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    All things (road) bike locks

    Sophia Willmes
    Sophia Willmes
    Mar 4, 2024 9 min
    All things (road) bike locks

    A review

    A bicycle lock is not a one-hundred-per-cent effective anti-theft device. Unfortunately, quite a few criminals out there have the ambition, the time, and the necessary tools to crack even robust bicycle locks. Nevertheless, a good bike lock is a considerable obstacle for thieves and indispensable if you want to protect your road bike safely in your absence. It ensures you can leave your road bike out of sight in between times with a clear conscience.

    1. How can I lock my road bike?

    Road bike locks come in different designs, each with advantages. We show you the most common types of road bike locks.

    Folding lock: Bicycle locks with folding technology are folded in and out like a folding rule, making them convenient to carry. The design with many rigid links makes it difficult for thieves to strike with bolt cutters.

    Folding lock

    Chain lock: Chain locks consist of a metal chain and are the most stable type of road bike lock. They are difficult to cut open with a bolt cutter, the favorite tool of bike thieves intent on speed and efficiency. However, the high level of security provided by the sturdy chain also comes with a lot of weight. A chain lock can usually only be carried in a backpack; therefore, it is difficult to break open. However, due to the material and design, it is also very stiff for a bicycle basket.

    Chain lock

    U-lock: A bicycle lock made of metal shackles is particularly robust and challenging to break open. However, due to the material and design, it is also very stiff. This does not make it easy to lock your bike to a bicycle stand or a lamp post.

    U-lock

    Cable lock: A cable lock that can be stretched particularly far is much more flexible. So you can lock your road bike even when in "uncomfortable" positions. Several bikes can be locked together.

    Cable lock

    In addition to differences in the type of materials and construction, there is also a distinction in the type of lock.

    Bicycle lock with key: This is the most common and classic variant. You don't have to remember a numerical code but must ensure you don't lose the bike key. It is best to attach it to your key ring simply.

    Combination lock: To lock and unlock the bike lock, you must enter a numerical code that you should remember. Since it is very unlikely that a random thief has personal information about you, you can confidently choose a combination of numbers with a personal meaning. Only an obvious combination like your date of birth or "1234" should be avoided, as thieves can easily guess them. After entering the code, set a different sequence of numbers again.

    Bicycle thieves rarely tamper with the lock when they want to steal a road bike. Instead, they cut the lock when stolen, usually with a bolt cutter. A good bicycle lock should, therefore, first and foremost be stable. Comfortable handling or light weight are also necessary, but they are secondary.

    A model made of hardened steel is particularly difficult for thieves. For convenience, you should ensure that the racing bike lock, whether a folding lock, a cable lock, or another variant, is sufficiently long.

    In addition to the bike lock, you can get a holder or a special bag to carry comfortably without a backpack.

    Tip: Lock your road bike with the bike lock on the frame or one of the wheels. Under no circumstances should you lock your bike under the saddle because the saddle can be easily dismantled and the lock removed.

    The selection of bicycle locks is extensive, both in terms of shape and material and the manufacturer. However, the purchase should not be made lightly; the bike lock should sufficiently protect your valuable racing, mountain, or e-bike.

    A detailed test report, for example, from the Stiftung Warentest can help you decide on a bicycle lock. Three aspects are important for evaluating bicycle locks: security, price, weight, and handling. We give you a brief overview of the test winners in the categories tested by Stiftung Warentest.

    In addition, many other brands offer consistently high quality. When choosing, it always depends on which features are significant to you.

    4. Safety

    An Abus folding lock can always be convinced in principle. The Abus Bordo Granit X Plus is an exceptionally secure lock with the highest security level within the Bordo range. The Trelock folding locks and the Trelock chain locks are also made of hardened steel and offer high security.

    5. Weight/handling

    An exceptionally lightweight bicycle lock is the Bordo Lite. The Abus Key Combo is another lightweight, easy-to-use cable lock that can be opened and closed with a key and a numeric code. So you are always on the safe side. A nice extra is the Abus Combiflex.

    The lightweight, small, and compact lock can easily be stowed in any pocket. With the retractable cable, you can also secure your bike helmet or backpack when you are away for a short time. Also, the Hiplok chain locks are lightweight and built to be worn on your body.

    6. Price

    The prices for a racing bike lock vary greatly and depend on the type of lock than on the brand. A simple cable lock you get for under 10 euros, a particularly robust chain lock can cost over 100 euros.

    You can find bike locks at your nearest bike or sports store, directly on the manufacturer's website, Amazon, and other platforms.

    7. How can I additionally secure my road bike?

    You can prevent your beloved road bike from being stolen with a bike lock. However, you should not regard it as the ultimate protection against theft. Even with a secure lock, a thief may still manage to cut or break open the lock. Therefore, taking additional precautions to protect your road bike from theft is advisable. You have these options:

    1. Park your road bike at your home if possible

    If you ride your bike to work or shopping, or stop for a snack during a road bike tour, you usually have no choice but to park it outside. At your home, however, you should avoid leaving your road bike outside if there is another way.

    The garage or the cellar is the optimal storage place for your racing bike. If none of these are available and you have enough space, you can store your racing bike in your apartment or on your balcony. - Alice Huot @ buycycle

    If you store your racing bike at home in a safe place, you protect it from theft and damage due to weather influences. Even if you live in a block of flats and have to use the general bicycle racks, other cyclists may push your racing bike roughly to the side or bump into yours with their bike, causing scratches and other damage. Apart from that, criminal parts collectors have plenty of time to remove your saddle or the wheels of your bike calmly. You play it safe if you take your road bike to your apartment, garage or basement.

    2. Try an insurance

    Since your racing bike can be stolen despite a bike lock, you should take precautions and take out appropriate insurance. You can insure your racing bike through household or special bicycle insurance. The simplest type of insurance cover is theft protection. Some insurance packages cover additional benefits such as compensation for vandalism or pay if your bike is damaged in an accident.

    Think beforehand about how you want to protect your road bike with insurance and which additional offers you can do without. In any case, the insurance cover should also include the theft of bike components, be it the saddle, the front wheel, or the battery of your e-bike.

    The prices for bicycle insurance vary greatly and depend on the provider and the scope of services used. Bicycle insurance providers include, for example, ADAC, GVO, Hipster, or Barmenia. - Alice Huot @ buycycle

    3. Double locks, double safety

    This also applies to racing bike locks. If a thief has to pick two bike locks simultaneously, he is likelier to forego the theft due to time constraints. In addition, many bicycle thieves specialize in one type of lock. Anyone already skilled at using bolt cutters or picking a U-lock will most likely still fail with a folding lock. A good road bike lock is inexpensive so that you can buy two locks without hesitation.

    4. Park your road bike visibly well

    Parking your racing bike in a dark, remote corner is particularly inviting for thieves. So, logically, if you have a bike, park it in a public bike stand and, if there is none, in a place readily visible to passers-by (for example, under a streetlight). This reduces the likelihood that a thief will take the time to cut open the bike lock or disassemble your racing bike into its components.

    5. Use GPS

    If your road bike were stolen, a GPS tracker can significantly help. The tracker alerts you in case of theft and records the position of your bike, so that you or better yet, the police can start looking for it. The GPS tracker is mounted inconspicuously on the bike, for example, on the rear lights, bottle cage, or another bracket.

    Apart from that, the use of GPS also has disadvantages: If you like to share your road bike tours with others and use a GPS tracker for this purpose, you should keep in mind that you are also sharing the location of your road bike with potential thieves. So make sure you have enough privacy.

    Conclusion: A good bike lock is an absolute must!

    Bike locks don't cost much, but they are an adequate theft protection and indispensable if you don't want to lose your road bike to a thief. The selection of bike locks is large, with each variant having advantages and disadvantages. Our overview lets you know which designs are available, which brands and models are particularly good, and how to protect your road bike from theft. This way, your road bike stays with you until you sell it and get a new one from buycycle. Until then, we wish you: Happy locking, happy cycling!

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