BEST BIKE LOCKS 10 STRONGEST & MOST SECURE SHACKLES TESTED
U-locks, chains and foldables, the choice is varied but which offers the best security?
In June 2020, bike theft increased by 48 per cent compared to the same month the previous year
On the face of it, the easing of lockdown restrictions in the UK has been a good thing for cyclists and cycling. We can get out on our bikes without worrying that we’re breaking a vague guideline, more people are taking to two wheels, and the government has put bikes front and centre of its policy and investment plans.
There has been a downside, though. According to figures from national cycle database BikeRegister, bike theft is up postlockdown. In June alone, reported thefts increased by 48 per cent compared to the same month in 2019. This means that cyclists, experienced and new alike, need to be more vigilant than ever when it comes to securing their rides. To help you keep your pride and joy (or even the old clunker you’ve just rediscovered in the shed) secure, read on to discover our pick of the locks…
How we tested
Over the two decades that we’ve been putting together our intensive lock tests, we’ve always used a combination of manual and power tools, plus force and finesse, to try to break the locks under scrutiny. We've travelled far to put them under even greater pressure this time around. The findings for this particular selection of locks are based on testing we've undertaken in the state-of-the-art labs of a security manufacturer, Having been shown how to use its machines to the peak of the hardware's powers, we then devised a series of separate tests that simulated the different ways a lock can be attacked and broken. See p70 for a rundown of the tests that we performed.
01 KEY
There are various types of keys, but all work a lock mechanism by moving pins or discs into alignment to allow the lock plug to be turned and opened.
02 SHACKLE
We know the shackle as the U-shaped part of a U-lock or padlock. It shackles two things together. In our case, it’s our bikes to something sturdy.
03 L I NKS
Chains are made up of links joined together. The smaller the internal diameter of the links, the better – this gives less space for a lever to be inserted.
04 PROTECTION
Nobody wants a bare metal lock clattering against their frame. A cloth cover is handy to keep your bike looking nice, and to prevent the lock from corroding.
05 LOCK BARREL
Manufacturers will centre the lock mechanism in the middle of the barrel. Check the weight of the barrel – if it’s heavy, that’s a sure sign it’s armoured.
06 MU LIT P LE KEYS
Multiple keys are essential, with manufacturers such as OnGuard offering up to five with each lock. Keep one at home, one at work and one on your keyring.