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Further development of the internal hardened steel chain of the bicycle lock
Objective: Weight reduction while maintaining security, reduction of production and energy costs during manufacture
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U-lock guide: Which tex–lock U-lock is the best for you?
Home page / blog / Bicycle 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 address these points:
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 a steel shackle and locking cylinder, which is why they are usually recommended by the police and insurance companies. The round shackle minimizes 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.
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 characterizes a high-quality U-lock
In addition to a high level of security, a high-quality U-lock offers convenient handling, easy transportation and is durable. This requires high material quality and robust construction. 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 characterize a high-quality U-lock:
not be much thicker than 13 mm so as not to make handling more difficult and not to restrict the securing options.
be completely rubberized or plastic-coated to protect against paint scratches and the effects of the weather.
A shackle lock is more secure the more disks 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.
be compactly constructed to offer little surface area for attack.
The D-lock and the U/X-lock meet these criteria and are therefore high-quality U-locks.
The D-lock and U/X-lock fulfill 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 the D-lock has been awarded. 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 construction are the decisive factors for this:
no paint scratches,
longevity
The e-bike pros 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 for 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. Thanks to the flexible or variable use of two shackles of different lengths, 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 on a solid object .
longevity
U-lock comparison: D-lock versus U/X-lock
The D-lock and U/X-lock are both high-quality U-locks that are flyweights in their respective security classes and are easy to use and transport. While the U/X-lock is generally lighter than the D-lock and, with two shackles, offers more flexibility when connecting, the D-lock, at just 330 grams more, 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:
14 cm x 8 cm (L x W)
X-lock Hanger: 12.5 cm x 4.5 cm (L x W)
U-lock Hanger: 4.5 cm x 4.5 cm (L x W)
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:
U-locks
✅ All-round paint protection
✅ No unintentional falling out of the D-lock bracket (D-lock)
✅ High flexibility with 2 brackets of different lengths (U/X-lock)
✅ Significantly more secure against lock picking
✅ Never forget a numerical code
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, an ART*2 bicycle lock, such as the U/X-lock, is often sufficient. In contrast, insurers usually require an ART*3-certified lock, such as the D-lock, for vehicles with a high risk of theft, e.g. mopeds and motorcycles. The D-lock is therefore ideal suitable as:
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 they usually have. The D-lock and U/X-lock are therefore all the more secure in combination with other locks. For example, as a motorcycle U-lock together with a motorcycle rim lock with alarm. Or in combination with the eyelet textile cable.
Even safer with textile rope at eyelet-Bundle
The eyelet textile cable makes both locks even more secure and the U/X-lock in this combination is not only suitable as a bicycle U-lock, but for almost as many applications as the D-lock. The eyelet textile cable is available in all standard colors. 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.
Firstly, the steel core surrounded by textile fibers does not rattle inside.
Secondly, the metal parts are completely rubberized and do not cause scratches.
Thirdly, the rope defies all weather conditions and is therefore durable.
Last but not least, the textile fibers have a pleasant feel.
See for yourself how well the D-lock and U/X-lock work with the eyelet textile rope as an e-scooter lock, bicycle lock for e-bikes, bicycle trailer lock and even as leasing lock are suitable.
texlock eyelet
Buy now! This product has several variants. The options can be selected on the product page
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 bike part at solid object .
If possible, secure several bicycle 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 minimize 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 bicycle parking spaces and avoid places with poor visibility.
Easy transportation: transporting the U-lock on the bike
To ensure that the bike lock does not pinch your back, rattle against 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 rubberized 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 rotation 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 key supplied. This means you can transport your U-lock with ease.
Transport is also convenient with the bike lock bag. In addition to the lock, you can also store other items in it, such as the eyelet textile cable. So it all depends on whether you only want to transport the U-lock or more.
texlock Fahrradschloss-Tasche
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U-lock holder
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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 difficult 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?
Bolt cutters: A simple but effective tool for breaking the shackle. The smaller the diameter of the shackle and the less resistant the material, the quicker the shackle lock can be broken with the bolt cutter.
Saws: Thieves use hand saws or electric saws to cut the shackle or the lock cylinder.
Levering: By inserting a lever, enough pressure is built up to pick the shackle lock with a wrench or similar. The closer the lock is to the ground, the easier it is to apply the lever and the stronger the leverage.
Drilling 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, they also protect against levers.
How big or how long should a U-lock be?
The right size or length of 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 solid 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. This tex–lock eyelet Bundle offers high protection with less weight, ideal for securing multiple components.
How can I tell how secure a U-lock is?
The bike lock security levels of 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. That would be like comparing apples with pears. A reliable comparison is provided by the security levels of independent test facilities such as ART and Sold Secure. These set uniform 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 bicycle lock as a secure bicycle lock.
Conclusion on the best U-lock from tex–lock
The D-lock and U/X-lock are high-quality U-locks that combinemaximum security and user-friendliness with durability likeno other model.
Depending on your security requirements and the frame width of your bike, both models offer individual advantages. With the U-lock holder or bike lock bag, transportation 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 store now!
U/X-lock U-lock (individual part)
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D-lock U-lock
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Have a good trip!
Your tex–lock Team
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