, or it helps you to enjoy the nature trails in your neighborhood during weekend getaways. To keep your bicycle safe, you need to use the best bike U lock that money can buy so that you don’t have to worry about it being potentially “lifted.”
To help you find the right one for your needs, we did some research and testing to bring you the following comprehensive guide.
Bike U Lock Reviews
Take your pick among the following options:
1. Kryptonite New York Standard U Lock
The reason why we have Kryptonite as the first option of the best bike U lock is the fact that this company is so confident about the quality and performance of their product that they’re willing to pay for the replacement of your bicycle for up to $4,000. This is in case it’s stolen while using their product as required.
This is a well-made U-lock that’s constructed from 16mm hardened steel. It has a unique pass-through crossbar design that makes it twice as difficult to twist the lock out of place. After testing it, we can confidently say that this lock can be utilized as a mallet as well.
Also included in the package is a nylon-strap equipped mounting strap. This strap is designed to enable you to attach the lock straight onto the bike frame in many different positions.
2. Via Velo Bike U Lock with Cable
Via Velo has outdone themselves with this versatile U-lock for bikes. The steel cable has an impressive length of 6 feet and it comes flexible enough so that it’s easy for you to use in different scenarios.
To further its durability, the cable is coated with PVC. It has a smoke-grey transparent color that protects the lock from rust and scratching. Now, on to the U-lock. In it, you have a sturdy lock cylinder that has the capacity to withstand constant pulling and drilling. This is all without giving in and letting you down.
What makes this worthy to be rated as one of the good U locks for bikes is the fact that it’s designed precisely to prevent prying and jacking, thanks to the built-in double-bolt crossbar. The keyholes are also covered to keep out dirt and debris build-up while driving.
3. ABUS Granit Extreme Bicycle U Lock
It’s a well-known fact that German engineering is one of the best in the world. That’s why Abus is among the best bike lock manufacturers on the market, and they’ve been around since the ‘20s.
The reason why this is the best bicycle U lock goes beyond just the brand name though. The company has an impressive product portfolio based on over a century of design and manufacturing experience. Abus is the place to go if you want access to different options. But this review is all about the Granit Extreme 59 which was released in 2019.
What makes this U-lock so impressive is the fact that it’s a heavy piece of artillery that will make a bicycle thief’s life super difficult. It’ll make it impossible for them to steal your bike and that in itself makes its weight worth it.
4. Altor SAF Bike Lock
The Altor SAF is the best U locks for bikes because it’s based on an effective angle grinder-proof design. This means it’s extremely difficult to cut through.
In fact, when conducting our own tests, we found that you’d need four grinding discs and six batteries in order to penetrate through this U-lock. And let’s be honest; no bike thief has the patience to go through all that trouble.
What makes this U-lock so effective is the fact that it has a five-inch thick angle grinder. This one is made from the sturdiest materials available, which is hardened steel and aluminum.
5. SIGTUNA Bike Locks Review
Next we have the SIGTUNA bike lock with a high-security rating of 8 out of 10, bolt-resistant braided cable construction, and an easy-to-use mounting bracket that’s made with a button that you can use to remove the lock when you need to start getting on the road.
The cable measures 4 feet long and can be utilized to lock in and secure other items apart from your bike. We’re also glad to say that this U-lock is made mainly from 16mm of high-performance steel.
The best part is that you can lock two bikes at the same time with this U-lock thanks to its favorable dimensions of 200 x 105mm.
6. Kryptonite KryptoLok Series 2
Here we have yet another offering from Kryptonite. This time a heavy-duty bicycle U-lock with a moderate security rating of only 6 out of 10. At this point, you’re probably wondering why we’ve included it on this list since it has such a low rating.
The KryptoLok as it’s called is pricey but it’s easy to understand why when you consider that it comes with a 13mm hardened steel shackle that’s built to stand against multiple cutting attempts. When you get the package, it’ll come with the U-lock as well as a 4-foot long double loop cable and a rotating disc cover that’s designed to keep the lock safe from the buildup of dust and debris.
Also included in the package are two stainless steel keys that are ergonomically designed for ease of use. You certainly won’t lose any time trying to unlock this from your bike.
7. Amazer Heavy Duty Bike U Lock
There aren’t a lot of differences between the Amazer bike lock compared to the Via Velo and Sigtuna models. But, the few differences that are there actually count and should be mentioned. For instance, all you get is the U-lock and there’s no chain or cable.
This means you have to buy a durable chain when you get this so you can attach it to your bicycle. Also, it comes with a 4-digit combination pad instead of a lock.
Luckily, Amazer had the foresight to cover the combination pad with a protective cover that’ll keep dust and debris from infiltrating it and getting in between the digits. For the most part, this lock is considered more secure than a regular U-lock. This is because it uses a digital combination pad which has been shown to be easy to use, even for children.
8. ONGUARD Pitbull U-Lock
A review of the best bicycle U lock wouldn’t be complete without this ONGUARD Pitbull model. This is a top-range lock that offers great value for money as it’s offered at a very affordable price range.
Its opening has dimensions of 3.5x 7 inches. Based on the Onguard 100-point security rating scale, it has a rating of 80 which is pretty high. The 13-mm thick shackle will make it difficult for any thieves to steal your bike.
It’s coated with rubber to protect it from the elements and OnGuard has backed this U-lock with its protection program to give you further peace of mind.
How to Get the Best Bike U Lock
Now that you had a chance to go over our bike U lock reviews, read through the following important characteristics that you need to consider as part of your selection process in order to find a good one for your needs, preferences, and budget.
Material
You should definitely pay attention to the materials used to make the U lock and the shackles because this will determine its performance and how long it’ll last. You want a bike lock that’s made from sturdy materials like hardened steel alloy or titanium. This means that it’ll be close to impossible to penetrate.
Keep in mind that the cheaper the bike lock, the cheaper its materials, and the easier it will be for thieves to pry it open. Thus, defeating the whole purpose of buying it in the first place.
Weight
Based on the previous section you might be tempted to buy the largest U-lock on the market. But, hold your horses because larger locks are usually heavier and can go up to 4 pounds. You don’t want to carry that kind of weight around, especially if you’re looking for something that you’re going to use on a daily basis.
Size
Shackle size refers to the size of the space that makes up the internal component of the U-shape lock, which is a unique type of lock in and of itself. For best results, you should opt for the smallest possible U-lock for your specific situation without compromising anything.
Why? Because smaller locks are much easier to transport and they won’t add unnecessary weight to your bike. Keep in mind that you can’t fold a U lock and store it away so it has to be lightweight and portable.
Thickness
The thing about locks is that they should ideally have really thick shackles. The general standard is around 13mm to 18mm which is enough for you to wrap it around your bike’s suspension fork.
Anything less than 13mm means that the lock can be easily pried open with a pair of bolt cutters. You’d need some pretty big bolt cutters in order to pry open shackles that measure 13mm to 15mm.
Rating
As you may have noticed from the previous reviews, some brands offer ratings with their locks, including Kryptonite and Abus.
It’s a matter of pride for a brand to be able to say that their lock has a high rating. While these ratings can provide pointers as to the security offered by the lock, they can also be confusing because they’re based on different rating systems.
Types of Bicycle Locks
According to a lock picking expert that we interviewed, the following are the most common locking mechanisms and their level of efficacy.
Slider Locks
A slider lock requires that you insert the right key in order to activate a sequence of springless sliders that are contained within a plug, which then corresponds to an external slot. On top of the sliders is a sidebar that must drop down into the slop so that the lock can open.
This can only happen if you insert the right key because that will enable the sliders to get into the right position.
Disc Detainer Mechanisms
The disc detainer locking mechanism is also referred to as a disc tumbler lock and it’s designed to feature a row of rotating discs that are separated by washers.
There’s a cutout on each disc and these cutouts become zig-zagged when locked. They only align when the right key is inserted and rotated within the mechanism.
Against the discs is a sidebar that only allows for the correct key to unlock the lock. This is what makes it difficult to pick this type of locking mechanism because it requires a very specific type of key to open.
Pin Tumbler Locks
The pin tumbler lock has a cylinder that contains a unique plug with long pin chambers. These pins follow a particular spring-loaded sequence that moves between the plug and housing mechanism.
Usually, the pins will stay in place in between the housing and the plug when the lock is closed so that the plug doesn’t turn spontaneously. With the right key, the pins lift up and go into the plug which is able to turn because of the gap created between it and the housing.
Wafer Bike Locks
Wafer-designed bike locks are as the name implies not as sturdy as one would like. They have a similar design to a pin-tumbler lock with the main difference being that they mainly utilize spring-loaded wafers that come in a rectangular shape instead of regular pins.
They’re pretty easy to rake and pick when you have the right pick and they can even be opened with something as simple as model keys or jiggers.
Combination Bike Locks vs. Key Bike Locks
Most locks either use a combination lock or a key to secure the lock. Each option has its own pros and cons, as with anything else.
First, you have the combination lock which someone can find out from spying on you while entering the digits. Not only that, but cheaply made combination locks are easy to hack and the worst part is that the pick won’t even need special tools to do it.
Key bike locks are a bit more secure. Just make sure not to lose or misplace your keys or you could find yourself walking home.
Conclusion
This is all you need to know to help you find the best bike U lock that’ll keep your precious bicycle safe from thieves for years to come.
Which bike lock ticks all the boxes for you? If you’re finding it hard to decide, then please allow us to recommend the Kryptonite New York Standard Bicycle U Lock.
We picked this option as the winner not just because of the brand name behind it but also because it’s made to last from durable materials. It has a high rating and is sturdy enough to withstand multiple lock picking attempts without caving in.