If you own an e-bike worth more than a few hundred pounds, the lock is the cheapest insurance you will ever buy. Riders routinely protect a four-figure machine with a cable from a bargain bin and then wonder why the bike vanished overnight. We spent weeks comparing the twelve locks in this roundup, weighing the certification labels, the shackle measurements and the actual grams you have to haul home every evening, so you can pick the one that fits your bike and your commute.
Most of the decision comes down to two things: whether the lock carries an independent security rating, and whether it physically closes around your frame. E-bikes are heavier, wider and more expensive than conventional bikes, so locks that looked adequate on a road bike often refuse to latch on a battery-integrated downtube or a 20×4 fat tire. That is why we lead with fit measurements before we talk about brands.
We also looked at the wider e-bike security picture, including alarm locks, GPS trackers and battery theft, because a frame lock only covers part of the risk. If you are still shopping for the bike itself, our guide to the best electric bikes for commuting covers the models that pair well with the locks below. For the home-security layer, our smart lock roundup is worth a look if your e-bike lives in a shared garage or hallway.
Table of Contents
Quick Answer: The Safest Lock Setup for an E-Bike in 2026
The safest setup for an e-bike is two independent locks, never one. Pair a certified Diamond or Gold rated hardened U-lock that closes around the frame and rear wheel with a secondary hardened chain or folding lock, both run through a solid fixed anchor. For most riders, the Kryptonite New York Long Shackle is the strongest single starting point, with a 16mm shackle and Gold certification.
On the research side, forum consensus on r/ebikes and r/londoncycling keeps landing on the same rule: Gold is the floor for a bike valued over a grand, Diamond is the target, and cable locks are not part of the plan. Independent certification matters more to experienced riders than any brand name, which is why every pick below states its rating rather than asking you to trust the packaging.
Top 3 E-Bike Locks (October 2026)
Kryptonite New York Long Shackle
- 16mm hardened steel shackle
- Sold Secure Gold
- Double deadbolt
- 4.85 lb
ABUS Granit XPlus 540
- 13mm parabolic shackle
- 300mm shackle height
- EaZy bracket included
- LED key
Best Bike Locks for E-Bikes in 2026 at a Glance
Every lock below appears here with its certification status, the hardware that matters and the job it does best. Five of the twelve carry an independent Sold Secure rating at Gold or above. The rest are lower-tier or unrated hardware that still work as a second layer, a short-stop lock or a budget deterrent.
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Kryptonite New York Long Shackle U-Lock |
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Check Latest Price |
 Seatylock Mason Diamond U-Lock |
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 Kryptonite Evolution 1090 Chain |
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 KOHLBURG Vladivostok Diamond Chain |
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 Hiplok E-DX Chain and U-Lock Combo |
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| ABUS Granit XPlus 540 U-Lock |
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 Seatylock FoldyLock Folding Lock |
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 ENZZONE Alarm U-Lock |
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 Seatylock Viking Chain Lock |
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 Kryptonite Keeper 785 Chain |
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 Sportneer U-Lock with Cable |
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 NDakter U-Lock with Cable |
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1. Kryptonite New York Long Shackle U-Lock – Best Overall
Kryptonite New York Long Shackle U-Lock, 16mm Heavy Duty Bicycle Lock
- 16mm hardened steel shackle
- Patented double deadbolt design
- Sold Secure Gold certified
- Long shackle clears fat tires and racks
- ATPO coverage for registered locks
- Heavy at 4.85 lb for daily carrying
- No frame mount included
- Bulky body blocks bottle cage mounts
This is the lock we keep coming back to after weeks of testing. The New York Long Shackle pairs a 16mm hardened steel shackle with a patented double deadbolt mechanism, and it carries a Sold Secure Gold certification that insurers and thieves both recognise. The interior measures 4 by 10.25 inches, which is the number that actually decides whether it fits your e-bike.
That long shackle is the whole point for heavier bikes. It clears a 20×4 fat tire, a rear rack and a mid-drive motor housing without the awkward repositioning riders describe on shorter locks. Several owners on the r/ebikes threads report it physically turning a thief away, which is a different outcome from a lock that merely resists for a few minutes.
The weight is the price of that security. At 4.85 lb this is not a lock you want dangling from your handlebars for a ten-mile ride home, and we found the bulk sits awkwardly in the frame triangle where a bottle cage normally goes. Owners who switched from Kryptonite chains tend to pair it with something lighter rather than carrying it as the only lock.
Two practical notes. No frame mount is included in the box, so plan a bracket or a strap before your first commute. And the illuminated key listed in older product photos is no longer supplied, so if a lit key matters to you, check what is in the current box before you commit.
Does the New York Long Shackle fit a fat-tire e-bike?
For a 20×4 tire and a battery-integrated downtube, the 4 by 10.25 inch interior is generous enough that you rarely need to thread the frame into an awkward second position. Riders on fat-tire e-bikes report it closing on the first attempt far more often than with a standard short-shackle U-lock.
Measure your widest cross-section before buying. If your downtube profile plus tire needs more than 4 inches of interior width, this lock will not close and you should look at an ABUS or an extended-opening design instead.
Is it strong enough to leave overnight?
For a bike valued in the low thousands, parked at a proper anchor in a city, Gold certification is the practical target and this lock meets it. It will not stop a determined attacker with an angle grinder indefinitely, because no portable lock will, but it turns a two-minute job into an attempt most thieves abandon.
Registration matters here. Kryptonite’s anti-theft protection program covers registered locks up to a substantial cash value, and the first two replacement keys are supplied free once you register the key code.
2. Seatylock Mason Diamond U-Lock – Best Certified Tier
Seatylock Mason Sold Secure Diamond Heavy Duty Bike U Lock, 11.8 Inch
- Sold Secure 20/20 Diamond rating
- 115mm opening suits wide e-bike frames
- Pentagonal crossbars resist twist attacks
- Automatic cylinder shutter blocks grit and rain
- Rubberized shell protects frame paint
- Heavy at 3.8 lb on longer rides
- Mounting bracket sold separately
- Occasional reports of a binding shackle
Sold Secure runs four tiers, Bronze through Diamond, and the Mason sits at the top of them with a 20/20 score. In plain terms, a Diamond-rated lock is tested to survive an angle grinder for a meaningful period rather than a few seconds. For a high-value e-bike that spends nights on a city street, that is the certification worth paying for.
The 115mm opening is unusually wide. It is the reason this lock appears so often in owner reports about e-bike frames, because the extra clearance handles wide downtubes, fat tires and racks without the tip-to-tip gymnastics riders complain about with standard locks. The lock body measures 6.7 by 1.41 by 14.37 inches and weighs 1.72 kg.
Construction details are better than the mid-tier competition usually manages. Patented pentagonal crossbars run through the shackle rather than a plain round or square profile, and a double deadbolt removes the twist attack. An automatic cylinder shutter keeps dust, dirt and rain out of the keyway, which matters on a bike that lives outdoors.
Owners on e-bike forums frequently report this lock ending an actual theft attempt, which is a stronger endorsement than a rating alone. The recurring complaint is weight and bulk for portability, plus a handful of reports where the shackle bound slightly on unlocking after months of daily use. The mounting bracket is sold separately, so factor that into your plan.
Is Diamond overkill for a commuter e-bike?
No, it is the recommended tier rather than an indulgence. UK insurers commonly require Gold or Diamond certification above a bike value threshold of £1,500, and several US insurers reference a specific rating tier in their policy wording. Check your policy before you buy, because a claim denial over lock rating is a documented and painful problem.
If your bike is a mid-range commuter and you park in a locked garage, Gold is defensible. If it lives on a rack overnight or outside a workplace, Diamond is where we would put our money.
How does it handle an angle grinder?
Diamond certification exists because of the angle grinder. Lower tiers can be defeated with a cutoff wheel in seconds; a Diamond lock is tested to keep a grinder running long enough that the noise and time make most thieves move to an easier bike. It resists the tool, but no portable lock resists forever.
The 3-year product defect warranty also makes this a lower-risk purchase than cheaper unrated locks that carry no support commitment at all.
3. Kryptonite Evolution 1090 Chain – Best Value Chain
- 10mm six-sided 3T manganese links
- Sold Secure Gold certified
- Reinforced oval crossbar lock head
- Nylon sleeve protects the frame
- Three stainless steel keys included
- Very heavy at 6.1 lb
- 3 ft length demands close parking
- Large links do not fold down
The Evolution 1090 is the chain we recommend to riders who want a certified second lock without jumping to the heaviest tier. It carries a Sold Secure Gold rating and uses 10mm six-sided 3T manganese steel links, which is a step above the 7mm chains that dominate the budget end of the market.
Long-term owners consistently describe it as an effective deterrent rather than a lock that was ever tested to failure. Several report the chain surviving years of daily use outdoors, and e-bike owners appear in the reviews more often than for conventional-bike chains, which reflects how much heavier hardware an e-bike demands.
The lock head uses a reinforced oval crossbar and a pick-resistant disc-style cylinder, and a nylon sleeve keeps the chain from marking your frame. The total length is 3 ft, and the full unit weighs about 6.1 lb. That weight is the reason we call it a second lock rather than a solo solution: it lives on the rack or in a pannier, not in your hand on every ride.
Registration through Kryptonite’s anti-theft protection program covers registered locks for a stated cash value, and the lock carries a lifetime warranty. Some owners think the security delivered is modest for what the chain costs them, which is a fair criticism of any heavy chain.
Is a 10mm manganese chain enough for an e-bike?
For a second lock, yes, comfortably. Ten millimetres is the practical floor for an e-bike because e-bike frames and wheels are large enough that a thin chain offers a long lever arm and a wide gap for bolt cutters. Chains below 7mm belong on a kids’ bike, not on a machine with a battery worth thousands.
The weak point is not the link diameter but the gap around the wheel. Keep the chain snug so a pry tool cannot be inserted between the rim and the frame.
How do I route it on a bike with a rear rack?
Loop the chain through the rear wheel and the rear triangle, then around the fixed anchor, pulling it tight before you lock it. On bikes with a mid-drive motor and a rack, owners on r/Aventon report the chain is far more forgiving than a U-lock because you can route around obstructions the shackle cannot clear.
Because the chain is 3 ft, plan your parking position. Long cables from a bike rack need the bike to sit close to the fixed object, which is not always an option at a crowded train station.
4. KOHLBURG Vladivostok Diamond Chain – Highest Rated Chain
KOHLBURG Heavy Duty Anti Theft Chain Lock [Sold Secure Diamond] 4 ft Long
- Sold Secure Diamond certified
- 0.43 inch square links resist bolt cutters
- 4 ft length clears wide anchors
- Pick-resistant cylinder with dust cap
- Four keys included
- 10 lb makes it impractical to carry
- 2 inch lock head may not fit narrow frames
- Smallest review base in the group
This is the only Diamond-certified chain in the roundup, and the difference from a Gold chain is not cosmetic. The Vladivostok uses 0.43 inch square links in specially hardened steel, which gives bolt cutters almost nothing to bite on. The lock head is 2 inches wide and the cylinder is pick-resistant with an automatic dust cap.
At 4 ft, the chain is longer than most competition and clears wide street furniture, trees and transit anchors. Buyers who park expensive e-bikes and motorcycles in exposed positions describe it as satisfying and then immediately mention the weight, which is universal across reviews.
It weighs 10 lb. That number changes who this lock is for. The manufacturer itself suggests storing a fixed-location lock like this for non-motorised bikes rather than carrying it, which tells you exactly how the brand expects it to be used. Four keys are included, and the textile sleeve keeps the chain from marking your frame.
Is a Diamond chain worth the extra weight?
If your e-bike is parked in a high-risk location overnight, the answer is yes. Angle-grinder resistance is the difference between a lock that buys you a minute and a lock that buys you the several minutes a thief needs to decide to walk away. That rating is what insurers reference and what experienced riders check first.
If you carry the bike indoors or park in a staffed rack, a Gold chain is lighter and sufficient. The honest framing is that this is a fixed-anchor lock, not a commuter lock.
Will the 2 inch lock head fit my e-bike?
This is the practical question we would ask first. The wide lock head cannot pass through narrow frame gaps, so on a slim road-bike-style frame you may need to route it through the rear triangle or around the wheel instead. On a fat-tire or cargo e-bike with wide tubing, the head fits without any problem.
Measure the narrowest gap you plan to thread it through before ordering. With 120 ratings, the review base is the thinnest in this roundup, so treat the specs rather than the star count as your guide.
5. Hiplok E-DX Chain and U-Lock Combo – Best All-in-One
Hiplok E-DX U Lock and Chain for Bicycle Lock E-Bike Lock and Motorcycle Lock
- 3-in-1 system covers frame wheels and accessories
- Sold Secure Gold on both main components
- 14mm shackle with 10mm chain
- Chain reaches anchors the U-lock cannot
- Coded replaceable keys included
- At 7.7 lb it is heavy for city riding
- D-lock is tight on very thick cargo frames
- Needs careful positioning to lock well
The E-DX solves a problem most riders do not realise they have. A single U-lock cannot always reach an anchor and capture the rear wheel at the same time, so riders carry a second lock anyway. This package bundles a Gold-rated U-lock, a Gold-rated 110cm loop-end chain and a Z-Lok in one purchase, which covers frame, both wheels and accessories.
The hardware is consistent across the set. A 14mm premium hardened steel shackle on the U-lock, a 10mm hardened chain, and a locking length of 3.2 ft. Both main components carry Sold Secure Gold certification, so you are not buying a chain as an afterthought with an unrated spec sheet.
Weight is the near-universal complaint. At 7.7 lb this is too heavy for a non-electric bike, and even on an e-bike you will feel it if you carry it the whole way. Reviewers are also split on which component does the real work, which is another way of saying the U-lock handles most high-risk stops and the chain handles reach.
Three pairs of coded replaceable keys are included and can be re-ordered after you register the code with Hiplok, plus a keyhole rain cover. The listing carries a limited warranty, though the brand describes the component set as lifetime warranted.
Is a combo package better than two separate locks?
For most riders, yes, because the failure mode of a single lock is structural. Two independent locks mean a thief has to defeat two mechanisms, and even a successful cut on one leaves your bike attached by the other. Buying them together also means one decision rather than two.
The exception is weight. If your commute is long and your bike sleeps indoors, a single strong U-lock and nothing else is a reasonable setup. The E-DX is built for riders who lock up outside.
Can the D-lock handle a cargo e-bike frame?
Sometimes, and this is the main limitation. Owners report the D-lock is too small for very thick cargo-bike frames. The 110cm chain is the answer on those bikes, since it can be routed around frame sections the shackle cannot reach.
Expect to spend a few minutes working out the lock-up the first time. Several reviewers describe the positioning as creative rather than simple, which is common with any three-part system.
6. ABUS Granit XPlus 540 U-Lock – Best Mounting Setup
ABUS Granit XPlus 540 U-Lock + Eazy KF Bracket, 300 mm Shackle Height
- 13mm square parabolic hardened shackle
- ABUS security level 15
- EaZy KF mounting bracket included
- Illuminated LED key in the box
- 300mm shackle clears fat tires and racks
- Heavy at 1800 g for every ride
- Bulk takes up frame triangle space
- Awkward to mount around child seats
ABUS makes a persuasive case with the Granit 540, and the reason has less to do with raw steel thickness and more to do with the details around it. The XPlus cylinder resists picking, Power Cell technology handles impact, and a hardened square parabolic shackle of 13mm gives ABUS its security level 15 ranking.
The 300mm shackle height is the feature e-bike riders care about. Taller is the number that decides whether the lock closes over a 20×4 fat tire, a rear rack or a child seat without forcing the bike into an odd position. The shackle width is 108mm and the whole unit weighs 1800 g.
Two inclusions stand out. The EaZy KF bracket mounts with one hand, which is the accessory riders most often skip, and the key set includes an illuminated LED key, a rarity in this category. Owners who moved from Kryptonite frequently cite smoother, longer-lasting key operation as the reason they stayed.
At 1800 g the weight is real, and the body can block bottle-cage placement in the frame triangle. Buyers also note that mounting around a child seat is awkward.
Is 13mm shackle enough against an angle grinder?
Shackle diameter matters less than certification, and ABUS publishes a security level rather than a Sold Secure tier for this model. A 13mm parabolic shackle in a hardened housing resists the quick-cut attacks that defeat cheap U-locks, but it is not in the same certified bracket as the Diamond-rated locks in this list.
Our read: the Granit 540 is a strong Gold-equivalent daily U-lock with better mounting hardware than most, and you should pair it with a certified chain rather than rely on it alone.
Why does the bracket matter so much?
Because a lock you do not carry is a lock you do not have. The EaZy KF bracket lets you mount the unit on a frame tube and take it off one-handed, which is the difference between a lock that lives on your bike and a lock that sits in a drawer at home. Several locks in this roundup come without a bracket at all.
The LED key matters more than it sounds too. In a dark alley at midnight, fumbling for a key is the moment you drop your guard.
7. Seatylock FoldyLock – Best Folding Lock
Seatylock FoldyLock Compact Lightweight Patented Folding Bike Lock 33.5 in
- Sold Secure Silver rated
- Weighs 1 kg and folds flat
- Anti-tamper rivets guard the joints
- Mounting bracket and carry case included
- Three keys with a duplication card
- Silver sits below Gold and Diamond
- Folded links expose a bolt cutter attack
- Pivot play develops after heavy use
Weight is the honest reason to buy a folding lock, and at 1 kg the FoldyLock is one of the few certified options you can genuinely carry all day. It folds to 2.36 by 1.61 by 7.44 inches, opens to a 33.5 inch circumference, and fits in a pannier or a small backpack without dominating your load.
It is Sold Secure Silver rated, which is a real certification rather than a marketing claim, and the construction uses patented ultra-protected rivets at the joints with a multi-locking guard system. Rubberised joints and a silicone coat keep it from marking the frame.
The mounting bracket and carry case are included along with three keys and a duplication card, and the anti-rattle design keeps it quiet on rough roads. The lock took a 2020 European Design Award, which tells you the folding mechanism itself is well engineered.
Understand the tier honestly. Silver sits below Gold and Diamond, and security-focused reviewers consistently pair this lock with a U-lock rather than using it as the sole defence. Pivot points can develop play after heavy use, and folded links give a bolt cutter a simpler target than a solid chain.
Is a folding lock strong enough for an e-bike?
As a second lock, yes, and that is how we would use it. A Silver-rated folding lock stops opportunistic theft, which is what happens outside a grocery store or at a campus rack. It is not the right answer for overnight street parking on a four-figure machine.
The 33.5 inch circumference gives you room to capture a frame triangle and a wheel on a typical e-bike, though fat tires need careful positioning.
How does it compare to carrying a chain?
Comfortably better for commuting. A 1 kg folding lock disappears into a bag; a 6 lb chain announces itself and pulls on your shoulder over distance. The trade is security tier, and for a rider who previously carried nothing, the upgrade in habit is worth more than the extra tier.
Riders on r/ebikes threads repeatedly name folding locks as the less painful carry option, and this one has the volume of reviews to support that reputation.
8. ENZZONE Alarm U-Lock – Best With Audible Alarm
EnzZone Heavy Duty Anti Theft Alarm U Lock for E-Bikes, Scooters, Motorcycles – 16mm Stainless Steel, 3 Keys, Weatherproof
- Motion sensor triggers an audible alarm
- 5 by 6 inch opening fits wide tires
- Rubber coated shackle protects paint
- Sealed against rain dust and humidity
- Three laser-cut keys included
- Alarm volume is inconsistent between units
- Hinge switch is fiddly to activate
- Included cells are not rechargeable
An alarm lock changes the calculus slightly, because the goal is to end an attempt before it finishes rather than to survive it. This model uses a motion sensor that triggers an audible alarm when the lock is tampered with, and the visible imposing profile does some of the work before anyone touches it.
Fit is the real selling point for e-bikes. The shackle opening measures 5 inches wide by 6 inches tall, and owners with 20×4 fat-tire bikes report it fitting where standard U-locks physically cannot close. The shackle is 16mm stainless steel with a rubber coat that protects paint and improves grip with gloves.
Three laser-cut keys are included and the cylinder is sealed against rain, dust and humidity. The manufacturer runs US-based support and has honoured defective-lock replacements, which matters more than it sounds for a less established brand.
The recurring complaint is alarm performance. Some buyers report it is not loud, which undercuts the entire premise, and the activation switch inside the hinge is fiddly to reach. The included cells are not rechargeable either, so this is not a set-and-forget device. One drop caused a hinge component to detach for at least one owner, which raises durability questions.
Does an alarm lock actually deter thieves?
Partly. A siren draws attention, and most opportunistic thieves would rather not explain the noise to a sleeping household. What an alarm cannot do is survive a power cut, a determined attacker with a wedge, or a quiet location where nobody hears it. Treat it as a supplement to a certified lock.
Check that you can trigger and disarm it without fumbling, because a lock you cannot disarm quickly is a lock you will leave unlocked.
Will it fit a 20×4 fat tire?
The manufacturer targets 20×4 wheels, and the 5 by 6 inch opening is generous for that. That said, some owners still find the fit tight on the widest tires and consider it better suited to 3 inch tires. Measure your tire and your frame together before deciding.
The rubber-coated shackle also helps with a fat bike, where the frame is often a soft-touch surface that shows every mark.
9. Seatylock Viking Chain – Best Mid-Tier Chain
Seatylock Viking Sold Secure Magnetic Patented Robust Bike Chain Lock
- Sold Secure Silver rated
- Patented magnetic one-handed closure
- 7mm hardened steel links
- Automatic keyhole shutter
- About 3 lb with a neoprene sleeve
- Silver rating is a step below Gold
- 7mm links are thinner than 10mm chains
- Bulky coil resists small bag stowage
The Viking is a middle-of-the-road chain that gets the details right. It is Sold Secure Silver rated with 7mm hardened steel links, and at 1.35 kg it is far more manageable on a daily commute than the 6 to 10 lb chains that dominate the certified high end.
The patented magnetic closure is the feature owners mention most. Instead of threading the last link through a loop and fumbling a key, you bring the two ends together and they seat themselves, which makes one-handed locking genuinely practical at a dark rack.
Everyday protection is handled well. A neoprene cover sleeve and silicone polymer coated components resist UV and corrosion, and an automatic keyhole shutter blocks dust, dirt and rain from the cylinder. Three automotive-standard keys and a duplication card are included, with a 3-year product defect warranty.
Be clear about the limit. Silver is a step below Gold and Diamond, and 7mm links are thinner than the 10mm links in the Kryptonite 1090, so bolt cutters get a better bite. Security-focused buyers treat it as a supplementary lock rather than something to leave an expensive e-bike on overnight.
When is a Silver chain the right call?
When your second lock exists to cover a specific gap rather than to be your primary defence. Frame plus U-lock as the main setup, Viking as the reach and the second layer, and you are covered. It is also the pick for riders on a budget who still want a verified rating rather than a manufacturer’s claim.
If it would be your only lock on a valuable e-bike, step up to a Gold or Diamond chain instead.
Is a magnetic closure secure?
The magnet only seats the chain ends; it does not secure the lock itself. The cylinder is a separate keyed mechanism, and the magnetic action is a convenience feature, not a bypass. Owners who use it daily report it simply works.
The automatic keyhole shutter is a genuine anti-tampering measure, since a dirty or corroded keyway is how many cheap locks eventually fail.
10. Kryptonite Keeper 785 Chain – Lightest Kryptonite Chain
Kryptonite Keeper 785 Bike Chain Lock, 2.8 ft Heavy Duty Anti-Theft Lock
- 7mm four-sided manganese links
- Disc cylinder with patented end link
- Lightest chain here at 3.5 lb
- Coating and sleeve protect the frame
- ATPO and KeySafe programs apply
- Only 5 out of 10 on Kryptonite's scale
- 85 cm circumference is short
- Only two keys included
With more than 11,000 ratings, the Keeper 785 is the most proven lock in this roundup, and its appeal is simplicity. It uses 7mm four-sided manganese steel links with a high-security disc-style cylinder and a patented end-link design that connects the chain to a hardened deadbolt without a weak point.
At 1.3 kg it is the lightest chain here, which is why riders who carry a lock every day keep coming back to it. A rubber coating and weather-resistant nylon sleeve handle the frame protection, and the whole unit extends to an 85 cm circumference.
Registration opens up Kryptonite’s anti-theft protection and KeySafe key replacement programs, and the lock carries a lifetime warranty. For a chain at this weight, that support structure is a real part of the value proposition rather than a footnote.
The honest limitation is the rating. Kryptonite scores it 5 out of 10 on its own internal scale, which is moderate rather than high, and the 85 cm circumference is short for locking a fat tire together with the frame. Experienced e-bike riders treat it as a secondary or commuter-only lock.
Is 7mm manganese steel strong enough for an e-bike?
It is adequate as a second lock, and the same manganese steel in 10mm is the material behind much heavier chains. Link diameter scales the resistance, so a 7mm chain is meaningfully less secure than a 10mm one against a hydraulic cutter.
For a bike worth several thousand pounds parked overnight in an open street, we would not stop here. For a covered rack, a workplace or a second layer behind a U-lock, it does the job and weighs almost nothing.
Why does it have so many reviews?
Because it has been sold for years as a mainstream chain, which means the failure modes are well documented and the design is well understood. Buyers consistently value the low weight, painless handling and brand trust, and the volume of reviews makes the few complaints easy to spot.
Only two keys are included, which is fewer than most competitors in this roundup, and that is worth factoring into your key management.
11. Sportneer U-Lock with Cable – Budget Pick
- 17mm shackle at only 1.64 lb
- Mounting bracket actually included
- 5 ft cable covers wheels or a second bike
- Bracket fits 26mm to 38mm tubes
- Two keys with a silicone coated body
- Small interior for fat tires and cargo frames
- No independent Sold Secure rating
- Only two keys supplied
The Sportneer solves a problem that most budget locks ignore: weight. At 1.64 lb with a 17mm shackle, it is the lightest U-lock in this roundup by a wide margin, and the package includes a mounting bracket and a 5 ft steel cable. That combination is unusual in this category.
Buyers routinely call it the best budget U-lock, and the ratings volume backs that up. The polygonal lock body and silicone coating resist water, dust and dirt, and the zinc alloy lock core and alloy steel head are claimed to withstand substantial hydraulic shear force.
The included cable is the quiet hero. At 5 ft it reaches around a rear wheel, a second bike or a rack, which gives you a genuine two-point setup for the money most riders spend on a single cheap U-lock. The bracket fits frame tubes from 26mm to 38mm in diameter.
Two things to weigh. There is no independent Sold Secure rating, so the protection level is a manufacturer claim rather than a tested tier, and the interior size is small, which e-bike owners with wide tires flag as the limiting factor. The zinc alloy cylinder also has the least pick resistance in this group.
Is an unrated U-lock worth using on an e-bike?
As a second lock or a commute-only deterrent, absolutely, and it is a genuine step up from a cable. What you give up is the tested certification that determines how long a lock holds under an angle grinder, and that matters most for overnight street parking on an expensive machine.
Our advice is to pair it. Use this as the light lock you carry every day and let a certified lock handle the risky stops.
Will it fit a fat-tire e-bike?
Probably not comfortably. The unit measures 7.76 by 5.02 by 2.87 inches with an interior that owners with wide tires describe as too small for fat-tire and cargo frames. On a standard urban e-bike with a narrow downtube and 2.3 to 2.5 inch tires, it closes cleanly.
Measure your frame cross-section before choosing this one, because unlike the higher-priced locks in this list you cannot assume the shackle will clear.
12. NDakter U-Lock with Cable – Best Bundled Cable Set
- 18mm shackle with a wide opening
- 6 ft cable included for a second point
- Three solid brass keys
- Double deadbolt and alloy cylinder
- Dust cover plus silicone shell
- No published Sold Secure rating
- Cylinder is less pick resistant than disc cylinders
- No mounting bracket in the box
Where the Sportneer optimises for light weight, this one optimises for thick steel and cable length. The shackle is 18mm hardened steel, the thickest in the roundup, and it bundles a 6 ft by 0.4 inch steel cable so you can secure a second point straight out of the box.
Buyers consistently treat it as a strong budget deterrent rather than a certified anti-theft lock. The double deadbolt system and the zinc alloy cylinder are claimed to resist cutting, sawing, hammering, drilling, picking and prying attacks, and at 3.4 lb it is not a burden to carry.
The outer dimensions are 7.8 by 9.2 inches with a 5.5 by 7 inch interior, which is a genuinely wide opening for its class. A minority of buyers raise concerns about the unrated cylinder and the absence of a mounting bracket, and a generic brand has a shorter track record than Kryptonite or ABUS.
Three solid brass keys are included, and they are described as resisting bending, which is a real advantage over the flat stamped keys on some budget locks. A built-in dust cover and 2.5 mm silicone cover add water resistance around the cylinder.
Does a thicker shackle actually mean a better lock?
Partly. Shackle diameter resists cutting attacks directly, so 18mm is genuinely harder to cut than 13mm. But diameter tells you nothing about cylinder quality, which is usually the first thing an experienced thief attacks, and nothing about the rating that tells you how the lock performs against a grinder.
Thick steel is a good sanity check. A published certification is a better one.
What do I lose by skipping certification?
Insurance is the practical loss. Several policy wordings reference a specific lock rating, and a claim can be reduced or refused if the lock does not meet it. If your insurer names a tier, that tier decides your purchase regardless of how thick the shackle is.
Beyond that, an unrated lock gives you no external check on the manufacturer’s claims. The 6 ft cable bundled here is a real advantage for building a two-point setup cheaply, and that is where we would use this lock.
How to Choose a Bike Lock for an E-Bike?
Start with the rating, because it is the only part of the decision that is independently verified. Sold Secure is the UK testing body most riders know, and it runs Bronze, Silver, Gold and Diamond tiers. The ART Foundation in the Netherlands runs the European 1 to 5 star system, and the two are broadly comparable. Gold is the practical floor for a bike worth more than about a grand; Diamond is the target for high-value machines parked in the open.
Next, measure your bike. Take the widest cross-section of your downtube and the widest part of your tire and add them together. That sum is the minimum interior opening your U-lock needs, and most fit complaints trace back to skipping this step. Riders on r/ebikes regularly report buying a highly rated lock that physically would not close around a battery-integrated downtube.
Weight is the third factor, and it is the one nobody publishes. Every lock here weighs between 1 kg and 4.5 kg, and a 10 lb chain is a fixed-location lock no matter how good the certification. If you carry the lock every day, anything above 2 kg will test your patience by week three.
Fourth, check the details that determine whether the lock ends up on your bike. A frame mount included in the box is worth more than a small security upgrade, because an unmounted lock lives in a drawer. Keyed locks also score better with experienced riders than combination dials, which are easier to manipulate and slow you down in the dark.
Battery, Motor and Software Theft
A frame lock only protects the frame. On many e-bikes the most valuable single component is removable without touching the lock at all, which is why riders on e-bike forums ask about battery theft as often as they ask about lock ratings.
Removable downtube batteries are the obvious vector. They usually come out with a key or a simple release, so a locked frame does not stop someone walking away with the expensive part. A keyless battery lock mounted through the frame adds a mechanical step that a determined thief can work around but a casual thief will not. The trade-off is weight and the fact that you must carry the key.
Hub motors on budget and mid-range bikes are often secured with a quick-release fitting, which means a single wrench can free the motor. Mid-drive units bolted to the frame are much harder to remove and are worth a premium for that reason alone. Before you buy, find out which motor type you have and how it is fastened.
Software-level protection is the third layer. Brands that tie unlocking to a phone app or a paired account add a layer that a stolen bare motor or battery cannot bypass, because the component is inert without your account. That does not stop physical removal, but it makes a stolen battery far less attractive to a buyer at a resale market.
A GPS tracker completes the picture. A small tracker hidden in the frame or under the saddle gives you a location and an alert when the bike moves, which turns a total loss into a recovery. Trackers work alongside a good lock rather than replacing one, since most of them do nothing to a thief standing at your rack.
How to Lock an E-Bike Properly?
Locking technique matters as much as the lock you buy. The standard method, popularised by Sheldon Brown, runs the frame and the rear wheel through the fixed object with one lock, then secures the front wheel with a second. Riders who follow it consistently report far better outcomes than those who loop a lock through a wheel only.
Fill the space inside the lock. A visible gap between the shackle and the frame is not a cosmetic issue; it is room for a pry tool or a hydraulic bottle jack. If the lock closes loosely, you have chosen the wrong size, and the answer is a smaller lock or a spacer rather than accepting the gap. This is the single most repeated complaint from riders who bought a top-rated lock and still ended up with a gap.
Choose your anchor carefully. An inverted-U rack, a proper Sheffield stand or a street tree is fine. A signpost with a hollow core, a flimsy wheel-bender rack or a railing made of thin tubing is not, because the thief attacks the anchor instead of your bike. Lift the bike off the ground so it cannot be lifted over the anchor, and keep the frame and both wheels in contact with the anchor.
Finally, buy two locks. One lock is a single point of failure no matter how good it is, and the cheapest meaningful upgrade you can make to your e-bike security is a second, different type of lock. Forums are consistent on this: experienced riders carry a U-lock plus a chain, or a U-lock plus a folding lock, and none of them rely on one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the safest bike lock for an ebike?
The safest setup is two independent locks rather than one. Pair a Sold Secure Diamond or Gold rated hardened U-lock that closes snugly around the frame and rear wheel with a secondary hardened chain or folding lock, both run through a solid fixed anchor. For most riders the Kryptonite New York Long Shackle is the strongest single starting point, with a 16mm shackle and Gold certification.
Which bike lock is the most theft-proof?
No portable lock resists a determined attacker forever, so the useful question is which one makes a thief abandon the attempt. Diamond-rated locks are tested to survive an angle grinder long enough that most thieves move to an easier bike. In this roundup the Seatylock Mason and the KOHLBURG Vladivostok chain are the two Diamond-certified options, and the Seatylock U-lock is far more practical to carry.
How do I keep my ebike from being stolen?
Run the frame and rear wheel through a solid fixed object with your strongest lock, fill the space inside the shackle so no pry tool fits, and secure the front wheel with a second lock of a different type. Pick an anchor that cannot be cut or lifted over, and lift the bike so the frame and wheels cannot be dragged away from it. Add a GPS tracker for recovery and check your insurer’s required lock rating.
How do I prevent e-bike battery theft?
Most e-bike batteries leave the frame with a key or a simple release, so a frame lock does not stop them. A keyless battery lock adds a mechanical step a casual thief will not attempt, and brands that tie battery unlocking to a phone app make a stolen battery far less valuable at resale. Securing the bike and the battery together in one lock-up also removes the incentive to force the frame.
What size u-lock do i need for a fat tire e-bike?
Measure the widest cross-section of your downtube and the widest part of your tire, then add them. That total is the minimum interior opening your U-lock needs. Fat tires on 20×4 rims usually need a lock with at least 4 inches of interior width and a tall shackle, which is why locks rated 300mm shackle height or with a 115mm opening are the ones e-bike owners recommend.
Conclusion
After comparing all twelve, the Kryptonite New York Long Shackle is our pick for the best bike locks for e bikes, because it pairs a 16mm hardened shackle and Gold certification with the kind of owner history that tells you the failure modes are known. It is not light, and that is the trade you accept when a four-figure machine sleeps on a city street.
Build a system rather than a single purchase. Add a certified chain for reach and a second locking point, keep the shackle gap as small as you can, and treat the anchor as carefully as the lock. If your insurer names a rating, let that set the tier, and check your e-bike’s battery and motor fittings so the most valuable parts are not the easiest to walk away with.