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Certified by ART and Sold Secure as a secure bike lock: eyelet & orbit
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Expected Reading Time: 13 Minutes
To protect your bike from theft, a secure bike lock is essential.
Even if you park your bike in public or even video-monitored places, in only a really secure bike lock will prevent a cunning thief from taking your bike.
Thestatistics on bicycle thefts in Germany in 2022show how successful thieves are: of a total of 115,354 recorded cases, only 8,313 cases were solved. That's just 7%.
So the chances of getting your stolen bike back are pretty slim.
Not to mention the condition of the bike...
This is especially unfortunate if your bike means a lot to you, if you've been waiting for it or looking for it for a long time, or if you don't get any money from the insurance company for the loss. You will only get money if you have a bike lock that is recognized by the insurance company.
That's why we'll tell you how to recognize a secure bike lock and what to look out for.
How you can recognize a secure bike lock
So a high-quality bike lock makes a big difference. But how do you recognise such a lock? And what kind of bike lock is the safest?
Here are a few factors that make a secure lock for your bike:
A good lock is made of robust materials such as hardened steel or specially hardened chain links that are difficult to cut. The stronger or thicker the material, the harder it is for bolt cutters, saws and the like to pick the lock.
The materials should be stable and tamper-proof so that the bicycle lock cannot be easily bent, broken or cracked.
A hard-to-crack cylinder mechanism protects against picking and drilling. It doesn't matter whether it's a key lock or a combination lock. Both can be secure as long as they are of high quality (the more compact the better). A double locking mechanism is particularly difficult for thieves to crack.
The lock should reach around the rear wheel, the frame and a solid object. The more components that can be locked, the better.
The lock should be resistant to typical break-in attempts such as picking, drilling and prising.
Recognised institutions such as ART, Sold Secure or VdS test bicycle locks independently of the manufacturer's specifications and certify the lock's security after it has passed the tests.
A good lock defies all weather conditions. Snow, rain, ice, wind, hail and other external influences must not harm the material. Rust protection is therefore a must!
A good secure bicycle lock meets the requirements of bicycle insurance. So that you are financially compensated in the event of damage.
Why safety tests by independent testing institutes are so important
Admittedly, you can hardly or only partially determine some of these criteria yourself.
For example, how tamper-proof the construction really is or how long the locking mechanism can really withstand attempts to break it open.
So how do you find out which bike lock is really secure?
Through security tests by independent testing institutions.
Independent testing institutions, such as the Dutch ART Foundation or the British Sold Secure organization, put the security level of bicycle locks through their paces with extensive mechanical security tests.
Only when bicycle locks have passed these tests do they receive an official seal of approval with one of the bicycle lock security levels. This may differ from the manufacturer's specifications.
This is because manufacturers often have their own ideas and requirements for security. As a result, there is no uniform definition for the up to 15 bicycle lock security levels.
And the security levels , most of which are set by manufacturers themselves , therefore only provide limited information about the actual security of a bicycle lock.
Most manufacturers take bicycle lock security very seriously. Nevertheless, it happens that inferior locks of well-known brands are advertised with too high a security level.
In the Netherlands, an ART-certified lock is therefore even a compulsory component for two-wheeler insurance.
The ART Foundation tests secure bicycle locks independently of manufacturers
The Dutch ART Foundation is an organization that puts its heart and soul into protecting against bicycle theft. Its goal is to develop more and better prevention measures against bicycle theft. This work extends far beyond Dutch borders, so that the foundation is now a widely recognized testing body in the bicycle world.
What exactly does ART certified mean?
The ART seal of quality indicates how secure a lock for two-wheelers is against theft. To assess security, the ART Foundation submits all locks to theSKG-IKOBfor extensive security tests. If a lock passes the mechanical tests, it receives the ART seal of approval.
This consists of a four-digit test number and a star system from 1 to 5 stars.
The higher the number of stars, the higher the theft protection of the lock.
And what does ART*2 certified mean?
If a lock is ART*2 approved, it offers tested secure theft protection for bicycles. To receive the seal, the lock has withstood various violent attacks, for example with a 60 cm bolt cutter, which was NOT allowed to be placed on the floor for additional leverage.
An ART*2 certified lock is therefore also a (60 cm) bolt cutter safe bicycle lock.
And what is the highest security level for a bicycle lock at ART?
The highest security level for bicycle locks at ART is the ART*2 certificate. The higher security levels confirm the theft protection for mopeds, scooters and motorbikes.
The Foundation recommends that high-quality bicycles should always be locked to fixed objects with an ART*2 category lock.
High theft protection for bicycles: the eyelet and orbit are ART*2 certified locks
Our picking safe bike locktex–lock orbitand thetex–lock eyeletin combination with the X- or U-lock have passed the safety tests of the ART testing institute and received the ART*2 quality seal. The woven label on the end of the rope thus seals the tested safety of both tex-locks.
But not only that.
Most tested bike locks in this category weigh 2 kg or more on average. At just 1.2 kg, our tex–lock orbit is a secure, lightweight bike lock in this category. And our tex-lock eyelet M incl. U-lock also weighs significantly less at approx. 1.5 kg.
The eyelet bundles have not only been approved by the ART Foundation as a secure bike lock. But also by Sold Secure.
Sold Secure Independently tests safety products and is recognized by insurance companies
Sold Secure is the leading independent testing and certification body for security products in the UK. With the aim of stopping crime, the security experts test bicycle locks, alarm systems and much more. In doing so, Sold Secure is in close exchange with the police and insurance companies in the UK.
How many bicycle locks security levels are available at Sold Secure?
Depending on the type of attack, the tools required and the time needed, the Sold Secure security levels are divided into four bike lock categories:
Protects against casual theft with simple tools. The bronze label therefore does not distinguish a very secure bicycle lock and does not offer sufficient theft protection for expensive bicycles.
Protects against planned attacks with advanced break-in tools. Sold Secure Silver certified bicycle locks are therefore the perfect compromise between high security and relatively low cost.
Protects against targeted attacks with professional theft tools. A Sold Secure Gold certified bike lock is therefore the right choice for medium to high-priced bikes.
Offers maximum protection against destructive violent attacks with special tools, e.g. angle grinders. Bicycle locks with the Sold Secure Diamong seal are therefore suitable for particularly high-quality bicycles, e-bikes and pedelecs.
These four levels allow you to assess what level of security you need to protect your bike. However, be aware that the higher the security level, the higher the cost and almost always the higher the weight. If necessary, read the exact bike lock security level explanation from Sold Secure after.
Sold Secure Silver and gold form the golden mean. It is not for nothing that the eyelet is awarded these seals as a light but secure bicycle lock.
High resistance to theft attempts: the eyelet is certified as a secure bike lock with Sold Secure Gold and Silver
The tex–lock eyelet X-lock Bundleis Sold Secure Gold approved and the eyelet U-lock Bundle has been awarded the Sold Secure Silver security level. Both eyelet bundles thus have therefore been tested for their high resistance to theft attempts.
The Sold Secure standards differ due to the shackle length of the two U-locks:
The U-lock is a small, lightweight bike lock that "only" locks the rear wheel.
With the longer X-lock shackle, on the other hand, you can additionally secure the bike with a solid object . The security level of the X-lock bundle is therefore slightly higher, but it remains a secure, lightweight bike lock despite the longer shackle.
They are both secure bicycle locks, but...
A bicycle lock is only really safe if you use it to lock your bike properly.
Even the most secure bike locks can only protect your bike from theft if you lock it properly.
Because it makes a big difference whether you secure your front or rear wheel, whether you connect several components at the same time, how far off the ground you place the lock, and where you park your bike.
You can find all the do's and don'ts in our next article on how to lock your bike properly. In this video you can see in advance what is important:
If you follow these tips, thieves will hardly have a chance to steal your bike. And if they do, now is the time to talk about bike insurance.
Bicycle insurance companies recommend bicycle locks with ART certificate
If you also want to protect yourself from the financial damage caused by a stolen bicycle, you should take out bicycle insurance. A secure bike lock is a basic requirement for such insurance.
But which bike lock is recognized by the insurance company?
Insurance companies are aware of the gray areas of manufacturers' self-defined bike lock security levels. This is why insurance companies often only recognize an independently certified bike lock .
In the Netherlands and also in Germany, most bicycle insurance companies require that you use a high-quality, ART-approved bicycle lock.
If you use cheap bike locks without ART quality seal, for example because you have an old bicycle, hardly any bicycle insurance will cover you.
On theART websiteyou will find a large selection of bicycle lock types from different suppliers. There you can find out whether the respective bike lock has an ART quality seal or not.
This is because it can also happen that the ART seal of approval has been withdrawn from a bicycle lock that was once certified. If this is the case, the revocation is marked with the corresponding date.
This information is important because the lock you use must have a valid seal of approval when you take out insurance .
With the eyelet or orbit, you not only have a tested, secure and lightweight bike lock, but also an insurance-approved bike lock.
Conclusion: The eyelet and orbit are tested secure bike locks with which you can let your bike out of sight with confidence
The tex–lock eyelet is a theft-proof bike lock that is also relatively light. Just like the tex–lock orbit, which is also a lockpicking safe lock.
The lock security levels have been tested by the independent testing institutes ART and Sold Secure and are recognized by a bicycle insurance company.
With both tex–lock models you have a tested bicycle lock that offers high resistance to (planned) attacks with professional tools such as 60 cm bolt cutters.
Despite high security, both tex-locks are usually lighter than comparable bicycle locks this security level. Approved bicycle locks of higher security levels, such as Sold Secure Diamond or ART*3 are usually not only heavier, but also more expensive.
They say there's no such thing as the jack of all trades, but maybe there is... 😉
One thing we do not want to forget here: The safety of tex–lock mate .
Ourtex–lock mateis made of the same high-quality materials as the tex–lock eyelet and orbit. However, the textile rope with universal bolt works only in combination with a frame lock and therefore does not count as an independent lock.
Because we have no influence on which frame lock you use the mate with and the security of the overall construction is therefore in your hands, the security level of the mate bike lock is not certified.
Instead, bicycle experts have tested that carrying away with the tex-lock mate is futile. Simon from eBikeNews, for example, reports why...
The pros convince you with their test
We are also manufacturers and can of course tell you a lot about the security level of bike locks from tex–lock .
In order to give you an unbiased picture of the quality of our tex–locks, we have compiled some expert opinions for you in our bike lock test 2023:
If you are convinced, you can order one of our textile locks and buy your secure bike lock today.
Have a safe journey!
Your tex–lock team
Vanessa Nitschke
The tex–lock is the first bike lock with which the amateur racing cyclist can let her beloved bike out of her sight with peace of mind, which is why she wants to introduce bike enthusiasts to the security, convenience and beauty of tex–lock locks.
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