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How much is too much to spend on security? If it’s to protect something as valuable and as important to you as your bicycle, then no amount of money is overdoing it.
Which is why, if you’re looking for a dependable bike lock to put off potential thieves while you leave it unattended, there are few better answers to this conundrum than a Sold Secure lock.
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Thieves have no chance against the ABUS GRANIT
Abus Granit Extreme 59 D-Lock
Provides reliable protection against unauthorised access for your bicycle or motorbike
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Key Safe Program
Kryptonite New York FAHGETTABOUDIT Mini Lock
Double Deadbolt locking for extensive holding power
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Sold Secure approved
Oxford Shackle 14 U-Lock
The Shackle 14 Pro U-Lock is a heavyweight security product awarded a DIAMOND rating by Sold Secure
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Key Safe Program
Kryptonite 5′ New York Fahgettaboudit Chain & Disc Lock 1415
Hardened double deadlbolt locking for extensive holding power
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UK’s biggest selling approved chain & padlock
Oxford – Hardcore XL 13mm Square Link 2.0m Chain & 11mm Padlock
Has met the high demands of the Police Preferred Specification and has been accredited Secured by Design
Sold Secure Diamond-Rated Bike Locks
They’ve recently added a fourth tier to their lock security ratings: Sold Secure Diamond, which immediately comes in at their highest ranking. Let’s take a look at our top three, as well as some highly-recommended D-locks and mini D-locks with the same ‘Diamond’ rating.
Indeed, it’s worth noting that as this new security certification is still so new, some locks mentioned in this guide are still advertised at their previous “Bicycle Gold” level, despite having now been bumped up to the Diamond tier.
High Security Bike Locks
There can be some many different questions to consider when picking the right bike lock for you. How big is it? How thick is it? How heavy or versatile is it? Is the metal of a particularly high quality?
With Sold Secure, though, you know exactly what you’re getting from minute one – high-quality bike security from independent lock-checkers who certify each lock’s qualities.
Even the lowest of their four levels, bronze, which will ‘typically offer defence against the opportunist thief’ is worth your time, as it’s still certified, unlike most other cheap bike locks.
What is Sold Secure “Diamond”?
Sold Secure Diamond is the highest certified level of bicycle lock security, and aimed at bicycles and e-bikes of the highest value.
Previously, Sold Secure offered three tiers – gold, silver and bronze – but diamond surpasses them all, and are perfect for anyone living in big, bustling urban towns and cities, or on university campuses.
With more and more bike locks seeming to earn a Gold rating year on year, the Diamond rating will help the very best to stand out just little that bit more, and are especially helpful if your bike is particularly expensive and/or attractive, or if you plan on leaving it unattended for longer than one hour.
Sold Secure: Diamond v Gold
This could be confusing at first because many bike locks deserving of a Diamond rating will remain Gold until they’ve passed testing phases to move up a level.
You may also buy a Diamond-rated lock which is packaged as Gold, given the relatively new arrival of the Diamond level.
But as a general rule, though, you’ll find that a Diamond Secure bike lock will offer a metal thickness of between 14 and 18mm, can weigh anything from roughly three to 15 lbs, can be as tall as 60 inches or as small as five inches, and is normally between three and four inches wide.
We’ll start by looking at three of the best D-locks, but you can skip ahead to the best chain locks by clicking here.
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Sold Secure Diamond D-Locks [Top 3]
Most Secure D-Locks to Protect Your Bike
1. Abus Granit Extreme 59 D-Lock
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£145 -
$170 -
€145
Prices are approximate
- Metal thickness: 16mm
- Weight: 5.95 lbs (2.70 kg)
- Size: 10.2” x 4.4” (26 cm x 11.1 cm)
16 mm square parabolic shackle
Double-locking mechanism securing the shackle in the lock body
A big, bulky, double-bolted model made of hardened steel, this Abus Granit Extreme 59 bicycle D-Lock is enormous and perfect for keeping any larger bicycles safe from thieves.
With its 16mm square parabolic shackle to boot, your bike could hardly be safer, while an Abus XPlus cylinder also increases protection against tampering.
This Diamond bike lock is also extremely easy to carry around with you, too; just attach it to tubes with a diameter of 12-17mm using the SH 59 bracket and you’re good to go.
2. Kryptonite New York FAHGETTABOUDIT Mini Lock
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£90 -
$126 -
€115
Prices are approximate
- Metal thickness: 18mm
- Weight: 4.55 lbs (2.06 kg)
- Size: 6.0” x 3.25” (15.3 cm x 8.3 cm)
18mm hardened MAX-Performance steel shackle resists
Double deadbolt design gives additional protection against twist attacks
With this bright yellow mini bike D-lock (rated 10/10 on Kryptonite’s security scale), your unattended bike could hardly be in safer hands, thanks mainly to its highest security, disc-style cylinder, which is pick and drill-resistant.
The double deadbolt design of this Sold Secure Diamond lock offers extra protection from twist attacks, while its 18mm hardened steel shackle provides some serious beef. A patented steel sleeve only enhances its security levels, too.
A chunky Kryptonite D-lock which suits both male and female bikes, don’t be fooled by its seemingly smaller design – it’ll be almost impossible to break through this.
Best Mini D-Lock with Diamond Rating
3. Oxford Shackle 14 U-Lock
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£54 -
€73
Prices are approximate
- Metal thickness: 14mm
- Weight: 2.38 lbs (1.08 kg)
- Size: 10.1” x 4.0” (25.6 cm x 10.2 cm)
Double locking mechanism
14mm diameter shackle
This blue high security bike U-lock boasts a 14mm shackle of hardened steel, and offers reliable protection no matter how busy or dangerous an area you leave your bike in.
It also comes with a shock-resistant rubber over-molded lock body and an ultra-secure double-locking mechanism which is pick-resistant – to make any opportunistic thief’s job that bit harder.
And if you lose your key, no problem – it comes with three of them, and Oxford offer their own key replacement service if need be, too.
Sold Secure Diamond Chain Locks [Top 3]
Most Secure Chain Locks for Your Bike
4. Kryptonite 5′ New York Fahgettaboudit Chain & Disc Lock 1415
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£130 -
$137 -
€200
Prices are approximate
- Metal thickness: 14mm
- Weight: 15.25 lbs (6.92 kg)
- Size: 10.1” x 4.0” (25.6 cm x 10.2 cm)
14mm six-sided chain links made of 3t HARDENED MANGANESE STEEL for ultimate strength
Durable, protective nylon cover with hook-n-loop fasteners to hold in place
Introducing the Kryptonite 5′ New York Fahgettaboudit Chain & Disc Lock 1415, the ultimate security solution for your bike. With a 14mm hardened MAX-Performance steel shackle, this chain and disc lock combo is virtually indestructible and will deter even the most determined thieves.
The 5-foot chain is made of 3t manganese steel, which is tough enough to withstand cutting, sawing, and prying. The lock mechanism is a high-security disc-style cylinder, which is pick and drill resistant. The lock comes with three stainless steel keys, including one with an LED light to help you unlock your bike in the dark.
The chain is covered with a durable and weather-resistant nylon sleeve, which protects your bike from scratches and the elements. The lock also features a sliding dust cover to protect the keyway from dirt and debris, ensuring long-lasting reliability.
This lock and chain combo is designed to be used in high-risk areas where bike theft is common. It has a gold security rating from Sold Secure and a 10/10 rating from Kryptonite’s own security rating system, making it one of the most secure locks available.
The Kryptonite 5′ New York Fahgettaboudit Chain & Disc Lock 1415 is heavy, weighing in at 15.25 lbs, but this is a small price to pay for the peace of mind that comes with knowing your bike is secure. So if you want the ultimate protection for your bike, look no further than the Kryptonite 5′ New York Fahgettaboudit Chain & Disc Lock 1415.
5. Oxford – Hardcore XL 13mm Square Link 2.0m Chain & 11mm Padlock
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£100 -
$115 -
€125
Prices are approximate
- Metal thickness: 13mm
- Weight: 11.2 lbs (5.1 kg)
- Size: Comes in lengths of 1.2m, 1.5m or 2.0m
11mm hardened and concealed shackle
Double locking mechanism
Whatever length you prefer this chain lock (1.2m, 1.5m and 2m are your options), this high-security chain and padlock is bound to do a sterling job of keeping petty thieves away from your bike.
With this updated model, its square links have increased in size from 12mm to 13mm, making this bike security chain just that little bit more imposing. What’s more, when riding, this cloth-covered chain can easily be stashed away under your bike seat without any fuss.
Plus, it comes with an ultra-strong padlock with hardened boron steel armour casing, a double-locking mechanism, and an 11mm shackle; all of which makes it arguably the most secure chain lock going currently.
Bicycle Locks – FAQs
What does “Sold Secure” mean?
Sold Secure itself is the premier testing and certification house for security products. Any lock certified by them has been tested and approved, meaning it’s guaranteed to be a quality investment.
How much should I spend on a bike lock?
There’s a sense of a false economy about buying bike locks; certainly the cheaper ones, anyway. It can be tempting not to blow your entire budget on one because there are more cost-effective alternatives, but if it isn’t good enough to protect your bike, you’ll lose even more money if it’s stolen.
As a rule of thumb, look to spend at least ten per cent of your bike’s value on its lock.
How to carry a D-lock on your bike?
Fortunately, most D-locks will come with their own clamp, which you can then attach to your bike frame.
If so, mount it high in the seat tube, in the middle of your down tube or the underside of the top tube, to keep it out of the way but still easily accessible if and when you need it.
What’s the best way to lock your bike?
Lock your frame to the immovable object, keeping the lock away from the ground so a thief can’t use a hammer to smash it against the floor. Make the lock as inaccessible as possible, especially by positioning it so they keyhole faces downwards.
Plus, if you use a U-lock, fill as much of the inside space as possible, so leverage attacks from thieves (e.g. twisting the inside with a pole until it opens) are off the cards.
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