How to choose the perfect bike lock? There are many distinct types of anti-theft devices. In this article, we have prepared for you a rating of the best bike anti-theft systems in 2024, which will make it possible to maximally protect your bike from intruders.
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To choose the most effective bike protection device, you need to know what types of locks are, as well as the pros and cons of specific models. This will shorten the selection criteria.
When choosing a lock for a bicycle, you need to pay due attention to where you plan to most often leave (park) the bike, and not be guided only by price. Most of the devices are aimed at protecting two-wheeled vehicles, which are placed in a dedicated parking lot near buildings. But if necessary, you can find popular models for fixing the bike, for example, on a bench, pipe or lamp post.
Whichever view the cyclist likes, be it a tool based on a metal cable, for a bike chain or a U-shaped system, do not forget that it is not recommended to skimp on the safety of your vehicle. In this regard, the question "How much does it cost?" best left to the end of the criteria.
In general, there are only 2 types of anti-theft systems for bicycles:
Active system - tools that directly prevent theft. This includes a variety of locks, chains and cables. The passive system is called the mechanisms and actions that are activated after the hijacking. They make it possible to return the bike to the owner's hands or recover material damage. The passive system includes insurance and personal entry of information about the bike into the database.
Another means of protecting against theft of a bike is an alarm. It can be partly included in both passive and active systems. And even if it does not actively fix the vehicle, but its inclusion is able to scare off the kidnapper and prevent theft.
Protective devices can be closed using a key or using a cipher (code). The combination lock for a bicycle, in accordance with the degree of security, has approximately the same results as the models with a key.
The choice in this situation directly lies in the comfort of the owner. Some people find it difficult to remember the code, others find it inconvenient to constantly look for the key in their pockets. In any case, in both situations, the key role is played by the comfort of movement of a fairly large device with a lock.
In fact, this type of bike lock is the most secure for everyday use. A bike lock of this original shape is hard to bite or pick with a pick.In any case, the hijacker will need to spend a huge amount of time and effort to get the desired result.
However, the main disadvantage of D- and U-shaped systems is the low girth capability. In this regard, in the work, users often have to face the problem of what is better to fix - a frame or a wheel. The specificity of the design shows itself in the most negative way when you need to fix the bike with a pipe or a wide post.
The best manufacturers of these types of locks are Knog and Kryptonite.
Knog is the largest Austrian manufacturer of bicycle accessories. The company was founded in 2003. Now Knog successfully sells its own products in more than 40 different countries.
A peculiar model, relatively recently presented by the company, is the Bouncer arch lock. Interest is attracted by the modern design of the device, which will perfectly fit into any bike. The frame is made of hardened steel, the strongest fixation of the bracket to the cylinder, high-quality and wear-resistant silicone surface - all this makes it possible to secure the bike in the parking lot for a long period of time.
The average price is 3000 rubles.
A distinctive feature of products from Kryptonite is the ability to change the key by mail. The fact is that thanks to the device code registered on the official website of the company, you can make a duplicate, for example, if the key was lost or became unusable.
Kryptonite Kryptolok Series 2 - pretty high quality, but a decent degree of protection is achieved here mainly due to a redundant system in the form of a specialized securing cable. If we talk about the appearance and performance - everything is very good, but the system is very large, and it takes a very long time to install / remove it.
The average price is 3000 rubles.
Although the word “standard” may not be of interest to cyclists, the Kryptonite New York is the best in this class. In addition, this castle is one of the best according to numerous ratings, despite the far from being the most durable structure. An excellent degree of protection is guaranteed by high-quality steel, which is not really possible to eat. That is why such a device will cost almost 2 times more than other representatives of this type of locks.
The average price is 8,000 rubles.
Due to the huge variety of models and specific characteristics, the protective parameters of bicycle chain locks change significantly. Often, quality, comfort in use and reliability largely depend on the price.
A bicycle lock with a thin metal chain can only protect against a teenager who does not have the right tool with him. If we talk about a well-trained hijacker, then he will be able to bite the chain using normal pliers very quickly.
However, locks with chains made of improved metal alloys are quite different. The use of high quality materials in conjunction with the special shape of the links significantly reduces the chances of theft. But the price of such a bicycle lock will come out much more.
If we talk about the length of bike chain locks, then most often it is generally enough to easily fix the necessary part of the bike to any object.
The devices of this group are generally very similar to chain locks, but cable locks weigh much less and are very compact in design.In particular, a means made in the form of a spiral, which, when moved, wraps around the seat, can be comfortable.
Regardless of the closed dimensions, when assembled, the spiral can be unwound to a great length. With this, thanks to the cable, a number of vehicle elements can be fastened at the same time.
The best manufacturers of these types of locks are Blusmart Bike and Pragmasis.
This cable lock is almost impossible to break. You can cut using a special tool, but not hack. This device will be an excellent choice for those who park their vehicle for a short period of time or in places where there are many people. It's also a great option for cyclists looking for inexpensive models.
The average price is 1000 rubles.
A product that confirms the opinion that ingenious is simple. The design is based on a thick steel chain. The device can be electronic and mechanical, it all depends on the chosen model. It should be noted that most of the line belongs to the budget category, but it is recommended to use such a lock only as an additional one.
The average price is 1,500 rubles.
A lock for locking wheels and a bicycle chain can be comfortable in operation. Of course, you only need to use similar security methods in combination with other types of protection.
The principle of operation of blocking systems for chains and wheels is based on fixing specific parts in a stationary state, which becomes a barrier to the rotation of mechanisms. Fixing the bike with these locks is advised only for a short period of time, since during the hijacking, the criminal in the best outcome will have to drag the bike on his shoulders.
The best manufacturers of these types of locks:
This is a real bluetooth bike lock that, like other smart technologies, functions in conjunction with a smartphone app. The program plays the main role - a key that is activated after pressing the button. In addition, there is an auto mode, with which the lock scans the nearest area for a smartphone and removes protection automatically when the owner of the bike is literally a couple of meters from his own vehicle.
Even if your mobile device suddenly runs out of battery, there is an option for tactile code entry. The code is set in advance and is a queue of short and long touches on the device. In simple terms, this is a kind of "Morse code".
The average price is 3000 rubles.
In appearance, this lock seems like an absolutely ordinary lock from the U-Lock category, but it has a lot of built-in technological and useful options. The device is equipped with Bluetooth version 4.0, and the unlocking of the lock looks exactly the same as the remote control in cars. With the Skylock mobile app, you can open your security device with just one button press.
In addition, it is possible to configure the lock so that it removes the block as soon as it finds the owner of the vehicle nearby.In the event that the smartphone's battery suddenly sat down, you can remove the lock thanks to a combination of the code on the lock installed in advance. It should be noted that the popularity of the models is growing very much.
The average price is 12,000 rubles.
The articulated folding lock is far from the easiest design. It is extremely difficult to cut or render it unusable in other ways, in fact, as well as fixing it. Such a lock belongs to the category of the most expensive.
The average price is 8,000 rubles.
This bike lock is not only designed to protect bicycles, but also motorcycles, scooters and so on. The diameter of the lock circumference of 85 cm makes it possible to attach the bike to the frame or wheel. Bordo Granit is made of 5.5mm thick steel links. What's more, the developers have added specialized rivets made from strong hardened steel to this. The surface of the links is very soft thanks to the applied silicone, which in turn protects the paint on the frame.
The average price is 8,000 rubles.
It is practically impossible to break open, cut off and try to remove such a lock in other ways. In any case, be sure that an inexperienced hijacker will not cope with it for sure. The thing is that the device has no gaps between the mounting points.
The average price is 6,000 rubles.
Bicycle locks are an excellent assistant for every owner of two-wheeled vehicles, and in particular for owners of expensive bikes. The price of locks can be completely different, it all depends on your requirements for products. Which company is better? It's hard to answer. In any case, the safety of a bicycle in a metropolis is a responsible matter, and the locks listed in our rating of high-quality anti-theft systems in 2024 do an excellent job with their functions.