If you’ve landed on this article, you’re probably looking to buy a cable lock for your bike. Even if there are tons of models to choose from, you may want to know that bike cable locks are more suitable for low crime areas, mainly because a pair of solid bolt cutters can tear the cable apart. Cable locks are generally preferred for securing parts that easily come off, like your bike seat.
It’s always better to feel safe than sorry. You never want to take the chance of leaving your bike completely unlocked and have someone take it away from you. If you’re especially passionate about cycling, you’ve probably spent a great deal of money on a bike and you want to have peace of mind knowing that it stays yours for many years to come. We’ve looked through some of the bestselling bike locks on Amazon and rounded them up in this review, to give you a glimpse of what the market has to offer in terms of bike locking options.
Table Of Contents
Best Bicycle Cable Lock Comparisons
Brand | Details |
---|---|
Titanker Bike Cable Lock with Combination Pad | |
Lumintrail Bike Cable Lock | |
Kryptonite Kryptoflex 815 Bike Cable Lock | |
Via Velo Bike Cable Lock | |
Amazer Bike Cable Lock | |
Puroma Bike Cable Lock | |
ENKEEO Bike Cable Lock | |
Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit 1415 Bicycle Lock | |
Amazer U-Lock | |
Sportneer Bicycle Chain Lock | |
Kryptonite KryptoLok Series 2 U-Lock |
Bestsellers 2021
What Else Can They Be Used For?
They can be used in combination with U-locks, combination pads or key locks, but some of them already have one of these sold together with the cable itself. The beauty of cable locks is their versatility. Since the cable can be straightened and easily bent, you can use them to lock a variety of other things, aside from your bike. They are good for securing fences and gates, sporting equipment, tool boxes, ladders and more. Heck, we’ve even seen people securing their kayaks.
A Closer Look
Is your heart set on picking this kind of lock for bikes? Good. Because we’ve taken the liberty to review some of the bestselling cable locks on Amazon and we were pretty disappointed by some and quite amazed by others. Keep reading to discover the ups and down of the 7 top-rated products and see what our final verdict is.
Common Types of Bike Locks
Depending on the locking mechanism that they use, bike locks are divided into several categories. Sometimes, bike locks are a mix of several different locking mechanisms, as to provide the user with extra means of keeping their bike safe. For example, a U-lock can be combined with a regular key lock or even a combination lock, for added safety. There 5 main types of bicycle locks.
U-Locks
These are probably the most common types of bicycle locks that the people around you use. They have a very solid locking mechanism, which can withstand pressure and force caused by tools such as chisels or hammers. Their name comes from the fact that they are shaped much like a horse shoe. The reason why they are shaped like that is to allow you to lock them leaving as less leverage space as possible. This will prevent forced breaking, caused by crowbars – one of the most common tools used in the theft of bicycles. That’s why it’s important to pay close attention to the size of the U-lock you purchase. In general, people choose small or medium models when they want to lock a single wheel plus the frame to a fixed object. Buyers of larger locks want to attach both wheels plus the frame to a fixed object. Whatever the case is, you need to make that the remaining space after the bike has been secured is as less as possible, so that no prying objects can fit through there.
Cable Locks
These are also practical, but they are not as breakthrough-resistant as U-locks. With a wire cutter, a thief can easily cut through the cable and steal the bike, so they aren’t really recommended if you live in an area where bike theft is a major concern. Most cable locks include a combination or a key lock, but some models don’t, and you’ll have to purchase the padlock separately. Other models come with armored coating. If the cable is replaced with a heavy-duty chain, it will be more resistant to the average pair of wire cutters and will do a better job at keeping your bike safe.
Keyed Locks
Keyed locks can be opened with cylindrical or flat keys. In the past, you could open a cylindrical key lock by simply using a ballpoint pen and they’ve gained a bad reputation because of that. However, newer models have fixed this issue and are more reliable.
Combination Locks
These types are preferred to key locks, as they don’t require the additional care of a key. By simply remembering a 4-digit code (as you’ll later see in this article, there are some exceptions – we’ve found combination pads that support a 5-digit code), you can unlock your bike without having to worry that you’ll lose the key. Combination locks are commonly found on cable locking mechanisms.
Locking Wheel/Seat Skewers
These are ideal for areas with a high number of registered crimes, as they make it very hard on thieves to steal bikes. Many models come with a special wrench for installing the mechanism.
Top 11 Best Bicycle Cable Lock Reviews
Titanker Bike Cable Lock with Combination Pad
As one of the bestselling cable locks on Amazon, the Titanker has built quite a fan base. It could be due to the flexible steel cables that are resistant to cuts or the PVC coating that doesn’t take a toll on your bike’s frame paint. Or maybe it’s because the product is so versatile, you can use it to lock pretty much anything, from your ladder up to your front gate. At the end of the cable lies a 4-digit combination pad that allows a number of possible codes. But what you should be worried about is how strong the cable is when faced with a determined thief and a pair of bolt cutters.
Pros
Cons
Lumintrail Bike Cable Lock
The Lumintrail bicycle cable lock is available in 4 different length options: 4 feet, 7 feet, 15 feet and 30 feet. Depending on the length you choose, the product can be versatile enough to lock a number of things, in addition to your bike. Opting for a lengthy cable can ensure extra security, as you can lock both wheels and the frame to a fixed object. Depending on how long the cable is, you can also secure several bikes together, so just reflect on what you need before settling on the cable’s length.
Pros
Cons
Kryptonite Kryptoflex 815 Bike Cable Lock
If you know your way around bike locks, you should have guessed that a Kryptonite model would make its way into this review list. That’s because Kryptonite makes some of the most solid bike locks out there. While their chain locks are pretty nice, do they cable locks deliver the same protection? Let’s find out.
The 8 mm coiled steel cable seems durable enough when you’re first holding it. However, it’s nothing a solid pair of bolt cutters can’t break through. The protective vinyl cover is basically omnipresent on cable lock of this kind, so the Kryptoflex included it in its design as well. With a total cable length of 5 feet, it probably won’t be enough to lock both your wheels, but you should be able to secure one of them to the bike frame and then to an immovable object. The 4-digit combination pad allows for 10,000 different codes and eliminates the need to carry around a key.
While Kryptonite is very well known for its high-quality bike locks, we like to rely on customer opinions to witness first hand just how well a product like this one performs. The first thing we noticed is that the back of the package specifies this lock is for securing gear and accessories, so that might be a hint that the Kryptoflex is not exactly reliable for bike locking. Another major complaint is related to the stiffness of the cable itself. The design and built make it difficult to stretch out the cable without using force. The good news is that it easily returns to its original shape, making it easy to store in your backpack as you ride.
Pros
Cons
Via Velo Bike Cable Lock
From the very first minute you feast your eyes on the Via Velo lock, you’ll get a sense of upgrade compared to the other models we’ve reviewed so far in this article. It just feels a lot more powerful and more intimidating compared to its competition. The length of the cable is nearly 6 feet, featuring woven steel and a PVC coating that promises to secure both bike wheels. At the end of the cable, you can find the ultra-resistant U-lock that’s built in such a way as to make sure it can’t be pulled or drilled through. The U-lock is locked with a key and you will receive 2 of them, making sure you have a spare just in case the other key is lost or misplaced.
Thanks to the double bolt cross bar locking mechanism, you can rest assured that it will be very difficult for thieves to pry the lock open with a crowbar. The lock itself comes with a convenient cover that keeps out all debris from clogging the keyhole. In fact, you ever opt for a bike lock that’s secured with a key, try to find a model that included a keyhole cover. In addition, you may want to clean and lubricate the cylinder on a regular basis by simply using a specially designed spray.
The included mounting bracket is there to make sure you can get the lock out of the way when you’re riding your bike, eliminating the need for a backpack in which to store the lock. The bracket is compatible with almost every type of bike frame on the market. The anti-slip pad is another great feature that just goes to show you, the devil is in the details. Via Velo added a bunch of small extras to this product that, once put together, make it one of the best cable locks we’ve seen so far.
Pros
Cons
Amazer Bike Cable Lock
The flexible steel lock on the Amazer may convince you of its sturdiness, but the price tag leads us to believe this is a low-end product. As with most cable locks, this cable also benefits from a PVC coating that protects both the cable and the paint on your bike’s frame. The lock cylinder is made of zinc alloy and reinforced with the help of an electroplating process that promises enhanced durability. At the end of the cable lies a 4-digit combination pad, with responsive numbers.
A mounting bracket will be delivered together with the cable. It’s always nice to have a storage mean that keeps the lock out of the way and eliminates the need for a backpack in which to store it. To set your own combination, use the default password, which is 0000. As the keyhole is facing up, turn it to the right, in a horizontal position. You can now set whichever combination is easier for you to remember. The arrow placed at the end of the digits indicates the correct code position. After establishing the desired locking code, turn the keyhole back to its original position.
Pros
Cons
Puroma Bike Cable Lock
In terms of design and overall specs, the Puroma bike lock isn’t that different compared to the Amazer model. One “upgrade” is the fact that it uses a 5-digit combination code instead of the regular 4 digit ones you commonly see on cable locks. However, that one additional digit isn’t that intimidating for thieves, as they’ll most likely use tools and force to try and break the lock instead of trying to guess your combination. The length of the cable is 5 feet, which is pretty much the average for this type of bicycle lock. You can order your Puroma lock in either black or blue, which is a nice feature if you’re interested in having a more colorful cable.
The self-coiling feature makes the cable return to its original position without too much hassle, allowing easy storage. The flexible steel cable is protected by PVC coating, which is also a standard choice for manufacturers that produce this type of bike lock. To set your own combination lock, use the default code, which is 00000. From here on, the process is pretty much identical to the one for the Amazer: the keyhole needs to be turned to its right side, after which you’re free to input your desired code and then turn the keyhole back to its original position.
The Puroma will be delivered with a convenient mounting bracket, whose usability you’re already familiar with. However, we need to mention that mounting the bracket requires an auxiliary tool which is not included in the bike cable lock package.
Pros
Cons
ENKEEO Bike Cable Lock
With flexible steel cables and zinc alloy key core, the ENKEEO seems to provide some serious competition to more popular brands. From what we could tell, it’s definitely a smarter choice than the Kryptoflex. But what other features does this bike lock bring to the table? First of all, we like the protective cover that slides over the keyhole because, as we mentioned, riding your bike will cause dust and debris to get stuck into the keyhole. The bike lock mount is another feature we enjoy seeing in these types of bicycle locks, as easy storage is important when you’re constantly riding your bike throughout the day.
The lock comes with 2 keys, both of them being wear resistant. The cable itself is made of braided steel, which makes it more difficult to cut through. As you order your own product, you will receive the ENKEEO lock itself, the mounting bracket, 2 keys and a thank you card.
Pros
Cons
Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit 1415 Bicycle Lock
The 14 mm six-sided chain links on the Kryptonite basically had us convinced at first glance. The chains are made of hardened manganese steel, which is pretty much indestructible (we highly doubt that thieves would try to steal your bike with a blowtorch anyway). The nylon cover swallows the chains to give it a more elegant look. At both ends of the chain, you can find a disc lock that features a high performance 15 mm steel shackle, adding even more metal to this already durable combination.
The locking mechanism is enhanced by a double deadbolt and a disc style cylinder which is drill and pull resistant. By all these powers combined, it seems like this Kryptonite bike lock is impenetrable. A convenient dust cover will protect the key hole, making sure nothing no debris will ever block it. This bicycle lock comes with 3 stainless steel keys, one of which comes with a high intensity bulb, so you can easily find it. Don’t get us wrong, the Kryptonite can still be broken through, but it takes a lot more time, patience, force and better tools, so there’s a high chance that thieves will leave your bike alone and focus on another, more unprotected one.
Pros
Cons
Amazer U-Lock
We love it when we come across bike locks that use plenty of steel. That makes them harder to scratch, break, pry or saw through. This Amazer U-lock comes with a 12 mm steel shackle which is covered in a 3.85 mm layer of PVC coating. So, not only is it harder to break compared to locks not made of steel, but the PVC coating will prevent your bike from getting scratched. The combination pad eliminated the need for carrying around a key which, as you know, is one more thing to worry about. You can setup a 4 digit combination and change it periodically, just for some extra peace of mind.
The combination pad comes with a dust cover which is super awesome because, in time, the rotating number disks can be worn out and difficult to rotate, as dust accumulates between them. The cylinder itself is made from steel and solid zinc alloy. While the lock is pretty sturdy, cutting through it is not impossible. It takes a solid pair of bolt cutters and some natural human force to succeed, so it may be wiser to buy it if you live in low crime areas.
Pros
Cons
Sportneer Bicycle Chain Lock
The Sportneer chain lock is taking combination pads to the next level by including one extra digit to the mix. That means that you have a 5 digit combination code required to open this lock. The cable itself is made from manganese steel that measures 0.27 inches in thickness. The zinc-plated coating promises to shield your bike frame from any scratches. The length of the cable is 3.2 feet and serves for locking multiple items, even gates, fences or tool boxes. The chain is protected by a cloth sleeve, to ensure a longer lifespan.
Since this a low priced unit, chances are you don’t really get the protection you’re looking for. If you live in an area with a high number of registered bike thefts, the Sportneer lock won’t prevent determined thieves from doing their job. The chain is long enough for you to attach one of the wheels to a bike pole, but won’t do the trick if you want to secure both wheels.
Pros
Cons
Kryptonite KryptoLok Series 2 U-Lock
Pros
Cons
Conclusion
Final Thoughts on Best Cable Bike Locks
This time, there’s probably no surprise on which our favorite cable bike lock is. Compared to every other model we’ve look over so far, the Kryptonite Fahgettaboudit stands out in pretty much every possible aspect. The name is pretty cool too! But the name won’t scare thieves away. However, the lock in itself will. Everything on this product basically screams stainless steel. The six-sided chains on the product look sturdy enough to be used as climbing gear, as they offer a sense of everlasting durability. Since the chain in itself would probably scratch about any bike frame, Kriptonite has conveniently covered it with a protective nylon cover, as to make sure that doesn’t happen.
The cylinder looks all cute when you first see it, but once you hold it, it pretty much feels like you’re holding a grenade. It comes with a double deadbolt locking mechanism that will make sure everything is help into place. You get 3 keys when you purchase this product, one of which features a high intensity light bulb that makes it easier to find the keyhole and unlock the mechanism even in low night conditions or after dark. The sliding dust cover is also a cool feature that’s worth mentioning, as it keeps the cylinder protected.
Final Thoughts on Overall Best Bike Locks
Oh, is it time to pick favorites already? I normally struggle with this conclusion part, but it seems pretty easy to figure out that the Via Velo bike lock is the best cable lock we’ve here reviewed today. It provides a nice balance between the features you benefit from and the price tag of the product. It comes with everything you could possible need from a cable lock: from an included mounting bracket (which comes with a super-nice anti-slip feature) and even a keyhole cover that conveniently slides on and off, to keep the hole protected.
Pretty much every part of the Via Velo lock seems sturdy. Well, as sturdy as components of a cable lock can possibly get. Living in low crime areas, you can afford to secure your bike with a cable lock but remember that no cable lock is indestructible. Even more, cable locks are probably the weakest type of bicycle locks, so if you want something that screams protection through all pores, a chain lock may be more suitable for you.