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Bike thieves are a persistent plague. The first line of defense: a good bike lock.
To find the best bike lock, we ordered 35 of the toughest we could find and then sawed, chopped, and cut them to pieces.
We learned that almost any lock can be defeated in under a minute, but the Kryptonite Evolution Mini-7 offers enough of a security advantage over other locks in its price range to keep a modest commuter bike from becoming an easy target for thieves.
The best bike lock – Kryptonite Evolution Mini-7 With 4′ Flex Cable
The Kryptonite Evolution Mini-7 with 4′ Flex Cable should withstand attacks from everything but power tools under most circumstances.
Measuring 7 inches long and weighing a little under 3 pounds, the lock is large enough to lock the wheel and frame of most bicycles to a rack while leaving almost no room for someone to wedge a pry bar or a car jack inside it.
Its 13 mL hardened shackle (the big U-shaped loop) can withstand bolt cutters, plus it has an additional cutout at the end, which prevents rotating — and therefore removing — it after cutting it.
The Evolution Mini-7 comes with a 4-foot cable to secure the front wheel, plus a free year of Kryptonite’s anti-theft protection. However, you must register your lock within 30 days of purchase, and the insurance doesn’t apply in Manhattan.
An even stronger lock – Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit Mini
With an 18 mm dual-locking hardened shackle, the Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit Mini held up better than any other lock — except one — against cutting attacks. (That exception is the Hiplok D1000, which costs about $300; see What about the Hiplok D1000?) Even with a powered cut-off wheel, we needed over a minute to make the two cuts necessary to remove it — four times longer than with the Evolution Mini-7.
However, this lock weighs almost 4.5 pounds, 50% more than the Evolution Mini-7. But if you’re in a high-risk area and can’t spend $300, this is the lock to buy. Like our top pick, it’s long enough to fit around your bike’s frame and your wheel without becoming too cumbersome.
It comes with a free year of Kryptonite’s highest level of anti-theft coverage ($5,000), which applies in Manhattan. Again, you must register your lock within 30 days of purchase.
Best chain lock for the money – Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit Chain
If you want to secure more than just your bike frame or if you have a cargo or electric bike that needs a longer lock, go with the Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit Chain, one of the toughest chain locks we tested.
Other chain locks were harder to cut through, but they either cost too much or weighed too much. This chain has 3 feet of 14 mm hardened links held together by a 15 mm Kryptonite New York Disc Lock, and it should deter all but the most determined thieves. It comes with a free year of the highest level of anti-theft coverage, even covering Manhattanites, as long as you register your chain.