Top 5 Best E-Bike Locks for Ultimate Security • (2024 Reviews)

Since e-bikes or electric bikes have a very wide price range, it’s important to choose the best e-bike lock for your unique situation. There are cheap e-bikes that cost under a few hundred bucks all the way up to expensive models that cost well over a few thousand dollars. For this reason, you want to avoid selecting a lock that costs more than your actual bike.

However, for e-bike owners who forked out thousands to get the ride of their dreams, it’s imperative to not only choose the right lock but to know how to properly secure your bike. In this guide, I put my automotive anti-theft expertise to work to select the top five e-bike locks for every budget.

In reality, securing an e-bike isn’t all that much different from securing a bicycle or motorcycle. It falls somewhere between. In addition to my top five picks, you’ll find reviews of each lock and tips on how to use these locks to lock your e-bike to a fixed object. Also, it’s important to use common sense and try your best to lock your electric bike in a safe public place only when needed.

Let’s get started with an overview of my top picks before moving to the detailed reviews below.

Top 5 Electric Bike Locks

Best Electric Bike Lock Reviews

For ultimate e-bike security, ABUS is the first place to look. For folks who own electric bikes in the $3000 and higher range, choosing the CityChain XPlus as your main lock is a wise decision. Alternatively, for those who own cheaper models and live outside of major cities or places where theft is less prevalent, it’s possible to get away with The Club Utility Lock. If you do choose that route, keep in mind that there’s always the option to use multiple locks or alternative security methods to keep thieves at bay.

The following points are several of the factors to consider before making your final decision:

• The weight of the lock since you want total weight lower on an e-bike than you would for say a motorcycle or motorized scooter
• Chain length or lock circumference to ensure you have enough length to secure your e-bike to a fixed object
• The type of e-bike you own – There are small folding e-bikes, fat tire models, larger e-mountain bikes, and e-cruisers
• Lock security score (usually on a 10 or 15-point scale depending on the manufacturer)
• Value of your bike vs the price of the lock

Now that you have an idea of the most important factors to consider before making your final decision, let’s go over the reviews of each lock along with the pros & cons.

#1) ABUS GRANIT CityChain XPlus 1060

ABUS’ CityChain XPlus carries a 15/15 ABUS security score, meaning it’s one of the most secure locks manufactured by ABUS. If you’re not familiar with ABUS, it’s a good idea to get acquainted because the German-born company is one of the top dogs in the security industry. As for the CityChain XPlus, it gives you maximum protection against all types of attacks, including pick and cutting attacks.

Several special types of ABUS tech that go into this lock include ABUS Power Cell to protect against blunt force attacks, ABUS Power Link to connect the Power Cells directly to the chain links, and ABUS’ special hardened steel. For pick protection, you get the XPlus cylinder which makes this lock extremely difficult to pick.

Several final advantages of this model are the keyhole cover, textile sleeve to protect your e-bike’s paintwork, there are several different lengths available to suit everyone’s needs, and it weighs considerably less than Kryptonite’s Fahgettaboudit chain. All things considered, if you own an expensive e-bike, this lock should be on your radar.

Pros

Cons

#2) Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit Chain 1415

Kryptonite’s Fahgettaboudit gets high marks for being one of the most difficult chains to cut on the market, just keep in mind, that all chains can be cut with enough time and the right tools. For this reason, it’s always important to lock your bike in a secure public place no matter which bike lock you choose.

The feature that makes the 1415 chain truly special is its six-sided 3t hardened manganese steel links. These are the beefiest and most diesel links featured in this guide. As a finishing touch, the chain comes wrapped in a nylon sleeve with hook-n-loop fasteners on the ends to ensure the sleeve doesn’t slide around.

Next, let’s talk about the lock. Kryptonite’s Fahgettaboudit chain & lock scores 10/10 on Kryptonite’s security scale. The 15 mm shackle is no joke, and the double-deadbolt locking mechanism provides maximum holding power. Lastly, the cylinder lock provides ample protection against drill and pick attacks.

Pros

Cons

#3) ABUS GRANIT XPlus 540 U-Lock

Now for my favorite U-lock made by none other than ABUS. If you want to skip over the heavy chains and opt for a lighter U-lock, this is the first place to look. Like the CityChain, the XPlus U-Lock holds a perfect 15/15 ABUS security score making it the most secure U-Lock made by ABUS. Compared to the first two locks, the XPlus U-Lock weighs considerably less at 3.3 lbs, and it’s a whole lot easier to mount to your e-bike frame or stow in a cargo bag or backpack.

As far as security features, this lock features the same flagship ABUS XPlus features as the CityChain including ABUS’ Power Cell tech and XPlus cylinder. Additionally, this lock features a 13 mm hardened square shaft parabolic shackle for excellent protection against saw and bolt cutter attacks.

A couple of final considerations regard cutting and ease of use. In the event that a thief does try to cut this lock, the lock requires two cuts to remove, which adds valuable time to save your e-bike or to thwart the thief altogether. For ease of use, this lock is incredibly easy to use and includes a rattle-free USH bracket for a smooth journey anywhere.

Pros

Cons

#4) ABUS BORDO GRANIT XPlus 6500 Folding Lock

The best compact lock for an electric bike is undoubtedly ABUS’ BORDO GRANIT folding lock. Of the locks in this guide, this one is the sleekest and easiest to mount to your e-bike frame without interference. Also, it only weighs about a half-pound more than the XPlus U-lock, and it matches the first two XPlus locks’ security scores with a perfect 15/15.

However, when put up against the ABUS XPlus U-Lock and CityChain, it’s slightly less secure. Having said that, for most people, this folding lock more than gets the job done. For people who have experienced theft in the past or live in NYC or San Francisco where bike theft is more common, you may want to opt for the CityChain or U-Lock depending on where you plan to park your bike.

Lastly, outside of compactness, this lock has a lot to offer. A couple of features I like are the flexible rivets designed to withstand saw attacks, smooth operation when folding/unfolding, XPlus cylinder, and the soft outer casing to protect your paintwork. Overall, this is an ultra-secure lock that folds up nicely and gives you more room to work with than a U-lock.

Pros

Cons

#5) The Club UTL810 Utility Lock

Make no mistake, The Club’s Utility Lock is the least secure lock in this guide, but that doesn’t make it a bad choice for some e-bike owners. If you own a cheap e-bike, this may get the job done on its own as a primary lock, or you may want to juice up your security by using two or more. When you compare the price of this lock to the others in this guide, even two of these are a fraction of the cost of the others.

For owners of expensive e-bikes, this also makes a great second or third lock to combine with the heavier duty locks above. Remember, time is everything when trying to stop a thief. If the thief sees multiple locks including this one and a serious ABUS or Kryptonite lock, the thief will be more likely to move onto the next target, especially if you parked in a public place – which you always should anyway.

One thing I really like about this lock is how easy it is to use. Plus, it’s fairly lightweight at about the same weight as the ABUS U-Lock. As far as security, you get basic security against all types of attacks, however, the tubular lock isn’t an ABUS cylinder, and the steel is easier to cut through than the other locks in this guide. All in all, this is a good e-bike lock for cheap models or to use when you don’t feel like lugging around a heavy chain lock for quick errands.

Pros

Cons

*New for 2022* FoldyLock Classic Folding Bike Lock

The latest addition to this guide is none other than the trendsetting FoldyLock. What makes this lock so special? For starters, it brings a high level of security to the table, making it a good fit for all classes of e-bikes. As you’ve probably already noticed, it functions similarly to the ABUS 6500, and at the time of this writing, it’s more affordable.

Regarding security, this lock scores a 15/18 on the security scale. Next, it’s been tested against bolt cutters, freeze attacks, carbide hacksaws, and rivet side cuts. As long as you park your park in a safe spot, it’s just about guaranteed not to go anywhere.

Several convenience features include the rattle-free design, automatic keyhole shutter, and automotive standard keys. Comparatively, you get a much more secure locking mechanism with this lock compared to say, The Club Utility Lock. Ultimately, there’s a reason why FoldyLock has become one of the most popular bike locks among e-bike owners.

Pros

Cons

How to Lock an E-Bike

Now that you’ve had the chance to take a closer look at the locks in this guide, let’s take a quick look at how to properly lock your e-bike to avoid theft.

First, let’s go over the types of locks that are best for electric bikes:

• Chain Locks
• U-Locks
• Folding Locks

These are the three best options, and the security level drops as you go down the list. However, while chain locks do provide the highest level of security, they’re also the heaviest and most cumbersome.

That’s why it’s important to account for where you live and where you plan to lock your e-bike the most. A lot of people recommend spending 10% of the value of your bike on a lock. In my opinion, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for calculating the price. It all comes down to the level of security you need to secure your ride and your budget.

Now, with those thoughts in your head, let’s look at a video that demonstrates how to lock an e-bike using ABUS locks:

Locking an E-Bike vs a Standard Bicycle

As mentioned earlier, locking an e-bike isn’t all that much different than a standard bike. Several key differences are:

• It’s easier to choose a heavier lock with an e-bike since you aren’t doing all the pedaling
• There are additional components on e-bikes that need to be accounted for
• Fat tires & frames are common on e-bikes and may require some modifications for mounting your lock and/or choosing chain length
• E-bikes are typically more expensive than standard bicycles – especially high-end models – which makes them a hotter target for a thief

The real keys are to understand how to lock your e-bike and not skimp when choosing a lock(s).

Bottom Line

Since you made it this far, you know which locks are the best electric bike locks, how to use them, and some basic differences between locking an e-bike and a standard bicycle.

By following the tips sprinkled throughout this guide and mixing in a little bit of your beloved common sense, you’ll have no problem securing your e-bike. Plus, you’ll get the peace of mind knowing your ride is okay while you’re away from it.

One final drawback to consider about all bike locks is they can be cut by an angle grinder. So, depending on the value of your bike, it’s a good idea to consider pairing insurance with your lock(s) for ultimate security.

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