The Top Locks for Securing Your Bicycle or E-Bike

 

THIEVES ALSO NOTICE YOUR PRETTY BIKE. Every time an unprotected bike is hung up outside with its owner out of sight, they see dollar signs, whether they sell it whole or in pieces. Electric bikes and bicycles are simple targets for theft and disappearance. Less than 5% of the more than 2 million bicycles that are stolen each year in North America are ever found.

Fortunately, most criminals are opportunistic and will target the bike that appears to be the quickest and easiest to take. While nothing can stop a determined burglar from stealing your bike, you can dissuade many by securely locking your bike with a powerful, well-made lock. When leaving your bike alone, you should always lock it because it simply takes a few seconds. The best locks I've found are listed below, along with some advice on how to lock your bike securely.

Which Lock Should You Purchase?

The safest locks are U-locks If all else is equal, a 16-millimeter U-lock is a better option than a 14-millimeter U-lock because thicker is better. They could weigh a little bit more than a chain lock, but not much. This is why I only tested the thicker ones that were available on the market.

Chains are flexible, but heavy. A chain lock is simpler to use than a smaller U-lock on crowded bike racks (and with thicker or more expensive bikes). They are the heaviest kind of lock, though. Because the Evolution 4 1090 was "only" 6.1 pounds and had respectable security, I tried it (though not as good as the Kryptonite New York U-Lock). For scrambler-style ebikes with particularly thick frames, like the Super 73 S2, I usually use chains.

Folding locks are small yet less reliable. Weak places that can be drilled out are the pins that hold the links together. They are, however, small when installed, making them a suitable choice if you mostly ride your bike to quickly lock up at convenience stores or coffee shops. I must, however, point out that I wouldn't use them to lock up a bike continuously and that you can also just place a U-lock on your down tube or carry a device like the Hiplok on your person. 

How to Make Use of a Lock

Tips on Locking Up

Whatever lock you choose, make sure it can pass through the triangle portion of your bike frame, the spokes of your rear wheel, and your lock-up point, such as a bike rack or a safe fence. This approach is seen in the image above. Before leaving your bike, don't forget to take off the attachments.

The loose points must be threaded through the lock. Make sure both wheels are fastened to the lock-up point and that the lock is threaded through the rear triangle in the frame as shown above. Bicycles are simple to disassemble. An exposed front wheel is relatively simple to take, especially if it includes a quick-release skewer. Some individuals use two locks; alternatively, you may purchase separate cables to use with any of the locks I described.

Keep the U-lock off the ground. A bottle jack, which is often used to raise an automobile, is sometimes taken and placed inside the U. The jack can unlock the lock if it is pumped hard enough. It is difficult for them to accomplish this if you move the U-lock off the ground. Additionally, you want a U-lock with the least amount of additional space feasible inside the U. The less excess space there is, the harder it will be for criminals to break it open with crowbars or other tools.

Examine your locking location before choosing to leave your car there. Poles and signposts have been known to be pulled out of the ground by thieves before being reinserted. They don't need to use any equipment or make a lot of noise to liberate your bike; all they have to do is wait for you to lock it up and depart.

Examine bike racks as well, especially if you notice tape covering them. Bicycle thieves have been known to saw through racks before taping the exposed area to conceal their work. When bike owners leave their secured bikes unattended, the burglar may tear the tape off, push the broken bike rack apart enough to slide your lock out, and then take off.