Best ebike lock: 4 picks with Sold Secure ratings

An e-bike is a bigger target than a standard bike because the whole bike is worth more and the battery can be carried off. A lock does not make a bike theft-proof, but a better rated one takes a thief longer.

What to look for

1. An independent rating for pedal cycles. Sold Secure is a UK testing body that grades locks (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Diamond) and lists each lock's grade on its own site. Check the exact model name against the Sold Secure listing, because makers sell similar locks with different ratings. ART is another independent scheme that uses stars; we only quote it where the maker or ART lists it.
2. Lock type. D-locks are compact and hard to leverage. Chains reach awkward posts and loop through two wheels and a frame, but weigh more. Using both gives two different attacks to defeat.
3. Locking length and what you lock through. Lock the frame and rear wheel to something fixed. The longer the lock, the more you can pass through a fat frame or a cargo rack post.
4. Weight and carrying. A rated chain can be several pounds. Hiplok designs its DX to clip to a belt or bag strap, which suits riders with no frame mount.
5. Warranty and registration. Some makers require registration to activate their lifetime warranty. Hiplok says to register within 30 days of purchase.
6. Insurance rules. If your bike is insured, read the policy: some insurers require a lock with a stated rating.

Our picks

ABUS Granit X-Plus 540 (540/160 HB300 D-lock)

• Why: A compact D-lock from a long-established lock maker, with a rating on both sides of the Sold Secure scheme.
• Key spec: Sold Secure lists it as Diamond for pedal cycles and Gold for powered cycles, with a 13 mm hardened square-section shackle. Sold Secure's page does not state its weight.
• Check: The Granit X Plus 540 has several size variants (HB230, HB300). Match the model to the one rated.
• Source: Sold Secure listing.

Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit Chain 1415 and NY Disc Lock

• Why: A chain-and-lock set for riders who need reach for a big frame or a cargo bike. The chain handles awkward posts that a D-lock cannot.
• Key spec: Sold Secure lists the set as Diamond for pedal cycles and Gold for powered cycles.
• Check: Sold Secure's page does not state a weight. Chains weigh more than D-locks, so check Kryptonite's listed weight before buying.
• Source: Sold Secure listing.

Hiplok DX

• Why: A rated D-lock you can wear. Hiplok's clip-and-ride system attaches it to a belt or bag strap.
• Key spec: Sold Secure lists the DX as Diamond for pedal cycles and Gold for powered cycles. The page lists a 14 mm hardened steel shackle, double dead-locking, anti-rotation, three replaceable coded keys, a 1105 g weight and a 15 cm x 8.5 cm locking area.
• Check: The integrated cable on some Hiplok variants is not part of the Sold Secure approval.
• Source: Sold Secure listing.

Hiplok E-DX

• Why: Hiplok built this set for e-bikes and cargo bikes: the DX D-lock, a 10 mm loop-end chain with 110 cm of locking length, and a Z LOK security tie.
• Key spec: Hiplok describes the bundle as awarded Gold by Sold Secure. Sold Secure's listing for the EDX chain shows Gold for pedal cycles, with a 10 mm hardened steel chain and 1 m locking length.
• Check: Hiplok says the DX and X CHAIN carry a 10-year lifetime warranty and you must register within 30 days. The Z LOK tie has no Sold Secure rating listed.
• Sources: Hiplok product page, Sold Secure EDX listing.

How to lock a heavy e-bike

• Run the lock through the frame and rear wheel, and to a fixed post or rack that cannot be lifted off.
• Keep the lock off the ground and the keyhole facing down.
• Take the battery and display with you if the maker's manual says the battery is removable.
• Record the serial number and photograph the bike, so you can report it.

FAQ

Is a rated lock enough for an e-bike? A rating compares how long a lock resisted specific attacks in a test lab. It is a guide, not a guarantee. Locking in sight, in a busy spot, and using two locks all help.

What does Sold Secure Gold or Diamond mean? Sold Secure assigns a grade to each approved lock after testing; Diamond is its top pedal cycle grade. Look up the exact model in Sold Secure's product search.

Do I need a different lock because the bike is electric? Sold Secure lists "Powered Cycle" and "Pedal Cycle" grades separately. A lock may rate higher for one than the other, as the Gold and Diamond lines above show.

Where do I buy? Each pick links to the maker's or Sold Secure's own page so you can confirm the exact model name, then you can search for that name at the shop you prefer.