Bike locks

Nean frameslot met ketting

This Nean lock combines a frame lock with a chain. The shop title also names a ring lock and rim lock, so you can immobilise the wheel and tie the bike to something.

What you get

Nean frame lock
With chain
Ring and rim lock for bikes

Why a good lock?

No lock is unbreakable. The aim is for your bike to take more effort than the one next to it. Thieves usually pick the easiest target, so a sturdy lock matters most where your bike stands for hours, such as a station or town centre.

The weakest part sets the security. A thick lock with a flimsy hinge or a weak lock body protects little. Check the cylinder, the hinges and how the lock sits around whatever it is securing.

A proven yardstick is the ART certification. It is a Dutch label that grades locks in stars. You mostly see ART 2 to ART 4: the higher the level, the longer a lock stands up to tools. ART 2 suits an everyday bike, ART 3 a pricier one, and ART 4 a valuable or electric bike parked in risky spots. Many insurers ask for a minimum level, so check your policy.

Security and weight go hand in hand. An ART 4 lock often weighs about 1.5 to 3 kg or more. A cable lock weighs roughly 200 to 500 g, but bolt cutters get through it quickly. Choose the heaviest lock you are still happy to carry, because a lock left at home protects nothing.

The types of bike lock

Weight and security pull against each other. Here is what each type offers.

Type	Weight	Security	Handy for
Cable lock	About 200 to 500 g	Low, bolt cutters cut it	Short stops, second lock
Chain lock	About 1.5 to 4 kg	High with thick links (ART 3 to 4)	Long parking, wide fixtures
U-lock	About 1 to 2 kg	High (ART 2 to 4)	Daily city use
Folding lock	About 1 to 2 kg	Medium to high (ART 2 to 3)	Compact to carry, long reach

Weights and levels differ per model. Check the ART level on the packaging.

Choose it if

You want to block the wheel and also secure your bike to a post or rack
You want a lock that stays with the bike
You regularly leave your bike outside, on the street, at a station or at work.
Your bike is worth more than a few tens of euros and you do not want to lose it.

Choose something else if

You leave a valuable bike for long periods in town: choose a strong shackle lock or a heavy chain
You ride mostly for sport and stop briefly at a café. A light lock you keep in sight may then be enough.
You never leave your bike unattended. A heavy lock is then unnecessary.

How to use a bike lock

Choose a fixed point
Use a sturdy post, rack or anchor that cannot be cut or lifted away. A thin railing or a loose object makes a poor anchor.
Lock frame and rear wheel
Pass the lock through the frame and rear wheel, then around the fixed point. That leaves a thief little room for a crowbar or jack.
Keep the lock high and tight
Do not let the lock rest on the ground and leave as little slack as you can. That makes bolt cutters and jacks less effective.
Take loose parts with you
Quick-release wheels, saddle, lights and an e-bike battery can disappear. Take them along or secure them with a second lock.
Look after the cylinder
Put a drop of lock oil in the cylinder every now and then, especially in winter. The key turns smoothly and the lock does not freeze up.

Good to know

The chain thickness and security rating are not in the title, so check them
Check that the chain is long enough for the places where you stop
Always keep your spare key and the lock code card somewhere safe, never on the bike.
Check that the shackle is wide enough for your frame and a fixed point. A shackle that is too narrow will not fit round a wide post.
Even a good lock protects less in an area where bikes are often stolen. Park where it is busy and well lit.
Check that your insurance recognises the lock. Some policies require a certain ART level for theft outside the home.

What you get

Why a good lock?

The types of bike lock

Choose it if

Choose something else if

How to use a bike lock

Choose a fixed point

Lock frame and rear wheel

Keep the lock high and tight

Take loose parts with you

Look after the cylinder

Good to know

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