Best Ebike Lock: U-Locks, Chains and Cables Compared
IBy Ilias · Updated October 10, 2026 · Listings checked on Amazon.com
Affiliate links: if you buy through our links, we earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It does not affect our picks.
In short
The best ebike lock on this list is the Master Lock 8143D for quick stops: a keyless 4 ft cable with 41,243 reviews. For an e-bike left outside, pair it with the Kryptonite Evolution Mini-7, a Sold Secure Gold U-lock with a 13 mm shackle. No lock makes theft impossible; it only slows a thief down.
Best for: Riders who need a cheap, light cable for quick stops or to secure accessories and wheels.
The easiest lock on this page for quick stops: light, keyless and backed by 41,243 reviews. It is a basic deterrent, so add a U-lock when the e-bike stays outside.
Braided steel cable 4 ft (1.2 m) long with a 5/16 in (8 mm) diameter.
Preset four-digit combination, so no keys are needed.
Specs taken from the product listings on October 10, 2026. –: not listed by the manufacturer.
The models in detail
This page is for e-bike owners choosing a lock for errands, commuting or parking at work. We picked six locks from Amazon.com product listings checked on October 10, 2026, and compared them on type, thickness, length and any security rating the listing states. We did not attack or cut these locks ourselves, so the figures come from the product pages, and a lock slows a thief down rather than making theft impossible.
1 · Our pick
Master Lock 8143D
Lock4,4/5 from 41243 Amazon customer ratings (as of October 10, 2026)
The Master Lock 8143D tops this page as the everyday lock most e-bike owners will grab for a coffee stop or a quick errand. It is a braided steel cable, 4 ft (1.2 m) long and 5/16 in (8 mm) thick, with a vinyl coating that limits scratches on the frame. The preset four-digit combination means no key to forget, and the listing mentions a Master Lock Lifetime Guarantee. It has the largest review base here by far, 4.4 from 41,243 reviews. Be clear about what it is: Master Lock presents this thin cable as basic theft deterrence only, and there is no security rating or weight in the listing. The combination is preset and cannot be changed, unlike the 8122D. On an e-bike, use it for short stops in sight, or to secure the front wheel and accessories next to a U-lock such as the Kryptonite Evolution Mini-7, never as the only lock overnight.
Pros, cons and specs
Pros
Braided steel cable 4 ft (1.2 m) long with a 5/16 in (8 mm) diameter.
Preset four-digit combination, so no keys are needed.
Vinyl coating to limit scratches on the frame.
Backed by a Master Lock Lifetime Guarantee, according to the listing.
Cons
At 5/16 in (8 mm), this is a thin cable that the brand presents as basic theft deterrence only.
The combination is preset and cannot be changed, per the listing.
No security rating or weight is given.
Best for: Riders who need a cheap, light cable for quick stops or to secure accessories and wheels.
Skip it if you need a primary lock for an e-bike parked outdoors for long periods.
The Kryptonite Evolution Mini-7 is the strongest lock on this page on paper and the best main lock for an e-bike with standard tires. It has a 13 mm hardened steel shackle with a double-deadbolt design that locks both sides of the crossbar, and it is certified Sold Secure Gold, the only independent rating among these six. Kryptonite describes its disc-style cylinder as pick and drill resistant. The package adds a 4 ft (120 cm) double-loop cable for the front wheel, a FlexFrame-U frame bracket and 3 keys, though one image caption mentions 2. It weighs 3.55 lbs (1.61 kg) and rates 4.5 from 14,216 reviews. The catch for e-bikes is the compact 3.25 x 7 in interior: fat tires, thick frames and wide posts may not fit, so measure your bike first. The extra cable adds little security on its own. KeySafe and the optional, paid ATPO are available.
Pros, cons and specs
Pros
13 mm hardened steel shackle with a double-deadbolt design that locks both sides of the crossbar.
Certified Sold Secure Gold, with a disc-style cylinder Kryptonite describes as pick and drill resistant.
Includes a 4 ft (120 cm) double-loop cable for the front wheel, a FlexFrame-U frame bracket, and 3 keys.
Compact 3.25 x 7 in interior and 3.55 lbs (1.61 kg) weight; eligible for KeySafe and the optional ATPO.
Cons
The small interior limits what you can lock to (thick posts and fat tires may not fit).
The cable is for wheels and accessories only; it adds little security on its own.
The listing says 3 keys while an image caption mentions 2.
Best for: Commuters who want a compact, well-rated U-lock plus a cable for the front wheel.
Skip it if you ride a fat-tire e-bike or usually lock to wide posts and trees.
The Master Lock 8122D is the step up from our pick if you want more reach. Its braided steel cable is 6 ft (1.8 m) long and 1/2 in (13 mm) thick, long enough to loop through the frame, a rear rack and a bike rack together, which helps on longer e-bikes. Unlike the 8143D, the four-digit combination can be set to your own code, so there is still no key to carry. A vinyl coating helps protect the paint, according to the listing, and it rates 4.4 from 13,170 reviews. Master Lock itself calls it a basic theft deterrent and suggests adding it to a U-lock to secure wheels, which is the right way to use it on an e-bike. The listing gives no security rating, no lock weight and no frame mount, so you will need somewhere to carry 6 ft of cable. Do not rely on it alone for a bike left outside for hours.
Pros, cons and specs
Pros
Braided steel cable 6 ft (1.8 m) long and 1/2 in (13 mm) thick, long enough to loop through a frame and a rack.
Four-digit set-your-own combination, so there are no keys to carry or lose.
Vinyl coating helps protect the bike's paint from scratches, according to the listing.
Master Lock itself positions it as a basic theft deterrent, and it can be added to a U-lock to secure wheels.
Cons
A cable lock is described by the brand as basic security; it should not be the only lock on an expensive e-bike.
No security rating, lock weight, or frame mount is given in the listing.
Best for: Riders who want a light secondary cable for short stops or for securing wheels alongside a U-lock.
Skip it if you leave an e-bike locked outside for hours in a high-theft area.
The Sportneer chain lock suits riders who want a chain without a key. It uses a 5-digit resettable combination (default 00000) with 100,000 possible codes, a manganese steel chain and a zinc alloy lock body, with a fabric cover for the paint and a dust cap for the lock. Lengths of 3.2, 3.6 or 4 ft are offered, and the 3.2 ft version can lock two bikes together, per the listing. It rates 4.5 from 12,870 reviews. For an e-bike, there are real limits. The description gives a 6 mm chain while the title also lists 4 mm, so the thickness you receive depends on the variant, and both are light-duty next to the Kryptonite Keeper's 7 mm links. No independent security rating is given. The 1.3 in lock head may not pass between tight tire gaps, as the listing warns. Check which length and thickness you are ordering before you buy.
Pros, cons and specs
Pros
Keyless 5-digit resettable combination (default 00000) with 100,000 possible codes.
Manganese steel chain with a zinc alloy lock body.
Fabric cover protects the bike's paint and a dust cap keeps rain and sand out of the lock.
Available in several lengths; the 3.2 ft version can lock two bikes together, per the listing.
Cons
A 6 mm chain and zinc alloy body are light-duty compared with hardened chains from security brands; no independent security rating is given.
The 1.3 in lock head may not pass between tight tire gaps, as the listing warns.
Several lengths and thicknesses share this listing, so the exact chain depends on the variant chosen.
Best for: Riders who want a light, keyless chain for short stops or for securing a second bike.
Skip it if you need high security for an expensive e-bike left outdoors.
The GRIFEMA chain is the lock to consider when several bikes park together, for example a family on e-bikes. Its 7 mm hardened alloy steel chain is 4 ft long, enough to lock up to 3 bikes together according to the listing, and it snaps shut without the key, which makes locking quick. It comes with 2 keys, a nylon sleeve for the frame and a sliding cover that shields the keyhole from rain and dust. It rates 4.6 from 11,941 reviews. The listing has gaps. No security rating is given, and a 7 mm chain is light for an expensive e-bike. The description mentions number dials although the title says keyed, so confirm which version ships. The weight is not stated either. Compared with the Kryptonite Keeper, it is longer (4 ft against 33.5 in) but offers no brand rating, so use it for short stops rather than as the main lock for long ones.
Pros, cons and specs
Pros
The 7 mm hardened alloy steel chain is 4 ft long, enough to lock up to 3 bikes together.
It locks by snapping shut, without the key, and comes with 2 keys.
A nylon sleeve protects the frame, and a sliding cover shields the keyhole from rain and dust.
Cons
No security rating is given, and a 7 mm chain is light for an expensive e-bike.
The description mentions number dials although the title says keyed.
Weight is not given.
Best for: Riders who want an inexpensive keyed chain for short stops or securing several bikes.
Skip it if your e-bike is parked for long periods in high-theft areas.
The Kryptonite Keeper 785 is the most documented chain on this page. Its 7 mm four-sided manganese steel links sit in a nylon sleeve, and the end link attaches to a hardened deadbolt in a disc-style cylinder that Kryptonite describes as pick and drill resistant. It carries a 5/10 rating on Kryptonite's own scale, which is moderate, since the brand's heavier chains go up to 10/10. It weighs 3.50 lbs (1.59 kg), includes two keys and is eligible for KeySafe and the optional, paid ATPO. It rates 4.6 from 11,536 reviews. For an e-bike, length is the issue: at 85 cm (33.5 in), it is short for wrapping around a thick post together with a fat-tire wheel. No frame mount is mentioned, so you will carry it in a bag or around the seatpost. It suits short to moderate stops in town, not an expensive e-bike left out overnight.
Pros, cons and specs
Pros
7 mm four-sided manganese steel chain links in a nylon sleeve to protect paint.
Disc-style cylinder that Kryptonite describes as pick and drill resistant, with an end-link design that attaches to a hardened deadbolt.
Rated 5/10 on Kryptonite's own scale and eligible for its KeySafe key-replacement program and optional anti-theft offer (ATPO).
Weighs 3.50 lbs (1.59 kg) and comes with two keys.
Cons
5/10 is a moderate rating on the brand's scale; Kryptonite's heavier chains go up to 10/10.
At 33.5 in (85 cm), the chain is short for wrapping around thick posts together with a fat-tire wheel.
No frame mount is mentioned, so it has to be carried in a bag or around the seatpost.
Best for: Commuters who want a medium-security chain for short to moderate stops in town.
Skip it if you park an expensive e-bike outside overnight or in a high-theft city.
The longer your e-bike sits unattended, the stronger the lock you need, and no lock makes theft impossible; it only slows a thief down. Cables like the two Master Locks are light and quick but the brand itself calls them basic deterrents. Chains such as the Kryptonite Keeper, GRIFEMA and Sportneer sit in the middle. A U-lock like the Kryptonite Evolution Mini-7 is the most solid type here. For a coffee stop in sight, a cable is fine; for a workday outside, use a U-lock first.
Compare thickness, not just the look
Thickness is the clearest figure you can compare across these listings. The Kryptonite Evolution Mini-7 lists a 13 mm hardened steel shackle, and the Master Lock 8122D lists a 1/2 in (13 mm) braided cable, but a cable and a hardened shackle are not equivalent. The Kryptonite Keeper and GRIFEMA chains use 7 mm links, the Sportneer 6 mm or 4 mm depending on variant, and the Master Lock 8143D a 5/16 in (8 mm) cable. Material matters as much as the number.
Check length against your bike and your rack
The lock has to reach around your frame and a fixed object, so check its length against your own e-bike before buying. The Master Lock 8122D is the longest here at 6 ft, followed by 4 ft for the 8143D, the GRIFEMA and the longest Sportneer. The Kryptonite Keeper is 33.5 in, and the Evolution Mini-7 has a 3.25 x 7 in interior. Fat tires, thick down tubes and wide posts are common on e-bikes, and a compact lock may simply not close around them.
Look for a stated security rating
A security rating gives you a reference point, and only two locks on this page state one. The Kryptonite Evolution Mini-7 is certified Sold Secure Gold, an independent rating. The Kryptonite Keeper 785 is rated 5/10 on Kryptonite's own scale, which is moderate. The Master Lock cables, the Sportneer and the GRIFEMA give no rating at all. Without a rating, treat a lock as a light-duty deterrent and pair it with a rated one when the e-bike is out of sight.
Pick keys or combination for your habits
Choose a combination if you lose keys, and a key if you forget codes. The two Master Locks and the Sportneer are keyless: the 8122D and the Sportneer let you set your own code, while the 8143D code is preset and cannot be changed. The Kryptonite locks and the GRIFEMA use keys, with Kryptonite's KeySafe program for replacements. The GRIFEMA listing mentions both a key and number dials, so check which version ships before relying on it.
Plan how you will carry it
A lock you leave at home protects nothing, so think about carrying it before you buy. Only the Kryptonite Evolution Mini-7 includes a frame bracket, the FlexFrame-U, and it weighs 3.55 lbs. The Keeper chain weighs 3.50 lbs and has no mount, so it goes in a bag or around the seatpost. The other listings give no weight. Cables coil up easily, and a long 6 ft cable will need a basket or pannier on most e-bikes.
Skip it if…
you plan to use a thin cable as the only lock on an e-bike parked outside for hours.
your e-bike has fat tires or a thick frame and you have not checked that the U-lock opening fits.
the listing gives no security rating and the bike is parked overnight in a high-theft area.
you cannot tell from the listing which length, thickness or locking type you will receive.
you expect any lock to make theft impossible rather than slow a thief down.
FAQ
What is the best ebike lock?
For quick stops, our pick is the Master Lock 8143D, a keyless 4 ft cable with 41,243 reviews. For an e-bike left outside, the Kryptonite Evolution Mini-7 is the best ebike lock here as a main lock: a 13 mm shackle, Sold Secure Gold and a cable for the front wheel. Many owners carry both, with the cable securing the wheel.
Is a cable lock enough for an electric bike?
No, a cable lock alone is not enough for an electric bike parked outside for long, and Master Lock itself presents its 8143D and 8122D cables as basic theft deterrents. Use a cable for short stops in sight, or to secure the front wheel and accessories alongside a U-lock. A rated lock like the Kryptonite Evolution Mini-7 should be the main one.
U-lock or chain for an e-bike?
A U-lock is usually the stronger main lock, while a chain wraps around odd shapes more easily. On this page, the Kryptonite Evolution Mini-7 U-lock is rated Sold Secure Gold, and the Kryptonite Keeper 785 chain is rated 5/10 on the brand's scale. The U-lock's small 3.25 x 7 in opening may not fit fat tires, so measure first.
Will a U-lock fit a fat-tire e-bike?
Often not, because compact U-locks have a small opening. The Kryptonite Evolution Mini-7 has a 3.25 x 7 in interior, and the listing warns that thick posts and fat tires may not fit. Measure your tire, frame tube and the posts where you usually park. If the U-lock will not close, lock the frame with it and add a cable or chain through the wheel.
Should I lock the battery on my e-bike?
Yes, if the battery can be removed, either lock it to the frame with its own key or take it with you. A bike lock secures the frame and wheels, not a removable battery. Many e-bikes have a keyed battery lock built in. When you park for long, carrying the battery also lets you charge it indoors, and makes the bike less attractive to a thief.
How many locks do you need for an electric bike?
Two is common for an electric bike parked outside: a rated main lock for the frame and a cable or chain for the front wheel. The Kryptonite Evolution Mini-7 comes with a 4 ft double-loop cable for that reason, and Master Lock suggests adding its 8122D cable to a U-lock. Even two locks only slow a thief down, so park in busy, visible places.
I
Ilias, eBike Compas
Models are picked from the product listings on Amazon.com, recorded and dated. Missing data is flagged instead of guessed, and no hands-on test is described unless it actually happened. Our method