Bicycle Network: Bikes 'n' Bits

Fully updated and including 11 newcomers, Rowan Lamont, assisted by the officers of the Brisbane City bike police, tested a selection of 27 locks to see how well they protect your precious property. For this year’s instalment of our popular bike lock test, Ride On collected a range of the most interesting new and current locks to determine the best and best value at high, medium and low security levels. Thinking like thieves, we tested the locks to breaking point using techniques that were quick, simple and least likely to draw attention to ourselves. If a lock showed resistance, we increased the severity of the tools and techniques we used. D-locks continue to offer the highest security. Even the cheapest require an angle grinder to break – a hacksaw can’t get through hardened steel. A surprise in this test were the hardened steel chains combined with resilient locks. These proved very awkward to break into, providing a great deterrent along with the convenience of being easier to stow than many D-locks. The lowest level of deterrent came from light and small cables, which require very little ingenuity to break. They can be used to add an additional deterrent along with a bigger lock, or if you just need something to prevent someone walking off with your bicycle while you pop into a shop, but not much more. The main thing to consider when choosing a lock is the security it offers. If you leave your bike in high-risk situations then you will need a lock that offers high security. A medium security lock would be sufficient if you never leave your bike in a high-risk situation, with the advantage that a medium security lock is generally lighter and less expensive. Another thing to consider is the size of the lock. You might prefer to carry a more compact, smaller lock or you might require a longer, flexible lock such as a chain or a cable to effectively secure your particular bike, such as a cargo bike or trailer. Supplementary cables, such as the Kryptonite Kryptoflex reviewed here, are very useful for locking the wheels as well as the frame or for securing unconventional bikes, trailers, tag-alongs and the like. The locks are rated on a scale that takes into account function, materials and components, construction, appearance and value for money – within a broader designation of the security level offered. For all locks, it’s important to consider the intended usage and level of security required.

Key to security

Sergeant Michael Schodel knows from personal experience how attached you can get to a bicycle. “I can remember the smell of the bike shop I bought my very first bike from as a kid,” he told Ride On. As a bike mounted officer from Brisbane City Police Station he’s in his dream job and he’s learned a lot about how bikes get stolen. He and his partner Constable Alana Johnson have three key messages about bike security: 1. Smart positioning Select a well-lit public place where there are lots of people around. It is even better if there is CCTV coverage. 2. Solid anchoring Lock your bicycle to as strong and solid an object as you can find as many thefts don’t even have the lock broken. When bicycles are locked against a wall or to flimsy railings they are an easy target for an opportunist thief. 3. Effective recording The Brisbane police donate many bicycles to community organisations each year that once belonged to a bicycle rider but can’t be returned. A simple solution is to record the serial number of the frame, which is usually underneath the bottom bracket. If you lose your bike, report it and quote its serial number. Thefts can also be deterred by taking some simple steps to add complexity to the security you use, creating extra inconvenience for a would-be thief. Take advantage of bike cages, use a couple of locks – one for your frame and another for the wheels – and lock the front wheel to the frame. If you regularly leave your bike in the same place each day, you expose it to a possible planned theft. Instead, park in a few different locations to help reduce this risk.

High security - D-locks, chains and a folder

The hardened steel and robust lock mechanisms of these locks means they offer high security, yielding only to an angle grinder. The Abus Bordo 6000 folding lock is included here because it gives such a high degree of protection that it offers an alternative to a D-lock. Chains also offer high security because they are very awkward to attack and require an angle grinder to be broken.

Abus Granit X-Plus 54

$199 | 1397g High security - 13mm thick shackle took longest to cut - Square-section shackle must be cut twice to release

96% The best D-lock money can buy

For retailers southcottcycles.com.au

Vulcan VLS101B Supreme 2000(80 x 140mm)

$40 | 954g High security - Shackle had to be cut twice to release - Very high quality materials and construction for the money

92% Excellent value for money

For retailers www.bikecorp.com.au

Knog Strongman

$100 | 1175g High security - Took second-longest time to cut, with two cuts required - Silicone cover prevents frame damage

89% Difficult to break due to clever design/material choice

For dealers www.knog.com.au

Kryptonite Evolution mini 9

$100 | 1089g High security - One cut releases the shackle

89% Performance justifies Kryptonite’s strong reputation

For retailers call Cassons (02) 8882 1900

Abus Bordo 6000 folding lock

$190 | 920g High security - Resisted all types of non-mechanical attack - Convenient size for carrying

88% More compact than a D-lock with more locking options

For retailers southcottcycles.com.au

Trelock BS610

$125 | 1430g High security - Top quality hardened steel shackle, requiring two cuts to release - Heavy but has long shackle

84% Very good high security option

For retailers www.bikecorp.com.au

Ortre Back in 5

$40 | 515g High security - Thinner shackle material but had to be cut twice - Smallest D-lock on test

82% Great looking, great performance, great price

For retailers www.ortre.com

Knog Bouncer

$55 | 865g High security - One cut releases the shackle, but tricky to rotate open - Compact size/protective silicone covering

80% Very good smaller, lighter option

For retailers www.knog.com.au

Trelock BC215 (6mm x 110cm)

$50 | 1025g High security - Surprising resistance, two cuts required - Comparable to a lighter D-lock in security

80% Convenient, flexible and compact high security alternative

For retailers www.bikecorp.com.au

Knog Straightjacket

$36 | 1365g High security - Hard to isolate a link to grind, with two cuts required - Comparable to a lighter D-lock in security

80% Convenient, flexible and compact high security alternative

For dealers www.knog.com.au

On Guard Bulldog SDT 5010

$60 | 1254g High security - The lock mechanism became damaged but did not yield during tests - One cut releases the shackle

76% Reasonable security for the weight

For retailers www.apollobikes.com

Broughill 13mm square shackle

$25 | 1420g High security - Tough looking, but one quick cut releases - Heavy but long shackle

60% Good value for a lock of this quality

Ask at your favourite bike shop

BBB U-vault

$35 | 910g High security - Took five seconds longer to cut than the Broughill - Small, thin key – worried it would snap

60% Budget high security option

More info bbbcycling.com/dealer-locator

Trelock BS301

$59 | 905g High security - One quick cut releases 56% Trelock BS610 D-lock offers better value For retailers www.bikecorp.com.au

Oxford Hercules

$30 | 1095g High security - One quick cut releases

54% Low cost, heavy, useful security

Ask at your favourite bike shop

Medium and low security - cable locks

Cables are light weight and convenient, but offer low security. Some of the thicker and more expensive cable locks are more time consuming to break, but all these cables can be cut through with bolt cutters. Some of these locks can be broken by just smashing the lock mechanism apart with a hammer. For a high security lock, see the previous section.

Kryptonite Hardwire 2018

$100 | 1950g Medium security - The key lock can be fiddly to use - Toughest cable on test

88% The best an armoured cable can be

For retailers call Cassons (02) 8882 1900

Kryptonite Krypto Flex (1200x10mm)

$20 | 354g Low security - A tough cable providing above average resistance to cutting - Good soft coat to protect your frame and add cutting nuisance

88% Value-for-money additional cable

For retailers call Cassons (02) 8882 1900

Kryptonite Modulus

$50 | 754g Low security - Two cables provide double the protection - Easy to secure both wheels and frame

86% Fresh and effective new approach that works well

For retailers call Cassons (02) 8882 1900

Kuat Bottle Lock

$35 | 425g Low security - Bottle cage mount makes very convenient operation - Thin, basic cable but 153cm long

82% Very convenient for low-risk situation

To buy www.blueglobe.com.au

Knog Kabana

$50 | 468g Low security - Small and light - Silicone provided an extra nuisance to cut through

80% Funky and effective

For dealers www.knog.com.au

Abus Steel-O-flex 1025 X-Plus

$179 | 1832g Medium security - A multi-layered large diameter cable was difficult and time consuming to break through - Lock was very well made and extremely tough

80% Top performance for top dollar

For retailers southcottcycles.com.au

Trelock PK515 armoured cable

$125 | 1400g Medium security - Large diameter very difficult for bolt cutters

76% A top quality armoured cable

For retailers www.bikecorp.com.au

ES Goliath key

$40 | 985g Low security - Layered silicone outer has high nuisance value - Rotating barrel made it more difficult to cut

62% Average quality armoured cable

For dealers www.echelonsports.com.au

Squizz Combination (12x1800mm)

$20 | 540g Low security - Woven braid cable is a nuisance to cut - Lock broken with seven hammer blows

56% Above average cable for good price

Ask at your favourite bike shop

BBB Codesafe combination (10mm x 1000mm)

$23 | 350g Low security - Nice tumbler action makes it easy to use - Lock broken with six hammer blows - Plain cable, weaker than Squizz

46% Good operation, average value

More info bbbcycling.com/dealer-locator

BBB Microsafe

$20 | 45g Low security - Highest convenience, lowest security - Weak lock mechanism was broken with one hammer blow - Cable cut with pliers

42% Says “Please don’t take this bike” but doesn’t do much more

More info bbbcycling.com/dealer-locator

ES Hercules key

$35 | 700g Low security - Barrel key lock is easy and quick to use - Lock broken with four hammer blows - Thin, basic cable

32% Low-end-of-average cable

For dealers www.echelonsports.com.au Ride On content is editorially independent, but is supported financially by members of Bicycle Network Victoria. If you enjoy our articles and want to support the future publication of high-quality content, please consider helping out by becoming a member.