Bike Locks Review

A bike lock is one of the most important bike safety and protection accessories that you can buy. There are almost 1.5 million bike thefts per year, which works out to be one theft every twenty-one seconds. Whether you ride an inexpensive mountain bike or a high end recumbent, you should spend the money and invest in a good quality bike lock to protect your investment. There are a variety of different types of locks available, such as U-Locks, cable locks, and chain locks.

Each type of lock has its own advantages and disadvantages. A U-Lock, for instance, consists of a single piece of U-shaped metal that is secured with a shackle on the ends. The user then has a key which he or she uses to open the shackle. This is one of the most secure types of locks and it is very difficult to cut or break off. The downside, however, is that it is very heavy to carry with you while riding and it is non-flexible, which may limit where you can lock your bike. A padlock and cable system is also a good choice such as a Master bike lock. This consists of a wire cable that is most often secured by a padlock or a combination lock. It is more convenient than the U-Lock system, since it is quite lightweight, but it only serves as a minor theft deterrent since it can be cut with cable cutters. Chain locks, like cable locks, can be cut loose, but it is generally more difficult to do so. A chain lock is heavier than a cable lock system, however, since it consists of a heavy metal chain. .

Your choice of lock will depend on what type of cyclist you are and where you plan to store your bike. If you are a casual or recreational cyclist and don’t plan to leave your bike unattended or out of sight very long, then a simple wire cable lock should work fine for you and a Knox lock would satisfy. If, however, you intend to leave your bike unattended for long periods of time- when you’re at work, for instance- then you should choose a lock that provides the greatest degree of security, such as a U-Lock. If you live or work in a high-crime area, then you may want to consider using both a U-Lock and a cable lock for added security. If you are riding a particularly expensive bike, and you must leave it locked somewhere, you should spend a considerable amount on a decent lock system, approximately 10-15% of your bike’s value. Abus locks come in many varieties.

Models

The Kryptonite bike locks is a well-known lock series, as is the OnGuard Bulldog MINI TC 5013TC Bicycle U-Lock. The OnGuard system includes five laser cut keys and a 1-year $1251.00 anti-theft guarantee.