Chain locks are made up of a series of hardened steel links (usually inside a protective nylon sleeve) and a lock. The lock can be integrated into the chain, or it can be a separate padlock.
Many of the chains below have Sold Secure Gold ratings. Padlock style locks are also used to secure bike chains. These feature a solid metal shackle which is looped through the chain and slots into the padlock's locking holes. These are similar to disc locks, and provide a high level of security for your bike.
Chain locks work better with ground anchors than D locks do. This is thanks to their greater length and size. A larger locking area can be a good advantage when securing your bike at home, as you'll be able to secure more than one bike at a time.
Without a doubt, the Altor SAF is the toughest bike lock on the market. Its shackle is 2.36″ (6cm) thick at its narrowest point, making it impossible to cut with bolt cutters and it took over 1 hour 40 minutes to defeat the SAF Lock with an angle grinder.
U-lock vs Chain lock Conclusion! So, if you're looking for a lock you can carry around every day, usually a good u-lock is better than a portable chain lock. U-locks offer more security, at a better price, without sacrificing too much practicality.
By being the toughest chain, we mean the Pewag chain is the hardest chain to cut with bolt cutters. The biggest reason is the hardened steel chain is squared, so it will not allow bolt cutters to cut through it.
Grade 100. Next to Grade 120, Grade 100 chain is the strongest type of chain offered by most industrial hardware suppliers. It is 25 percent stronger than Grade 80, making it the best choice for extremely heavy overhead lifting use and other extreme applications.
Hexagonal links (or square or trapezoidal) make it impossible for bolt cutters to get a grip. Chain sold by the foot at the local hardware store performs lifting and towing well, but not theft resistance.
How Much Should You Spend on a Bike Lock? We heard a lot about the 10 percent rule throughout our testing process. That is, plan on spending about 10 percent of your bicycle's worth on a suitable bike lock. Although we think this is reasonable, consider the security guidelines above.
London, for example, is considered the number one hotspot for bike theft. Between April and November 2020, the capital saw its highest ever number of reported theft, with a staggering 113,000 bikes stolen during the period.
The best bike lock
With a dual-locking hardened 13 mm shackle, an included cable, and a free year of anti-theft protection, the Kryptonite New-U Evolution Mini-7 is a good deterrent at a reasonable price.
Acquisitive: These thieves steal bicycles for financial gain and usually trade them for cash or goods. The bikes may also be sold in pieces for drugs or money. In Portland, Oregon bike thieves are often drug addicts who provide stolen bicycles to drug dealers in exchange for drugs.
Hold the angle grinder in both hands and slowly press the blade against one of the U-shaped sides of the Kryptonite U lock. Press the blade against the U-side locks until the blade cuts through. It could take anything between 15 seconds to several minutes to complete this task.
Some dirt or duct tape can make it look less attractive to the crooks. For bicycle protection tape your seatpost, handlebars, and various places on your frame to make your bike parts look worn and shabby.
Electrical tape or old innertube wrapped around the frame tubes to cover logos makes the bike look tatty and is a good bike theft deterrent. A great way to prevent your best bike being stolen is to leave that at home and commute on something cheaper: a 'hack bike'.