Chains are tougher to cut with an angle grinder and more flexible in how they lock, or to what, but tend to be more difficult to carry. The Hiplock Gold chain lock is a great option because it's a very secure lock and they make it easy to carry.
In many ways, the Litelok X3 is just like any other high security u-lock. A 16 mm, hardened steel shackle makes it impossible to cut with manual bolt cutters. And it also locks into the crossbar on both sides, which prevents leverage attacks and means it need to be cut twice to defeat it.
There are also industrial high-strength welded steel chains that are through-hardened. The larger diameters of these chains, especially the 5/8-, ¾-, and 7/8-inch sizes, are extremely difficult to cut due to their girth and hardness.
A chain lock may offer greater flexibility in terms of what you are able to lock your bike to and how many bikes you're able to lock up. Whereas, a D-lock offers a little more security for your money. So it comes down to personal choice and may depend on what you're locking up and where.
Folks seeking a budget lock should check out the Kryptonite KryptoLok, which isn't as secure but still took 20 seconds and two cuts with our angle grinders to defeat.
Closed Shackle Padlocks
The shackles are typically thicker than average and made from hardened steel or even boron steel, which is 80% stronger. This is a bolt cutter-proof lock by design.
Cut proof Pewag security chains are specifically designed to resist common cutting tools, making them an indispensable security solution for high-value assets.
The Squire TC22 high security 22mm chain along with the Protector Titan 22mm high security chain are the strongest security chains available from our store. These ultra-tough high security 22mm, hardened steel, motorbike security chains are widely acknowledged to be amongst the best available today.
A 13 mm thick shackle can be cut by the biggest bolt cutters, if the thief is heavy enough and can get the lock in a favourable position (close to the floor where they can use the ground for leverage and get all their weight on top of the other arm).
So, yes it's true: combination locks are less secure than keyed locks. But if you get a decent one with 4 or 5 dials and features that resist the most basic decoding techniques, then in the street, in most instances they are going to offer the same levels of protection as a decent keyed lock.
Almost all bike and motorcycle locks can be cut in less than 30 seconds, making it very easy for a thief to get away with your bike.
As the only padlock to achieve LPCB Level SR4 and CEN6 ratings, the SS100CS is truly the world's strongest padlock, trusted across industries requiring unbeatable security solutions.
Abloy Protec2 PL 330 Padlock
It is one of the only locks in the world that has never been picked. It has a hardened boron alloy steel shackle to provide resistance to bolt cutters (but is not bolt cutter proof). The padlock body is brass and the shackle and body are chrome plated, so it is very rust-resistant.
However all bike locks can be cut by angle grinders. Much more importantly, 10 mm chains can be cropped by even medium (24”) bolt cutters if the thief can use the floor for leverage.
If you're trying to break a bike chain, you may need to use pliers if there's a master link on the chain, or simply use a chain tool that will break one of the rivets. Luckily, whether you're using a chain tool, pliers, or bolt cutters, there are some simple and easy methods you can follow for breaking a chain.
Other Lock Types That Locksmith Technicians Won't Open
Thumbprint locks or visual recognition locks are similar to smart locks because they require some IT experience to open. Some expert locksmith technicians in cybersecurity may offer services that involve opening thumbprint locks, most will not.
Ball-Bearing Locking Mechanisms Are Tougher
Padlocks with ball-bearing locking mechanisms better resist an attempt to pry them open. Those made of boron are 50 percent harder than hardened steel and are more likely to stop thieves.
These 24" bolt cutters went through two padlocks left on my house from the previous owners. No problems at all with the bolt cutters. It was so much easier than I thought it was going to be. Cuts through cattle or “livestock” panels like butter!
1. Litelok X3: The most angle grinder resistant bike lock overall. In my tests, the Litelok X3 was the lock that took the longest to cut on both sides. It provides very good resistance (if not quite the best), against diamond discs.
The long steel shackle makes it easy to lock just about anywhere while making it pretty difficult to cut. You won't be popping this lock open with a hammer or bolt cutters. It took over a minute of noisy cutting with our angle grinder to get one side of the lock loose.
Hacksaws work best on metal locks.