07.02.2025 | Reading time - 36 min(s)

How to Keep Your Bike Secure

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Posted in: Accessories, Customer Services, Bikes

Keeping your bike secure both at home and when you are out and about is of paramount importance due to the high rates of bike theft in the UK. We get numerous reports of bikes being stolen on a daily basis so we are always happy to offer advice on how to keep your bike safe when at home or away.

In this article, we will start by explaining the Sold Secure rating system and then go on to have a look at the different types of bike lock that are available and the pros and cons of each one. There will likely be a style that works best for you and your particular situation. The locks we will cover are D Locks (sometimes also known as a U lock), folding locks, chain lock, cable locks and ground anchors.

Once we have comprehensively covered the types of lock on offer, we will go on to detail some tips on how to lock your bike and the ways you can reduce your chances of your bike being stolen.

Sold Secure Ratings

One of the best ways to see the level of security a bike lock has to offer is to check it's Sold Secure rating. After testing bike locks, locks that are deemed worthy can be awarded either a bronze, silver or gold ‘Sold Secure' rating and now you can even get Sold Secure Diamond locks and powered bike specific locks. Diamond rated locks are ideal for protecting very high value bicycles and even motorcycles. What this sold secure rating means is that a professional locksmith has struggled to open it for a certain amount of time, using all the tools at his or her disposal (not dynamite).

Here are the ratings and what they are recommended for*:-

Sold Secure Bronze Rating - A Bronze sold secure bike lock is for when you are leaving your bicycle for a short time in a low-risk area. Typically lightweight and easy to carry.
Sold Secure Silver Rating - These are for lower priced pedal bikes that are left in low or medium risk areas. A silver lock tends to be a medium security bike lock. If you insure your bike against theft, Silver Sold Secure is often the minimum grade asked by insurers.
Sold Secure gold rating - These locks are for protecting a high value pedal cycle that is kept in a high risk area such as Universities or Hospitals. Check with your insurer as Gold Sold Secure locks are often the requirement if you are insuring against theft of higher value pedal cycles.
Sold Secure Diamond rated - This is the highest grade of Sold Secure lock that is aimed at protecting very high value pedal cycles that are kept in high risk areas. This grade of bike lock is aimed at resisting determined thieves.
Sold Secure Powered Cycle Gold - This lock offers a high level of protection for powered cycles or electric bikes. These are very robust locks with a high level of assistance.
Sold Secure Powered Cycle Diamond - This is the highest level of security for powered cycles or electric bikes. These prove to be some of the best bike lock available with an extra level of security. These locks have been tested against an angle grinders.

*Information taken from the Sold Secure website at www.soldsecure.com

It is important to note that not all companies use the Sold Secure system and this does not make them any less secure - brands we stock, such as Abus, have their own rating system for how well a bicycle lock will perform against various attacks.

Main type of bicycle locks

D locks

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D locks (or U locks) are generally accepted to be amongst the best in terms of bike security. They are designed purposefully to be quite compact to make if difficult for bicycle thieves to prise them apart. Accompanied with a cable, these will offer a good level of security to your bike frame (D lock) and wheels and accessories (cable lock). The downside of D Locks is that to offer increased security, the lock has to be heavier as more robust materials are used. That, and you will have to pay more for a more secure lock.

Pros of D Locks

Offer greater security
Harder to break, prise apart or pick than some cable and chain locks
Angle grinder resistant locks are almost exclusively D Locks
Can often be fitted to the bike frame for easy transportation

Cons of D Locks

The price of extra security is extra weight
It costs more for a more secure D Lock
Can be awkward to carry if it cannot be fitted to the bike frame

See our list of best D locks below in this article

Cable locks

Cable locks are probably the most simple bike locks and are usually lightweight and easy to carry. Cable locks are only designed to protect your bike for a short time in very low risk areas. They are not recommended if you are leaving your bike outside all day or while you are at work.

Pros of cable locks

Very lightweight
Reletively inexpensive
Fine for protecting your bike for a short time in a very low-risk area

Cons of cable locks

Not as strong as most other locks
Not usually recommended as your primary bike lock

See our list of best cable locks below in this article.

Chain locks

Chain locks can be a good option for those who are looking for a good level of security but with a bit of flexibility of where you lock your bicycle. As there is more space in a chain lock say, over a D lock, chain locks can be used to lock your bike and wheels to something further away or larger in size. Just always keep an eye on the lock's security rating when choosing.

Pros of Chain locks

Offer a larger area with which to lock your bike
Offers more flexibility on where and how you lock your bike
Wearable chain locks offer an elegant solution to transporting your lock

Cons of Chain locks

Can be a little tricky to carry as they cannot be mounted on your frame
Might not be as strong or secure as a D-Lock equivalent

See our list of best chain locks below in this article

Folding locks

Folding locks are excellent for those that want a really easy way to carry their lock between places. A folding lock will usually fold up to be very compact and will fit neatly on your frame with the supplied bracket. These locks fit well on most frames and offer a good level of security for medium risk areas. The only downside is that they are often not as secure as D locks or chain locks so please look at the rating when deciding.

Pros of folding locks

Fit neatly on most frames for easy transport
Offer a good level of protection for medium risk areas

Cons of folding locks

Not as strong or secure as D locks or some chain locks

See the best folding locks below in this article

Ground Anchors

Most of the above styles of locks are focused on protecting your bike when locked outside but what options do you have for protecting your bike at home in a garage or a shed? Ground anchors are a relatively new security device for protecting your bike when locked at home. We unfortunately hear many stories of garages and shed being broken into in order to steal bikes. A ground anchor acts as an incredibly secure point to lock your bike to whether this is a ground anchor or a wall anchor. Both offer that extra level of security for bikes locked at home.

Pros of ground and wall anchors

Offer a secure point to lock your bike in a shed or a garage which can be high risk areas for theft
Ground anchors and wall anchors are available depending on the space available

Cons of ground and wall anchors

Can take a good bit of work to initially fit
They are not locks of their own, you will require a good bike lock to lock to this and through your frame
Ground anchors are not cheap

See the best bike lock ground and wall anchors below in this article.

SHOP LOCKS

Tips For Locking Your Bike

A cable lock alone is not enough to protect your bike as they do not offer a high level of security. They can usually by snipped through with a pair of bolt cutters or cable cutters that can fit in a rucksack. Cable locks do make a decent secondary lock.
Notice the proper locking technique in the bicycle graphic above. The D Locks go through frame, rear wheel, and bike rack, and the cable goes through D-lock and front wheel. Front wheels are easier to steal than rear wheels. If you are so inclined, you can also remove the front wheel, put it next to the back wheel, and lock everything together with the one D-Lock. Good locking technique can also mean carrying two locks or more to make sure your bike is properly secure.
Quick-release wheels (wheels that have a lever at the centre) are easier to steal than wheels that don't have a lever. Cable locks can be safely used to lock your wheels but be sure to lock your bike frame with a very secure lock either gold rated locks or diamond rated locks for maximum security.
Make sure you've actually locked your bike to the bike rack/lamppost/railing. A surprising number of bikes are stolen because the owner locked the lamppost to itself.
Stairwell railings are prime targets for bike thieves. In older cities (e.g. Edinburgh) a lot of the railings in stairwells can be broken with a vicious kick, making it easy to steal your bike.
Make a note of your bike's serial number. If you bought your bike from us and it gets stolen, let us know and we'll give you the bike's serial number for you to give to the police. This helps identify stolen bikes.
If you want to go the extra mile, you can sign up to the National Bike Register and pay a fee to make your bike identifiable to the police.
If you are insuring your bike, please read the fine print as some insurance companies will specify a level of lock to use for your bike, be that Sold Secure Bronze, Silver or Gold (this will usually be based on value of bicycle). Please make sure you are aware of this before potentially locking your bike with a lock that the insurance company deems insufficient.

Maintenance Tips for Caring for your lock

A bike lock is often left outside in some adverse weather so it is important that you do some very basic maintenance every so often. This is especially the case in winter when the salt on the roads can get into the locking mechanism and exposed metal parts.

It is incredibly important to make sure that your locking mechanism is free of rust and detritus and is lubricated every now ansd again. We have seen many a jammed lock mechanism that renders a lock unusable due to the locking mechanism becoming rusted or seized due to being outside for extended periods.

All you need to do is check the lock mechanism regularly and give a wee spray or drop of lubricant to ensure a smooth action. A simple spray of GT85 or a drop of Muc off lube will be enough to keep the lock working that bit longer.

When buying a new lock, check to see if they have a sliding or rubber cover for the locking mechanism as this will keep the worst of the rain, salt and grime out of the mech itself.

Prevention against bike stripping

It is incredibly frustrating when you come back to your locked bike only to find that a bike thief has taken a wheel, your saddle or lights. There are, thankfully, ways to protect yoursefl against what is termed as 'bike stripping'. We will give a few pointers here.

Remove the removables - Having your lights stolen is really annoying especially if your journey is in the dark. We urge you to take any easily removable items from your bike when leaving it. This includes lights and bike computers. On electric bikes, check if your computer is removable and either secure it or take it with you. Most lights that come on electric bikes are integrated and not easily removed but please do check before leaving them.
Ensure both wheels are secure - This can either be with two locks or one quality lock and a longer cable cable that can go through the lock and through your wheels. You can also pick up some security skewers that require a specific tool to remove.
Protect your saddle - Seat post quick releases are disappearing due to these being really easy to steal by would-be thieves. If you still have a quick-release saddle, you might want to pick up a small cable lock for this purpose that can feed through the saddle rails. If you have a bolt clamp on your saddle, these are harder to steal but you may still want to lock it just in case.

Best bike locks

As promised earlier in the article, we are going to go through the best locks in each category. We will look at D Locks (U Locks), cable locks, chain locks, folding locks and floor and wall anchors. For fun, our favourite ever lock name was the Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit.

Best D Locks

There is a vast range of D Locks ranging from cheap u locks at about £29.99 all the way up to £299 for the best quality lock that we sell. Here are some of the highlights...

Kryptonite Kryptolok Mini & 4' Cable Set

This D-lock for bicycles is a more compact 'mini u lock', it's certified Sold Secure Gold and it comes supplied with a 100cm long Kryptoflex cable. This arrangement enables you to lock the bike's frame to a railing or whatever with the D-lock, and make the front wheel more secure with the Kryptoflex cable. Being a little smaller, this mini lock is even more secure than a standard or XL Kryptonite locks because it limits the space available for a bike thief with leverage tools.

Hiplok DXF with Frame Clip

The DX D-lock has double anti-rotation locking and a 14mm premium hardened steel shackle to withstand the toughest of attacks. Awarded Gold Level Security by the independent testing house Sold Secure. The unique design of the DXF’s speed-loading frame bracket uses Hiplok's patented “CLIP+RIDE” system to attach the lock to the bracket for a steady, rattle-free hold while riding. The DXF bracket fits easily on to the bottle holder mounts on seat tube or down tube. With the fixings included, all you need is a screwdriver to attach the bracket to your bike frame in minutes.

Abus Granit XPlus 540 U Lock

The Granit XPlusT 540 U-Lock offers great protection for your expensive two-wheeler even when there is a high risk of theft. Specially hardened steel, power cell technology for protection against impact and attempts to force open the lock, XPlus cylinder for the greatest protection against tampering and lock picking: The GRANIT XPlusT 540 U-Lock combines the highest-quality materials with the latest technology for protection against theft! It is a quality bike lock which protects your bicycle when the risk of theft is high. Various quality seals demonstrate the value of the GRANIT XPlusT 540 U-Lock: It is VdS approved and has received seals of approval from institutes in Russia, the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway and the United Kingdom.

Hiplok D1000 Anti-Angle Grinder Lock

The first portable anti-angle grinder bike lock. Hiplok D1000 is a high security lock and represents a new era in mobile bike security. Using advanced material technology, never-before used in bicycle or motorcycle locks, the patent-pending D1000 can withstand a sustained attack from angle grinders +20 times longer than a standard D lock.

Independently tested and carrying the ultimate Sold Secure Diamond rating, D1000 fits bikes, e-bikes and motorbikes. With optimal sizing D1000 is secure and portable.

Abus Granit Super Extreme 2500 Anti-Angle Grinder U-Lock

If you love your e-bike, cargo bike or your bike in general, you want to protect it in the best possible way - and also against attempts to steal it with cordless angle grinders.

Great attention was paid in the development of the Granit Super Extreme 2500 to ensuring the best possible resistance to attacks with cordless angle grinders as this method of overcoming bike locks is increasingly observed in large cities. Abus's special tungsten carbide material compound around the lock shackle and body is the answer to this phenomenon and makes it extra hard for thieves.

The shackle, housing and structural parts of the lock are made of hardened steel. The ABUS XPlusT cylinder offers high protection against manipulation such as picking. If you want to secure your bike properly, secure it with the GRANITT Super Extreme 2500.

Cable Locks

Here are our best examples of cable locks. We should reiterate, a cable lock should only be used for locking your bike for a short time in a low risk area. They can also be used as a second lock along with a stronger, more robust lock.

Kryptonite Kryptoflex 1018 Combo Cable Lock

A cable style security lock for use in low crime areas. This is a combination lock so you do not have to worry about misplacing your keys. It is also worth stressing that a combination lock will not be as secure as a key lock.

Kryptonite Kryptoflex 1018 Key Cable Lock

Same lock as above but with a key lock instead of a combo lock. A little more expensive because it is a bit more secure. Still should only be used to keep your bike locked in low risk areas for a short time only.

Best Chain Locks

As we mentioned above, a chain lock offers more area inside the lock so you have more flexibility to lock your bike to bigger objects or lock more of your bike up such as feeding the chain through the front wheel and rear wheel along with the frame. Here are some of the best.

Giant Surelock Force 2 Chain Lock

Giant Surelock Force 2 is a tough chain lock featuring 8mm titanium enforced hardened square steel links and an 11mm ultra hardened steel Shackle, with an X2p double bolt locking mechanism and a cover to protect your frame.

Hiplok Lite

This heavy-duty padlock and chain was designed to be worn round the waist. It's as easy to attach or detach as a Velcro belt so makes transportation of the lock incredibly easy.

Abus Steel-O-Chain XPlus 9809K Chain Lock

The Steel-O-ChainT 9809K chain lock is the ideal all-rounder for your bike and makes it much more difficult for thieves to get their hands on it.

The ABUS XPlus cylinder built into the lock body is even more picking-resistant than its predecessor and offers excellent protection against manipulation of the bicycle lock. The 9 millimetre square chain as well as the housing and structural parts of the locking mechanism are made of specially hardened steel.

The lock has been awarded ABUS security level 12 out of 15. In order to protect the paintwork on the bike in the long run, the steen chain is covered with a textile sleeve. Even the keyhole has a cover to protect it from dirt and corrosion. Well secured, your bike can be parked with no worries.

Kryptonite Evolution Series 4 1090 Integrated Chain

This Kryptonite Evolution Series 4 bicycle lock is built to Sold Secure Gold Standard. This means that is has been manufactured to withstand a 5 minute attack. That's impressive when you consider that some locks can be overcome in 5 seconds.

Best Folding lock

A folding lock can be a great option for those looking for a dependable lock that is easy to transport. A folding lock fits neatly on the frame of your bike in the provided bracket. Just be aware that these folding locks are not as secure as the equivalent U lock. Here are some of the top folding lock options we have available.

Kryptonite Keeper Mini 80cm Folding Lock

Kryptonite's compact mini is great for quick stops! This folding lock has the perfect balance of security, weight and durability. Comes with the handy bracket for fitting the lock to your frame for easy transport.

Abus Bordo Lite 6055 Folding Lock

Boasting a total weight of 440g and a compact design, the BORDO™ Lite 6055 is a lithe athlete compared to other locks. It still resembles its older siblings from the BORDO™ family in that its mechanical properties guarantee a high level of security, flexibility and compactness. With a folded-out length of 60cm it has more than enough capacity to secure a single bicycle.

Abus Bordo Granit 6500K Folding Lock

5.5mm bars manufactured from specially hardened steel and integrated special rivets offer you the best possible protection against even the most determined of attacks. The innovative ABUS Link Protection Shield ensures that these rivets are not only flexible but also extremely resistant to attacks involving sawing. In addition, the ABUS XPlus precision disc cylinder offers the highest possible protection against manipulation attempts. The bike lock is not only extremely robust but also easy to handle. Thanks to the good locking mechanism, it can be locked and opened with particular ease. This unbeatable combination earns the BORDO GRANITT 6500K folding lock a solid 15 in the ABUS security level system.

Best Wall and Ground Anchors

Garages and sheds can be high risk areas for bike theft so it can be wise to invest in a ground or a wall anchor so you have a secure point to lock your bike to at home. Below are some of our best wall and ground anchors we have available.

Hiplok Ankr Mini Ground & Wall Anchor

D lock pictured not included in price

A budget option wall or ground anchor. The Ankr Mini is a compact security anchor point, is easy to install on masonry or wood and is suitable for inside or outside - providing a secure fixing point for locking bikes.

Abus WBA65 Granit B/SB + Bike Holder

The WBA65 wall anchor with bracket helps to secure your bike to the cellar or garage wall in a space-saving way.

With the WBA65 wall bracket and integrated anchor, you can secure your two-wheeler (e-bike, mountain bike, urban bike) in the garage or cellar in two ways at once. Because a lock from ABUS protects your bike even better when you connect it to a firmly anchored object. In public spaces, corresponding objects can quickly be found in the form of street lamps or bicycle stands, for example.

But how do you secure your bike in the garage or bicycle cellar? You simply install the WBA65 where you need it. Now you can also lock your bike to a fixed object in the cellar with an ABUS bike lock. In the best case, it therefore is protected against theft by door, lock and anchor. The wall bracket not only makes the WBA65 a problem solver in terms of security, but also creates space by allowing the bike to be hung on the wall.

HipLok A1000 Anti-Angle Grinder Anchor

Resist angle-grinder attacks at home with an A1000, the world's first anti-angle grinder anchor. With the 360 degree rotating base, it's easier to lock your bike in place using a D lock. To free up floor space, you can fit your bicycle incredibly close to a wall using the A1000 as a wall anchor. However, it's also suitable as a bike ground anchor. Fix the A1000 to a solid brick or concrete substrate. You can fit it to a wall or floor, inside or outside.

Hiplok AX1000 Anti-Angle Grinder Anchor

Get the ultimate security level with extra reach with an AX1000 anchor. It has a 360 degree rotating base with a pivoting arm, so you can reach your bike from any angle. For optimum security, use your AX1000 with a 1000 Series, Anti-Angle Grinder D Lock (D1000 or DX1000). However you can use the AX1000 with any D lock that fits. Fix the AX1000 to a solid brick or concrete substrate. You can fit it to a wall or floor, inside or outside.

THE BOTTOM LINE

All bicycle locks are essentially a deterrent to thieves. If they really want your bike and have ample time, they will be able to steal it. But if they see your bike has a good lock on it, is in a well-lit public area, and is more trouble than it's worth, they'll likely bypass your bike as it will take too much effort to steal.

Author

Ross Howieson

Content Creator

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How to Keep Your Bike Secure

Quick Links

Sold Secure Ratings

Main type of bicycle locks

D locks

Cable locks

Chain locks

Folding locks

Ground Anchors

Tips For Locking Your Bike

Maintenance Tips for Caring for your lock

Prevention against bike stripping

Best bike locks

Best D Locks

Kryptonite Kryptolok Mini & 4' Cable Set

Hiplok DXF with Frame Clip

Abus Granit XPlus 540 U Lock

Hiplok D1000 Anti-Angle Grinder Lock

Abus Granit Super Extreme 2500 Anti-Angle Grinder U-Lock

Cable Locks

Kryptonite Kryptoflex 1018 Combo Cable Lock

Kryptonite Kryptoflex 1018 Key Cable Lock

Best Chain Locks

Giant Surelock Force 2 Chain Lock

Hiplok Lite

Abus Steel-O-Chain XPlus 9809K Chain Lock

Kryptonite Evolution Series 4 1090 Integrated Chain

Best Folding lock

Kryptonite Keeper Mini 80cm Folding Lock

Abus Bordo Lite 6055 Folding Lock

Abus Bordo Granit 6500K Folding Lock

Best Wall and Ground Anchors

Hiplok Ankr Mini Ground & Wall Anchor