The 7 Best Disc Brake Locks

Editor's Notes

July 23, 2021:

The only alteration to this round of of the Wiki was the removal of a fingerprint-enabled model from Catalpa. We looked for a quality replacement that also offers fingerprint access, but it turns out that very few such locks currently on the market are actually reliable.

In the meantime, the Abus Granit Sledg 77 is still in the #1 spot due to its advanced construction. Yes, it's somewhat expensive, but it's a lot cheaper than having to buy a new high-end bike. If you want to save some money, though, the Onguard Boxer is also relatively dependable and costs about a third as much as the Abus.

May 14, 2020:

Removed the Agile-Shop Anti-Theft 6mm, the Sigtuna Gear Bright Asgard, and the Urban Security UR6 because of availability issues. Added the Abus Granit Sledg 77, the Catalpa U, and the Abus Detecto X.

With enough time, any disc brake locks can be either picked or destroyed. It is not necessarily a point against a lock that it can be broken with an angle grinder (there are really no commercial disc locks that are truly 'grinder-proof'), it is more about the amount of time a lock can survive an angle grinder. An innovative X-Plus key cylinder core along with a thick outer shell, make the Abus Granit Sledg 77 one of the best available locks. It's block-style design puts it at a significant advantage to locks like the U-style Kryptonite Evolution Series 4. It is a solid lock but the relatively thin shackle is the immediate target for thieves with a grinder.

A common mistake for users is forgetting that they have a disc brake lock installed and severely damaging their bikes after driving away. Many locks come with reminder cables that can be looped over one of the bike handles to remind the driver to remove the lock before riding - it is best to use those cables just to minimize the possibility of that happening, along with serving as a very visible warning sign to potential thieves that your bike will require some work to steal.