Short answer: a cable lock is light but easy to cut, so it's a tether for a wheel and not a main lock. A D-lock is a rigid shackle that's easy to carry and closes round a stand. A chain gives you reach for awkward posts and home anchors, but it's heavy. A folding lock sits in between: more reach than a D-lock, and it folds onto the frame.
| Type | Example | Sold Secure | Weight | Best used for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cable | Cable in the Mini-7 or Pitbull DT box | Not covered by the lock's grade | Not listed separately | Holding a wheel or saddle |
| D-lock | OnGuard Pitbull STD 8003 | Diamond | 1.44kg | Daily carry, Sheffield stands |
| D-lock | Kryptonite Evolution Mini-7 | Gold | 1.61kg | Daily carry, Sheffield stands |
| Folding | ABUS Bordo Granit 6500K | Gold | 2.47kg | Awkward stands, carried on the frame |
| Chain | Kryptonite New York 1410 | Diamond (Gold for e-bikes) | 4.9kg | Home, ground anchors, reach |
Cable locks
A cable is the lightest and most flexible option, and that's also its weakness. A thin cable is the easiest of the four types to cut, so we'd only use one to hold a quick-release wheel or a saddle to a lock that does the real work.
None of the thirteen locks reviewed here is a cable-only lock for that reason. Some D-locks come with one in the box, such as the Kryptonite Evolution Mini-7 and the OnGuard Pitbull DT 8005. Worth knowing: the Sold Secure grade on those boxes belongs to the D-lock, and the cable isn't covered by it.
D-locks (U-locks)
A D-lock is a rigid steel shackle and a crossbar. It's the type most UK commuters carry, because it's compact and it closes neatly round a Sheffield stand and your frame.
The weights are manageable. The OnGuard Pitbull STD 8003 is Sold Secure Diamond at 1.44kg, and the Evolution Mini-7 is Sold Secure Gold at 1.61kg. Both have a frame mount.
Here's the catch: a D-lock only works if it closes round what you're locking to. The space inside the shackle (the locking area) is the figure to check, and it ranges from 83 × 153 mm on the New York Fahgettaboudit Mini to 108 × 300 mm on the ABUS Granit XPlus 540.
Chain locks
A chain gives you length. That's useful at home, on a ground anchor, round two bikes, or on a post that a D-lock won't close round.
The trade-off is weight. The New York Fahgettaboudit 1410 is 100 cm of 14 mm chain and weighs 4.9kg. The 1415 is 150 cm and weighs 6.92kg. Both are Sold Secure Diamond for ordinary bikes and Gold for e-bikes, but they're locks to leave where the bike lives rather than carry every day.
Folding locks
A folding lock is a set of hardened plates joined by rivets. It opens out into a loop with more reach than a D-lock and folds back into a block that clips to the frame.
The folding lock covered here is the ABUS Bordo Granit 6500K. It's Sold Secure Gold, opens to 120 cm and weighs 2.47kg with its SH bracket.
How do folding locks compare to D-locks for security?
Compare them on the Sold Secure grade, because the shape on its own doesn't tell you much. The Bordo 6500K is Gold. So is the Evolution Mini-7 D-lock, which is lighter at 1.61kg. If you want Diamond, the D-locks in this set get you there at a lower weight, with the Pitbull STD at 1.44kg.
So we'd pick the folding lock for reach rather than for extra security. It makes sense if a D-lock won't close round the stands you use and you still want the lock on the bike. If a D-lock already fits, it's the lighter way to get the same grade or a higher one.
Which type should you carry?
For most commutes we'd carry a graded D-lock and add a cable only if you've got a quick-release wheel to hold. A folding lock suits awkward stands. A chain earns its weight at home. For the D-lock and chain head-to-head, see D-lock vs chain. If you're choosing a size, read shackle size and how to judge lock security.
Common questions
What are the main differences between bike cable locks, chain locks and D-locks?
A cable is light but easy to cut, so it's best kept for holding a wheel. A D-lock is a compact rigid shackle that most commuters carry. A chain gives you reach for awkward posts and anchors, but the chains covered here weigh 4.9kg and 6.92kg.
How do folding locks compare to D-locks for security?
Go by the Sold Secure grade. The Bordo 6500K folding lock is Gold at 2.47kg. The Evolution Mini-7 D-lock is also Gold at 1.61kg, and the Pitbull STD D-lock is Diamond at 1.44kg. A folding lock gives you reach, while a D-lock gives you the grade for less weight.
Is a cable lock enough on its own?
We wouldn't rely on one for a bike left in public. Use it with a graded D-lock, folding lock or chain to hold a wheel or saddle.
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