However, they're compact when mounted and a good option if you mainly use your bike to lock up quickly at the convenience store or coffee shop. The pins that bind the links are weak spots that can be drilled out.

I tend to use chains for scrambler-style ebikes that have very thick frames, such as the Super 73 S2.įolding locks are compact, but not as secure. I tested the Evolutbecause it was 'only' 6.1 pounds and had decent security (though not as good as the Kryptonite New York U-Lock).

However, they are the heaviest type of lock. A chain lock is easier to use on crowded bike racks (and with thicker or cheaper bikes) than a smaller U-lock. That's why I focused on testing only the thicker ones on the market.Ĭhains are flexible, but heavy. They might be a little heavier, but they're not that heavy compared to a chain lock. Thicker equals better, so a 16-millimeter U-lock is, all else being equal, a better bet than a 14-millimeter U-lock. Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day. com and our print magazine (if you'd like). Special offer for Gear readers: Get a 1-year subscription to WIRED for $5 ($25 off). Updated October 2022: We've added the Kryptonite Fahgettaboudit Chain 1410, Hiplok DXF, and Abus Ivera Steel-O-Flex 7200. I've also included some tips for locking your bike up properly. Locking up your bike takes only a few seconds, so you should always do so when it's unattended. While nothing can prevent a really determined thief from making off with your bike, you can deter many of them by securing your bike properly with a strong, well-designed lock. More than 2 million bicycles are stolen every year in North America, and less than 5 percent of them are recovered. Because thieves are most often lazy opportunists, they target the bikes that look the least secure. Leaving a bike unsecured outdoors is like leaving a stack of money on a bench with a sign that reads, “Don't take me.” Bicycles (and electric bicycles) are amazing machines, but one of their downsides is that they're incredibly easy to steal.

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