Advice Centre

We Fit

Holding Icon Bike Locks Buyer's Guide

Having your bicycle stolen can be very frustrating, so it pays to invest in a set of decent bike locks. Use this Halfords buyer's guide for some useful tips on what to look for.

It's important to remember that no lock is completely thief proof. They come in a range of styles with different levels of security. With bicycle locks you generally get what you pay for, so it's well worth spending a little extra.

Bike Locks Buyer's Guide

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A BIKE LOCK

The highest security bike locks use hardened materials, but this means they're heavier, bulkier and a bit more expensive. When choosing a lock, you need to consider all your security needs.

For instance, if you have a premium lightweight bike, you should use a high-security lock to secure it in the garage or shed at home. However, while out on a ride you might not want to carry the weight. One solution is to leave a high-security bike lock at your destination, such as at your place of work.

You may need to compromise on the highest security to make savings on weight, shape, and cost. For example, some bike frames aren't large enough to accommodate a large rigid shackle lock, so you may need a flexible cable lock that you can wrap around the seat post while riding.

Make sure you take into account where you'll be locking your bike and what is available to fix it to - you can see our guide to keeping your bike secure for advice on this.

TYPES OF BIKE LOCK

There are four main types of locks. They all work well but it depends on where you normally leave your bike and what you'll be securing it to:

Sold Secure Gold
Sold Secure Gold
Sold Secure Gold
Sold Secure Gold
  • Chain Locks
    • Heavyweight locks to use around robust anchor points.
    • Ideal for locking bikes and other objects at home in garage or shed.
    • Look for one with hardened steel links - the thicker the better.
  • Shackle Locks
    • Secures around standard shaped objects, e.g railings/frame.
    • Includes a mounting bracket to fit to the cycle.
    • Look for one with a 5-pin lock for high resistance to picking and drilling and hardened steel for strength.
  • Coil Cable Locks
    • Ideal to wrap around larger/awkward objects - they can be up to 185cm long.
    • Coil cable for compact storage and transportation.
    • Look for one with a vinyl cable cover to protect the bike against scratches.
    • Look for a key lock that is pick, pull and drill resistant.
  • Cable Locks
    • Easy to wrap around standard objects, e.g. railings.
    • Look for one with hardened steel cable for added strength or a twisted steel cable protected by hardened steel links.
    • Usually have a vinyl cable cover to protect the bike against scratches.

For maximum security we recommend using a shackle lock and a chain lock, both fixed to a permanent object and threaded though the frame and wheels.

BIKE LOCK SECURITY RATINGS

Sold Secure Gold

For guidance on how secure a bike lock is, you can look for the Sold Secure approval logo, which will show a rating of bronze, silver or gold.

Gold is the highest rating and means that the lock should resist an attack for around 5 minutes. Some bike insurance policies may require you to use a bike lock that meets a certain Sold Secure level - keep your proof of purchase to prove this if you ever make a claim.


At Halfords we also use a rating out of 1-10 to give you an idea of the level of security offered - see the guide below:



Halfords Lock Rating

BUY BIKE LOCKS FROM HALFORDS

Bike locks can be reserved online and collected from your local Halfords, or bought online for home delivery. Of course, you can always feel free to pop in and ask our store staff for advice on which bike lock to buy - they'll be happy to help.

RandC

FAQs Bike Accessories FAQs

  • To make sure your bike is secure at all times always lock your bike, especially when you're at home, and at night.

    Try to keep it out of view by putting it in your garage or house, or lock it in your back garden. Cable locks or shackle locks offer the best security. When locking your bike to an object somewhere, analyze the object first. Make sure you are locking your bike to a fixed object like a lamppost or bike rack. Avoid things that are easily cut, or things too short, where the bike could simply be lifted over it. Find out more on how to keep your bike secure.

  • You can get a huge range of bike accessories at Halfords, but what you need is largely determined by how much you use your bike.

    The number one essential purchase for all cyclists is a bike helmet to protect your head should you fall off your bike or be involved in an accident. If you ride your bike at night it's a leagal requirement to have bike lights and reflective clothing of some sort. Other useful bike accessories include a bike pump, bike lock and a water bottle and cage - particularly for long journeys.

  • Yes
    Halfords can provide fitting on a wide range of accessories. Furthermore, we can fit your accessories FREE when they are purchased with a new bike from Halfords, either online or in-store.

Quick Links