Best bike locks & padlocks for security

The right bike chain and padlock combination does one job well: it keeps your bike exactly where you left it. Cycling has grown steadily across the UK, and a decent bike now represents a real investment worth protecting properly, whether you're commuting through town or leaving it locked up for a full shift at work.

This guide covers proper bike chains and padlocks for daily security, along with where disc locks actually fit into the picture. It also covers TSA approved locks for anyone touring or heading off with a bike bag in tow. Whichever scenario matches yours, there's a sensible setup below.

Reading every section takes a few minutes, so here's the shortlist first if you just want the headline numbers.

Not every ride calls for the same level of security. Popping into a cafe for ten minutes is a different job to leaving your bike outside overnight, so it helps to think in scenarios rather than price tags alone.

If you're locking up for short periods somewhere reasonably safe, weight and convenience matter more than sheer bulk. The Squire Matterhorn Compact 10C pairs a high security D-lock with a 10mm security cable, so you can secure the frame and both wheels without carrying two separate locks. The hardened steel shackle resists cutting attempts, and the compact size means it won't rattle around in your bag on the way to work.

For situations where the risk is truly low, such as keeping your bike in sight while you grab a coffee, the Squire Straplok Combi 10 does a good job. It's an ultra lightweight, zip tie style combination lock with no keys to lose, and it works well as a deterrent layer alongside a more serious lock rather than as your only line of defence.

Leaving your bike somewhere for hours calls for something with real muscle behind it. The Squire Matterhorn 230 brings a hardened steel shackle and a double locking mechanism built to frustrate determined thieves, and its 230mm shackle width gives you room to lock to thicker posts.

If budget matters but you still want dependable protection, the Squire Nevis 230 offers a similar double bolted locking mechanism at a more accessible price. It's the kind of lock that does the job without demanding a second mortgage, which is exactly what most riders need day to day.

Carrying a rigid D-lock isn't always practical on longer rides where every gram counts. The Squire Folda Mini FL/690 collapses down small enough to fit in a bag or mount to your frame, while still unfolding into hardened steel links that resist cutting. It's a properly clever bit of kit for anyone who has cursed a bulky lock digging into their back on a climb.

Where you need extra reach rather than extra strength, the Squire 10c Security Cable threads through wheels and saddle rails that a rigid lock can't easily reach. It won't replace your main lock, but it closes gaps a single D-lock would otherwise leave open.

Once your bike is worth protecting properly, whether that's an e-bike or something you're leaving outside overnight, it's worth stepping up. The Squire Warrior 55CS & G4 Security Chain pairs a closed shackle combination padlock with a 10mm Sold Secure Gold rated hardened steel chain, and the closed shackle design specifically protects against bolt cutter attacks.

For the next level up, the Squire SS50CS & G4 Security Chain combines a CEN Grade 4 closed shackle padlock with the same Sold Secure Gold rated chain, wrapped in a weatherproof protective sleeve that shrugs off rust from being left outdoors. If your bike represents a real, significant investment, this is the setup that reflects it.

A brilliant lock only works as well as what it's attached to, and this is where home security often falls down. The Squire WA500 Ground Anchor mounts to brick or concrete and takes chains up to 10mm, making it a solid foundation for a garage or shed. For higher value setups, the Squire GA6 Ground Anchor is Sold Secure Diamond approved, accepts chains up to 22mm, and resists attack from power tools thanks to its case hardened construction.

Police guidance on bike security makes a similar point, recommending two different lock types used together rather than relying on one alone, plus locking the frame and both wheels to something immovable.

TSA Locks for Touring Cyclists and Bike Bags 

A TSA lock is built so that airport security in the US and other TSA compliant countries can open and relock your bag using an official master key, rather than cutting the lock off. That matters if you're flying with a bike box, since the alternative is coming home to a snapped padlock.

The Squire Defender TSA20T Twin Pack costs £5.90 and comes as a pair, handy if you're travelling with a mate or simply don't fancy travelling light. For something a little more heavy duty, the Squire Defender TSA35 at £5.12 is Travel Sentry approved and holds up well on a bike bag that's been thrown around a baggage carousel. If you'd rather something smaller for a pannier, the Abus 155/20 at £8.77 is compact without feeling flimsy, and its combination mechanism means one less key to lose on a cycling holiday.

How to Choose the Right Lock for Your Situation

With so many options, it helps to boil the decision down to a few honest questions rather than getting lost in spec sheets.

• How long will the bike actually be left unattended, and where?
• What's the bike actually worth, including any upgrades you've added?
• Are you locking up somewhere with CCTV and footfall, or somewhere quiet?
• Do you need something you can carry all day, or is it staying at home? 

Answer those honestly and the right lock usually becomes obvious. A commuter locking up outside a busy office for eight hours needs something different to someone leaving an e-bike in a shed overnight, and there's no shame in owning more than one lock for more than one scenario. The Sold Secure pedal cycle ratings are worth checking regardless of what you buy, since it's the independent UK standard that insurers and police forces actually use to judge how well a lock stands up to attack.

Ready to find the right setup for your bike? Browse our complete range of bike locks to explore D-locks, chains, cables and ground anchors from trusted brands, or get in touch on 0800 542 1264 if you'd like a hand matching a lock to your situation. With free next day delivery on orders over £150, keeping your bike where you left it has never been easier.