Home page / Blog / Bike safety / U-lock guide: Which tex-lock U-lock is the best for you?

U-locks are known for their high level of security, heavy weight and rigid handling. So far, the compromise has always been: either high protection or light weight.

Now the D-lock and U/X-lock combine the best of both worlds without compromise. That's why in this article we answer the question “Which tex-lock U-lock is the best for you?” and go into these points:

• Which tex-lock U-lock is suitable for which application?
• What makes the D-lock and U/X-lock high-quality U-locks?
• How do they differ from each other?
• What advantages do they offer over other U-locks?
• How do you attach the U-lock to the bike correctly?
• How can you transport the U-lock?

The D-lock and U/X-lock are high-quality U-locks

A U-lock offers a high level of theft protection thanks to the combination of steel shackle and locking cylinder, which is why they are usually recommended by the police and insurance companies. The round shackle minimises the attack surface for tools, which makes it more difficult to break open - especially the shorter the shackle is. The locking cylinder also provides resistance against all kinds of attacks. However, not every shackle lock is equally secure and, as a rule, the higher the protection, the more high-quality materials make the lock more difficult and bulky. A good U-lock should therefore offer more than just reliable theft protection.

Bike lock comparison: tex-lock is more beautiful, more flexible, more secure: In the bike lock comparison you will find answers to “Which is better: U-lock or chain lock?”, “Is a U-lock more secure than a folding lock?” and much more.

What characterises a high-quality U-lock

In addition to a high level of security, a high-quality U-lock offers convenient handling, easy transport and a long service life. This requires high-quality materials and a robust design. As a result, a high-quality U-lock consists of strong but lightweight materials that are compactly installed. This makes it both secure and easy to handle and transport. It is also weather-resistant and therefore durable. The shackle and the lock body are crucial for this. These criteria characterise a high-quality U-lock:

The shackle of a high-quality shackle lock should:

• must not be made of simple metal, but of hardened, rust-resistant steel.
• have a diameter of at least 13 mm to provide sufficient resistance to cutting tools.
• not be much thicker than 13 mm so as not to make handling more difficult and not to restrict the securing options.
• be completely rubberised or plastic-coated to protect against paint scratches and the effects of the weather.
• A shackle lock is more secure the more discs are installed in the lock cylinder, the more it is protected by the lock housing, the more compact the lock body is and the more robust the shackle is.

The locking mechanism of a high-quality shackle lock should:

• consist of several discs of hardened, rust-resistant steel.
• be compactly constructed to offer little surface area for attack.
• have a plastic-coated lock housing made of several millimetres of hardened steel with anti-drill plates that protect the lock cylinder against drilling and breaking open.
• Lock both sides of the shackle to make it more difficult for thieves to open.
• be spring-loaded so that the handle does not fall out unintentionally when unlocking.
• have a keyhole cover to protect the inside from dirt, dust and moisture.

The D-lock and the U/X-lock fulfil these criteria and are therefore high-quality U-locks.

The D-lock and U/X-lock fulfil these criteria

With their certified high security levels and significantly lower weight than comparably secure locks, the D-lock and U/X-lock impress as high-quality U-locks in all respects. The ART*3 and Sold Secure Diamond certified D-lock stands out as a particularly high-quality bike lock:

Both models are therefore safe, easy to handle, easy to transport and durable. We will now show you how they differ from each other.

D-lock: The lightest Sold Secure Diamond and ART3 U-lock

The combination of maximum security with feather-light weight and particularly convenient handling make the D-lock a remarkably high-quality U-lock for all vehicles with a high risk of theft. The highest bike lock security levels from ART and Sold Secure which were awarded to the D-lock. The D-lock weighs only 970 grams and is therefore not only damn secure, but also by far(!) the lightest secure U-lock on the market. The very high material quality and the robust design are the key reasons for this:

E-bike lock even withstands angle grinders: the Texlock Eyelet +D-lock put to the test: The e-bike professionals are convinced!

eBikeNews has tested the eyelet D-lock Bundle and is convinced that „a thief (...) really has to be serious to be successful here.“ See for yourself!

In comparison, there is also a lot to be said in favour of the U/X-lock.

U/X-lock: Small lightweight U-lock with 2 shackles

The ART*2 and Sold Secure Gold certified U/X-lock offers a high level of theft protection for bicycles. Thanks to its lightweight and compact design, it is not only a small, secure U-lock, but also a high-quality U-lock that is easy to handle and transport. The flexible or variable use of two shackles of different lengths means that the level of security can be adapted to suit the situation: The shorter U-lock shackle makes it a mini shackle lock with an extremely small attack surface for tools. In contrast, the longer X-lock shackle secures two bike parts at the same time or your bike to a fixed object.

Now we'll show you the similarities and differences between the two U-locks at a glance.

U-lock comparison: D-lock versus U/X-lock

The D-lock and U/X-lock are both high-quality U-locks which, as flyweights in their respective security classes, are easy to use and transport. While the U/X-lock is generally lighter than the D-lock and offers more flexibility when connecting with two shackles, the D-lock weighs just 330 grams more and offers even greater protection for vehicles with a high risk of theft. Which of the two tex-lock U-locks is right for you therefore depends on how high your need for security is compared to flexibility.
These are all the similarities and differences at a glance:

Irrespective of this, both models have advantages over other U-locks on the market.

Advantages over other U-locks on the market

Compared to other U-locks, the D-lock and U/X-lock offer you the best balance of security, convenience and durability. No other model protects your vehicle so reliably and at the same time is so easy to handle, transport and resistant to weather influences or technical problems. This applies not only to a similarly secure standard U-lock, but also to the following lock types:

Whether the D-lock or U/X-lock is the best U-lock for you depends on your intended use.

The right U-lock for every application

Thanks to their high security levels, both U-locks are suitable as anti-theft protection for bicycles. For insurers of normal bicycles, a ART*2 bicycle lock, such as the U/X-lock, is often sufficient. In contrast, insurers usually require a ART*3-certified lock, such as the D-lock, for vehicles with a high risk of theft, e.g. mopeds and motorbikes. The D-lock is therefore ideally suited as a:

Regardless of this, two locks offer more protection than one lock. This is because a thief needs more tools and time to pick different locks, neither of which he usually has. The D-lock and U/X-lock are therefore all the more secure in combination with other locks. For example, as a motorbike U-lock together with a motorbike rim lock with alarm. Or in combination with the eyelet textile cable.

Even safer with textile rope in the eyelet-Bundle

• U-lock for e-bikes
• U-lock for e-scooters
• U-lock for trailers
• U-lock for scooters
• U-lock for mopeds
• U-lock for motorbike

The eyelet textile cable makes both locks even more secure and in this combination the U/X-lock is not only suitable as a bicycle U-lock, but for almost as many applications as the D-lock. The eyelet textile rope is available in all standard colours. Only the rope lengths differ: In the U/X-lock Bundle, the eyelet rope is available in 80 cm (S), 120 cm (M) and 160 cm (L). The D-lock Bundle is only available in M and L.

Unlike a U-lock with a chain - which often rattles and is usually not fully encased so that it scratches the paintwork and can be damaged more quickly by the weather - the combination of U-lock and textile cable is more convenient and more durable:

• Firstly, the steel core surrounded by textile fibres does not rattle inside.
• Secondly, the metal parts are completely rubberised and do not cause scratches.
• Thirdly, the rope defies all weather conditions and is therefore durable.
• Last but not least, the textile fibres have a pleasant feel.
• See for yourself how well the D-lock and U/X-lock perform with the eyelet textile rope as a E-scooter Castle, Bicycle lock for the e-bike, Bicycle trailer lock and even as Leasing lock are suitable.

No matter how many locks you combine, they only offer you secure protection if you lock your vehicle properly!

Connect correctly: Attaching the U-lock to the bike

For optimum theft protection, you must attach the U-lock correctly to the bike. Take note of the following seven tips, which will make theft considerably more difficult for thieves and significantly increase the security of your vehicle:

• Lock at least one permanently installed bicycle part to a fixed object.
• If possible, secure several bike parts, such as the frame and rear wheel, to the object.
• Position the lock high up and as close to the frame as possible to minimise the contact surface and leave little room for leverage.
• The locking cylinder should face the floor to make lock picking more difficult.
• Make sure that both sides of the shackle engage correctly in the locking cylinder.
• Use well-lit cycle car parks and avoid places with poor visibility.

Easy transport: transporting the U-lock on the bike

To ensure that the bike lock does not pinch your back, rattle the frame or even scratch the paintwork while riding, it is best to transport the D-lock and X-lock with the matching U-lock holder directly on the bike frame. The rubberised contact surface on the underside of the bracket protects the paintwork from scratches and adapts to most frame widths. This allows the U-lock to be attached to the seat post, seat post, seat stay, top or down tube or even the fork. These are your advantages:

The mounting options are all the more numerous thanks to the additional rotating function of the bracket when mounted. Fastening is child's play thanks to reusable cable ties and requires no additional tools apart from the hexagon spanner supplied. This means you can transport your U-lock with ease.

Transport is also convenient with the Bicycle lock bag. In addition to the lock, you can stow even more in this, for example the eyelet textile rope. So it all depends on whether you only want to transport the U-lock or more.

Questions about the D-lock and U/X-lock

Is there an unpickable U-lock?

Every U-lock can be picked sooner or later, no matter how high quality it is. It just depends on how much time and tools the thief has. The more solid and high-quality the lock is, the more time-consuming it is for the thief to pick it. The greater the chance that he will give up or look for easier prey from the outset.

How can you break open a U-lock?

Depending on the tools available, thieves use a variety of methods to pick a shackle lock:

• Bolt cutters: A simple but effective tool used to break the shackle. The smaller the diameter of the shackle and the less resistant the material, the quicker the shackle lock can be picked with the bolt cutter.
• Saws: Thieves use hand saws or electric saws to cut the shackle or the lock cylinder.
• Levers: By inserting a lever, enough pressure is built up to pick the shackle lock with a spanner or similar. The closer the lock is to the floor, the easier it is to apply the lever and the stronger the leverage.
• Drill out: For locks with a cylinder lock, the cylinder can be drilled out.
• Bumping: A specially shaped key is inserted into the lock and then “bumped” with a hammer to move the pins in the lock and open it.

The D-lock and U/X-lock offer high resistance to drilling, bolt cutters, bumping and sawing, both individually and in the eyelet-Bundle. If you fit the lock correctly, even against levers.

How big or how long should a U-lock be?

The correct size or length of the U-lock depends on the width of your frame and your security requirements. A secure U-lock is long and wide enough to lock your frame around a fixed object. For more security, the U-lock should be large enough to secure another component. Note, however, that larger locks are also heavier and offer more attack surface for cutting tools. The tex-lock eyelet Bundle offers high protection with low weight, ideal for securing multiple components.

How can I tell how secure a U-lock is?

The bike lock security ratings from manufacturers and independent testing institutes provide you with information about the security of a lock. However, you cannot use the manufacturer security levels to compare the security of locks from different suppliers, as each manufacturer defines the security levels individually. This would therefore be like comparing apples with pears. A reliable comparison is provided by the security levels of independent test centres, such as ART and Sold Secure. These use standardised standards for all locks to test their security - regardless of the manufacturer's specifications. The tex-lock eyelet, orbit, D-lock and U/X-lock are certified by ART and Sold Secure as Secure bike lock excellent.

Conclusion on the best U-lock from tex-lock

The D-lock and U/X-lock are high-quality U-locks that combine maximum security and user-friendliness with durability like no other model.
Depending on your security needs and the frame width of your vehicle, both models offer individual advantages. With the U-lock holder or bike lock bag, transport is child's play and correct connection is all the easier, more flexible and more secure with the eyelet-Bundle. No matter which vehicle you want to reliably protect against theft, these locks are the ideal solution. Order your new U-lock here in the online shop now!

Have a safe journey at all times!

Your tex-lock team