Locking your e-bike is essential to safeguarding your investment and ensuring peace of mind. Electric bikes are valuable assets, and the rising popularity of these eco-friendly rides has unfortunately attracted the attention of thieves. A quality bike lock serves as a strong deterrent, discouraging potential theft and providing a crucial layer of security. Whether you're parking in a busy urban area, at work, or during a quick stop at a cafe, a reliable lock helps protect your e-bike from being pilfered.
So let's talk about different types of lock and the different levels of security they offer.
As a rule of thumb to remember with locks is that, generally, the heavier and more expensive it is, the higher level of security it will have.
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Established in 1992, Sold Secure is an independent UK testing house (backed by the Home Office) that manufacturers can submit their security products for testing and accreditation.
Sold Secure test locks against one of four levels of theft resistance. These specifications vary in the type of attack, tools used, and time spent during the attack. Given the high value of e-Bikes we recommend any lock you buy bears the Sold Secure Gold badge or higher.
Bronze
Offering theft resistance against a basic tool list (aimed at preventing opportunist crime)
Silver
Offering theft resistance against an enhanced tool list (aimed at preventing more determined attack)
Gold
Offering theft resistance against a dedicated tool list (aimed at preventing dedicated attacks)
Diamond
The highest level of theft resistance including use of specialist tools (aimed at preventing the most destructive attacks that could include angle grinders)
These locks are generally give you the highest security vs pound pent. They feature a D-shaped design which allows you to secure your bike to something immovable like a stand, fence or rack. The size of the D can vary and may sometimes come with an additional cable although be aware the security rating of the lock will not cover the cable. More expensive versions often have the highest security rating. They usually have thicker, hardened steel arms to resist angle grinders and an anti-pick lock. Some also come with built in alarms that will go off when tampered with and a bracket so you can attach it to your bike when not in use. The downside to these locks, is they can be awkward to fit to an e-Bike, particularly when they have a low-step frame (for which we would recommend a Folding Lock).
The most popular style of lock we sell, the Folding Lock offers the security of some D-Locks and the portability of a cable lock. A series of hardened steel plates unfold from a neat pouch or holster to give you up to 1.1 metre circumference lock that can secure your bike around the frame to a secure object. The steel plates are designed resist attempted theft by grinder or bolt-cutter and they come supplied with high security keys. The locks fold back down to a very small footprint and can be easily carried in a bag or on the bike with it's own bracket. They are particularly useful for e-Bikes and low-step frames where storage space is limited.
These are the heaviest of locks and are usually kept at home to secure a bike in a shed or a garage often in conjunction with some kind of anchor (see below). The locks feature a long, material covered chain to protect your paintwork and the lock is either a coded barrel, a keyed lock or a separate padlock. Very popular with motorcyclists to secure their bikes.
These keyed locks permanently attached to the rear stays of the bike frame around the back wheel and when locked send a bar through the rear wheel to immobilize it. Some also allow the attachment of a chain or cable to to secure the bike to something. Dependant on the model, some bikes come with them pre-fitted (such as Gazelle & Kalkhoff), some can have them fitted retrospectively. These locks are not of Sold Secure Gold standard, so we would not recommend using this lock alone. However, they are a very useful deterrent for when your bike is within sight and are an additional deterrent when used in addition to another Gold Standard lock.
These are probably the least secure style of locks but the most convenient and lightest to carry. They come in various lengths, cable thicknesses and colours and feature either a coded barrel lock or keys. The raw cable is covered in plastic to protect your frame paint and is usually supplied coiled up to achieve a smaller footprint. The more expensive and heavier cable locks come with a bracket so you can carry it on your bike when not is use.
The lightest cable locks (sometimes called cafe locks) offer the least security and are only designed as a deterrent against an opportunist thief rather than outright theft prevention.
These are usually secured to the ground or suitable walls in sheds, garages or workplaces and offer an anchor point for any lock so your bike cannot be picked up and taken away. Many are insurance company approved.
Feel free to browse our options online, we also have many options to see in store.
Still unsure about which lock is right for your needs, feel free to get in touch via email or via phone 01243 697547 to speak to one of our Team.
