Best finances bike locks 2024 – Lower-priced locks for bicycles

Searching for the perfect finances bike locks is a stability between three important elements: value, safety and usefulness. There isn’t any level in shopping for a lock that’s laborious to crack however cannot be virtually used in your bike within the circumstances you need to safe it. 

The excellent news is that you do not have to spend tons of of kilos to lock up your bike securely. We set ourselves a finances of round £50 / $60 and located loads of choices to advocate. However, if you cannot discover what you might be searching for on this article and are completely satisfied to think about spending a bit extra, you would possibly need to take a look at our guides to the perfect bike locks or the perfect light-weight bike locks.

Locks are available all sizes and styles however fall broadly into three teams: D-locks (often known as U-locks), chain locks, and cable locks. Cable locks are usually very straightforward to chop by way of with fundamental instruments, and whereas now we have included a pair on this information it must be clear that we advocate them solely as an auxiliary to a stronger, stable lock, or if you’re utilizing it to maintain your bike locked in a safer location, akin to a safe workplace bike retailer. 

The majority of the perfect finances bike locks we examined are D-locks, that are an excellent possibility for cyclists as a result of the design permits for a single shackle to be made as thick as potential to discourage chopping with instruments. A sequence lock is product of many interlocking hyperlinks that are usually thinner to maintain the burden down – and are due to this fact extra simply reduce. We have included some chain locks on this information, nevertheless, as many individuals discover them extra versatile than D-locks which might generally be troublesome to get in the best place when securing your bike to sure fastened objects. If you might be not sure, now we have an explainer on which is the best choice for retaining your bike protected.

We have included a wide range of choices to swimsuit the totally different wants of various riders. We have examined all of the locks in real-life eventualities, taking them out to see how sensible they’re whereas being transported and when locking up a motorbike in varied conditions. This check would not embody attempting to interrupt the locks open, as now we have relied on the certification of certified testing organisations.

If you continue to want steerage, now we have included a Q&A on how to decide on the perfect finances bike lock for you on the finish of the article.

Quick record

Best finances bike locks out there at the moment

D-Locks

The most safety

There actually is little to fault on the OnGuard Pitbull Mini DT. We even discovered the supposed downside – that it’s a smaller D-lock – to have advantages on the usability entrance, making it straightforward to function and retailer on the bike. 

The safety this lock presents is staggering given it retails at lower than £50 (though solely simply). It is the one lock on this information to be awarded Sold Secure’s diamond score – the very best the testing and certification service presents. Although the locking space of the D-lock is small, we discovered it ample for securing a motorbike body to a put up, railing or rack whereas utilizing the cable that comes with it to safe the wheels. 

The Quattro Bolt locking mechanism secures the shackle to the crossbar in 4 locations to extend safety in opposition to pulling, jacking, prying and twisting assaults, and the shackle itself is 14mm thick – the thickest on this round-up together with the Zefal Ok-Traz – which makes it harder to get bolt cutters round it.

It additionally comes with a $2,251 anti-theft assure – though it’s topic to fairly a couple of circumstances and restrictions, together with that it’s US-only. 

Perhaps our favorite side was its usability. It is fairly heavy at 1,126g – as you would possibly count on from a heavy-duty lock – however as it’s smaller and due to the design, with hand-grooved bumpers on the prime and backside, it simply makes the entire technique of utilizing it that little bit easer. Plus we discovered the bumpers helped to cease it rattling when using whereas the lock was mounted on the body – relieving a private pet peeve. The mounting bracket itself may be very slick, with the power to rotate the angle at which the lock sits and a number of placement choices.

Rather than a handbook shutter to guard the keyhole from particles, the Pitbull has an automated cowl that opens then seals when inserting and eradicating the important thing. The keys themselves are additionally a reduce above the competitors – the primary one coming with a built-in gentle that will help you see the keyhole in the dead of night – and there are 4 spares. It additionally comes with a key fob that has a useful key code for when ordering replacements and directions on the right way to lubricate the mechanism to maintain it functioning properly.

Best worth

If pure worth for cash is what you need, it’s laborious to look previous the Decathlon 900 M D-Lock. Its 159mm shackle measurement is a bit smaller than some, however that results in a claimed weight of simply 800g, so carrying is that a lot simpler.

Despite the low weight and low value, it’s rated silver by Sold Secure – the identical because the Hiplock D which is sort of 3 times the worth. There aren’t any frills, however frills will not be excessive on many individuals’s lists when searching for the perfect finances bike locks. The lock comes with three keys and a two yr assure. You do want to purchase the mount individually, nevertheless.

Best portable-yet-secure D-lock

Away from residence (or wherever you retailer your journey),  bike locks come right down to a stability of safety versus practicality. If it was purely a matter of safety, you’d purchase the thickest hunk of hardened metal you may afford irrespective of how a lot it weighs; if it is pure right down to practicality, you’d simply ‘safe’ your bike with a zip-tie and hold half an eye fixed on it (we have you coated on that entrance with the Hiplok Z LOK COMBO).

The Hiplok D provides an outstanding stability of these issues: it’s rated silver by Sold Secure so will fulfill many insurance coverage insurance policies, has a 13mm shackle regardless of weighing in at below a kilogram and has a built-in clip that enables it to be secured to a bag strap or belt when not in use. 

We discovered it to be a stable piece of equipment – Hiplok presents a 10-year ‘lifetime’ guarantee – with a clean double-bolt locking motion and a weatherproof keyhole cowl. When we took it out for a journey, we clipped it to our rucksack and it was so safe we quickly forgot about it. As you haven’t any doubt ascertained from this information, we aren’t huge followers of the distinct clatter you get from most D-locks when they’re mounted to the bike, so this is a superb resolution. It seems to be fairly slick too.

It is a bit on the small facet. While we may nearly handle to lock the again wheel to the body, we could not do the identical for the entrance wheel – and also you’d battle to lock the wheel and body collectively to a rack or railing, so must pair it with one other lock to attain that. It’s additionally on the prime finish of the finances, so you might be paying for comfort (and elegance) over substance to a sure extent.

Best lighter weight D-lock

The Abus Ultra Mini is fairly priced and a good 80 x 180mm in measurement regardless of the Mini in its identify. It’s silver rated by Sold Secure, so it offers sufficient moderately than strong safety. It’s additionally fairly light-weight at below 800g, so it is not an excessive amount of of a burden to lug round.

The 12mm double shackle ensures that nobody goes to chop the Abus Ultra Mini with wire cutters. You may most likely get by way of it with 36″ bolt cutters, and possibly even 30″ cutters given the best state of affairs, however both manner that is nonetheless much more safety than a cable lock will ever provide you with. Abus makes use of a high quality lock cylinder to assist keep away from assaults right here.

There are additionally fairly a couple of variants of the Abus 410. The one I’ve included right here is the essential Mini 410. It’s too small to lock extra than simply the body nevertheless it’s cheaper. There are additionally choices that embody a cable lock for the entrance wheel or an even bigger area contained in the lock. They are all the identical 12mm double locking shackle so if this one is simply too small, decide no matter works for you. 

Heavily licensed, rattle-free D-lock

The Abus Ultimate 420 comes with a complete host of certifications. Given a 12 out of 15 safety stage by the German firm, it has been examined and licensed in 5 totally different nations. It has a gold score from the UK’s Sold Secure and check seals from the SBSC in Sweden, the Varefakta in Denmark and related our bodies in Norway and Finland which might be typically required by insurance coverage corporations. It additionally has Abus’s personal ice spray seal to point out that it has been examined in opposition to assaults by which the lock is cooled down within the hope that it’s extra inclined to impacts.

At 13mm, its shackle is a good thickness – though not as thick because the OnGuard Pitbull or Zefal Ok-Traz U17 – and it has a double-bolted locking mechanism that’s customary on decent-level D-locks.

We discovered this to be one of the vital user-friendly of the locks we examined, with the mechanism straightforward and the burden affordable at simply over a kilogramme. It does, nevertheless, fall down on a variety of the extras you would possibly count on from a lock on the prime finish of the finances. It doesn’t include a cable to lock up wheels and there’s no protecting protecting for the keyhole that has grow to be a characteristic of many D-locks. 

Where it did outperform different locks, nevertheless, was the rattle check. The mounting bracket is moderately cumbersome however as a result of it requires the lock to be opened and locked by way of it, it secures it extra tightly than any of the opposite locks we examined – and due to this fact massively decreased the quantity of rattle when using whereas it was mounted on the body.  

Cheapest and lightest gold customary lock

The Burg Wachter 1050 HB is a heavy-duty D-lock that merely does all of the fundamentals properly. There aren’t any frills, nevertheless it simply scores a bit bit larger in most departments. It sells at a low value however has a gold Sold Secure score, which may make the distinction on insurance coverage necessities. However, the shackle itself is on the skinny facet, maybe making it extra weak to bolt cutters. 

The locking mechanism itself is spring-loaded, which makes for a a lot smoother operation, and there’s a neat rotating keyhole cowl to maintain out particles that has a high-quality really feel about it. 

The mounting bracket to connect the lock to the bike when not in use is fundamental however we discovered it straightforward to suit, and its low profile made it fairly enticing to maintain on the bike, versus the extra clunky choices that include the Abus Ultimate 420. The lock itself does, nevertheless, rattle when using whereas connected to the bike, which we discovered troublesome to place up with.  

Perhaps most significantly, the lock weighs in at 1,040g, which places it solely a fraction heavier than the Hiplock D – and the lightest of the Sold Secure gold-rated locks on this check.

No-frills, high-spec lock at cheaper value

On many ranges, the Zefal Ok-Traz U17 is without doubt one of the superior locks on this information. In truth, on a purely technical stage, it’s unsurpassed – nevertheless it falls down on its usability. 

It shares a variety of the traits with the OnGuard Pitbull: it has the identical quadruple-bolt locking system with a self-sealing keyhole cowl; an equal 14mm-thick shackle, though with a bigger locking space; and a separate cable to safe the wheels. But it solely will get a gold Sold Secure score in comparison with the Pitbull’s diamond. 

It additionally has precisely the identical mounting bracket, however what works very well for the smaller Pitbull is definitely a little bit of a hindrance for the Ok-Traz. Locating the mount on the seat tube, we discovered it not possible to safe the bigger lock in place utilizing the twist-to-fit approach with out it hitting the seat-tube bottle rack. We due to this fact needed to both take away the bottle rack or place the mounting bracket elsewhere on the bike. The solely sensible various for us was the seat put up – however that was removed from excellent as it’s the place we frequently mount a bag or fixing for a tagalong on the hybrid bike we had been utilizing for the testing.

Even as soon as mounted, the Zefal Ok-Traz U17 did, sadly, have a rattle – which we did not expertise when utilizing the OnGuard Pitbull and Abus Ultimate 420. It can also be the heaviest of the Sold Secure gold-rated locks we examined.

That stated, if safety and value are larger up your record than usability, it’s maybe the best choice right here. It will likely be laborious to discover a cheaper gold-rated D-lock that comes with a cable.

Reputable model which ticks virtually each field

We’ve used Kryptonite locks for a few years they usually have at all times carried a robust repute. Perhaps a sign of their excessive requirements is given by the actual fact this lock solely charges six out of 10 on Kryptonite’s personal safety scale – regardless of it being gold rated by Sold Secure and stretching our self-imposed finances to the max.  

Like the OnGuard Pitbull, the KryptoLok Standard comes with an anti-theft monetary assure – on this case £1,000 and relevant in Europe moderately than US – and Kryptonite additionally runs a Key Safe programme that provides free replacements for misplaced keys, in addition to a restricted lifetime product guarantee for the lock.

It comes with a cable to safe wheels and, having owned an earlier model at the same value level, we had been happy to see a couple of enhancements. Most notable is that it has a double-bolt locking mechanism – which implies it will possible should be reduce twice to take away it, whereas Kryptonite says its disc-style cylinder is each decide and drill resistant. It additionally now has a mud cowl for the keyhole which is opened and closed with a small sliding button.

The mounting bracket stays the identical and rivals the Burg Wachter 1580 HB for smarts with its low-profile look. Unlike the Zefal Ok-Traz U17, the lock slides on to the bracket moderately than twists into place, so there usually are not the identical placement issues. In the previous, now we have discovered the discharge mechanism to get a bit stiff – which may end up in the lock clanging in opposition to the body as it’s pressured out of the bracket – however this one appears to have a a lot smoother motion, so it might be a glitch that Kryptonite have fastened. The lock itself does, nevertheless, have that annoying rattle whereas using which may be a problem for some customers.

For those that like additional certification, this lock additionally will get a two-star score (out of 5) from the Dutch ART Foundation and check seal from Denmark’s Varefakta. 

Worth noting is that its shackle is simply 12.7mm thick – solely the super-lightweight Ottolock Sidekick is thinner out of the D-locks we examined. 

For riders who need lightest potential D-lock

The Ottolock Sidekick is one other instance of usability trumping safety. It is the one D-lock on this information that does not include a score from Sold Secure and, at 12mm, has the thinnest shackle – though it must be famous there are Sold Secure-rated locks on the market with 12mm shackles. 

The trade-off comes with it being among the many lightest locks we examined – regardless of weighing in a good bit over the claimed weight – 768g moderately than the supposed 750g. It additionally has a thick, mushy silicone shell that’s going to guard your valuable bike body and another belongings you could be frightened about should you sling it in a bag alongside them. Because that is what appealed to us about this lock. If you need a D-lock you may fortunately chuck in a backpack or pannier bag understanding it is not going to get in the way in which or unduly weigh you down, that is price taking a look at. We had been additionally drawn to its very garish orange color that’s going to verify any bike thieves discover it a mile off (it additionally is available in electrical blue or black).

It is small and fairly simplistic, however we discovered it giant sufficient to safe our bike body to a put up, and it has a double, anti-rotation deadbolt which means a thief cannot simply reduce one facet and simply twist it open. It sits in the midst of our finances and is cheaper than the Hiplock D – the closest equal on this information – though that does have a silver Sold Secure score.  

Ottolock do recommend to pair it with one among their Cinch locks to maximise the safety it offers and the corporate additionally now has an XL model that’s sufficiently big to repair wheel and body collectively to a put up.

Chain & cable locks

Low priced, low weight cable lock

The Giant Surelock Tough 1 is prime of the model’s cable lock choices, with a 25mm hardened metal cable, however nonetheless is available in at a comparatively light-weight 1.25kg. It has a strengthened barrel with a double-bolt locking mechanism and features a mounting bracket.

The lock hasn’t been assessed by Sold Secure, so it would not have a safety score. As with different cable locks, it is prone to be much less safe than a  D or chain lock, however has the benefits of simpler carrying from its foldable design, decrease weight and simpler becoming round your bike and chosen anchor level.

Ideal for cafe stops

The Hiplok Z LOK COMBO was impressed by a bike owner who would merely carry a cable tie out on rides and use that to safe his bike. Taking this rudimentary idea, Hiplok – the identical firm that produces the wearable chain lock we characteristic right here too – developed their Z LOK line, which is principally a reusable cable tie, or zip tie, with a metal core.

The authentic model makes use of a key however the Z LOK COMBO provides a mix lock, making it much more hassle-free and the code may be registered on-line with Hiplok in case you neglect it 

The safety stage is minimal. It is designed to discourage the opportunists and Hiplok refers to it as a “cafe lock” – for the sort of stops the place you will not let your bike out of your sight for greater than a second. The metal core will not less than forestall easy knives or scissors from getting used to chop it. 

You can purchase them in multipacks they usually have all types of helpful ancillary makes use of, akin to securing your bike to a automobile rack, securing your helmet to your bike whereas stopped, or as a little bit of a safety padlock various on your baggage whereas bikepacking. Hiplok additionally makes a minimalist bike rack called the JAW that has been designed to be used in conjunction with a Z LOK. 

We discovered it to be joyously easy to make use of. Our shiny pink Z LOK COMBO (additionally they are available teal, inexperienced, yellow and black) weighed in at precisely 70g and we had been completely satisfied taking in out on a critical journey stuffed in one among our jersey pockets. The mechanism is so clean we had been capable of safe it utilizing one hand and, whenever you press the discharge button, it pings open with a satisfying swoosh. 

The one problem from a usability perspective is the truth that the mixture dials are extraordinarily small, so some folks could discover them laborious to learn or fiddly to show into place.

Easy-to-stash light-weight possibility

Folding locks are usually dearer due to their advanced design however the Abus Bordo 6055k Lite nearly squeezes into our finances. 

It presents a light-weight various to the D-locks and chain locks on this information, however with extra safety than a cable lock. If weight is excessive in your record of priorities and the Hiplok Z LOK COMBO would not supply sufficient safety on your bike, this could be the half-way home you might be searching for. 

It is fashioned from a collection of pivoted metal hyperlinks that fold collectively right into a cuboid-type form that matches right into a jersey pocket or small saddle bag. Abus additionally sells a separate mounting bracket should you choose to hold it on the bike body. 

It shouldn’t be going to cease a decided thief who has all the best instruments – the pivots are weak to being pried aside and hyperlinks themselves are nowhere close to as thick as even a series lock’s hyperlinks, though their flat form could forestall sure instruments from getting used.

We discovered it very easy to make use of and liked the truth that we may carry it within the standard saddle bag we take out on rides alongside a pump and spare inside tube. It has an automated cylinder, which imply you need not manually lock it with the important thing – simply slide the ultimate hyperlink in. The 60mm circumference means it hasn’t bought the locking capability of a series lock, however is just like the smaller D-locks on this information – though simpler to get into place with out looking for awkward angles.   

Read our assessment of the Abus Bordo 6055 Lite to see if it’s the lock for you.

Lower weight cable lock with armoured shell

The Onguard Rottweiler cable lock is on the market in a spread of grades. The 25mm diameter cable sits beneath the thicker 30mm possibility and there is additionally a 20mm thickness with a key lock in addition to thinner choices with mixture locks.

The Rottweiler’s cable is enclosed in a hardened metal sheath to supply some extra safety from bolt cutters and there is a double bolt locking mechanism. The entire lock has a plastic outer coating to assist defend your paintwork. 

With two size decisions, 1.2m and 1.8m, there’s a variety of cable out there with the potential to lock up a number of bikes or cross the cable by way of the wheels and body and round wider anchor factors.

The cable size results in a hefty lock, with weights as much as 2.4kg. Despite the burly construct, the Onguard Rottweiler is Sold Secure bronze rated, reflecting the better chopping of a cable over a hardened chain or D-lock. On the plus facet, it’s totally foldable although, making it simpler to hold. 

A wearable chain lock

The Hiplok is the results of some out-of-the-box considering from the UK-based firm. Many folks choose to lock their bikes up with chain locks, as D-locks may be fiddly to place. But chain locks are usually heavier due to the sheer quantity of steel concerned and irrespective of the way you select to move it, you are prone to rattle such as you’re auditioning for an element within the Muppet Christmas Carol. 

Therefore the Hiplok is designed so it may be worn across the waist, like a belt. It sounds a little bit of a mad idea however we discovered it labored fairly properly. The authentic model has a silver Sold Secure score (moderately than bronze) however busts our finances and is almost twice as heavy because the Hiplok LITE. As a consequence, the hyperlinks on the LITE model are solely 6mm thick, which is 2mm thinner than the Zefal Ok-Traz M12 Code additionally included on this information.   

Here’s the way it works: the padlock doubles up because the belt clasp and stays secured to 1 finish of the chain whereas a strip of fabric is threaded by way of it. This is tightened to suit your waist and secured in place with a protracted velcro strap. When we took it for a journey, it felt actually safe. We aren’t going to be taking it up our favorite climbs or coming into our subsequent sportive carrying it, however for a easy journey to the pub or a delicate household bike journey, it made sense. The weight of it’s nonetheless a contact greater than a kilogram, so that you definitely know it is there and would not need to be doing any critical train whereas carrying it.

We did discover when utilizing the chain to safe the bike (moderately than maintain up our shorts!) it was a bit fiddly to hook the padlock into place across the chain. This was a results of the additional materials required for the belt side and that it would not simply routinely lock into place – you need to flip the important thing to safe it.

However, one of many issues we like greatest concerning the Hiplok LITE is the way in which the fabric has been wrapped across the chain to remove virtually all the rattle that often comes with chain locks. So, coupled with the truth that it is fairly gentle for a series lock, even should you did not fancy including it to your summer time wardrobe this is able to be an excellent possibility simply to sling in a backpack or pannier bag.

Affordable chain lock with mixture system

There aren’t many chain locks on this information to the perfect finances bike locks as they are usually dearer because of the quantity of steel they use. Their design additionally implies that – in comparison with D-locks – they’re extra weak to being reduce: the thickness of the hyperlinks isn’t going to be as thick as a D-lock shackle.

However, we thought the Zefal Ok-Traz M12 Code was price together with because it does supply wonderful worth for cash. It has an enormous 800mm locking space – the largest of any of the locks on this information – and the person hyperlinks are 8mm thick, which is thicker than the Hiplok LITE (6mm).

Combination locks are sometimes averted just because they are often opened with none instruments – both by a thief watching you lock up and spying your code or by managing to crack the code. The Ok-Traz M12 combats that considerably by having 4 digits – vastly rising the variety of potential mixtures from 720 to 10,000 –and clearly it negates the necessity to carry a key out with you.

We discovered the mechanism to be very well designed. The chunky dials have clear numbers and rotate into place with a reassuring click on. It was easy to set the code and the pin slides out and in with out fuss. The chain is roofed with a fabric to guard the bike body from scratches and, as anticipated, the size of the chain made it very easy to lock to absolutely anything we got here throughout. 

It is a heavy lock, though a uncommon instance of weighing in decrease than the claimed weight – tipping our scales at 1,243g moderately than the 1,250g marketed. So we did not discover it to be probably the most sensible possibility for taking up rides – the Hiplok LITE’s decrease weight, distinctive carrying type and Sold Secure bronze score making it a greater possibility on that entrance. 

How to decide on the perfect finances bicycle lock

Wondering the right way to choose the perfect finances bike lock that meets your wants however would not value an excessive amount of? Here are our solutions to the highest questions patrons have when selecting the perfect finances bike locks.