Best bike chain locks 2024: Our pick of versatile bike locks

Bike chain locks are among the best bike locks available. While D-locks provide a high level of security, they can be difficult to fit around some anchors, through your frame and around a wheel at the same time. This is much easier with a bike chain lock, which can be threaded around awkward shapes.

Testing organisations, of which Sold Secure in the UK is the best known, don't differentiate between different types of bike lock in determining their ratings, so a Sold Secure Gold rated chain lock - of which there are plenty - will be as secure as a similarly rated D-lock. 

We also have guides to the best budget bike locks, as well as the best lightweight bike locks, if you're considering these. With their generally higher value, electric bikes are a tempting target for theft, so we have a selection of the best e-bike locks too, which provide higher security. 

Even the best bike lock won't be effective if it's not used properly though, so read our explainer of how to lock a bike for specific recommendations.

With all that said, if you are here looking for the best bike chain lock, then keep reading to see our list of recommended choices. 

Best bike chain locks: quick links

Best bike chain locks available today

Best overall

Each time we dive into a list of our favourite bike locks the Hiplok Gold pops up again. The more security you have on hand, the harder a bike chain lock is to carry. Hiplok has been at the forefront of solving this challenge through wearability and the Hiplok Gold is both portable and Sold Secure Gold rated. 

Although it weighs over 2kg, due to the 10mm chain, Hiplok uses a system that allows it to be carried without locking. There's a bar on the lock side and a plastic buckle that snaps into the bar on the other side. When you are ready to lock a bike, take it off your waist, open the lock, and connect the lock to the chain that's on the other side of the waist bracket. 

The superbright version pictured here also adds visibility while riding, although it's possible that the reflective coating will wear off over time. The only other downside of the Hiplok Gold is that all that security does mean you've got to deal with a bit of weight. Have a read of our Hiplock Gold bike lock review if you want to know more.

Best lock to use with a car rack

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We’ve been doing a lot of research on bike locks and during the process we asked cyclists who had a bike stolen while locked how it happened. The story of a brand-new bike stolen off a rack while filling up gas on the way home was a story that stood out. The integrated cable lock on the rack got clipped while the owner was inside buying a snack. It’s a unique challenge needing a unique lock that won’t scratch a frame and has a bit more length. 

Previously we recommended the Abus Ivera 7210 and still think that’s a great option, but since then we’ve discovered another, better option. The Tex-Lock is a textile-based loop chain with a small U-lock that features a double locking shackle design. The textile portion does have a steel core but you can’t feel it. Instead, it’s like a thick rope and it’s as comfortable to handle, and use, as a rope would be. Even though it feels like a rope, it carries a Sold Secure Silver rating and should do a good job matching with use on a car rack.  

The D-lock portion actually carries a Sold Secure Gold rating but it’s so tiny that there’s very little ability to use it beyond securing the loop chain portion, so consider the whole lock a functional silver rating. While the whole system is ideal for locking a bike to a car rack, the one downside is the price. It’s a lot of money to pay for the soft, rattle-free, performance. It’s for that reason we still have the Abus option in the mix here.  

Although the Abus City Chain 1010 featured in our list of the best bike locks provides higher security, it's not a lock that you'd want to leave on when driving due to the risk of damaging your car's paintwork, whereas the Tex-Lock should avoid this problem.

Best for e-bikes

The Hiplok DXXL takes a couple of pieces and combines them in a single purchase. There's a massive chain and there's also the Hiplok DX wearable U lock. Hiplok markets this option specifically for e-bikes so it only makes sense we'd include it here for that use. 

If you have an expensive e-bike then the highest security makes sense both because of the price of the bike and because of the ease of carrying extra weight. We also like how this system ends up being a two-for-one purchase. If you've got an e-bike as well as another bike that requires less security, this you get the flexibility to choose the level of security you need each time you leave the house. The D-lock and the chain work together but you can leave the chain at home if you don't need it. 

The Hiplok DX alone is one of the most secure, and convenient, D-locks on the market. When it's time to take your e-bike out, add in the massive chain with 14mm thick links. When using the chain, the loop end design makes sure that you've got the most length available. 

Best with insurance offer

The Ktyptonite New York Fahgettaboudit Chain 1415 & New York Disc Lock is another option in the massive chain lock category. It's even heavier than the Hiplok DXXL and the security is similar. In fact, the two offerings are similar in a lot of ways but they are unique enough that each has a place on this list. 

The Kryptonite chain doesn't loop through itself the way the Hiplok does and instead of a D-lock you get a lock that's a lot closer to a padlock. What Kryptonite does offer instead of the flexibility that comes with the Hiplok is an insurance offer. Make sure you've followed all the rules exactly and if your bike disappears you could be eligible for up to a $5000 payout. 

Another plus for the Kryptonite is its longevity. Another writer here at Cyclingnews left his New York Chain locked up at his university campus for a whole year, rain or shine, with and without his bike, and just commuted home leaving it in place. It still worked perfectly with just the odd squirt of GT85 needed every few months through the winter.

Best keyless chain lock

The Kryptonite Keeper 712 and Kryptonite Keeper 790 are a pair of Sold Secure Bronze bike chain locks that are the same other than size and weight (you can also buy the Keeper locks with a key rather than a combination lock, but we've featured this as it means you'll never leave your key at home). 

The 712 is 120cm in length and 2041 grams while the 790 is a bit shorter at 90cm and 1646 grams. Both options use a 7mm chain and carry a Sold Secure Bronze rating as well an insurance offer of $500. The Kryptonite insurance is always a topic of debate because, like all insurance coverage, it’s difficult to take advantage of. Just remember to read carefully and follow the fine print. Also keep in mind that the lock is a quality lock on its own, so consider the insurance a bonus that doesn’t hurt anything. 

Beyond that, we featured the bronze security option because of the weight and convenience. Typically, if you are looking for a combo lock you are also looking for convenience. If that’s not quite your need and you want more security paired with a combo lock, then there are also the Kryptonite Kryptolok 990/912 locks available.

The design is the same but the chain increases from 7mm to 9mm in thickness, so the weight and security rise as well. These locks feature a Sold Secure Gold rating and the insurance offers raises to $1750. Whatever ends up fitting your needs, it’s nice that there are options and they all have the peace of mind that comes from the insurance offer. 

Best for convenience

Every option on this list carries a Sold Secure rating except the Hiplok Spin. In general, we think it’s better to go for more security vs less but some people have different needs. 

If you live in an area where a bike is unlikely to have to be defended against a serious attack, then it might not matter that this is a lower security choice. Outside of the security, the Hiplock Spin has a very similar design to the Hiplok Gold. As we mentioned in that description, Hiplok is all about making security hassle free. People have always worn chains but Hiplok made it safe with systems that don’t require locking the chain to your body. 

Since the Spin is so light, it's been able to use a simple hook and loop closure system but the concept is the same. There’s also still an option for the highly reflective superbright colourway to add safety when riding at night.  

How to choose the best bike chain lock for you

We've not tried to break any of the locks above, as specialists such as Sold Secure are much better equipped to test locks. But we've used all of them in real world settings, so we've got a good understanding of what makes for usability in the best bike chain locks. 

Below, you'll find our advice on how to choose the best bike chain lock for your needs.