Shopping
Whether you’ve spent hundreds of dollars on your bike or thousands of dollars, you want to make sure it remains secure whenever your backside is not sitting in the saddle. There is wide choice of good quality bike locks available out there, such as Kryptonite bike locks, that will keep your bike safe whether you’re leaving it outside the store for a few minutes, or stored at your home throughout the day.
If crime isn’t a huge problem in your neighborhood, then you might want to check out the Kryponite range of HardWire bike locks. These bike locks feature a reinforced head lock constructed with Kryptonite’s “Talon” lock pin retention system, as well as a disc cylinder and an anti-drill guard. The lock has more than one million different key variations and the lock head can rotate a full 360 degrees to give you easier handling when you’re locking or unlocking your bike. It also has a weatherproof vinyl skin on the cable, so you won’t scratch your bike. Kryptonite HardWire cables come in a variety of braided steel cable sizes from 15mm up to 25mm.
While bike lock cables such as the Kryptonite HardWire series may provide a decent level of security for some bike riders, if you live in an area, or will be riding your bike in area, where bikes go missing on a more regular basis, then you may need a bike lock that is a little tougher. U-bolt locks such as the Kryptonite Evolution series may be more up your alley.
The Kryptonite Evolution Series 4 LS is what you’ll need if you plan on leaving your bike in moderate to high crime areas. The Evolution Series 4 LS features a 14mm hardened steel shackle that resists both cutting and leverage attacks. There’s a double deadbolt locking mechanism that provides extra strength and a high security disc cylinder with over one million different key variations. To resist attacks from drilling, the Evolution lock also has a reinforced anti-drilling protection system, and to resist twisting attacks, it has an enhanced ant-twist internal design. It has three keys, one with a high intensity light and a sliding cover to protect both the bike lock and the bike.
Another one of the best bike locks is the OnGuard Pitbull range of U-bolt bike locks. The OnGuard Pitbull MINI DT is a vinyl coated u-bolt bike lock with a 13mm u-bolt lock and hardened steel shackle that provides a high level of cutting resistance. This bike lock from OnGuard features a four star security rating so you can feel confident locking your bike up in high crime areas. This lock also comes with five laser cut keys including one key with a light for when you’re locking or unlocking your bike in the dark.
The best bike lock for you will depend on your individual needs and budget. If you are looking for convenience and a little piece of mind when parking your bike in an area where crime isn’t a huge problem, then you’ll probably be happy with a cable lock such as the Kryptonite HardWire range. There’s also a wide range of other cable bike locks available so make you sure compare prices and features. If you are riding in a higher crime area and need that extra level of protection, then you should probably choose a u-bolt bike lock or a heavy-duty chain.
These locks sound pretty good. I tend to lean towards the wrapped cable kind with a good sturdy key lock on it. I’ve only lost one of those, and they didn’t even get my bike. I guess it took too long to cut through the cable, or they got surprised. I don’t know. It was in a part of town I don’t usually go to. Haven’t been back, either.
This looks like a great lock! I like locks that have keys instead of combination, because you can make spares in case you lost them. They also are harder to break into, especially from the common thief. Kryptonite locks are very expensive, but worth it if you have a really expensive bike. However, if you have a less expensive bike, and don’t want to spend more money than the bike is worth on the lock, then I would recommend a simple U-lock, which also comes with a key, and can’t be cut with bolt cutters.
In Portland bike theft is a huge problem. ANY kind of cable lock here is generally considered a joke; you are basically leaving your bike unlocked when it comes to using those things.
Kryptonite and On Guard make good U Locks – if possible put the lock through a wheel and the frame as well as whatever pole you are locking the bike to. Remember though that even these can be defeated with leverage attacks using a car jack.
A few people around here (myself included) have decided to get a better work out by lugging around really BIG chains such as Kryptonite’s New York chain, coupled with a mini u lock. I found a guy selling 2’+ lengths of that type of chain on ebay for like $20.