Sold Secure Silver bike locks: The List
At the foot of this page there’s a table full of the best Sold Secure Silver bike locks. We have U-locks, chains and folding locks. But no cable locks, cos they’re rubbish!
But first, if you don’t know about Sold Secure and what they do, here’s a short explanation…
Sold Secure test and rate locks for security. This makes it easier for us to compare different types and brands. And easier to find a good one! They are based in the UK and are an independent, non profit organisation.
Where bike locks come to die: the Sold Secure workshop
When manufacturers submit a lock to Sold Secure, they’ll attack it using a range of different tools and methods.
Once it’s defeated, Sold Secure classify it according to how long it look to beat. There are three classifications: Bronze, Silver and Gold.
Previously, Sold Secure said Bronze was “for locks that can withstand a minute with basic tools”, Silver for “locks that can resist for three minutes with a wider selection of tools” and Gold for “locks that last five minutes with a sophisticated array of tools”.
But more recently they’ve abandoned this definition for a more generic one:
- Gold rated locks “offer the highest level of security”
- Silver rated locks “offer a compromise between security and cost”
- Bronze rated locks “offer defense against the opportunist thief”
There has been some criticism of their testing techniques and ratings but there are several very good reasons we should use Sold Secure classifications when we’re looking for the best bike lock:
- They use standardised tools and methods. So we can compare different locks with confidence
- Inside info from the police and insurers helps to keep their tools and methods up to date
- Lots of insurance policies now insist you use a Sold Secure rated lock
- They rate far more locks than any other independent testers
- Testing locks is the sole purpose of the organisation. They know what they’re doing.
Because of this, the Sold Secure rating system is the safest and simplest way to judge the security of a lock when we’re looking for the best locks for our bicycles.
So how do you know whether you need Bronze, Silver or Gold? Well, it’s going to depend on your own circumstances and this can be difficult to judge. I recommend you answer the questions in the table below…
Sold Secure Silver or Gold: which do you need?
| Questions | High Risk | Lower Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Where do you live? | Big town, city or university campus | Small town or village |
| Does your bike attract second looks? | Yes | No |
| How long do you leave your bike unattended? | More than 1 hour | Less than 1 hour |
| Your lock security rating should be: |  |  |
If two or more of your answers are in the “High Risk” column, you probably need a Sold Secure Gold lock. But if two or more answers are in the “Lower Risk” column, then you’ll probably be OK with a Sold Secure Silver lock.
Sold Secure Bronze locks are not very secure at all and I don’t recommend them for any circumstances.
And where can you find out which locks are Sold Secure Silver?
Their website has a complete list, but it’s not very user friendly! So I’ve provided a table of the most popular Sold Secure Silver locks here. If you click on the names of the locks in the table, you’ll be taken to Amazon where you can further compare prices and reviews. These are affiliate links.
| Model | Thickness | Weight | Cans of coke weight | Height | Width | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Kryptonite Evolution LITE Mini-6 | 11 mm | 1.65 lb (0.74 kg) | 2 | 6.0" (15.3 cm) | 2.75" (7 cm) |
 | Kryptonite New-U Messenger Mini+ | 11 mm | 2.60 lb (1.18 kg) | 3 | 6.5" (16.5 cm) | 3.75" (9.5 cm) |
 | Kryptonite Evolution Mini-5 | 13 mm | 3.15 lb (1.43 kg) | 3.5 | 7.0" (17.8 cm) | 3.25" (8.2 cm) |
 | Kryptonite Evolution Mini-7 with cable | 13 mm | 3.15 lb (1.43 kg) | 3.5 | 7.0" (17.8 cm) | 3.25" (8.2 cm) |
 | Kryptonite Evolution Mini-9 | 13 mm | 2.75 lb (1.25 kg) | 3 | 9.5" (24.1 cm) | 3.25" (8.3 cm) |
 | Kryptonite KryptoLok Series 2 Standard | 13 mm | 2.85 lb (1.29 kg) | 3.5 | 9.0" (22.9 cm) | 4.0" (10.2 cm) |
 | Kryptonite KryptoLok Series 2 ATB | 13 mm | 3.10 lb (1.41 kg) | 3.5 | 9.0" (22.9 cm) | 5.0" (12.7 cm) |
 | Kryptonite KryptoLok Series 2 LS | 13 mm | 3.20 lb (1.45 kg) | 3.5 | 11.5" (29.2 cm) | 4.0" (10.2 cm) |
 | Kryptonite KryptoLok Series 2 Mini-7 | 13 mm | 2.45 lb (1.11 kg) | 3 | 7.0" (17.8 cm) | 3.25" (8.2cm) |
 | OnGuard Bulldog STD | 13 mm | 2.43 lb (1.10 kg) | 3 | 9.06" (23 cm) | 4.53" (11.5 cm) |
 | OnGuard Bulldog LS | 13 mm | 3.12 lb (1.42 kg) | 3.5 | 11.5" (29.2 cm) | 4.53" (11.5 cm) |
 | Abus U-mini 40 | 14 mm | 2.16 lb (0.98 kg) | 2.5 | 5.63" (14.3 cm) | 3.15" (8.0 cm) |
 | Abus Ultimate 420 9" | 14 mm | 3.30 lb (1.50 kg) | 4 | 9.05" (23.0 cm) | 4.25" (10.8 cm) |
| Abus Ultimate 420 11" | 14 mm | 3.97 lb (1.80 kg) | 5 | 11.81" (30.0 cm) | 4.25" (10.8 cm) |
 | Abus GRANIT Plus 470 230 | 12 mm | 2.62 lb (1.189 kg) | 3 | 9.0" (23 cm) | 4.29" (10.9 cm) |
 | Abus GRANIT Plus 470 300 | 12 mm | 2.83 lb (1.285 kg) | 3.5 | 12.0" (30 cm) | 4.29" (10.9 cm) |
 | Abus GRANIT Plus 640 230 | 12 mm | 1.98 lb (0.90 kg) | 2.5 | 9.0" (23 cm) | 3.27" (8.3 cm) |
 | Abus GRANIT Plus 640 150 | 12 mm | 1.90 lb (0.86 kg) | 2 | 6.0" (15 cm) | 3.27" (8.3 cm) |
 | Abus Granit Plus 51 230 | 13 mm | 2.87 lb (1.30 kg) | 3.5 | 9.0" (23 cm) | 4.25" (10.8 cm) |
 | Abus Granit Plus 51 300 | 13 mm | 3.28 lb (1.49 kg) | 4 | 12.0" (30 cm) | 4.25" (10.8 cm) |
 | Abus Varedo 47 230 | 12 mm | 2.62 lb (1.189 kg) | 3 | 9.0" (23 cm) | 4.29" (10.9 cm) |
 | Abus Varedo 47 300 | 12 mm | 2.83 lb (1.285 kg) | 3.5 | 12.0" (30 cm) | 4.29" (10.9 cm) |
 | Hiplok D | 13 mm | 2.20 lb (1 kg) | 2.5 | 5.31" (13.5 cm) | 2.76" (7 cm) |
 | Hiplok DC | 13 mm | 2.43 lb (1.10 kg) | 3 | 5.31" (13.5 cm) | 2.76" (7 cm) |
 | Squire Snaplock 210 | 12.7 mm | 1.85 lb (0.84 kg) | 2 | 8.27" (21 cm) | 4.09" (10.4 cm) |
 | Squire Snaplock 260 | 12.7 mm | 2.16 lb (0.98 kg) | 2.5 | 10.24" (26 cm) | 4.09" (10.4 cm) |
 | Squire Hammerhead Combi 230 | 13 mm | 3.81 lb (1.73 kg) | 4.5 | 9.06" (23 cm) | 4.13" (10.5 cm) |
 | Squire Hammerhead Combi 290 | 13 mm | 4.08 lb (1.85 kg) | 5 | 11.42" (29 cm) | 4.13" (10.5 cm) |
 | Kryptonite KryptoLok Series 2 955 Mini Integrated Chain | 9 mm | 3.90 lb (1.77 kg) | 4.5 | 21.5" (55 cm) | |
| Kryptonite KryptoLok Series 2 915 Integrated Chain | 9 mm | 8.10 lb (3.67 kg) | 9.5 | 60.0" (150 cm) | |
 | Abus Iven Chain 8210 85 | 8 mm | 4.26 lb (1.934 kg) | 5 | 33.0" (85 cm) | |
| Abus Iven Chain 8210 110 | 8 mm | 5.5 lb (2.497 kg) | 6.5 | 43.0" (110 cm) | |
 | Hiplok v1.50 | 8 mm | 4.0 lb (1.8 kg) | 4.5 | 35.4" (90 cm) | |
 | Squire Mako Combi CN8 900 | 8 mm | 3.73 lb (1.69 kg) | 4 | 35.4" (90 cm) | |
 | Abus Bordo 6000 | 5 mm | 2.69 lb (1.22 kg) | 2.5 | 35" (90 cm) | |
 | Foldylock Compact | 5 mm | 2.2 lb (1 kg) | 2.5 | 33" (85 cm) |
You may have a couple of questions about these locks:
1. Are all Sold Secure Silver locks as secure as each other?
No. Generally, the thicker the lock the more secure it will be. Check the “Thickness” column in the table above. You can also check the manufacturers ratings and the ART ratings in the U-lock and chain comparison tables.
2. This list is missing some very secure locks. Why?
A lock has to be submitted to Sold Secure by the manufacturer before it can be rated . And there’s loads of good locks that are haven’t been submitted yet and may never be submitted. Of course that doesn’t mean they’re not up to Sold Secure “standard”.
I can think of 3 off the top my head:
- Kryptonite Messenger Mini U-lock
- OnGuard Bulldog Mini U-lock
- Kryptonite KryptoLok series 2 995 Integrated Chain
These locks are not currently rated. But they’d undoubtedly receive Sold Secure Silver certification if they were submitted.
If you want to find more locks that are Sold Secure Silver standard but are not certified, check the manufacturers ratings in the U-lock and chain lock comparison tables.
Locks without Sold Secure certification that have the same manufacturer ratings as locks with Sold Secure ratings are most probably Sold Secure “standard”.
Also if you’re looking for a combination bike lock, be aware that they are generally less secure than keyed locks. However there are some that are either Sold Secure Silver rated or equivalent. You can read about combination bike locks here.
If you’re still unsure about which might be the best bike lock for you, check my easy 3 step guide that guarantees to find the right lock for your need.
And if you’ve got more questions about Sold Secure Silver locks, let me know below…
This page contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. You will not pay any extra. More details here.
