How to choose a good bicycle lock
Having a bicycle as your fundamental means of transportation is not only beneficial to your physical health but also vital in helping the environment.
Additionally, as important as it is to ride a bicycle, it's even more so necessary to protect your vehicle from theft. With the vast array of bicycle locks in the market, it can be quite difficult to decide on an option that's both cost-effective and practical.
Here are a few pointers to keep in mind when choosing a good bicycle lock:
- Note your location
- Plan a budget
- Choose a lock with good ratings
- Match a type to your requirements
- Choose the right brand
1. Note your location
The first step to choosing a good bicycle lock is taking note of the kind of environment you'd be needing it in.
Do you live in a big city? Are you bicycling to a foreign location? Do you reside in a close-knit community? If your answers to living in the urban area were affirmative then your bicycle has a higher risk of getting stolen or damaged.
Additionally, if you'd be leaving your bicycle unattended for long periods of time, it'll be important to consider options that can offer security within such time frames.
2. Plan a budget
Depending on your security needs, you may need to budget about €50 to purchase a good bicycle lock. Additionally, when deciding on the type of lock to purchase, it's important to look out for bicycle locks with good rating options.
3. Choose a lock with good ratings
When next you decide to purchase a bicycle lock, it is vital to gauge its effectiveness with a standard metric. The most popular metrics for rating bicycle locks are the Sold Secure and ART scale.
The Sold Secure brand rates bicycle locks on the standard of gold, silver, and bronze, with gold having the highest rating and bronze the lowest.
While ART rates locks on a scale of 1 to 5 stars, the higher the star the lock gets, the better it is at protecting your bicycle.
For lower-risk environments, you may either invest in a bicycle lock with a Sold Secure Silver rating or one with 2 stars on the ART scale.
However, for higher risk environments, choose an option rated gold by Sold Secure or one with at least three stars by ART's standards.
4. Match a type to your requirements
Depending on your answers to the previously mentioned tips, you may match a bicycle lock to one that satisfies your requirements.
Currently, there are four types of bicycle locks, each of which has it's own pros and cons, so you decide which best satisfies your needs.
- U-Lock: If you're looking for a bicycle lock that delivers affordability and portability, the U-Lock is your best bet. The only downside to the lock is it might be a bit difficult when connecting your bicycle to bigger objects.
- Folding Lock: This type of bicycle lock is quite practical in length. Additionally, it is very easy to carry. The con of folding locks is it might be tedious to gauge durability and there's a limited range of choices.
- Chain Lock: As opposed to the U-Lock, chain locks can fasten around more objects. Also, chain locks offer ease of carriage. If you're not looking to splurge on a bicycle lock, then chain locks might not be the perfect fit for you. They are usually expensive.
- Cable Lock: Many bikers purchase cable locks because they're very long, light, and usually cheap. However, it should be noted that most stolen bicycles were secured with a cable lock. Hence, they rank very low in actually securing your bicycle.
5. Choose the right brand
Now that you have an accurate list of your bicycle lock requirements, now's the time to look for a brand that's the perfect fit for your needs.
Undoubtedly there are hundreds (if not thousands) of bicycle lock brands in our world today and yes, many promise quality with price. However, the big three bicycle lock brands that have stayed true to that claim are Abus, Kryptonite, and OnGuard. Here's a helpful resource detailing some of the best bicycle locks this year.
And there you have it, your five-step guide to deciding how to choose a good bicycle lock. For added security, if you'd be interested in offering added protection to your bicycle, visit our site and get insured today!
