The 8 Best Bike U-Locks in 2022

Jan Poshenko
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Not all bike locks are created equal and finding the best bike lock for your needs can be a challenge.

It is very difficult to put a price on safety and security, but if there’s one place that you don’t want to compromise on, it’s this one.

For that reason it’s well worth spending time to find the best bike lock to secure your bike, bike parts and accessories.

In this article, I list eight of my favorite bike locks and the reasons why I love them so much.

Check them out and see if you agree!

NameCategoryProduct
ABUS Granit XPlus 540/160 HB 230Best OverallABUS Granit XPlus 540/160 HB 230
SIGTUNA Bike locksBudget PickSIGTUNA Bike locks
ABUS Granit Extreme 59 Key Bicycle U LockUpgrade PickABUS Granit Extreme 59 Key Bicycle U Lock

1. ABUS Granit XPlus 540/160 HB 230

Our rating: 9 / 10

ABUS Granit XPlus 540/160 HB 230

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Pros:

  • The ABUS Granit XPlus 540, 9 inch lock is made for the city environment.
  • The ABUS Granit X Plus 540, 9 inch is one of the best locks in this price range.
  • The ABUS Granit X Plus 540, 9 inch is easy to carry around thanks to the plastic casing and a lower weight.

Cons:

  • The high security rating makes the ABUS Granit X Plus 540, 9 inch the most challenging lock to carry around.
  • The ABUS Granit X Plus 540, 9 inch struggles a bit with thicker chains.

The ABUS Granit X Plus 540, 9 inch is a cable and padlock combination that is designed to lock your bike to any obstacles on the street in the city.

The lock is made from hardened steel with a protective casing to ensure that your lock isn’t damaged.

The ABUS Granit X Plus 540, 9 inch is protected by an insurance of up to 20,000 EUR, provided by the German insurance company if your bike is stolen with a Granit X Plus lock.

2. Kryptonite New York Lock Fahgettaboutit Mini 18mm U-Lock Bicycle Lock

Our rating: 9 / 10

Kryptonite New York Lock Fahgettaboutit Mini 18mm U-Lock Bicycle Lock

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Pros:

  • Solid lock
  • Anti-theft protection
  • Keyed alike available
  • Anti-theft protection

3. SIGTUNA Bike locks

Our rating: 8 / 10

SIGTUNA Bike locks

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Pros:

  • Made in China .
  • 7 x 7.2 x 3.1 inches .
  • Delivers 750 pounds of security .
  • Has 2 keys
  • Is 16mm thick .
  • Has bicycle mounting hole .
  • Has 1200 meters of chain .
  • Is 3.1 pounds. Cons:
  • A little heavy.
  • Chain is small.

SIGTUNA Bike locks is a strongest bike lock for commuting.The Best Bike U-Locks come with a mount that allows you to attach to your bicycle’s frame. It’s a great way to protect your bike from sneaky hands.

The SIGTUNA lock is ideal with other top U-locks like Kryptonite New York u-lock.

The thick solid chromed steel shackle provide high quality protection.

4. ONGUARD Pitbull Medium U-Lock

Our rating: 8 / 10

ONGUARD Pitbull Medium U-Lock

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Pros:

  • For heavier users (up to 300 pounds)
  • Shaped to withstand cutting
  • Includes extra set of keys
  • Tough durable material

Cons:

  • Not the most travel friendly
  • Check local laws before using in bicycle-unfriendly areas
  • Can be difficult to lock multiple bikes

There are a lot of great bike locks out there, but the ONGUARD Pitbull stands out because of its unique design.

I can say with confidence that the Pitbull from ONGUARD is one of my favorite U-locks and it is the one that I have on my bike right now.

I like this lock because it has a super tough material and heavy-duty flexibility, making it a formidable lock.

5. ABUS Granit Extreme 59 Key Bicycle U Lock

Our rating: 6 / 10

ABUS Granit Extreme 59 Key Bicycle U Lock

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Pros:

  • Very Secure
  • Lightweight
  • Amazing build quality
  • Water resistant.
  • Headlight mount compatible

If you’re looking for one of the most secure u-locks available on the market, be sure to check out The ABUS Granit Extreme. This beast of a lock is light, and has a large enough footprint to generally require two wheels/tires to be cut to get it off your bike.

To get this lock off your bike, the thief would need to use a grinder to grind through the lock. Theft is generally deterred because the sound makes it too risky to attempt a theft, and if they want to pass the grinder to the next amateur thief, it’s cost them a lot of money at a public bike shop.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the strongest bike lock?

In general, what is considered as the hardest lock is dictated by its size and level of security. With high-security locks, the threat of being broken is lower. For instance, the New York Fahgettaboudit is designed to resist an angle grinder. It seems like there is no way to nick the lock, unless the thief has a truck and a torch.

So What is the hardest lock?

The strongest U-lock is the New York Edition Fahgettaboudit U-lock. Since it was the first lock on the market built to thwart power tools, it is still the strongest on the market. It is designed to be strong to the point of being overkill.

What is the best U lock?

The U Lock Triathlon is one of the best bike D lock around, thanks to its three-point locking system and hardened steel.

This lock is among the most durable on the market, able to withstand major force and heavy weight. It has a cylinder locking system and is supported by a cable.

It’s durable and long-lasting, capable of standing up to heavy bike thieves. The 3-point locking system is easy to use and allows for a tight, secure fit.

This U lock is a high-quality lock that won’t let you down.

Is there a bike lock that Cannot be cut?

The Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit Mini is the the bike lock to get when price is not an object.

The New York Fahgettaboudit Mini is a high-quality, hardened steel U-lock that’s ultra-heavy duty and nearly impossible to break through.

Many manufacturers claim that their bike locks are pick-proof. This is simply not the case with most U-locks.

The New York Fahgettaboudit Mini utilizes a double-locking mechanism, a combination of a hardened 16mm-thick shackle and a hardened 19mm-thick body.

This double-locking mechanism could very well be the strongest bike lock in the world, but you’ll still have to take proper precautions by investing the time to lock it securely to a stationary object.

How much should you spend on a bike lock?

Your bike lock should be the last line of defense between your bike and bike thieves. While there are many measures you can take to protect your bike, an effective lock is an essential part of any protection system. Easily over half of bike thefts are done with the bikes being properly locked.

It goes without saying that you are going to need a good lock. In pricier bike parts and accessories, the old adage is true that you get what you pay for. A cheap lock is like having a false sense of security.

So what exactly should you pay for? That’s the thing.

Bike locks are like bike parts in general. There are multiple levels of quality. Each level provides a degree of security that bike thieves will struggle against. Some will cost quite a lot more than others. And of course, there’s the factor of whether it will meet your needs.

Conclusion

Bike theft is a big problem, and there are many ways of protecting your two-wheeler. This means that you’re not guaranteed to keep your bike safe. So it’s up to you to keep a watchful, trained eye on it at all times. A chain and a lock can add an extra layer of safety when you park your bike, but they’re not enough on their own. The chain and lock simply keep your bike from being ridden away. It will have to be cut off the bike by a thief.

Our Recommendation

NameCategoryProduct
ABUS Granit XPlus 540/160 HB 230Best OverallABUS Granit XPlus 540/160 HB 230
SIGTUNA Bike locksBudget PickSIGTUNA Bike locks
ABUS Granit Extreme 59 Key Bicycle U LockUpgrade PickABUS Granit Extreme 59 Key Bicycle U Lock