What's the best U-Lock on the market for 20-30 bucks?
Posted by sheebalove@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 19 comments
Hello, I recently bought the VIVI F26FUL E-Bike and I wanted to know what's the best U-Lock on the market for 20-30 dollars. I live in a area where bikes are stolen if the lock is not good quality so which U-Lock is good or if there is none, which lock would you recommend?
Double-Detective3782@reddit
If I had to stay under $30 I’d buy the kryptonite combo u lock. https://www.amazon.com/Kryptonite-Standard-Anti-Theft-Resettable-Combination/dp/B0BDGK2DWG
funcentric@reddit
To the OP, Kryptonite color codes their locks. Black is the least protective, followed by grey, orange, then yellow. This means a thief can spot a poor lock from a mile away.
Aemort@reddit
Spray paint time
funcentric@reddit
Interesting idea. That might actually work! Good luck masking the lettering though.
Aemort@reddit
Tbh, I bet a piece of rectangle tape over the logos would make it look like an intentional design choice
funcentric@reddit
Possible. I had a friend that used electrical tape to tape across all the logos on his fancy bike to make it look like trash. It worked. 5 years later, he still has the bike. College town in the sketchiest parts of LA.
Nervous-Iron2373@reddit
A pair of bolt cutters or an angle grinder will remove that lock in 10 seconds.
Double-Detective3782@reddit
OP didn’t ask about angle grinder resistance or bolt cutters. I’m just answering the question. Yes OP, if you want bolt cutter resistance you’ll probably need to move to the $80 range, and for angle grinder resistance you’ll need to spend at least $150.
funcentric@reddit
There's no reason to budget just $30 for a $700 bike.
richardrc@reddit
Even the best U-lock will only last a minute with a cordless grinder with a cut off wheel in it. Even less with a ramjet. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymvBvz3-_To.
stormdelta@reddit
The thing is, an angle grinder is very loud and very visible, compared to bolt cutters on a cable or thin u-lock, or even a crowbar on bad / oversized u-locks.
It's all about stacking defenses. Park in visible areas with lots of traffic, don't leave bikes out overnight or in sketchy areas, don't have your bike look obviously valuable (e.g. I intentionally make mine "uglier" and more unique looking), etc.
BodSmith54321@reddit
Not even close to the best lock.
https://www.reddit.com/r/ebikes/comments/1kjznfv/2025_angle_angle_grinder_resistant_lock_test/
Relative-Display-676@reddit
lol 20-30$ for fucks sake...you need 200-300 for a good lock.
genesRus@reddit
The recommendation is to spend a minimum of 10% of the price of your bike on locks. I'd keep saving. If you have a local Buy Nothing, maybe something can help you out.
Salt_Two_400@reddit
In the UK they sell one from a company called Oxford which has an alarm, great deterant
captainspandito@reddit
People can suggest all types and models of locks all they want, but realistically there are zero locks on the market that will protect a bike from thieves. Locks will only slow them down. Some better than others. The only thing you can do to fully protect the bike is to keep it indoors. Remove the front wheel if you are limited for space. In saying that, If you really have to leave it unattended in public, you need to be spending a lot more than $30 on the lock. In fact you want multiple locks to try and deter them. Removing the battery also helps. But if they really want it, they will take it. And nobody will even attempt to stop them. It’s really shit because I’d love to be able to use my e-bike more often, but the rate they are targeted makes me far too nervous to ever leave it anywhere in public. Where I live, they go around in gangs on stolen motorcycles and Surrons targeting anything with 2 wheels and a motor.
ChrisTrotterCO@reddit
None for $30. Good locks cost money.
marginal_option@reddit
Better to get multiple cheapies than 1 average lock. Locks I would recommend are the Hiplok D1000 or the Litelok X3 but based on what you asked for from a price perspective try 2x of the Kryptonite Kryptoloks or their lower tier: Lock links if you need them.
funcentric@reddit
You live in an area where bikes are stolen if the lock is not good quality but you want to buy a not good quality lock? That makes no sense. I say you keep your bike in the garage until you can save enough money for a legit lock, then get the Seaty Lock Mason.