Stiftung Warentest: Bicycle locks in a safety test
Stiftung Warentest tested over 30 bicycle locks between 2015 and 2017. Many failed because they could be cracked within a few seconds. In our summary of the test, we show which bicycle locks can be relied on and which protection is extremely low.
Product test: Trelock bike lock is the safest
The safest bike lock in the Stiftung Warentest test comes from the specialist Trelock:
- The Trelock BS 650 padlock tops the product test ranking with a grade of 1.6. Not only is it particularly safe, it is also very easy to use. This is often a big problem with the bulky padlocks. The price is around 50 euros.
- The Kryptonite Evolution 4 LS (price approx. 50 euros) is just as safe, but with some pollutants. It received a grade of 1.8 in the 2017 test.
- Those who prefer a chain lock should use the Abus Granit CityChain X-Plus 1060 according to the product test (price 120 euros). It got the grade 1.8 and is the only chain lock that scored "good".
Surf tip: Wirecutter's extensive bike lock test
The CHIP partner Wirecutter also subjected 27 bicycle locks to an extreme endurance test and sawed, cut and chopped models of all price ranges. Which lock will make even the most stubborn crook despair can be read here at CHIP.
Bicycle locks at Warentest: Abus tops the folding locks
Those who find the padlocks too big and unwieldy will be impressed by the small folding locks. But be careful: They fit in every pocket, but most are not particularly safe. An exception is the Abus brand lock:
- The Abus folding lock Bordo Granit X-Plus 6500 is by far the best device among the folding locks in the 2015 test. However, it is not quite as secure as the three top padlocks that we presented above. Grade: 2.1.
- You can fold up the folding lock like a folding rule. The only catch with the Abus test winner: It is quite heavy at 1.6 kilograms. If you care about the safety of your bike, you can overlook it. The price is around 85 euros.
Bicycle locks with chain for bargain cyclists
The chain lock from AXA has real bargain potential:
- The AXA Cherto Compact 95 costs just 25 euros, which is always sold out very quickly in the online shops. And not without reason: it is just as safe as the Abus leader and only a little worse to handle. Therefore, the experts gave it a grade of 2.0 in the end.
- Chain locks are extremely flexible, but secure models weighing around 2 kg are quite heavy. Some chain locks could be easily cracked in the test, for example the locks from BBB, Fischer, Rex and Masterlock.
- All details can be found at "test.de".
Armored cable locks: none is good
Armored cable locks sound safe for the customer, but they are not: The test by Stiftung Warentest shows that all three tested locks can be broken open quickly. The best lock is the ABUS Granit Steel-O-Flex X-Plus 1025, but even that only got a grade of 2.7 in the "Security against break-in" category.
Conclusion: These padlock, cable and folding locks are really good
- U-lock: Test winner among all bicycle locks is the U-lock Trelock BS 650 with the grade 1.6.
- Chains: The Abus Granit CityChain X-Plus 1060 awarded Warentest the best cable lock with a grade of 1.8.
- Folding lock: The Abus folding lock Bordo Granit X-Plus 6500 with a grade 2.1 dominates the folding locks.
Sony city hero: bike with cell phone charging station
So that you do not have to pay a penalty during the police check, you will find a checklist on the fitness for cycling on the next page. You can find another extensive bike lock test by CHIP partner Wirecutter here.