Litelok X3 Review: The Most Secure Bike Lock?

The Litelok X3 is the big brother of the Litelok X1. Thicker, heavier and even more angle grinder resistant, unlike the X1, it’s competing with the other anti grinder locks on security level rather than price.

But is it worth the spectacularly high price tag (in the US it is by far the most expensive of the angle grinder resistant bike locks)?

In this review I’ll be looking at how secure the X3 really is, how easy it is to carry around and use on a daily basis, and finally whether it's good value for money. Plus the best alternatives should you decide it’s not for you.

So let’s get into it…

How secure is the Litelok X3?

I have now tested multiple Litelok X3s, over several years. And I can tell you: it’s a very secure bike lock indeed. But how does it compare to the other locks? And does it have any weaknesses?

Testing Conditions

Using a battery-powered grinder with the lock taped down is the best way to compare the fundamental angle grinder resistance of different locks as it removes variables such as differences in battery power or lock movement that might interfere with the results.

And in most of the tests I use regular abrasive discs, because that’s what the thieves use.

However, I also conduct tests using diamond discs (because people are always banging on about them) and battery-powered grinders without taping the locks down (to replicate street conditions).

Attack at Top of Shackle

This is the best test to detrmine the fundamental angle grinder resistance of each bike lock and to make comparisons between locks.

It took longer to cut through the shackle of the Litelok X3 than any of the other angle grinder resistant bike locks (3:25 min). However, some of the other locks destroyed far more discs than the 3 I needed to cut the Litelok X3.

Taking the time and the number of discs into consideration, the Litelok X3 is less resistant than the Kryptonite New York Diamond in this kind of test. But roughly the same as the Hiplok D1000 and DX1000 and the Abus Granit Super Extreme 2500.

Here’s a video of me cutting the Litelok X3 and the Hiplok D1000:

Attack at Base of Shackle

Most of the locks are weaker at the base of the shackle, where it meets the crossbar, so I also attack every lock here too.

The Litelok X3 always performs very well in this test. Most recently it took 1:42 min and 4 discs to cut here. This probably places it joint second with the Abus Super Extreme. Only the Kryptonite New York Diamond performed better in the last test.

However, while the Litelok X3 has always performed consistently well in this test, the Abus and the Kryptonite have exhibited serious faults in the past. Abus has fixed their lock, but the Kryptonite is very variable and often performs badly in this test.

Against Diamond Discs

While the Litelok X3 doesn’t perform badly against diamond discs it’s definitely not as resistant as the other top-tier anti angle grinder bike locks, like the Kryptonite, Abus and the two Hiploks.

It took me 3:57 min to cut through one side of the Litelok X3, though, which is a decent amount of time.

Also bear in mind that with a diamond disc, the times are much quicker if you can use two hands to really press the disc down. In the street, where a thief is likely forced to use one hand to steady the lock, it would take much longer.

Cutting the Crossbar

Although it’s not a likely point of attack in the street, people always suggest that the crossbar could be an area of weakness on these angle grinder resistant bike locks, so I always test them here too.

However, all the locks I have tested add their anti grinder material to the crossbar (as well as the shackle), so I’ve never found an issue.

The Litelok X3 was particularly difficult to cut across the crossbar. It took me 9:27 min and 5 discs to get through it. Only the Kryptonite New York Diamond took longer.

But cutting the Litelok is particularly unpleasant, as the eco rubber that covers the crossbar melts into a molten, sticky goo that goes everywhere!

Street Style Attack

In 2026 I added street style attacks to my testing program. In these tests I use a battery-powered grinder, and I don’t tape the locks down, so I am forced to use one hand to steady the lock while the other wields the grinder.

These tests give a better idea of how long it might take to defeat a particular lock in the street.

The Litelok X3 performed exceptionally well in this test. It took me 48:16 min, 20 discs and 3 battery changes to cut through both sides!

Which is ridiculous. I am not sure why it took so long.

But the Litelok X series locks do differ from some of the other locks in that they are more about slowing the cutting process down rather than wearing the discs out. And the cuts the grinder discs make tend to be more jagged than on the other locks.

So if you take a break (because progress is slow) and then try to get the disc back in the cut, it can be really difficult (because the cut is so jagged).

Anyway, the Litelok X3 was by far the most difficult lock to defeat in this street style attack.

Other Types of Attack

The 16 mm shackle is too thick to be cropped by even the biggest manual bolt cutters. It’s extremely unlikely that the double locking shackle can be prized open (I couldn’t do it). And the Abloy cylinder is one of the most difficult to pick (not that thieves are picking locks anyway).

The only way the Litelok X3 is likely to be defeated is through power tolls. Which brings us nicely to…

So how secure is the Litelok X3 really?

Along with the Kryptonite New York Diamond and the Abus Granit Super Extreme 2500, the Litelok X3 is probably the most secure bike lock you can buy.

You can see how it compares to the other angle grinder resistant bike locks in all my tests on this page.

It didn’t perform quite as well as the Kryptonite New York Diamond in most of my tests. But it took much longer to defeat in the street style attack. And crucially (at least for me), the Litelok has always performed consistently well.

Whereas, the Kryptonite New York Diamond and the Abus Granit Super Extreme 2500 have exhibited serious faults in the past which have allowed me to cut through their shackles with just one disc in a matter of seconds.

I think both locks have fixed their faults, but the Kryptonite still exhibits build quality issues that sometimes makes it quite easy to cut.

My point is: you don’t have to worry about the Litelok X3, there are no real weaknesses and unlike other locks, there’s no chance of getting a dud!

Is the Litelok X3 easy to carry?

The Litelok X3 is much lighter than most other high security bike locks. For example, it’s 20% lighter than the Abus Granit Extreme 59, it’s 24% lighter than the Kryptonite New York M18-WL, and it’s even 2% lighter than the much smaller Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit Mini.

And don’t forget, it will offer far more practical security for your bicycle or motorbike than any of these locks.

But the Litelok X3 is definitely not a lightweight bike lock! It weighs 4.6 lb (2.1 kg), which is about the same as 5.5 cans of Coke. And that’s a fair amount of weight to be carrying around every day.

It’s also quite a bulky bike lock. Although, the steel shackle has a diameter of 16 mm, once you add the layer of ceramic composite and the rubber coating, it’s more like 24 mm. It also has a very beefy crossbar, with the distended keyhole protruding from the bottom.

And since it’s closer to a standard size u-lock than the more mini sized Hiplok D1000 and Kryptonite Fahgettaboudit, it just takes up more space.

All this means that it poses certain challenges when it comes to how you will carry it around on your bike.

Luckily, though, you have various options!

The best is definitely the Tactical Mount, which attaches to your bike frame. Unfortunately, it’s not included for free with the Litelok X3, but it’s not too expensive, and in my experience it works really well.

Installing it can be a bit fiddly, but there is a decent YouTube video to talk you through it (see below). Just make sure you choose a spot on your frame where it doesn’t interfere with any cables or components, as it’s a pretty bulky.

I’m not a big fan of the O rings that are used to keep the plastic straps tidy and close to your frame once the mount is installed. The ones that came with the Litelok X1 mount snapped very easily, and I’m not convinced these are much stronger. And it would also be nice to have two per strap to better keep the straps in place.

Getting the lock in and out of the mount is one thing I imagine people are going to gripe about. I had to work the shackle from side to side as I pushed it in (and pulled it out), and that could be annoying in a busy bike rack.

However, I did find a way to make that easier…

If I installed it so that I was pushing the shackle downwards into the mount, it was a lot easier than if I had to push it upwards. So if yours is also a bit sticky, I would definitely recommend fitting the mount in this way, so the crossbar sits at the bottom.

Also, make sure you tighten the straps enough so that the mount doesn’t move about as you work the shackle through the hole.

Once the Litelok X3 is seated in the mount, it is really, really stable. I went on a long ride to test it out after I first installed it, seeking out some cobbled streets and popping off some curbs, and the lock remained secure and completely silent in the mount throughout!

So I’d say that this is easily the best frame mount of all the options available for the angle grinder resistant bike locks.

The Abus one is very limited in where you can attach it to your frame, with straps that feel a bit cobbled together. And the Hiplok one is more of a pouch that you strap to your frame with Velcro.

It’s not easy to design a proper frame mount for a heavy u-lock (that’s why most heavy u-locks don’t come with frame mounts), but Litelok have done a good job here, with a very stable and reasonably priced solution.

If the frame mount isn't right for you, you can buy a separate Restrap Lock Holster which you thread your belt through, so that you can carry the Litelok X3 on your waist. But I tried it out on the Litelok X1 and wasn’t a big fan.

I mean, it works. But bear in mind you have to take your belt off and on every time you want to use it (unless you wear it all the time), the substantial weight of the lock drags down whichever part of your waist you're wearing it, and it for me, it was a bit awkward to get the lock in and out.

On the other hand it’s fairly cheap, and if you don’t want to carry a separate bag then I suppose it will work OK. But I’d prefer to throw it in a bag, even if that means taking a bag that’s only for the lock!

Talking of carrying the X3 in a bag, the lock also comes with a neoprene pouch that you can slide it into, before you put it in your bag, to keep any water or street grime on the lock, off whatever’s in your bag.

This is definitely quite handy and a nice addition.

So in conclusion, considering just how heavy and bulky the Litelok X3 is, you still have a lot of ways to carry it around. My favorite solution is definitely the Tactical mount. Otherwise, I would just throw it in a bag.

But while the X3 will probably be a little bit more inconvenient in a bag than a smaller lock like the Hiplok D1000, the extra size of the Litelok does have a huge advantage in terms of usability...

Is the Litelok X3 easy to use?

For a lot of people, the big advantage of the Litelok X3 over the Hiplok D1000 (or any other mini u-lock), is that its larger internal dimensions mean there will be more options when you’re trying to lock your bike.

Internally, the Litelok X3 measures 3.9 x 7.6" (10 x 19.5 cm), making it similar to a standard size u-lock such as the Kryptonite Kryptolok or Evolution Standard. In fact, it's the same width, and just 1.4” shorter.

While there will always be situations and types of bike set-ups where you won’t be able to lock your bike how you’d like, I find that in general, a standard size u-lock gives you options in most cases.

Whether you’re locking the back wheel and frame of a larger framed ebike to a bike rack or securing a normal size frame to some other street furniture that’s a bit more awkward than a bike rack. You can usually find a way with a standard size u-lock.

For me, with my skinny framed bike, which is almost always locked to Sheffield bike stands, it’s not so important. A mini u-lock works just fine. But there are loads of people who will really appreciate the extra space in the Litelok X3.

I had a small issue with the Litelok X1, where the shackle didn’t sit properly in the crossbar (meaning that the key couldn’t be turned), until I gave it a wack with the palm of my hand. I didn’t have the same issue with the Litelok X3, so either they’ve fixed the issue or I had a dodgy X1.

If you do have this issue (with either the X1 or the X3), there is a simple DIY hack to solve it, so don’t worry.

In fact, for me, everything worked very smoothly with the Litelok X3.

Keyhole Cover

There is an unusual silicon keyhole cover with a slit down the middle that is designed to protect the lock mechanism from water, grime and debris. And to get the key in the lock, you just push it through the slit.

There are a couple of advantages to this design:

Unlike other keyhole covers, you don’t need to remember to close the cover after you’ve finished locking or unlocking (no one remembers anyway!). And you don’t have the minor inconvenience of moving a cover out of the way before you can unlock.

On the other hand, there is the chance that any grime or debris that might have accumulated on the outside of the cover, gets pushed into the mechanism by the key, defeating the whole purpose of the cover.

I was a bit negative about the design for this reason when I reviewed the Litelok X1, but I’ve had no problems in the 6 months I’ve been using it, so perhaps it works just fine!

Keys and Warranty

You’ll get 2 keys with the Litelok X3, with a key code that enables you to order more, engraved into the metal. I would like to have got a card with the key code on as well, as some idiots (e.g. me), won't think to write the code down until they’ve lost the keys!

However, if you want to qualify for the 3 year no quibble warranty, you will need the key code to register the Litelok X3, and do so within 30 days of your purchase. This will entitle you to cover for any mechanical fault the lock may experience in this time period.

So make sure you register, for both the warranty and for the record of your key code!

Eco-friendly Features

One last thing worth mentioning is Litelok’s efforts to make their products eco-friendly. The Litelok X3 comes in a fantastic box made entirely from unbleached cardboard, and not a single piece of plastic anywhere.

I love this and many other bike lock brands should take note.

In order to protect your bike frame from scratches, the whole lock is also covered in an eco rubber that’s made from 80% non-food grade crops. To be honest, it’s not as smooth and finished as traditional, eco-unfriendly plastic, but it’s got to be a better choice and another step in the right direction.

Conclusion: Is the Litelok X3 worth it?

The Litelok X3 is one of the most angle grinder-resistant bike locks I’ve ever tested.

And since angle grinders are the only realistic way that thieves are defeating high security bike locks in the street these days, this also makes it one of the most secure bike locks currently available.

Its only rivals are the Kryptonite New York Diamond, the Abus Granit Super Extreme 2500 and the Hiplok D1000 and DX1000.

They are the top 5.

So why choose the Litelok X3 over the other 4?

Well, if I was in the US, I probably wouldn’t choose it at the moment! The Litelok X3 is so much more expensive in the US than the other 4 locks right now (most likely due to important taxes from the UK), that I don’t think it’s worth it.

Yes, I think it’s slightly more secure that the two Hiploks. It’s more consistent than the Abus and (especially) the Kryptonite. There are a fantastic range of frame mounts and other transport options available for it. And it’s a practical size without being overly heavy (only the much smaller Hiplok D1000 is lighter).

It should be the perfect choice for most cyclists looking for a high security bike lock.

However, despite all these qualities, I don’t think they justify the extra cost if you live in the US.

Keep checking the prices though as these things can change!

If you live in the UK or Europe where the price of the Litelok X3 is more inline with the 4 locks I mention above, then of course it’s a different matter. And for all the reasons I mention above, I think it’s a great choice.

So if you want the very highest level of security and are wondering how to choose between the Litelok X3, the Abus and the Kryptonite, then…

This is where the Litelok wins:

• Smaller and lighter than the Abus, so better for non bulky bikes.
• Better frame mount options than both the Abus and Kryptonite.
• Consistent build quality and security level, unlike the Abus and Kryptonite.

And this is where it looses:

• Not quite as good against a diamond disc as the Abus or Kryptonite.

Personally I think the obsession that some people have with diamond discs is a bit of a red herring. Thieves are just not using them, for loads of different reasons. And even if they did, the resistance that the Litelok X3 (and most of the other locks) puts up is enough to thwart most thieves.

Still not convinced by the Litelok X3? There are alternatives…

Alternatives to the Litelok X3

Looking for something smaller?

The Hiplok D1000 is much smaller than the Litelok X3, so it's going to be easier to carry around in a bag. It's also 8% lighter. Plus in the US, it is significantly cheaper!

So if you're sure it will work well with your bike and where you lock it, the Hiplok D1000 could be a great alternative to the Litelok X3.

Looking for something cheaper?

But a thief is still going to need to change angle grinder discs at least once to get through it.

And it’s 4 to 5 times more resistant than the strongest traditional lock (Kryptonite Fahgettaboudit Mini).

Throw in the fact that it’s not much more than half the price of the X3, and the Litelok X1 starts to look like a very practical alternative for many people! Check out my full Litelok X1 review here.

Litelok X3 Specs

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