The 9 Best Folding Bike Locks
Updated by · How we research
Nine keyed folding bike locks compared on security ratings, rivets, reach and weight. The Seatylock Foldylock Compact balances strength with a light carry. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
An angle grinder cuts through any folding bike lock in seconds, so the real question is how much protection you're willing to carry. Folding locks beat cables on strength and fold into a neat bar on the frame, but they sit below a good U-lock. They suit commuters, errand runners and e-bike riders who park often and briefly.
Editor's Notes
November 1, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Editors:
The Seatylock Foldylock Compact now leads the list. It's the original Foldylock under a new name, and its shielded rivets held off bolt cutters in an independent trial that beat an Abus uGrip Bordo 5700 at its joints in seconds. That result also kept the Bordo 5700 off the list.
The Abus Bordo Granit XPlus replaces the older Granit X Plus model, and the Kryptonite Kryptolok 685 stays. The Trelock FS 300 is no longer sold, the Sigtuna is now sold as an unbranded lock, and the RockyMounts Hendrix drew mixed owner feedback with no outside testing. The Flydeer, My-Etook, West Biking and Inbike locks were unbranded or hard to find, so they're gone too.
New picks cover what riders ask about: the Gold-rated Seatylock Foldylock Forever for long stops, the tiny Seatylock Foldylock Mini, the extra-long Widder Jupiter and a budget Kryptonite Parkview. We ranked them on grinder and bolt cutter trials from BikeRadar and OutdoorGearLab, Sold Secure and Abus security grades, bar thickness and how each holder rides on the frame.
Earlier notes
November 30, 2020:
If you tend to fumble around for keys or simply don’t want the responsibility of keeping track of them, a lock that offers keyless entry may be a good solution. We thought the Flydeer Universal deserved a spot on our list for being a quality combination-lock option. It allows you to set a personalized, four digit passcode that can later be reset if needed. As a bonus, you never have to worry about losing keys.
If you plan on riding with your lock mounted to your bike, then weight will be an important aspect, since adding just half a pound can make a big difference while cycling. The West Biking Steel is great for long distance travel, conveniently weighing only 1.2 pounds, meaning you wont have to pull unnecessary weight. The RockyMounts Hendrix 3550 is another lightweight option. It’s advertised as weighing just one pound; however, it’s worth noting that users have claimed it’s closer to 1.5 pounds.
Additionally, when it comes to weight, it’s important to understand that a heavier lock is often a more secure lock. If optimal security is your biggest priority, you may have to trade additional weight for peace of mind. The Seatylock Foldylock weighs 2.2 pounds, but it’s an excellent quality lock that you can feel safe using. Don’t let the fun, bright colors fool you; this lock means business. At 2.6 pounds, the Kryptonite Kryptolok is also on the heavy side, but it's a solid device, and the company offers anti-theft protection. Similarly, the Abus Bordo Granit X weighs a whopping 3 and a half pounds, which means you won’t want it permanently attached to your bike, but it’s probably the most secure of all the options on our list.
If you want the ability to lock to a variety of structures, length will play an important role. The My-Etook Alloy has a bar that is 35 inches long and can wrap around a fairly thick structure, like a tree truck or post. It can also accommodate two bikes at the same time. That being said, the previously mentioned Kryptonite Kryptolok has the longest bar of all the choices on our list, stretching to 39 inches.
September 30, 2019, by Sam Kraft:
The Agile-Shop Universal was the only model we had to remove from the list, since it was no longer available. As a replacement, we added the Kryptonite Kryptolok, a relatively heavy-duty lock that ranks 6 out of 10 on Kryptonite’s security scale. It’s a bit heavy, but sometimes that’s the price you pay for reliable security.
In reviewing the other items on the list, the Seatylock Chain stood out as a great value — dependable, versatile and secure. Users report being very pleased with its performance given its relatively lightweight and compact design when compared to other heavy-duty options. It seems particularly well-suited for urban areas.
The Enkeeo model in the Special Honors section is a nice choice if you’re looking for a low-cost model. While it isn’t as long or as flexible as many of the other options, it’s made with thick, rust-resistant steel that’s extremely difficult to break.
Special Honors
Trelock FS 500 Toro The German maker's top folding lock carries a Sold Secure Gold rating with thick hardened bars, per BikeLockWiki. It's sold mostly in Europe, so it's worth a look for riders who can buy from a European shop. trelock.de
Ratings And Bar Thickness
A folding lock is a chain of flat steel bars joined by rivets, and its strength comes down to two things: how thick the bars are and how well the rivets are protected.
A folding lock is a chain of flat steel bars joined by rivets, and its strength comes down to two things: how thick the bars are and how well the rivets are protected. Independent ratings are the best shortcut. Britain's Sold Secure grades bike locks Bronze, Silver, Gold and Diamond by timed attacks with hand and power tools. Per BikeLockWiki, folding locks with 5 millimeter bars usually reach Silver, those with 5.5 millimeter bars or thicker reach Gold, and Bronze is too weak to protect a bike on its own.
Abus also rates its own locks on a 1 to 15 scale. The Bordo 6000K sits at level 10, the Bordo Granit XPlus at 15. These levels compare Abus locks with each other; they aren't an outside test. When a maker claims "highest security" without naming a rating body, treat it as marketing until a lab confirms it.
The rivets are the usual weak point. Cheap folding locks leave rivet heads exposed, and bolt cutters or a hammer can pop them. In OutdoorGearLab's trials, bolt cutters beat an Abus uGrip Bordo 5700 at its rivets in 10 to 15 seconds but not the Foldylock Compact, whose rivets are shielded.
Folding Lock, U-Lock, Chain Or Cable
Folding locks sit in the middle. They are far stronger than a cable, which cutters snip in seconds, and they fold into a neat bar that rides on the frame. But a good U-lock or a heavy chain resists more. BikeRadar's lab cut the Gold-rated Abus Bordo Granit with an angle grinder in under 15 seconds, and OutdoorGearLab cut two Silver-class folding locks in 5 and 8 seconds. No portable lock stops a grinder for long; the aim is to make your bike slower to steal than the one next to it.
A folding lock's real edge is reach and shape. It opens into a stiff loop that can wrap a frame and wheel around a lamp post, a thick rack or a tree, where many U-locks are too small. For a valuable bike or an e-bike left for hours, BikeRadar suggests two locks of different types, such as a folding lock plus a U-lock, so a thief needs two sets of tools.
Insurers often ask for a rated lock. Check your policy before you buy, and keep the receipt and the lock's key number.
Mounting, Locking Up And Upkeep
Most folding locks ride in a plastic holder that bolts to the bottle cage screws or straps to the frame tube. Bolts are steadier; straps fit frames without bottle mounts but can loosen and flap. A holder that grips the lock loosely will rattle on rough roads, a common complaint about some Abus and Trelock brackets. Check your frame's clearance before buying, since some holders won't fit small or oddly shaped tubes.
When you lock up, pass the lock through the frame and a wheel and around something fixed, such as a bolted rack or a sturdy post. Keep the lock high and off the ground, where a thief can't lean on it with bolt cutters or brace it against the pavement. Busy, well-lit spots help more than any lock rating.
A few drops of lock oil in the keyway and on the rivets every few months keep the joints moving freely, since grime and road salt stiffen them over time. Register your lock if the maker offers it: Kryptonite replaces lost keys for registered owners, and Seatylock includes a key code card with its locks. Write down your key number and keep it away from the lock.
How we researched this
We compared 23 folding locks from Abus, Seatylock, Kryptonite, Kohlburg, Widder, Master Lock and others, read makers' specs and security ratings, studied angle grinder and bolt cutter trials from BikeRadar and OutdoorGearLab, weighed owner feedback patterns, and checked every brand against U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall records.
Frequently asked questions
Are folding bike locks secure?
They give medium security. A good one with thick bars stops bolt cutters and hand tools, but an angle grinder cuts any folding lock in seconds. Pick a Silver-rated lock for short stops and a Gold-rated one for longer parking.
Is Abus or Kryptonite better for a folding lock?
Abus has the stronger folding lineup and test record, with Gold-rated models like the Bordo Granit XPlus. Kryptonite's folding locks are mid to low security, but the company offers key replacement for registered owners.
Is a folding lock better than a U-lock?
A good U-lock is stronger. A folding lock is easier to carry and reaches around thicker posts. For a valuable bike, use both.
What is the difference between Sold Secure Silver and Gold?
Gold locks resisted longer timed attacks with heavier tools. Among folding locks, Silver usually means 5 millimeter bars and Gold 5.5 millimeters or thicker. The real-world gap between the two is small, and neither stops a grinder.
Why does my folding lock rattle?
Usually the holder grips the lock loosely. Tightening the bracket screws, adding a strip of rubber tape inside the holder, or strapping the lock body can quiet it.
