A theft data for the year 2014 from Transport for London made some interesting findings.
The top ten most stolen bikes in London were:
- Specialized Camber
- Specialized Stumpjumper
- Carrera Villanueva
- Norco Six
- Burner B1300
- Hong Fu Single Speed Foldable Bike
- Felt Z95
- Kona Dawg
- Scott Specced XCR
- Pake French 75
Out of these, the most stolen bike was the Specialized Camber, with 168 thefts reported in London alone. The next most stolen bike was the Specialized Stumpjumper with 137 thefts, and the Norco Six with 101.
Further recent data by Transport for London indicates that bike thefts have risen by 40% in the last 3 years.
Honourable mentions go to:
- Gary Fisher Cobia (84 thefts)
- Trek Fuel EX (80 thefts)
- Pake French 75 (72 thefts)
- Kona Dawg (71 thefts)
- Scott Specced XCR (67 thefts)
The data above is based on thefts recorded around TFL bus and rail stations from November 2014 to October 2015. I suspect some of the bikes were stolen elsewhere and dumped around a TFL station.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Kryptonite New York Lock Fahgettaboutit Mini 18mm U-Lock Bicycle Lock | Best Overall |  |
| Bell Catalyst U-Locks | Budget Pick |  |
| Kryptonite New York LS Heavy Duty Bicycle U Lock Bike Lock | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Kryptonite New York Lock Fahgettaboutit Mini 18mm U-Lock Bicycle Lock
Pros:
- Very heavy weight
- Features a 4 foot long steel braided cable with a steel sleeve over it
- 53 mm hardened Kryptonium shackle
- Easy to put on and lock quickly
- Waterproof and weather resistant
- Very portable
- Has a 14 mm hardened Kryptonium shackle
- Made of super strong and durable 18 mm steel tubing
- Comes with a dust cover over a box-shaped design
Cons:
- It can be a little bit difficult to carry around
- A little bit expensive than other brands
If you’re looking for a good quality lock, then Kryptonite N450 would be one of the best locks you’ll find in the market. It is the gold standard in u-locks.
This gold standard lock can be lashed to your frame or slipped in your bag. It comes in 660’s, 950’s, or 1250’s sizes. You can attach it with a cable, too, if you want to use two bikes.
2. Kryptonite New York LS Heavy Duty Bicycle U Lock Bike Lock
Pros:
- Totally new design from Kryptonite
- Comes with a 1-year warranty vs. 5-years from the Kryptonite New York Series
- You can customize the length of the u-lock
- 5.5 feet long and can fit around more than just your frame
- Very sturdy
Cons:
- Takes some time getting used to operating it
- The packaging can be difficult to remove the lock from
- Only works with Kryptonite KryptoLok Series
This Kryptonite solution is definitely the PERFECT security solution for anyone who rides an expensive bike. This bicycle lock is 59 inches long and weighs 1.5 lbs. It has a hardened steel body for that ultimate protection. It has a 96-hour lock-out protection feature, depending on how hard the crooks try to crack your bicycle lock. Approximately one billion simulations have been run on this lock and it has passed with flying colors. In fact, this is the best and most advanced lock Kryptonite has ever made.
3. Bike U Lock
Pros:
- Affordable
- Has a long cable
- Commonly used width shackle
- An accompanying cable with a mount
- Small, compact, and lightweight
The Via Velo heavy duty bike defenseless lock is a common, everyday, affordable, and pretty simple lock for cycling but it’s still made from strong material and built to keep your bike safe.
The product has a steel lock for added protection and measures 14mm thick, with a cable that’s long enough to hook onto your frame, or anywhere on your bike for an added layer of security.
The lock is lightweight and small and even comes with a mounting bracket.
4. Kryptonite Evolution 11-14mm U-Lock
Pros:
- Super affordable
- Decent protection level
- Lightweight
- Easy and fast to lock your bike
- Good quality construction
Kryptonite updated their evolution series lock with some new and exciting features and we couldn’t be happier. The rounded style of the shackle adds a unique look to the lock.
It uses flexframe universal bracket to provide an added level of flexibility. This new “quick-release” system allows you to easily and efficiently lock and unlock your bike. The shackle is crossbar compatible and it comes with pre-drilled holes to make drilling the rest of the holes easier.
It’s also compatible with disc brake mounting, so you don’t have to worry about your disc brake getting damaged when the bike gets locked. It’s made from hardened steel with a black powder coating.
5. Kryptonite New York Standard Heavy Duty Bicycle U Lock Bike Lock
Pros:
- 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon
- 12 mm nominal shackle
- 6 ft long
- 8 mm side plates
- Weather resistant
- Water resistant
- 0.6 kg weight
- Life time warranty
Cons:
- Complaints of scratching on the paintwork
- Keys can be hard to use with gloves on
4-Feet.
Bike security is very important nowadays, with bike thieves is a major issue in some bike areas. However, Kryptonite’s New York standard U lock is an excellent way to protect your mountain or road bike. This lock comes with a 6 ft long cable to ensure you have enough reach to secure your bike to a couple of bike racks.
This lock comes with a 12 mm diameter in the shackle, providing excellent security against bolt cutters or hacksaws. The 6 ft long cable is thick to prevent the cable from being snapped or cut. To secure the cable, it comes with a locking mechanism, to ensure the mechanism is secure, the lock comes with a sliding dust cover over the locking mechanism. This is a great idea and something I haven’t seen before.
6. Bell Catalyst U-Locks
These U locks are the perfect theft protection for your bike. They are smaller than the Brooklyn U locks so you have more room to maneuver the lock around your bike. The Bell U lock is designed to be lightweight, but it’s definitely not going to slip out of your hand.
These U locks are easy to use and extremely sturdy. You can place the lock on the ground in order to stand your bike up, which is especially useful if you have your bikes up against a wall so you can�t access them from the ground. These locks also come with a ribbon cable as well as a plastic cover for the keyhole to make sure your lock stays waterproof.
The best thing about the locks is that you can buy them in either the 6 inch or the 12 inch size. The 12 inch lock is obviously a lot more secure, but it’s also a lot bulkier to carry in a backpack, so it just depends on how much room you have. I just make sure I use the smaller lock when I park my bike in a crowded area.
7. Kryptonite Kryptolok 12.7mm U-Lock
Pros:
- Secure
- Affordable
- Made of high-grade steel
- Great for cutting through by bolt cutter
- Fits most standard frames
If you’re not a big fan of carrying a pocket-sized lock with you everywhere you go, then this could be the best anti-theft lock for you.
The extra thick (12.7mm) chain on this lock is hard to cut through with a standard bolt cutter.
Another awesome feature is the anti-wobble feature, which helps you from accidentally pinching your bike tire during locking or unlocking your bike or rack, and allows you to take the lock out of the bracket during locking.
8. ONG: 8001 Brute STD U-Lock 4.37"x7.96" W/X4 Lock
Pros:
- High-quality lock
- Hardened Anti-Drill Plate
- Weather Resistant
- Tool Free Mounting
- 15 mm or 8mm Cable Available
- 4.37"x7.96"
Cons:
- Easily Breached
- Heavy
9. ABUS U-Lock Granit X-Plus 540 Bike Locks
Pros:
- Strong build quality
- Doesn’t use keys
- Resists rusting
- Shackle is double bolted to the lock body
- Hardened to be resistant to cutting and prying
- Comes with a mount for your bike
Cons:
- It reflects a lot of light, so it’s easily noticeable if you’re trying to keep your bike hidden.
This is one of the best U-locks available. It weighs around 3 kg