Folding bike locks: key, combination or alarm

Who is a folding bike lock for?

For cyclists who park their bike in all sorts of places: bike stands, railings, signposts, lamp posts. Its loop, larger than the shackle of a D-lock of the same weight, goes round fixed points that a D-lock cannot reach, and is more compact than a chain once folded. Each joint is a potential weak point: the quality of the rivets counts as much as the steel of the plates.

Which unfolded length should you choose?

• 60 cm, like the Bordo Lite Mini: linking the frame to a thin stand, with minimal bulk.
• 80 to 90 cm: the usual format for a bike stand in town.
• 100 to 110 cm: a thick post, or both wheels of a bike parked against railings.
• 120 to 130 cm, like the Bordo Big or the Axa Fold 130: a cargo bike, or two bikes locked together.

Each step up in length adds one or two plates, and therefore weight.

Plates, rivets and ratings: how secure are folding bike locks?

The thickness of the plates places a model: 5 mm on the Abus Bordo uGrip, 5.5 mm on the Bordo 6500A, 6.5 mm on the Seatylock Foldylock Forever. Abus rates its models on a scale from 1 to 15, which is valid from one model to another within the brand; independent ratings compare brands with one another, such as Sold Secure, the reference in the UK and Ireland, which grades locks Bronze, Silver, Gold or Diamond, or the Dutch ART label.

Key, combination, alarm or smart lock

Combination versions, from Kryptonite, Trelock or Axa, mean you cannot lose a key. The Abus Bordo Alarm and Big Alarm set off an audible alarm when they are tampered with. The Bordo 6500A SmartX goes further: it unlocks via Bluetooth when a paired smartphone approaches, the app lets you share access, and its alarm reaches 100 dB. Some brackets, from Trelock and Axa, include a slot for an Apple AirTag tracker. The bracket itself screws onto the bottle cage bosses or straps onto the tube.

Folding lock, D-lock or chain: the other bike locks

For the same weight, D-locks keep the advantage in resistance, and chain locks the advantage in length. A frame lock is for very quick stops, and all types are presented in the bike locks category.

Folding bike lock brands

Seatylock obtained Sold Secure Gold and three stars from the ART label for its Foldylock Forever, with 6.5 mm plates; the range also comes in a mini version and as the Foldylock 85.

Abus offers its Bordo range from the 60 cm Lite Mini to the 120 cm Bordo Big. The uGrip covers its plates with a soft coating that spares your paintwork, and the 6500A SmartX opens from a smartphone.

Kryptonite offers folding locks in three ranges of its security scale, Keeper, Kryptolok and Evolution, including a Mini Keeper and a combination version.

Trelock, a German lock manufacturer, has designed the X-Press bracket of its FS 380 and FS 480 with a slot for an AirTag or a SmartTag; the lighter FS 280 Two Go comes with a key or a combination.

Axa, based in Veenendaal in the Netherlands, extends its Fold 130 to 130 cm thanks to eight hardened steel elements; the Fold range starts at 80 cm with the Lite version.

Folding bike locks at reduced prices

Folding locks from replaced ranges go to equipment clearance, and new models to new arrivals. The seasonal sales in spring come just before the time of year when people ride the most.

Frequently asked questions

How does a smart folding lock work?

It replaces the key with your smartphone: paired with the app, it unlocks via Bluetooth when the phone is nearby, and the administrator can give other people permanent or temporary access. A rechargeable battery powers the lock and the alarm, and needs keeping an eye on, like the battery of a light.

Can you hide a tracker in the bracket?

Yes, on models designed for it: Trelock's X-Press brackets and some Axa Fold models include a slot for an AirTag. The tracker helps locate a bike that has been moved, without replacing the resistance of the lock.

How much does a folding bike lock weigh?

Around 1 kg for an 85 to 100 cm city model, about 1.8 kg for a high-security folding lock, and more for a smart model.

Can you fit the bracket without bottle cage bosses?

Yes: most brackets can also be strapped around a tube, like the uGrip bracket or Trelock's X-Move. Check the space available, which is limited on frames with an integrated battery.

Is a combination folding lock less secure?

The combination does not change the resistance of the plates, but combination models are often at the lower end of the brands' scales. They suit a bike shared within the family, for short or less exposed stops.