Abus Bordo Granit

It ranks #5 of 15 on our bike locks tier list, in B tier. That placement draws on 6 independent outlets.

The Abus Bordo Granit is for the rider who wants a lock that packs flat and still resists cutting tools. Reviewers credit its solid steel links, its portability and the reputation of Abus, and it appears favourably in both testing and user recommendations, which puts it in B tier at fifth on our board. If you can carry a U-lock, the Litelok X1 in S tier gives more security for the money, and the OnGuard RockSolid in A tier is the pick if angle grinders are your worry.

Not quite, link for link. A folding lock has rivets at every joint, and each joint is a point a thief can attack, so the best U-locks on our board outrank every folding lock. The Abus Bordo Granit is the exception that reviewers trust: it resists cutting tools and the brand has a solid reputation. For a commuter who would otherwise leave a heavy U-lock at home, it is the right trade.

Buy the Abus Bordo Granit. Both are folding locks, but the Seatylock Foldylock Forever sits in D tier because reviewers found its security did not justify its cost, it weighs more than it should and it has no weather sealing. The Abus Bordo Granit ranks ten places higher on reliable performance and resistance to cutting tools.

It folds into a flat bundle and clips into a holder that bolts to the bottle-cage mounts, or straps to the frame. That is the main reason to choose it over a U-lock: reviewers call the design portable and it takes up far less room in a bag. Check the holder is tight before each ride, because a rattling lock holder is the most common complaint about folding locks of every brand.

Lubricate the joints and the cylinder. The link rivets collect grit, so wipe them down and add a drop of light oil every month or two, and use a dry PTFE or graphite lubricant in the keyway. Store it keyway down if the bike lives outside. Fold and unfold it gently rather than snapping it open, which wears the joints.