Preventing Bicycle Theft: The Path to the Right Bicycle Lock powered by ABUS

There is no absolute security, and thus the topic of bicycle safety is primarily a game against time. The more difficult to access, the better secured, the more time (and possibly also attention) potential thieves will need.
And: The better one is prepared for the potential theft, the less likely and more difficult it will be. If it does happen, at least one has data on hand for the authorities or the insurance.

Often underestimated yet so obvious is the importance of having data about your bikes on hand. This includes serial numbers as well as photos that can be used for identification if necessary.
Furthermore, there are of course plenty of modern tools and gadgets such as GPS trackers, motion sensors, etc., that can at least monitor the bicycle.

At public places, usually the prettiest horse in the stable wins the race for the most popular loot. A simple coil lock on an old, but visually striking bike at the train station can be significantly more attractive than an expensive, new bike with a hefty U-lock. Mountain bikes seem to have a particular attraction to shady figures for some reason.
In more private places, the situation is a bit more complex. From my point of view, in most cases, it is less the opportunity that makes thieves, but rather a weighing of effort and risk to get to the loot. How quickly and inconspicuously can a bike's value be converted?

The right lock plays a crucial role at this point. Especially in public places, it is often simply a matter of having a significantly better lock than the neighboring bike, which may seem just as visually attractive.

The most important point on the way to the right bicycle lock is the place where the bike is secured. Is it a public, heavily frequented place, or one that is difficult to access, where there are already some hurdles to overcome on the way to the bike? Is it a place where hectic activity prevails, or possibly a long time to commit the act? Is there a lot of scrap metal or high-end carbon to choose from? Here are a few examples:

Depending on the location and target, thieves operate in very different ways. Basically, I would categorize criminals into professional gangs and opportunistic or amateur thieves.
Against the former, who usually have very specific victims and bikes in mind, it helps to make the bike disappear as much as possible. It starts with tinting the car windows and ends with hanging the high-end racer in the bedroom. Additional barriers in the form of chains and locks can still be useful.

The situation is quite different for amateurs and opportunistic thieves, who, in my estimation, account for the larger part of thefts. Here, a suitable lock is mandatory and can generally prevent thefts well.
What exactly is suitable depends again on the location and time, where and when the bike is parked. The Abus lock advisor then, for example, gives the following recommendation: "unsuitable for locking duration: also at night, security level unsuitable for bike value".

Ultimately, however, in all cases it's about saving time, whether for professionals or amateurs. The more barriers in the way, the more difficult and time-consuming it becomes for potential thieves to get their loot.
In the extreme case of a bike shop, this could be a barrier in the form of alarm-secured gates or fences, and in the most minimal case, a simple wire like with the Combiflex locks, because (from experience): Depending on the situation, that's still better than leaving the bike completely unsecured.
And by the way: Before doing the latter, for instance due to a lack of a bike lock, it is advisable at least to thread the straps of the bike helmet as a spontaneous immobilizer through the frame and wheel. Other opportunistic deterrents or attractiveness reducers in the aforementioned sense can include taken saddles (along with support) or unscrewed pedals.

As an example, we have selected a few locks for you from the extensive Abus range below. Very briefly and to the point, there’s some general information about each lock along with advantages and disadvantages from our point of view; sorted in ascending order starting with the lightest and simplest lock up to the modern SmartX Smartlock U-lock.
In the spring, Abus also introduced its new angle grinder-resistant U-lock, the Granit Super Extreme 2500. You can find the Eurobike news about it here.

Generally speaking, it can be said: The more hardened steel, the fewer moving parts, the more difficult it is to break the locks with brute force. This increase in security comes at the cost of higher weight and bulkiness.
The more complex the lock cylinder is constructed, the more difficult it becomes for professionals or the locksmith service to open the locks.

The popular and flexible spiral locks, sometimes referred to as "ribbon gifts" in professional circles, offer a very low level of security and are all too often cracked. Bulky U-locks, on the other hand, are quite difficult to break open with force without accepting collateral damage. A compromise are folding locks, chain locks, and the increasingly popular coated chains like Ivy Chain and Goose-Locks.
As for lock cylinders, simple number combination locks can often be bypassed with the simplest means (feeling, visually, or with a thin piece of sheet metal), while high-quality pin locks (also with magnet or with dimple keys) or elaborate tubular locks are equipped with various security mechanisms and traps that also pose a challenge for professional locksmiths.
As always, the weakest link in the chain determines how complex or easy it is to bypass a security measure. This can often be not even the bike lock itself, as mentioned at the beginning, but rather the thin piece of metal or wood that is connected to the bike, or a few rusty screws that anchor the bike stand in the ground.

The first two candidates are Combiflex Stopover 65 and Combiflex Adventure. Essentially, these are the simplest wire locks with an equally simple combination lock. Of course, this is not something with which you would want to secure your bike for an extended period, and it neither withstands strong mechanical stress, nor can the combination lock actually offer relevant protection.
Nevertheless, as already mentioned: If you're just quickly waiting for a minute at the bakery for some rolls, such protection is certainly better than none at all.

Abus Combiflex

The Combiflex Travelguard is the flat counterpart to the wire lock and basically offers similar advantages and disadvantages. It has a steel core and is so compact and light that it could find a place in your pants or jersey pocket at any time.

Abus Travelguard 45

The simple Steel-O-Chain chain locks for children are essentially the entry into the "real locks", which actually offer a certain level of basic protection. The symbol code is clever, and even though a key might provide a tad more security, with children it is usually subject to a certain risk of loss and the associated inconveniences.
Ultimately, the success of these locks also largely depends on ergonomics. They should be simple to use and provide protection in less exposed locations. However, for a 500-euro Woom bike, I would still recommend a somewhat more complex lock.

Abus Steel-O-Chain 4804C Symbols

What I find intriguing about the simple and colorful children's locks is especially the fact that they offer comparable protection as the popular spiral locks, which many adults use to secure their bikes at the train station.

The Phantom is, so to speak, the deluxe version of a classic spiral cable lock. Thanks to a key and a slightly stronger steel cable, it offers a smidgen more protection than the entry-level class. However, for more expensive bikes or those that remain in public or semi-public places for longer periods of time (train station, staircase, visible basement compartment, etc.), I would still recommend a significantly sturdier lock.

In the photos, you can clearly see the significant advantage that spiral locks offer, and thus the main reason for their popularity: In everyday use, this type of lock is unbeatable - with significant drawbacks in terms of security.

The 110 cm version of the Goose Lock is not only visually impressive. In fact, it is relatively heavy at about 1,300 g but offers great handling in practice because, unlike chain locks, it is shape-stable. This means the Goose can be easily wrapped around the frame for transport and also around trees, lampposts, and similar objects when in use.

ABUS Goose 6206" is a product name and doesn't require translation.

With a level 7 on the Abus scale of 1 to 15+, it offers similar protection as the Ivera Steel-O-Flex, but with a modern look. It is definitely a lock that stands out at first glance due to its appearance and thickness - which can be quite positive depending on the situation. In everyday life, there's hardly a lock from the Abus lineup that operates more smoothly.

The Ivera Chain padlock adds a bit more to the mix compared to the Goose when it comes to security. 1 mm more steel means a slightly larger barrier that needs to be cut through in the event of intentional destruction.
As a result, it has a similar weight to the coated Goose, albeit without its form stability and in an 85 cm length. The fabric still feels pleasant, and the lock can be folded quite compactly (see scale photo).

Abus Ivera Chain 7210

A weak point of many locks, as experience shows, are the transitions at the locking mechanism. In the photos, one can clearly see how robust this transition is made with the Ivera.
The 85 cm are sufficient to comfortably lock a bike around small trees, lamp posts, and similar objects by the frame. Thus, I find the Ivera Chain an interesting and above all practical solution for many applications where a medium security level is adequate.

Before we get into the premier league of locks, I would like to present to you the 8088C, a lock that represents something like the spearhead of combination locks. With its solid 8 mm chain, it already provides a decent barrier.
Even though combination locks are inherently less secure than locks with keys, they can still be difficult to crack due to extremely low tolerances and high manufacturing quality. It would require experienced locksmiths and/or corresponding tools.

Abus Chain Lock 8088C

In everyday handling, a number combination is always very practical because you don't have to carry a key and you can easily pass on the combination to third parties without having physical contact with the respective person - with all the advantages and disadvantages that come with it.

Another outlier in our Abus lineup: The Proshield XPlus is a quite creative alternative for city bikes because, on the one hand, you have a frame lock with a simple immobilizer at your disposal, but this is combined with a massive 6 or 8 mm thick steel chain, which in turn fits relatively comfortably in a saddle bag.

ABUS Proshield XPlus 5955 with Chain and Bag

In everyday life, the combination offers the advantage that, when used appropriately, it is always at hand and you also do not have to spend a long time looking for attachment points on the frame. Of course, from a safety and aesthetic point of view, you have to make some compromises.

With the Bordo 6000C LED, we come to one of the most popular lock categories - and not without reason. Folding locks generally offer a fairly high level of security because they are physically difficult to crack, but on the other hand, they also maintain a certain minimum level of flexibility. In addition, thanks to the Abus click holder, they are also easy to transport. The holder is also available, for example, as a Fidlock variant.
The locks from the Bordo series are available in various thicknesses and lengths, with a number combination or with a key.

Abus Bordo 6000C LED

In everyday handling, the Bordo 6000C performs very well. It is a bit more cumbersome to lock than comparable chain locks, but it can be transported super compactly when folded in the frame mount and would thus - at least theoretically - be a companion that one can always have with them.
The integrated lighting in the form of an LED is also practical, which can help find the right number combination in dark situations.

The Granit 6500K is one of the most massive folding locks in the Abus lineup. Our photo comparison to the equally long (90 cm) Bordo 6000C clearly shows the difference. At 1.7 kg, the Granit 6500K is no lightweight, and that makes the lock a very solid choice for all station bikes that are more valuable than the lock itself. In addition, it comes with the XPlus, a really high-quality locking cylinder that can only be opened (lock-picking) with a lot of know-how and special tools.

Abus Bordo Granit 6500K

In everyday life, the robust Granite 6500 with its dry weight is certainly a statement. At the train station, a bike secured in such a way would have to be the last of its kind and completely without alternative, if a potential bicycle thief tries to tamper with such a lock. Even with attacks using battery-powered angle grinders or attempts to break the joint connections, enormous forces are released. In that case, the thief would certainly attract attention.

"It beeped when NoPain and I first chained up the Rose Root Miller Plus in front of the local supermarket... of course without reading the manual, installing the app, and connecting the lock to the phone first.
The thought of having to publicly wield the angle grinder ourselves briefly caused us to break out in a cold sweat. After all, we don't even have proof of ownership for the Rose as a test bike (which goes back to the manufacturer). It would certainly have been interesting to explain the situation to the police if the developers at Abus hadn't done a good job. But we managed to pair the lock with my phone afterwards and unlock it."

Abus Bordo 6500A SmartX

A 10 mm thick chain made of hardened steel combined with the Abus XPlus locking cylinder, which is difficult to "pick", and the Abus Powercell, designed to withstand the most brutal blows with hammers and various tools - this is the stuff that burglars' nightmares are made of.
Personally, I like the handling of chains, although it must be said: the heavier and longer, the less suitable for everyday use they tend to be. The Granit Citychain XPlus would be my recommendation for more valuable bikes in exposed locations (train stations, city, shopping centers, etc.). Also in the basement compartment of an apartment, the bike cellar in a hotel, in short: wherever the weight of the chain does not matter, you are well-positioned with the Granit Citychain.

Abus Granit Citychain XPlus 1060

Admittedly, a 2.6 kg chain is hardly something one would take on a road bike tour or a mountain bike crossing of the Alps. Yes, even in the city, it will simply be too heavy for many applications. But on a cargo bike or e-bike, where weight plays a lesser role, and if then for example the 85 cm version with approximately 2.1 kg dry weight suffices, one would have maximum protection even for an extended period of time.
Then the question often arises as to how solid the rest of the environment of the bike and lock is and whether it could withstand various attacks or tricks for a certain amount of time.

Finally, we come to a type of lock with which many users have a love-hate relationship. U-locks, in general, offer a very high level of security in relation to their weight. This is due to their design. The compact shape results in two main advantages: First, for the same weight, much thicker steel can be used than with comparable chain or folding locks. And second, cutting through the shackle at one point is often not enough to remove the lock from the anchoring or the bike frame, meaning a second, more laborious cut is necessary.

Abus Granit XPlus 540

The Granit XPlus 540, despite its very thick steel and thanks to its relatively moderate weight, is quite suitable for everyday use. The biggest drawback is certainly (and this applies, as mentioned, to all U-locks) the limited range of the shackle, which sometimes is not enough to encompass, for example, a thicker tree. Additionally, one necessarily needs a securing object within reach of the lock, which due to the design might sometimes be difficult.
However, for those who always visit the same places by bike, e.g., commuting to the station, and can be certain that the space for securing is suitable, the Granit XPlus provides a massive security option. As with the robust Citychain, the question arises with the Granit XPlus 540 of how secure the counterpart to the lock is. Weak points in this case are more likely to be the thin iron of the bike stands or poor screwing of the stand to the ground.

Prevention is the first and most important step to solid theft protection. A bike that is not perceived as prey in the first place, be it through deprivation of public exposure, but also through optical deterrents and massive locking, is significantly less at risk of disappearing from one's reach forever.

As mentioned at the beginning, and contrary to what various "comparative reviews" sometimes want us to believe, there is no "right or wrong" when it comes to locks, only suitable and unsuitable locks.
For example, it makes no sense to test a cable lock against a U-lock, because both have completely different areas of application. What "suitable" means depends very much on the location, the time of day, the duration of parking, and the value of the bike, but also on the type of bike and the anchoring to which the lock is attached.

Renowned manufacturers like industry leader Abus offer a wide range of solid locks in different security classes, lengths, and variants. Many of the Abus locks can also be keyed alike with possibly existing E-bike or other Abus keys.
Every type of lock has its advantages and disadvantages, and so besides security, aspects such as weight, bulkiness, size or length, and also portability play a role. In relation to the potential damage, the price of a good lock is usually low.

There is no absolute security, which is why, for example, a deserted station at night is not a suitable place for certain bikes, even with the best lock in the world. Conversely, an additional, unexpected barrier in the basement compartment or one's own car may prevent theft.
Physics cannot be tricked. More material (more and higher quality, hardened steel, more tungsten carbide mixture) usually also means more security, but unfortunately also more weight. With the lock itself, besides the type (combination lock, pin, tubular, Bluetooth), mainly manufacturing quality and tolerances decide the difficulty in opening or destroying it.
In the end, choosing the right lock is always a compromise between weight and thus portability, lock width and handling, which should be made as suitable as possible.

Finally, I have a link tip for you, a good channel to raise awareness about security. The operator is a real exceptional talent, but in my opinion, you still get a good impression of what distinguishes a good product from a bad one: https://www.youtube.com/@lockpickinglawyer