The 10 Best Folding Bike Locks
Special Honors
Litelok Gold Original With its durable build, flexible design, and easy-to-secure mechanism, there is probably no other lock on the market quite like the Litelok Gold Original. The innovative belt-like strap is made up of several materials, each adding an extra layer of protection that even hacksaws and bolt cutters can't sever. litelok.com
Altorlocks Apex Ti This high-end lock from Altorlocks is built to withstand attacks from ambitious bandits who are brazen enough to incorporate power tools into their nefarious craft. It’s sleek and slim, with a total length of just over 30 inches for plenty of flexibility. It’s available in several stylish colors. altorlocks.com
Editor's Notes
November 30, 2020:
If you tend to fumble around for keys or simply don’t want the responsibility of keeping track of them, a lock that offers keyless entry may be a good solution. We thought the Flydeer Universal deserved a spot on our list for being a quality combination-lock option. It allows you to set a personalized, four digit passcode that can later be reset if needed. As a bonus, you never have to worry about losing keys.
If you plan on riding with your lock mounted to your bike, then weight will be an important aspect, since adding just half a pound can make a big difference while cycling. The West Biking Steel is great for long distance travel, conveniently weighing only 1.2 pounds, meaning you wont have to pull unnecessary weight. The RockyMounts Hendrix 3550 is another lightweight option. It’s advertised as weighing just one pound; however, it’s worth noting that users have claimed it’s closer to 1.5 pounds.
Additionally, when it comes to weight, it’s important to understand that a heavier lock is often a more secure lock. If optimal security is your biggest priority, you may have to trade additional weight for peace of mind. The Seatylock Foldylock weighs 2.2 pounds, but it’s an excellent quality lock that you can feel safe using. Don’t let the fun, bright colors fool you; this lock means business. At 2.6 pounds, the Kryptonite Kryptolok is also on the heavy side, but it's a solid device, and the company offers anti-theft protection. Similarly, the Abus Bordo Granit X weighs a whopping 3 and a half pounds, which means you won’t want it permanently attached to your bike, but it’s probably the most secure of all the options on our list.
If you want the ability to lock to a variety of structures, length will play an important role. The My-Etook Alloy has a bar that is 35 inches long and can wrap around a fairly thick structure, like a tree truck or post. It can also accommodate two bikes at the same time. That being said, the previously mentioned Kryptonite Kryptolok has the longest bar of all the choices on our list, stretching to 39 inches.
September 30, 2019:
The Agile-Shop Universal was the only model we had to remove from the list, since it was no longer available. As a replacement, we added the Kryptonite Kryptolok, a relatively heavy-duty lock that ranks 6 out of 10 on Kryptonite’s security scale. It’s a bit heavy, but sometimes that’s the price you pay for reliable security.
In reviewing the other items on the list, the Seatylock Chain stood out as a great value — dependable, versatile and secure. Users report being very pleased with its performance given its relatively lightweight and compact design when compared to other heavy-duty options. It seems particularly well-suited for urban areas.
The Enkeeo model in the Special Honors section is a nice choice if you’re looking for a low-cost model. While it isn’t as long or as flexible as many of the other options, it’s made with thick, rust-resistant steel that’s extremely difficult to break.