A decent bike lock can be the difference between cruising home and hoofing it. Not to mention the blow it can deal to your wallet. This bike lock will give you the most bang for your buck, and it’s what seasoned bike thieves would use on their own rides.
You don’t want to throw down your hard-earned money on a bike lock unless you know it’s going to keep your ride safe from thieves. Eric Hansen at The Sweethome did some extensive product research and then spoke with some real-deal bike thieves to see which locks manage to foil them. One thief, dubbed “Bug Out,” explained that U-locks require special tools and aren’t worth his time. Another thief, known only as “Jimmy,” agreed, suggesting you have to be able to cut through both legs.
We’ve suggested U-locks before (and explained that the best practice is the Sheldon method), but which U-locks are the best? Hansen suggests the $42 Kryptonite Series 2 package, which comes with the U-lock and a four-foot long cable, for bikes that cost less than $1000. For anything more expensive than that, you’re better off with the pricier Kryptonite New York Standard Bicycle U-Lock with Transit FlexFrame Bracket for $79. These locks were their pick last year, but continue to remain at the top of their list. Most locks—like cable locks and padlocks—are easy for thieves to crack with minimal tools, so make sure you’re protecting your bike as much as you can. To read more about the other bike locks tested—and learn more from the interviewed bike thieves—check out the link below.
The Best Bike Lock | The Sweethome
Photo by Richard Masoner.
via Lifehacker
The Best Bike Lock (and How to Use It), According to Bike Thieves