LOCKING up your bike, even when stored in a shed or garage, is a good way of preventing thieves from making off with your pride and joy, and chain locks are one of the most heavy duty options on the market.
Solid, weighty and secure, a chain lock is generally best suited to home use, unlike say a D-Lock, which is designed with commuting in mind.
A chain lock is constructed from a chain-link shackle, and will rely on a small D-lock or an integrated lock to secure your bike.
If using at home, the lock should be fed through an anchor mount or to something that can’t be tampered with.
Although renowned for their heavy-duty stature, it is also possible to get commuter-friendly chain locks that wrap around your waist and can be worn like a belt when riding.
It’s best to look out for locks that have been approved to Gold Sold Secure standard.
Although more expensive than others on the market, the additional cost is going to be worth it if it stops your bike getting stolen.
Whether you are looking for the best bike chain lock for commuting with or for keeping your bike safe at home, the below guide is a great place to start.
This solid offering from American brand Kryptonite is actually light enough (sub-3kg) to use when commuting.
The chain links are made from 10mm six-sided steel and the lock itself secures to a hardened deadbolt, making it pick and drill resistant.
It has that all-important Gold standard, a lifetime warranty and a weather-resistant nylon sleeve that will help protect your bike’s paint job.
Another chain lock that can be used for commuting is the Gold Lock by British start-up Litelok.
The lock uses an innovative tough-yet-lightweight material called Boaflexicore as its shackle and a click-to-lock system that can be worn like a belt when riding.
Its weight (just over 1kg) makes it stand out, although you can expect to pay a premium for such a high tech design.
The final wearable chain lock on this list is so good we featured it in our round-up of best bike locks.
The Gold Superbright from Hiplok manages to combine the highest rating of security in a practical, wearable package that, although heavier than the Litelok, just appears slightly sturdier.
The lock can be wrapped comfortably around your waist during cycling, while the inclusion of a reflective nylon sleeve gives you additional visibility on the road.
At 140cm long, the City 1010 Chain Lock by German brand Abus is probably too large to be used on the daily commute.
But unlike the other at-home option below, it is remarkably lightweight (sub-2kg), so is ideal if locking up delicate items such as a carbon fibre bike.
The cylinder is picking proof, and its automatic keyhole cover should protect the lock from dirt and corrosion, extending its life.
As the name suggests, this chain lock offering from OnGuard is a bit of a beast.
But if you’re serious about protecting your bike from opportunist thieves, there aren’t many better options on the market. In fact, like the offering from Hiplock, we liked the Beast so much we featured it in our best bike locks round-up.
At just over 4kg, it’s definitely too big and bulky to use on your travels, but the titanium-enforced chain links have been combined with a picking, drilling and pulling-resistant lock, and therefore should keep your bike safe wherever you lock it.
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