Best Bike Lock Review 2016

Best Bike Lock Review 2016

Bike Lock Selecting the Right Product

Unfortunately, just about everyone has a story to tell about bike theft, whether it was their purple bike when they were seven years old or the heart-crushing memory of the seafoam green Bianchi with hand-chosen components that was left unattended on the porch for just a moment. With this in mind, we started our testing process by learning how these different bike locks performed in-transit; we shoved them in our panniers, bungeed them on trailers, placed in backpacks, installed brackets to stow them on the bike frame, wore them around our waists, and carried them in bike baskets. Next, we rode around town trying out the various styles by attaching them to racks, trees, parking meters, and fences to assess each one’s usability. During these test rides, we started the process of examining secured bikes from the eyes of a bike thief. Even if the frame was secured, could somebody steal the wheels or seat? In the last phase of testing, we went deep into the world of bike thievery. We contacted an expert lock pick and used an assortment of tools, brute strength and happenstance to break each one. Read on to find out how each product performed (or didn’t) in each phase of testing.

Bike locks should not be viewed not as an item separate from your bike, instead, you should think of them as a bicycle component, like the derailleur or handlebars. This means that even if you don’t ride very often or you rarely leave your bike outside, you should probably buy a lock if you own a bicycle. Leaning your unsecured bike on a rack outside a restaurant is analogous to leaving your driver’s side car door open with the engine running. You might do it once in awhile, but you wouldn’t do it in a big city, sketchy neighborhood, or for a prolonged period of time. This is especially true if your bike is expensive or carries a lot of sentimental value. That said, it doesn’t matter if you own a lock if you can’t be bothered to lug it around with you, or take the time to secure it to a solid bike rack. During the testing period, we wanted to find the perfect blend of security and user-friendliness.

Here are the bike locks we tested: (L to R) OnGuard’s Bulldog, Kryptonite’s KryptoLok Series 2, Krypotonite’s Fahgettaboudit Mini, Hiplok’s V1.50, OnGuard’s Akita Cable, KryptoFlex Cable, and Kryptonites’ New York Standard U-Lock.

Credit: Rylee Sweeney

We found that often these qualities were conflicting; lightweight cable locks like the Onguard Akita 8041 and Kryptonite KryptoFlex 1218 Combo Lock are easy to transport and use, but also extremely easy to chop in half. On the other end of the spectrum are the hard core, secure U-locks that weigh up to 5 lbs and are annoying to use because you have to take your front wheel off every time you want to secure your whole bicycle. Our Editors’ Choice winner, the Kryptonite New York Standard U-Lock, is a great example of high security that requires a little bit more work to secure both your wheels. Or, if you opt for a more compact option like the Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit U-Lock Mini, you don’t even have the choice of securing both wheels due to the small diameter of the “U”, and either have to chance it or buy a secondary backup.

Our Top Pick for Commuting, the Hiplok V1.50 Chain Lock, seeks to address both of these criteria since you can wear it around your waist while commuting but still have a solid theft stopper. The New York Standard is burly and can also be clipped onto your bike frame while you’re riding. Likewise, mid-level security U-Locks like the [Kryptonite KryptoLok Series 2 Standard U-Lock]] and Onguard Bulldog DT U-Lock can also be clipped on. These awesome buys also come with a cable to ensure all of your bike (both wheels and frame) is secure.

As you can see, selecting the right product is much more complicated than choosing your desired level of security. Plus, the broad range of locks on the market can complicate matters further! Read on to learn more specifically how each of these products compare across our metrics. Or for more advice on how to choose the best model for your needs, read our buying advice article.

Types of Bike Locks

Nearly all bike locks can be categorized into these three types: U-locks, chains, and cables. Some security devices even combine two of these types. They differ primarily in terms of the level of security they provide, versatility, and ease of use and transport. Your choice will depend largely on what level of security is necessary to deter theft in the areas you’ll be leaving your wheels, but you should also consider how easy the lock is to use and whether you’ll actually lug it along with you.

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