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Riding a bike, especially in a larger city, can be one of the fastest, most convenient, and most affordable ways to get around. It’s also a great way to get some exercise or enjoy recreational time with the family. Unfortunately, bike thieves exist, and unless you keep your bike in a fully enclosed space like a garage or shed, and you’ll never leave it unattended anywhere, you’re going to need a way to secure it.
That’s why bike locks also exist. They come in a variety of shapes and materials and can be used to secure your bike (and maybe even other items!) pretty much anywhere. They’re very easy to use and can provide a ton of peace of mind that your bike is safe from pranksters and thieves.
If you think that a bike lock is something you need (we sure do!), we’d love to help you find your perfect match. Bike locks will vary in things like price, shape, material, lock type (key vs. combination), locking dimensions, and more. And trust us, every feature will matter, so you should think about every single one.
This comprehensive guide will investigate the best bike locks in Canada right now and outline the criteria you should consider while making your purchase decision. Let’s dive right into our top five products.
Top Pick: Kryptonite Evolution U-Lock with FlexFrame-U Bracket
Upgrade Pick: Kryptonite New-U New York Fahgettaboudit Mini Heavy Duty U-Lock
Chain Pick: Kryptonite Keeper Integrated Chain Bicycle Lock
Budget Pick: Master Lock 8143D Bike Lock
Also Great: Hiplok DX Bike Lock
The Kryptonite Evolution U-Lock with FlexFrame-U Bracket is incredibly well-rounded and packs a ton of value for a great price. Sounds like an easy choice, doesn’t it? It boasts a 7/10 on the safety rating which means it will keep your bike secure almost anywhere. This is all thanks to the thick steel composing the U-bolt and the double deadbolt design that’s resistant to twisting, drilling, and lockpicking.
You’ll also receive a cable with this lock that’ll let you secure your wheels, or even extend your locking range to make trees, telephone poles, and other large objects useable as a securing structure. You’ll also get a mounting bracket, which is our favourite part. The bracket can be attached almost anywhere on your bike frame, and it’ll keep the lock secure and out of the way while you’re riding around.
The only people who won’t love this bike lock are the ones who have a very tight budget (this one will be a bit too expensive for you) and the ones who prefer a combination lock over a keyed one. If neither of these things will be an issue for you, you’ve just found your perfect bike lock! You’re welcome. Happy cycling.
All in all, the Kryptonite Evolution U-Lock with FlexFrame-U Bracket is a pretty fantastic choice for just about everybody. You’ll be able to secure it to just about any object, protect your wheels as well as your frame, and travel with less hassle than ever before. What’s not to love? And did we mention it’s the best?
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 4/5
Quality: 5/5
Reviewers have a very high opinion of the Kryptonite Evolution U-Lock with FlexFrame-U Bracket. It’s very sturdy and resistant to damage, so they feel confident using it in low-moderate risk areas. The included mounting system makes it a lot more convenient to ride around with the lock, and the included cable helps improve the security and versatility of the locking system. They appreciate this a lot.
Buy If…
You don’t want to keep the lock on your person while riding your bike
You want to be able to secure your bike to any object
Tough security measures are essential
Don’t Buy If…
You need something extremely affordable
You aren’t interested in keeping track of keys
Dimensions: 3.25” x 7” (interior)
Weight: 3.6 lbs
Material: Steel
Lock Type: Key
Warranty: Lifetime
The Kryptonite New-U New York Fahgettaboudit Mini Heavy Duty U-Lock has so much to offer. It’s truly a one-of-a-kind option. The U-shaped bolt is made out of incredibly tough 18mm steel, so it’s almost impossible to cut through no matter what tools a thief brings along. The double deadbolt design secures both sides of the lock, and it’s drill-proof and resistant to lockpicking. We told you it’s the best!
We really like that this lock comes with three keys. Perfect for people who lose things frequently or will be sharing the bike lock with family members. Everyone gets their own key! And if you register them, you’ll be able to get replacements anytime you need them. For people who will mainly be using bike racks and similar poles, this lock is truly the best you can do. You can’t beat its security.
The main two problems with this bike lock are the price and the weight. This is one of the most expensive bike locks out there, and for good reasons, but it won’t be a reasonable purchase for everybody. And it might just not be necessary, too. At just under 5 lbs, this lock is also heavier than most, and it’ll certainly wear on you if you’re carrying it around for a good chunk of time.
Overall, the Kryptonite New-U New York Fahgettaboudit Mini Heavy Duty U-Lock is the best choice for people who are willing to spend a little extra to get a whole lot of peace of mind. It locks on both ends and is made of the thickest and most durable metal you can get. Thieves really will say “forget about it” when they see this thing.
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Price: 3/5
Quality: 5/5
Reviewers are blown away by the quality of the Kryptonite New-U New York Fahgettaboudit Mini Heavy Duty U-Lock. They have all the faith in the world that their bike will always be waiting for them when they return, even in the busiest, highest-risk areas. It’s a bit heavy and a bit expensive, but they all agree that those things are necessary in order to get a lock of this quality. They are beyond happy with it.
Buy If…
You want the freedom to secure your bike in the highest-risk areas without worries
You’re prone to losing things or multiple people will be using the bike lock
You’ll only be securing your bike to traditional bike racks or similar structures
Don’t Buy If…
A budget-friendly option is a must
You’ll be travelling with the lock a lot
Dimensions: 3.25” x 6” (interior)
Weight: 4.6 lbs
Material: Steel
Lock Type: Key
Warranty: Lifetime
The Kryptonite Keeper Integrated Chain Bicycle Lock has a lot going for it. It boasts multiple security measures in its design — the chain itself is 7mm thick and resistant to most bolt cutters, and the deadbolt cylinder is resistant to drilling, lockpicks, and most kinds of damage. Only the most dedicated of thieves would try to mess with this lock.
The 32” chain length also means you can secure your bike to all kinds of objects — trees, telephone poles, benches, bike racks, handrails, etc…. you won’t have any problems securing your back anywhere you go! To protect the paint on your bike, the chain is wrapped in a durable fabric. Thoughtful, huh?
The steel chain is fairly heavy, and you will notice the weight of this lock if you’re carrying it around for too long. Otherwise, there are only a couple of things that might sway you towards a different option. With the right tools, someone could cut through the chain, so it’s not the best for especially high-risk areas. Also, there’s no weatherproofing, so you should only use it on clear days. Not ideal, we know.
Overall, the Kryptonite Keeper Integrated Chain Bicycle Lock is the best chain lock you can find right now. It’s still somewhat vulnerable to professional tools, but it’ll be perfect for most spaces and is incredibly easy to use. You can’t go wrong with the price, either.
Performance: 4.5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 4.5/5
Reviewers are really enjoying their Kryptonite Keeper Integrated Chain Bicycle Locks. It’s a great length for securing to a variety of structures, but not so long that it becomes too heavy or unwieldy. The deadbolt is incredibly tough (so is the chain), and they get a lot of peace of mind that this lock is a great deterrent for potential thieves. They would prefer that it had more weatherproofing, though.
Buy If…
You’d appreciate some added protection against lockpicks
You’ll need to secure your bike to a variety of objects
You want to avoid scratching the paint on your bike
Don’t Buy If…
You need something ultra-portable
You’ll be securing your bike in high-risk areas
You’ll want to use the lock on rainy/snowy days
Dimensions: 32” x 1”
Weight: 3.5 lbs
Material: 3t manganese steel
Lock Type: Key
Warranty: Lifetime
The Master Lock 8143D Bike Lock is a very high-value option considering its extremely low price tag. This one is ideal for even the tightest budgets, and it still comes with a lifetime warranty and a ton of quality features. One of our favourites is the combination lock. That’s right, you don’t need a key! And the dial is really easy to turn, even for kids, and even in cold winters!
Speaking of winter, this bike lock is perfectly suited to outdoor storage 100% of the year — it doesn’t get bothered by rain or extreme temperatures. Since the cable style of this bike lock is flexible you can also use this bike lock to secure multiple bikes, or with large objects like trees, or even other items like lawnmowers, toolboxes, kayaks, etc... Hello, versatility!
One of the only things we don’t love about this one is the fact that you can’t choose your own code. Since a factory code isn’t always the easiest thing to remember, you should write it down somewhere to be on the safe side. Also, this is not a lock for super high-risk areas or really expensive bikes — its anti-theft security is just not at that level.
All in all, the Master Lock 8143D Bike Lock is a really great choice if you need something affordable and you’re not overly concerned about security. It isn’t the toughest bike lock out there, but for general use in low-risk areas, it’s got everything you could ask for.
Performance: 3/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 4.5/5
Reviewers have mostly good things to say about the Master Lock 8143D Bike Lock. They really enjoy that they can tether three (or more!) bikes together with the same lock, and the combination dial is easy for kids to use as well. It’s also really light and easy to travel with. They wouldn’t recommend it for expensive bikes, though, and would prefer the option of setting their own code.
Buy If…
A flexible bike lock appeals to you
Affordability is your priority
You want to use your bike lock for other items as well
You don’t want to have to remember a key
Don’t Buy If…
You’ll be leaving your bike in high-risk areas
You won’t remember a factory code
Dimensions: 4’ x 0.3”
Weight: 0.3 lbs
Material: Steel and vinyl
Lock Type: Combination
Warranty: Lifetime
We like just about everything when it comes to the Hiplok DX Bike Lock. It’s truly the best option if you’ll be travelling a lot with it (for example, you’re commuting to and from work every day, you work as a bike messenger/courier, etc.). It weighs less than 2.5 pounds (yes, you read that right!) and it can clip to your belt or bag strap to keep it accessible in seconds. No more rooting through your bag.
This bike lock is also one of the most secure options you can find. It’s made of incredibly secure steel and has double-locking anti-rotation tabs — it’s a thief’s worst nightmare, which is exactly what you want. You’ll be able to leave it anywhere and know that it’ll still be there when you get back. You’ll receive three keys with the lock, and it’s also backed by a lifetime warranty and key replacements — you’ll never buy another bike lock again.
There are only a couple of reasons you might decide to go with a different option. This one is pretty pricey, and if you’ll be securing your bike in pretty safe, low-traffic areas, you might not need to pay so much. Also, this one is designed for use with bike racks and similar structures only, so it won’t work out for you if you need a more flexible option.
All in all, the Hiplok DX Bike Lock is one of the best all-around options money can buy, and it’s also one of the most portable. Exterior storage options and a lightweight design are responsible for that. But it doesn’t scrimp on security measures either. You’ll love this one, we can just about guarantee it.
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Price: 3/5
Quality: 5/5
Reviewers have tons of great things to say about the Hiplok DX Bike Lock. Most of this praise comes from commuters who really get to take advantage of its portable nature, but recreational users also really enjoy the lock. It’s easy to use and feels incredibly secure. They all agree that they get what they paid for with this one.
Buy If…
You’d prefer to store the lock on your bag or belt for easy access
Anti-theft protection is your biggest priority
You’ll be carrying the bike lock a lot
You’d like a lock that’ll last a lifetime
Don’t Buy If…
You need a flexible locking system
Affordability is important
Dimensions: 3.3” x 5.9” x 5”
Weight: 2.4 lbs
Material: Steel and nylon
Lock Type: Key
Warranty: Lifetime
The most affordable bike locks can be priced as low as $10, others can cost up to $300. Clearly, there’s a lot of diversity out there. In general, more expensive bike locks will have a higher safety rating (and all of the security features that come with it) and better longevity/weatherproofing.
Bike locks come in two forms — they can be unlocked with a key or with a combination code. Key locks are more common by far, but you’ll also need to keep track of your keys. Combination codes are easier, especially for kids, and are typically found on cable locks rather than U-locks.
Almost every bike lock will be composed of some type of steel, but the coating can vary — some use a fabric coating (chain locks mostly), whereas cable locks and U-locks typically use some sort of vinyl or nylon as a coating. This combo does a lot to improve lock durability while keeping your bike scratch-free.
The locking dimensions of a bike lock are important to pay attention to unless you’ll always have access to a bike rack. U-locks will have the smallest locking dimensions and will only be usable with thin poles and bike racks — this is the best way to keep your bike secure, though. Chain locks and cable locks will offer more freedom, allowing you to secure your bike to trees, thick poles, benches, etc., but they’ll also be easier to cut.
Disclaimer: The prices displayed are accurate at the time of publication. We’ll do our best to keep them as up-to-date as possible, but you may see slight changes. The products in this list are ranked by independent third parties. Rankings are based on both reviews and independent testing.