Face it, having your bike stolen stinks. Close to 190,000 bikes are stolen in the U.S. every year, and that doesn’t include the incidents that go unreported. It’s important to lock your bike. A good lock offers two types of protection: visual deterrence and a longer, louder effort to break it. That’s why you’ll hear people singing the praises for U-locks. They look tough and take longer to saw through. Cable locks are more affordable, but they can be clipped with a single effort—if a thief has the right tools.
SECURITY OF A U-LOCK WITH THE FLEXIBILITY OF A CHAIN
So consider this: The more money you invest in a good, sturdy lock, the harder it will be for a would-be thief to steal your bike. And a new bike costs a heck of a lot more, too. No lock is completely foolproof, though. That said, the following four locks will help protect your bike from the bad guys.
Abus Granit X-Plus Bordo 6500
Made of hardened steel, this accordian-style lock makes it easier to secure your bike in sometimes awkward or tight places. It’s simple to carry too: the lock folds up and fits in a carrying case that attaches to the frame via Velcro straps or screws into bottle-cage mounts. $149.99, abus.com/usa @abus_locks
A NEW TAKE ON THE STANDARD BIKE LOCK
TiGr 125 Bow Lock
This lock may not be right for your old refurbished commuter, but if you have a nicer ride to protect and appreciate good design, this sleek new lock may be worth the money. What we love: A father-son engineering team designed this solid, titanium lock to complement the beauty and simplicity of bikes. $159.99–$199.99, tigrlock.com @tigrlock
A U-LOCK WITH EXTRA REACH
Kryptonite Messenger Mini+
Securing your bike in the city is changing with different styles and shapes of bike racks. To accommodate this, the Mini+ has an extender that allows for more variety in how and where you lock your bike. Lock your bike frame to a bike rack, and capture either your front or back wheel with the extender. $85.95, kryptonitelock.com @kryptonitelock
CABLE LOCK WITH KEVLAR TO INCREASE CUT RESISTANCE
Blackburn Angola Combo Cable Lock
The Kevlar sheath around this cable lock’s hardy braided steel makes the Angola 50 percent harder to cut for would-be bike thieves. And the price is right for commuting. $29.99, blackburndesign.com @blackburndesign
