A bike is a good way of commute in the city because they are compact and easy to transport.
However, they are easy to steal too, which is why you need the strongest bike lock. If you are looking for the perfect lock for your bike, the post will tell you everything you need.
Here are the strongest bike locks (Apr 2024 Update):
- Best Overall (U-Lock): Kryptonite New York Standard Heavy Duty Bike Lock
- Best for High Crime Area (U-Lock): ABUS U-Lock Granit X-Plus 540 Bike Locks
- Best for Electric Bikes (U-Lock): ULAC TRON-XD Fingerprint U-Lock
- Lightweight (Chain Lock): Kryptonite Evolution 1016 Mini 10mm Chain Bicycle Lock
- Best for City Area (Chain Lock): OnGuard 8019L Mastiff 6 x 3/8" in Quad Chain Lock
- Best for Commuter Bikes (Chain Lock): ABUS 1060/170 Granit CityChain X-Plus Chain lock
| 6 Strongest Bike Locks | ||
|---|---|---|
Best Overall | Kryptonite New York Standard Heavy Duty Bike Lock
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Best for High Crime Area | ABUS U-Lock Granit X-Plus 540 Bike Locks
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Best for Electric Bikes | ULAC TRON-XD Fingerprint U-Lock
| |
Lightweight | Kryptonite Evolution 1016 Mini 10mm Chain Bicycle Lock
| |
Best for City Area | OnGuard 8019L Mastiff 6 x 3/8" in Quad Chain Lock
| |
Best for Commuter Bikes | ABUS 1060/170 Granit CityChain X-Plus Chain lock
| |
Best Overall (U-Lock): Kryptonite New York Standard Heavy Duty Bike Lock
- Able to lock the frame and a front-wheel onto anything – extended length, up to 8”
- Convenient to use – three keys provided
- Super-strong - 16mm Hardened Max-Performance Steel Shackle
- A bit heavy to carry in the backpack
We find the Kryptonite New York Standard Heavy Duty Bike Lock is essential in deterring the swarm of bike thieves around.
It is super-strong, easy to use, and long enough to lock the frame and a front-wheel onto a normal bike stand, cast iron fence, or street sign. Best when used with one of their cables so you can secure both wheels as well. Double latch is great.
There are three keys provided in the package – one LED lighted key and two backups.
Make sure to register them to their website, otherwise, it's nearly impossible to get it off your bike and use your ride.
| Kryptonite New York Standard Heavy Duty Bike Lock Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 4" x 8" |
Weight | 4.45 lbs (2.02 kg's) |
Highlight Features | extended length, up to 8”; provide three keys; 16mm Hardened Max-Performance Steel Shackle |
The Kryptonite New York Standard provides everything you want out of a strong bike lock, without breaking the bank. That’s why we choose it as the Best Overall Option here.
Best for High Crime Area (U-Lock): ABUS U-Lock Granit X-Plus 540 Bike Locks
- Ideal for high crime areas – security level is 15 & double-bolting 13mm square parabolic shackle
- Easy to pack – lightweight, 2 pounds 12 ounces
- Durable and simple maintenance - automatic keyhole cover
- The plastic part feels kind of cheap
- Heavy
- No mounting bracket included
This lock is highly trusted by many bike owners who live in high crime areas.
Compared to the Kryptonite locks, it is not that heavy and yet, the locking mechanism is far superior. You can carry it in a backpack without feeling strained in your shoulders.
Its security level is 15 with an emphasis on double-bolting a 13mm square parabolic shackle. Keying mechanism is nice and smooth and we can tell it's a strong lock.
The length is perfect to fit in most places and the lock itself is easy to lock. There are two keys included, and one with a neat little blue LED light, a classy touch!
Besides, it keeps corrosion and dirt at bay thanks to the added automatic keyhole cover.
| ABUS U-Lock Granit X-Plus 540 Bike Locks Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 5.5” |
Weight | 2 lbs 12 ounces |
Highlight Features | the security level is 15 & double-bolting 13mm square parabolic shackle; weight of 2 pounds 12 ounces; automatic keyhole cover |
Even with a lighter weight, the ABUS U-Lock Granit X-Plus 540 is highly protective and secure to keep your precious bike against bad guys, even in high crime areas.
Best for Electric Bikes (U-Lock): ULAC TRON-XD Fingerprint U-Lock
- Very smart and convenient to use – fingerprint locking mechanism
- Convenient – fingerprint capacity is up to 20
- Reliable and secure - emergency Micro USB charge and emergency manual key unlock
- No manual or instructions in the box
- Become a bit hassle if it runs out of battery
This seamless lock will definitely be a favorite choice for high-tech bike owners.
No keys. No digit combination and remember the latest series. It is operated by using your fingerprint, and its fingerprint capacity is up to 20 so you can easily share it or the bike with someone.
The lock uses an electric power source. Per full charge, it opens up to 2200 times but don’t worry, there are still 150 opening times provided on low charge.
Or in the worst case that it runs out of juice, there is an emergency Micro USB charge and emergency manual key unlock.
In turn, its security is top-notch and we hardly found anything that can beat this smart locking mechanism. Plus, no scratch left on the bike while using it. That’s why it is the winner of our Top Pick for E-bikes.
| ULAC TRON-XD Fingerprint U-Lock Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 9.37 inches x 5.748 inches x 2.126 inches |
Weight | 1.5 pounds |
Highlight Features | fingerprint locking mechanism; fingerprint capacity is up to 20; emergency Micro USB charge and emergency manual key unlock |
For e-bikes or an unrivaled secure bike lock, the ULAC TRON-XD Fingerprint U-Lock continues to be the best.
Lightweight (Chain Lock): Kryptonite Evolution 1016 Mini 10mm Chain Bicycle Lock
- Lightweight and packable – a weight of 9.7 pounds
- Very strong and indestructible – 3T manganese steel & 10mm six-sided chain links
- Secure and protective - the key safe program construction, patented reinforced oval crossbar lock head, and high-security disc-styled cylinder
- Take some time to thread it through the wheel spokes
This Evolution chain lock is better than our initial expectation.
It’s beefy, strong, and yet, very lightweight and compact compared to the NY Fagetabout. A good blend of weight and about the same security.
That’s a great thank you to the key safe program construction, patented reinforced oval crossbar lock head, and high-security disc-styled cylinder. Plus, the lock is made from high-grade 3T manganese steel.
You can connect them to each other by using the lock to make a big circular lock. Fantastic for those people who own a couple of bikes lined up.
| Kryptonite Evolution 1016 Mini 10mm Chain Bicycle Lock Specifications | |
|---|---|
Chain Thickness | 10mm |
Length | 5.25’ |
Weight | 9.70 lbs (4.40 kgs) |
Highlight Features | a weight of 9.7 pounds; 3T manganese steel & 10mm six-sided chain links; the key safe program construction, patented reinforced oval crossbar lock head, and high-security disc-styled cylinder |
If your needs are not just the strongest bike lock but also a light one to easily carry around, pick this.
Best for City Area (Chain Lock): OnGuard 8019L Mastiff 6 x 3/8" in Quad Chain Lock
- Prevent physical attacks phenomenally well - hexagonal steel chain links, high-grade titanium material, and unique onguard cylinder
- Secure and durable - X4 Quattro Bolt Locking Mechanism
- High protection against scratches - a scratch-resistant reinforced sleeve
- Very heavy
- It looks huge and bulky
We highly recommend the OnGuard 8019L for anyone living in the city.
The chain lock itself is much more secure and durable than it even looks on the website, and the length is extended compared to others so that it easily reaches further.
Our testers particularly love its cut resistance capability due to the hexagonal steel chain links, high-grade titanium material, and unique onguard cylinder.
Like most high-quality chain locks, it comes with a scratch-resistant reinforced sleeve.
| OnGuard 8019L Mastiff 6' x 3/8" Quad Chain Lock Specifications | |
|---|---|
Chain Thickness | 3/8” |
Length | 6' |
Weight | 10.56 pounds |
Highlight Features | hexagonal steel chain links, high-grade titanium material, and unique onguard cylinder; X4 Quattro Bolt Locking Mechanism; a scratch-resistant reinforced sleeve |
Year after year, the OnGuard 8019L keeps winning our top honors, outperforming the competition in all the categories that matter most, and becoming the best for city areas.
Best for Commuter Bikes (Chain Lock): ABUS 1060/170 Granit CityChain X-Plus Chain lock
- Strong, durable, and protective - ABUS X-Plus cylinder and Power Link Technology & interlocked lock body cover
- Easy to use – provided two keys and an ABUS code card
- Pricey
There have been many commuters who trust and choose to use the ABUS 1060/170 for their bicycle.
Want to know the reasons? Simple! It is super-strong and secure, featuring ABUS X-Plus cylinder and Power Link Technology along with interlocked lock body cover for superb protection against brutal opening methods.
There are two keys added in the package with one LED light. It also has an ABUS code card as a backup key.
If you’re wondering about the security level of this bike lock, it’s 15.
| ABUS 1060/170 Granit CityChain X-Plus Chain lock Specifications | |
|---|---|
Chain Thickness | 10mm |
Length | 67-inch |
Weight | 8.27 pounds |
Highlight Features | ABUS X-Plus cylinder and Power Link Technology & interlocked lock body cover; two keys and an ABUS code card |
For a strong bike lock that works great on commuter bicycles, this is our favorite.
How To Choose The Strongest Bike Lock?
Material & Thickness
When choosing a bike lock, you should opt for heavy-duty hardened steel material because it is the hardest to cut.
In terms of thickness, it should be at least 15 mm for a chain lock and at least 16-18 mm for U-locks. Thinner locks can be cut with medium to big-sized bolt cutters.
Number of Bolts
It’s best to pick two deadbolts on a bike lock because that doubles the trouble for thieves trying to steal your bike.
Type of Keyway
You should choose center-placed keyholes because they are harder to pick. And don’t ever buy combination locks, they are not as strong as center-placed ones.
Sold Secure Rating
This rating indicates how safe a lock is, as tested by the not-for-profit, independent organization Sold Secure in the UK. Their rating for locks includes Bronze, Silver, and Gold.
Gold: the saf
est lock for your bike.
Silver: a compromise between cost and security.
Bronze: locks of this rating only protects your bike from opportunist thieves.
Which Brands Make The Strongest Bike Lock?
Kryptonite
Founded in 1971, this brand offer quality bike locks to give you smart security solutions. Through different phases, the brand has grown, upgraded its products to keep your bike safe on the street.
ABUS
With nearly a hundred years of experience, this brand is reliable and trusted by many consumers around the world. It has a dedicated Research and Development department to create and test bike locks, ensuring the highest quality for you.
ULAC
Over many years of experience, this brand has become one of the best places to buy bike locks from. It’s best known for innovation in technology.
FAQs
Are U locks better than cable locks?
All in all, U locks are better in terms of security as they are much harder to cut. However, they are harder to carry around and cannot fit all posts or furniture on the street. On the other hand, cable locks are much more flexible but less secure.
How do I keep my bike from being stolen?
Here’s what you can do:
Use two high-quality locks to double security.
Lock the bike wheels too.
Try a smart lock.
Keep your bike inside overnight.
How thick should a bike lock be?
A bike lock should be at least 15 mm thick, or best if it’s 16-18 mm thick. This makes it harder to cut with a bolt cutter.
Are combination bike locks secure?
They are less secure than locks using keys. For combination locks, as long as you remember the combination, you can always open the lock, and if a thief can figure out that combination, your bike is gone.
Can bike locks be cut?
Yes, they can be cut. If your bike lock is not thick enough, it can be cut with a bolt cutter. However, if you buy a steel lock that’s 16-18 mm thick, a bolt cutter cannot cut it.
Conclusion
We hope that this post has made it easier for you to find the strongest bike lock. There are a number of factors to consider in this process, but remember that safety and security are always the most important.
Bryan Listor
