However, you dont need to rely on cumbersome giant padlocks to add security to your bike storage. eBikes with Built In Electronic Locks and Tracking. Leaving minimal space around a frame lock makes it more difficult to use an angle grinder or bolt cutters to break the lock. And the good news is: you can now buy secure versions of the skewers or nuts that a thief wont be able to open with regular tools. You can probably guess the what this does from the name as Skunklocks website says noxious, vomit-inducing chemicals are confined and permanently sealed within a secure hollow chamber throughout the lock. Heres a recap courtesy of the Ontario Police: Just about any bike lock can be removed with the right tools and enough time its all about making the prospect of attempting to steal your e-bike as unattractive as possible to a potential thief so its just not worth the risk. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use. They are made of steel plates joined by very large, strong rivets. Thats our promise and our commitment.. Christen and Rex [Founders of Gadget Review], Copyright 2022, All Rights Reserved | Gadget Review. I have mine wrapped around the seat bag. Bike theft is common, and electric bikes are a significantly more tempting target for thieves. There are also a small number of alarmed D-locks with a range from Abus but Oxford look to be stealing a march in this area with theAlarm-D Pro 320mm x 173mm( 12.5 x 6.8) with its ear splitting 120 decibel alarm. By this, I mean a busy, well-lit location covered by CCTV, with lots of footfall. However, many e-bikes have the battery mounted where you would normally attach the frame-mount for a D-lock, and a wearable lock solves the dilemma of where to store the lock when on the go. Sounds obvious but theres a bit more to it than you might think. Folding locks dont really give much more locking diameter than D-locks they are more flexible because of the rotating joints so they may go around objects that similar size D-locks wont. I prefer near the top, myself. They are lighter and less cumbersome to haul away than motorcycles or mopeds, and they contain valuable parts and materials. The most easily removed wheels use quick-release wheels with the commonest type being quick-release skewers, of which many millions are in use on bikes and e-bikes around the world. In high crime areas, use multiple locks and maybe add some sort of discreet motion-activated siren. #2Seatylock Mason Electric Bike U Lock, Electric Bike Locks for Electric Bicycles. I usually take my Osprey backpack when riding to remove anything worth stealing in a few seconds. WHY WE LIKE IT: This electric bike lock features a weather-resistant build, making it a lot more durable than most other locks in the market, while the two keys provided will make your life a lot more convenient as youll worry less about losing the key on the road. Van Moof say For the last mile of tracking, we use another custom technology to pinpoint your bikes exact location., To get the best service you need to sign up to Van Moofs Peace of Mind Theft Deterrence scheme which means an ironclad guarantee that well recover your bike in the event it gets stolen. Most bicycle thieves will preferentially target bikes that aren't secured to fixed objects or that have locks that can be cut through easily since this is in most cases much faster than picking a lock. Even if you lock your bike, there is always the issue with a "crackhead" stealing the quick release front tire, seat with seatpost, rack bag, or any accessories not nailed down. This tracking system uses GSM cellular information called LBS that allows Van Moof to track the bike wherever it is, even inside a building. WHY WE LIKE IT: This electric bike U lock will fit your bike thanks to the two size options it offers. To that end make sure your lock has a high-security rating. Note there are also cheaper, smaller compact and mini versions if the reduced sized doesnt present a problem for your bike and its regular parking spots. Coming in third are the design and tech features of an e-bike lock. So for an electric bike, the idea is to secure the bike frame and as many components as possible to a fixed object. You might even be lucky enough to have a monitored indoor bike park in your area like the free one in Carnaby Street London. Accomplished thieves can cut most locks in less than a minute. They can be swapped out for hex wheel skewers easily, like these colorful options from Halo, meaning you any thief will need to be carrying the right sized hex key get your wheels off. The lock will be used in our apartment garage which the entire building has access to. Come in a range of sizes but all gold secure rated. As with most types of bike locks, securing the wheel to an object may not be enough to deter potential thieves. ART is another respected independent security rating you may see on locks instead of or alongside the Sold Secure rating and is worth looking out for. You might even be lucky enough to have a monitored indoor bike park in your area like. It that can be used in conjunction with the Kiox and the new Nyon (model year 2021 onwards) displays and is compatible with the Bosch Active Line and Active Line Plus drives from the model year 2018 onwards and with the Performance Line, Cargo Line, Performance Line Speed and Performance Line CX from the model year 2020 onwards. Manufacturers offering these systems include Pinhead, Hublox and IXOW. The perfect bike lock for an e-bike will allow you to secure the bike and motor in such a way as help to deter a potential thief. This is a folding lock combined into the body of your seat great as you never forget the lock as its always attached to your bike. Its also worth noting many of these firms also provide security systems for other components that thieves might want to easily and quickly remove from your bike such as the saddle. To keep your bike safe, you want to make the area around the lock an awkward spot to use hand tools in. Also, with the serpentine slot for the copper key, this lock will prevent the use of a universal key to steal the bike. You will no longer have to worry about your bike lock suffering from rust, water corrosion, or malfunctioning due to dust. The narrow shape at one end however can present problems fitting round some parts of a bike frame or some objects. This can be due to the placement of hub motors, batteries, and cables, and is especially an issue with cargo e-bikes. Ideally locking through the front wheel as well is advised by use of a lengthy chain lock or with a two lock system. Seatylock combines seat and lock so you never forget your lock. One of the most popular is the Sold Secure testing system. However, note that the bracket is only suitable for 20 to 42mm bike tubes. The following video seems to undersell its strength a little but if you want something even stronger note they do a beefier Series 4 version of a similar design. E-bike locks also must cope with the sometimes-limited space around the frame of an electric bike. Some recommend using multiple locks for a higher level of security against bike thieves. reviews and buyers guides. They have to fit around components such as mid-drive motors, tube batteries, and motor controllers. Most people value their e-bike enough to make the investment and carry the extra weight. Some links may be affiliate links. This means an e-bike lock must be more challenging and time-consuming to get through. Secondly, leave as little space as possible around the lock/s. WHY WE LIKE IT: This electric bike lock has a hexagonal PVC cover that protects it from different weather conditions. This can provide an extra form of security when leaving your bike unattended. I live in a high crime area. Electric Bike Battery Basics: What are these Volts & Amp Hours? WHY WE LIKE IT: Featuring a four digit code lock cylinder, this electric bike lock helps make your riding experience a lot more convenient without having to worry about losing your keys. I carry a TiGr Mini Lock on the commuter. An exception is the case of certain older U-locks that were unusually easy to pickthese are occasionally still used and can be tempting for opportunistic bike thieves with minimal hand tools. I like the advantage of not needing a key which makes it particularly quick to get on and off. Bike has the full fenders. Seen bikes with their wheels apparently stolen or bikes that have been locked through the wheels with the rest of the bike stolen? Weve already covered the importance of using two locks, especially for very expensive e-bikes. Be careful to avoid dummy poles which thieves may know aboutthese allow someone to remove the bike by disassembling the structure its locked to. Want to Go High Tech? Even in daylight on a busy street a bag can conceal tools while the thief appears only to be fumbling with something. Featuring a zinc alloy lock core paired and a carbon steel shackle, the West Biking electric bike lock will keep your bike safe from most types of theft techniques, including but not limited to cutting swaying and prying. Halos hex key skewers are the lowest level of deterrent to wheel theft. Reviews are good. Lengths available: 85cm-110cm / 33.5 43.3, A big plus for folding locks like this Foldylock model is compact storage. Electric bike locks are bicycle locks designed to add security to your electric bicycle parking. And along with the easy setup, you wont have to worry about wasting too much time on it. I recommend mid-level security ratings at the bare minimum. Extra Security: Any type of lock designed for use with electric bikes will have a higher level of security than a standard bike lock. Foldable locks like this ABUS model are flexible to some degree when locking up a useful feature. One of the newest options but a good alternative to D-locks and of course much lighter than chain locks. As a 2-pack they came keyed the same, with 4 keys and 2 bottle-cage boss mounts. A long shackle makes this a practical option for a D-lock that should work with a wide variety of e-bike frame designs. Its estimated around 2 million bikes and e-bikes are stolen each year in the US alone. This avoids the extra inconvenience of carrying extra locking equipment and the extra time needed to lock up your wheels with the extra locking. I doubt I will ever leave my bike locked up outside so weight and portability are really not an issue. It could save you the price of a new lock one day! Like any other product there will be very good and much poorer designs of gold rated lock but grading systems like this offer a good starting point in helping you choose the right lock. Electric Bike Report. Over in the UK cycle database BikeRegister has also seen a rise in reported bike thefts, with figures showing 932 thefts reported in August, up 59% on the same month last year. EBR has reviewed the Seatylock here. The garage has 1 foot by 1 foot concrete and rebar support columns. Wearable locks may be more convenient to carry on an e-bike, though security is still the most important feature, and the weight of a good quality chain lock can become tiresome to wear on a long ride. But, note that the lock has a small size factor, which, although makes it easier to carry with the provided bracket, limits the flexibility in what you lock the bike to. Thanks. Other than that, youll be impressed by the lock PVC protective layer of 2mm, which will prevent the lock from suffering water or dust damage over time while also ensuring the core doesnt rust easily. In the meantime, all electronic functions, except for the tracking system, are shut down to save energy. You will also be happy to know that the bracket easily fits bikes with tubes within the range of 20-42mm, making it widely compatible. For this purpose, you might want to use a secondary steel chain lock or even a few cable locks. Frame locks are quick and convenient but only really useful if your bike is within sight. Thats up nearly 28%, from 3,507 complaints over the same period a year earlier, according to the New York City Police Department. Indeed, as CBS, reports, bike and e-bike theft has spiked during Covid-19. Himiway Cruiser Electric Bike Review 2021, Rad Power Bikes RadMission 1 Review 2021, Electric Bike Company Model Y Review 2021, Electric Bike Company Model R Review 2020, Electric Bike Modes: Throttle vs Pedal Assist (Pedelec), Calculating Range on Electric Bikes: How To Find The Long-hauler For You. Too many are simply trying to capitalize on affiliate revenue. Its one of the few gold rated folding locks. On the other hand, the 18mm steel shackle helps protect the lock from being cut easily, which along with the U lock, makes it suitable for locking your bike with poles or trees by the street as long as they have a diameter under 30mm. However, keep in mind that the mount isnt the most secure, so its best to carry it in a bag or other carrying accessories. The most securely rated locks are bigger and heavier than lower rated ones. Pairing up nicely with the double door unlocking feature as well as a serpentine groove key structure, this helps make the lock harder to crack with universal keys or lock picking. The Seatylock Mason Bike U lock features an automatic cylinder shutter that is both dust and water-resistant preventing it from getting rusty over time. And, insure your bike. Compared to older, standard bike locks, a decent lock or set of high-quality locks for your e-bike will have some distinct advantages. The only thing that can get through these are multiple hacksaw blades and a whole lot of time, or an angle grinder. All a lock is capable of doing is slowing down the thief. The best lock are always the heaviest and bulky to carry. Also, in Australia, we use BikeVault as a free and useful bike registration system. Bought the under seat G Keni alarm too. I have opted for the 5 foot Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit Chain and New York Disc lock and will attach it to the concrete columns. A newer electric bike lock can provide a higher level of security for your e-bike and give you some peace of mind when it comes to using an electric bike for errands or to commute. This is especially important for E-bikes, which are more often the target of bike thefts in high-risk areas, likely due to the resale value of components such as batteries and electric motor parts. This model stands out because its relatively light and well-priced and gets Trelocks top security rating. The Squire Inigma bluetooth lock operates in a similar way to the Abus 770A via your smartphone on a wireless bluetooth link and is also gold Sold Secure rated. Your email address will not be published. You Have Bike Storage: If you rarely park your e-bike outside, you may think that a dedicated e-bike lock is redundant, especially if you already have a folding lock or another compact size lock for a regular bicycle. They can't be torn apart, chiseled, bolt cut, sledge hammered, wedged apart with a tire iron, or made brittle by freezing. After viewing lock picking videos on Youtube, you might also agree that any lock can be defeated. A commuter e-bike or cargo e-bike may have limited space around the rear frame and within the rear wheel, where a bike lock typically goes. And even if you do lose the keys, you have a unique code given with the keys, which you can later use to order a new set whenever you need to. Our mission is to empower you to find the product youre looking for and get exactly the information you need to make the right buying decision. E-bike commuters may want a secondary lock to help secure a motor or the battery, for example. Copyright 2012-2022 EBR Electric Bike Review, Inc. Also operating under the name EBR. Silver offers protection for locking and leaving lower value bikes in a low-risk area like a village whilst gold are for mid to high-value bikes and e-bikes in high-risk areas like towns and cities. The big win for the chain and padlock approach is its flexibility combined with high security if you regularly need to lock your bike in awkward spots to whatever street furniture might be available then definitely consider a high security rated chain and padlock approach. There are a few important questions that will help you decide on the best e-bike lock. However, you should note that while the large size of the lock makes it more flexible in terms of use, allowing you to attach it to most railings, this also makes it difficult to carry with most bikes. With D-locks make sure as much of the space within theshackle of the lock is occupied by bike and locking object as possible so that a potential thief has less space there to put any levering tool. I have used both my Kryptonite Fahgettaboudit Chain and New York U-lock long shackle with out any issues so far (since beginning of June). Here is a list of Sold Secure gold rated bike locks. Electric Bike Reviews, News, and Information; plus e-bike riding and maintenance tips! The lock weighs only about 3.2 pounds, including everything, making it easier to carry. The Diamond rating has only just been introduced this last summer and so there arent many Diamond rated locks on the market right now. Its four-digit combination lock pairs up with the u lock shackle that has been treated with numerous heat processes to make the lock more sturdy and safe against brute force methods like smashing or cutting. While registering your bike may not stop it getting pinched, -if the registration is visible it might deter some one from even considering your bike, and you may be able to recover it faster or at all. To find the best electric bike locks, it starts with good security: electric bikes may represent significantly more of an investment than regular bicycles, and so its important that your bike lock do its job and so we recommend using a bike lock with a high-security rating to help deter e-bike theft. Unbiased, No B.S. A small number of e-bikes have some form of electronic locking built into them. The lock is both flexible along its length and two can be joined together and unfastened with the same key to make a extra long lock. Learn how your comment data is processed. Its well known and really just common sense that a bike thief will opt for a target that has a weaker lock than a strong one. The OnGuard Pitbull and Brute range were one of the first to receive Diamond certification. An interesting footnote to this section is that ABUS have recognized that having one key for your all your e-bike functions battery, frame lock and main lock would be a welcome step to simplifying your life and so have introduced YourPlus which helps you do just that. Yes, the Skunklock will emith an extremely bad smell if you break the shackle. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Why Should You Buy a New Electric Bike Lock? When locking to an object its also about making access to the lock as hard as possible for a potential thief who has come with professional lock breaking tools. Hiploks D-locks usetheir patented CLIP + RIDE system allowing them to clip to bag straps, belts and pockets. For higher levels of protection, its recommended that you use a heavy chain or D-lock with at least a gold rating when ranking locks in terms of the commonly-used Kryptonite rating scale. The lock also includes a rubber casing which paired with the heat hardened steel shackle protects the lock from brute force or cutting. The gold Sold Secure ratedAbus770A SmartX U-Lockis also an electronic (keyless) lock operated from your smartphone. Try and avoid parking in quiet areas and areas not covered by CCTV. Carries OnGuards highest security rating, though the obvious penalty is the weight. However, you should note that the lock doesnt have the best resistance against water, which makes it unsuitable for areas with frequent rainy days. Its not just the security of the lock itself thats important but also its ease of use; how easy is it to carry? Firstly, lock at the lowest point possible between bike frame and locking object or cycle stand. If we cant recover it for you within two weeks, well replace it with a bike of the same (or better) age and condition.. Extra Weight: Compared to cheap u-locks most electric bike locks are somewhat heavier, and you may be hesitant to burden yourself and your e-bike with a heavier lock. Try and avoid parking in quiet areas and areas not covered by CCTV. It is less than a pound and pretty secure. Of course, home security and insurance are also important areas and we will be covering those in a future post. Just like a lock for any other type of cycle, an e-bike lock works by securing the vehicle frame to a fixed object and/or securing the wheels to the frame so as to make it impossible for the wheels to turn. The most basic rule is to look for something totally immovable that cant be cut into easily, so larger diameter metal poles and bars on cycle parking stands are obviously ideal but if they arent available there may well be other suitable street furniture. E-bike News: Treks New Affordable E-bikes, Bimotal Final Pilot and Much More! One of the locks that pioneered this area in folding locks is the ABUS Bordo Alarm 6000A lock which we reviewed here. He writes consumer reviews, essays, science and tech journalism as well as literary and art criticism. E-bike Alarms and Tracking: Some e-bikes are equipped with smart devices that enable tracking and remote de-activation of electric assist features. Since e-bikes are in general more expensive and have more valuable parts than regular bicycles, locks designed for e-bikes are in general larger and more robust than traditional bike locks. A relatively light option for a high security D-lock. If you buy an e-bike with this system you can buy extra ABUS locks and use the same key make a note of your key number or visit your local bicycle dealer with your code card and you will be able to order a compatible lock. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Some thieves will steal anything if it is easy to do so. Most basic is to have a record of the frame number and some pics to provide law enforcement and bike theft notification sites with. Coil chains so that no slack is left tight chains are harder to break. Need suggestions for good lock. I have lived here almost 6 years and there was one break-in into the garage in that time. Some locks may become functionally obsolete long before they are physically worn out, however, due to changes in bike theft trends. Our reviews and buyers guides are always either based on reviews weve done ourselves, or aggregated from trusted sources. Depending on where you park your bike and how often you use your bike for essential errands or commutes, there are several important things to consider when choosing a lock for your e-bike. To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: The Basics Of Electric Bike Insurance | Electric Bike Report | Electric Bike, Ebikes, Electric Bicycles, E Bike, Reviews, Rad Power Bikes RadRover 6 Plus Review 2022. A useful description of the range of locks, but perhaps overlooking the weakness of all of them. My wife and I have a 2-pack of Altor 560G Titanium folding locks, which can be used together or individually. E-bike News: New Lightweights from Trek and Brompton, Shimano Expands Mid-drive Tech and Much More. Indoor secure parking is one of the best options of all. Required fields are marked *. Moreover, the small and medium-sized options also make this usable with electric scooters that typically have differently sized bodies. The only real downsides are the extra weight and cost of the top-rated locks. On the bright side, the lock does come with three keys, which removes the need to worry about losing the keys. For higher value wheels in higher risk areas you might want to look at a higher grade, more secure options that cant be opened with any widely available tool. Chain with an integrated key lock. Having said that note our comments in the Lock in a Safe Place and Lock Safely section towards the end of the article about leaving as little space as possible around any lock to deter thieves with tools. Convenience is a close second since you dont want your bicycle lock slowing you down and making it too much of a hassle to park your e-bike near where you want to go. The Fahgettaboudit chain with mini-u-lock gets great reviews and it also gets a gold Sold Secure motorbike rating, which is a step up from the gold Sold Secure bike rating. Ive been using this combination lock for a while now as a secondary lock as it is very strong looking despite only having a silver Sold Secure rating. The In-Gauge electric bike U lock allows you to easily carry it thanks to its high-quality mounting bracket that removes the need to have a carrying bag for the lock. And often they review only the products that provide the most kickbacks when you buy. Secondary locking as described below can cure this but there are also solutions that secure the axles themselves to prevent such thefts and they use a variety of methods. Ryan McBride is a writer based in Los Angeles. The best route to avoiding theft is not to leave your bike unattended which is one of the advantages of owning a bike that folds small enough to go wherever you go. He has contributed work to magazines and sites including Gayot, Spy, Paper, Ladygunn, 3AM and the Crab Creek Review. We may get paid if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of these. Its also worth noting that some bike insurers will insist you use a specified level of secure lock, perhaps a Sold Secure gold rated one. Actually marketed as a motorbike lock but still lightweight. If you were a bike thief why would you risk attracting attention by taking unnecessary time to attack a really strong lock when easier targets will be available? The quality steel shackle is cast in a special, patented shape which it is claimed makes it stronger than some thicker D-lock shackles. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Does the Squire Inigma herald the start of a new era of keyless locks? Securing Electric Components: Even if an electric bike is locked to a solid object, an opportunist thief may decide to steal a battery, battery cable, or rear wheel and hub motor. https://project529.com/garage. Electric bike locks have to function like the locks commonly used for regular bicycles, meaning they should be light enough to carry and they should allow you to use standard bike parking spots, such as the bike racks on university campuses and in many downtown areas. However, because e-bikes have more equipment installed, including valuable materials such as lithium-ion batteries and permanent-magnet electric motors, they may present a more tempting target for a bike thief. But for now, stay tuned for more e-bike news and reviews and thanks for reading! It should really be noted that these are really secondary lines of defense in that they make the e-bikes potentially less attractive to thieves. Cables can be nipped through a few strands at a time with pocketable wire cutters, picking is not too difficult, and nothing survives a cordless cut-off saw. OnGuards Brute LS has a good long shackle. Length: 26cm (21cm also available) / 10.2, An innovative system that uses a variant of the steel cable construction with various additions from Litelock. Great value for a high security rated D-lock. This may involve thicker chain links, an additional disc lock feature, or a hide-away key cylinder. Yes of course you can get even bigger chain locks but few e-bikers will want the extra weight. Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. Hiplok realised many bikers dont always have a bag or panniers (or maybe enough room in them) for carrying a relatively large and heavy high security lock. Its a clever idea to be able to hide better the locking mechanism as lack of a key barrel means one less point of attack. Van Moof is one of the best known examples. They also tend to be competitively priced against other designs of lock and many come with a bracket for fixing to your bike frame for easy carrying. And with the sturdy double-bolt crossbar locking mechanism as well as the pull and drill resistant lock cylinder, your bike will be safe at all times. Busy, well-lit areas with plenty of footfall are a good idea if possible. Be sure to watch the videos on their site and YouTube, it's an indestructible locking zip tie. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I think that I will eventually get the Kryptonite Evolution 7 U-lock that comes with cables in case I ever need to run into a store really quick to grab a drink .or something. I feel that these locks provide me with extreme security and fingers crossed they are still operating smoothly. Most quality locks are well-protected from rust and road salt, but budget locks may not have as much plastic coating or rustproofing, and these can start to show corrosion in a matter of months. If leaving the battery and other accessories attached, it may be a good idea to invest in extra locking options for additional anti-theft protection. Thus, bike locks for electric bikes have to overcome some unique challenges. Internal Shackle dimension: 11.1 x 26 cm / 4.4 x 10.2. Ottolock is the company and product. The big downside is they are some of the heaviest and priciest locks out there. Internal Shackle dimension: 10.5 x 23 cm / 4.1 x 9.05. The article tells us that from March 1 to September 21 New Yorkers filed 4,477 complaints related to stolen bicycles, including electric bicycles. Bike lockers which were popular 40 years ago but have largely disappeared but also work very well as the bike is out of sight and it is much more difficult to break into the locker.