Best Chain lock

Chain locks are among the more flexible types of bicycle locks. This is due to their structure: Massive steel chain links interlock. A fabric or plastic coating protects your bike paint. This has one decisive advantage: you can secure your bike to a solid object. Combination locks or normal padlocks are used for locking.

The material should be made of hardened steel. Unfortunately, this is not self-evident, and an important purchase criterion if you do not only want to achieve a deterrent effect. Because such a chain lock always looks massive, and thus difficult to crack. What only looks good, however, can in the worst case be quickly dismantled with a hacksaw or bolt cutter. Not only the chain itself is important here, but also the connection to the lock.

Common tests reveal what is particularly safe. The speed at which such a lock can be cracked is the most important test. Unfortunately, there is no one hundred percent protection against theft. Professionals today even create high-quality armoured cable locks – they only need a little longer to do so. Chain locks, too, sooner or later give way to the efforts of the thieves. But with the right purchase, you can get a little more security out of it. Because a good chain lock is particularly heavy, long enough for a wide variety of fastening options, and also has sufficient material thickness. A rule of thumb: Avoid suspiciously light models – and those with a link diameter of less than 10 millimetres. Thicker is always better! Even too large distances between the individual links improve flexibility, but also make the chain locks less secure. Anyone who is unable or unwilling to obtain further information should in any case consult the information provided by the manufacturers on their safety levels.

Unfortunately, every manufacturer uses its own system here. Under no circumstances should you simply equate the security level numbers of two manufacturers, because they are not standardized. However, with a little research you will quickly find out what this is all about. The well-known company Trelock has only six security levels, while Abus has up to fifteen. One thing always applies: the higher, the better. If you do not know your way around, it is best to use the chain lock with the highest security level from the manufacturer in question.

Bicycle lock 1060/110 from AbusLang and heavy: weighs 2.7 kg with a length of 110 cm. Material thickness: 10 mm. With combination lock – keyhole is concealed and thus protected against the weather. Very good customer ratings and highest Abus security level.
Chain lock “Fahgettaboudit” (3’3″) by Kryptonite Length: 100 cm. Very heavy, weighs about 5 kilos. Thickness of chain links at 14 mm. Triple hardened special steel. Not quite cheap.
Square chain by Burg-Wächter200 cm long, square links, hardened steel. Material thickness chain: 10 mm. Locking device, for example a padlock, must be purchased separately.