An e-bike is one of the most tempting things a thief can find on a street in Australia: it's valuable, easy to sell on and quick to ride away. A cheap cable lock won't slow anyone down for long. This guide covers the locks worth trusting with a bike that cost thousands, how to read the security ratings on the box, and how to lock up so the lock actually does its job. Our picks are based on manufacturer specs, independent security ratings and owner feedback, not hands-on testing.
Quick picks
- Best overall: ABUS Granit X-Plus 540
- Best against angle grinders: Hiplok D1000
- Lighter angle-grinder-resistant pick: Litelok X1
- Toughest compact U-lock: Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit Mini
- Best folding lock: ABUS Bordo Granit X-Plus 6500
- Best chain lock: Kryptonite Evolution Series 4 1090
- Best alarmed lock: ABUS Bordo Alarm 6000A
E-bike theft in Australia: why your lock matters
Bike theft is an everyday problem here, and e-bikes are a growing share of it. ACT Policing recorded 543 bikes reported stolen in Canberra in 2025, and at any time it is holding hundreds of recovered bikes it can't return because nobody recorded the serial number. In October 2025, police on Sydney's Northern Beaches reported ten e-bikes stolen in a fortnight, many from busy spots like Manly Wharf, and pointed to poor security as a common thread. Their advice was simple: lock it properly, consider a tracker, and write down your serial number.
The lesson is that thieves go for the easy bikes first. You can't make an e-bike impossible to steal, but you can make yours slower, noisier and more annoying to take than the one parked next to it.
Understanding lock ratings: Sold Secure and ART
Lock makers all have their own in-house scales (ABUS rates out of 15, Kryptonite out of 10), which are handy for comparing within a brand but not across brands. Two independent schemes are more useful:
- Sold Secure (UK) grades locks Bronze, Silver, Gold or Diamond. For an e-bike, treat Gold as the minimum and Diamond as the target. Diamond, introduced in 2020, is the top tier for bicycles. Sold Secure also has a separate "Powered Cycle" category (previously called Motorcycle), and a few bike locks are rated Diamond in that tougher category too.
- ART (Netherlands) uses a one-to-five star scale, where more stars means better protection. Not every lock is ART tested, so a missing ART rating isn't a red flag on its own.
Sold Secure doesn't publish exact attack times or tool lists, on purpose, so the ratings tell you how locks compare rather than exactly how long one will hold.
The best e-bike locks
ABUS Granit X-Plus 540
The Granit X-Plus 540 has been a default recommendation for years, and for good reason. It carries a Sold Secure Diamond rating for bicycles and ABUS's top 15/15 security level, yet the 13 mm shackle keeps the weight to roughly 1.45 kg, which is very reasonable for this level of protection. The standard 230 mm length is roomy enough to wrap around the frame and most bike racks, and a longer 300 mm version suits wider e-bike tubes or awkward parking hoops. It's a great match for daily commuters who want strong protection without lugging a brick around.
- Sold Secure Diamond (bicycle)
- Light for its rating
- Two shackle lengths to choose from
- Only ART 3 star
- Not designed to resist a cordless angle grinder
Hiplok D1000
The battery angle grinder is the tool that beats most conventional locks, and the D1000 was built specifically to fight it. Its shackle uses a composite material designed to wear down grinder discs, and anti-rotation locking means a thief has to cut through both sides. It holds Sold Secure Diamond ratings in both the Pedal Cycle and Powered Cycle categories, plus ART 4 stars. If you park a premium e-bike in the same public place every day, this is the kind of lock that justifies the premium spend.
- Diamond in both Pedal and Powered Cycle categories
- Designed to slow angle-grinder attacks
- Rubberised shackle protects paint
- Premium-priced
- Compact 92 x 155 mm locking area can be tight on fat e-bike tubes
Litelok X1
The Litelok X1 chases the same goal as the Hiplok: buying time against a grinder. Its shackle layers hardened steel with Litelok's composite armour and a rubber outer, and it's rated Sold Secure Diamond for Pedal and Powered Cycles plus ART 4. At around 1.7 kg, it's easier to carry than many locks in this class, and the locking area of roughly 101 x 196 mm gives you a bit more room for chunky e-bike frames.
- Diamond (Pedal and Powered Cycle), ART 4
- Relatively light for an anti-grinder lock
- Roomier than most anti-grinder U-locks
- Premium-priced
- Amazon AU stock can come and go, so compare sellers
Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit Mini
With an 18 mm hardened steel shackle and a double deadbolt, the Fahgettaboudit Mini sits at the top of Kryptonite's range and holds a Sold Secure Diamond rating. Its small internal space is deliberate: it leaves almost no room for a jack or leverage tools. The trade-off is that it weighs about 2 kg and won't fit around many thick e-bike down tubes and a post at the same time, so measure your frame first.
- Very thick 18 mm shackle
- Small opening resists leverage attacks
- Sold Secure Diamond
- Heavy for its size
- Tight fit on large e-bike frames
ABUS Bordo Granit X-Plus 6500
Folding locks fold into a neat block that mounts on the frame, then open out into a long loop that's more flexible than a U-lock. The Bordo Granit X-Plus 6500 is among the toughest of them, rated Sold Secure Gold and ABUS level 15/15, with an 85 cm length and a weight of around 1.76 kg. It's a good choice if you often lock to thick poles or trees, though a quality Diamond U-lock will still be harder to beat.
- Folds compactly onto the frame
- Long reach for awkward anchors
- Sold Secure Gold
- ART 2 only
- Less secure than top U-locks of similar weight
Kryptonite Evolution Series 4 1090 Integrated Chain
Chains wrap around things a U-lock can't, like thick lamp posts, fences and the rear triangle of a cargo e-bike. This one uses 10 mm six-sided manganese steel links in a nylon sleeve, is 90 cm long and is rated Sold Secure Gold. At about 2.8 kg it's best left at your regular destination, such as work or home, rather than carried every ride.
- Locks to almost anything
- Fabric sleeve protects the frame
- Sold Secure Gold
- Heavy to carry
- Gold rather than Diamond
ABUS Bordo Alarm 6000A
The Bordo Alarm 6000A adds an alarm of at least 100 dB to a folding lock. ABUS says its 3D position sensors can tell a real attack from a minor bump, and the alarm re-arms itself after sounding. Its ABUS level is 10/15, a step below the picks above, so it's best as a second lock or for quick stops where noise is the main deterrent. Pair it with a Diamond U-lock if you leave your bike for long periods.
- Loud alarm draws attention
- Mounts on the frame
- Smart sensing aims to cut false alarms
- Lower security level than the U-locks here
- Battery needs checking
Buying guide: what to look for
Lock type
- U-locks (D-locks) give the best security for their weight. Pick a size that just fits your frame and a typical rack: less spare space means less room for leverage tools.
- Folding locks are easier to carry and more flexible but usually a step down in security for the same weight.
- Chain locks are the most versatile but heavy. Look for at least 10 mm hardened links.
- Alarmed locks add noise as a deterrent. They work best alongside a strong mechanical lock, not instead of one.
Ratings
Aim for Sold Secure Gold at minimum and Diamond if you park in public for hours at a time. Locks rated in the Powered Cycle category have been tested to a tougher brief.
Fit and carrying
E-bike frames often have wide down tubes and battery housings, so check the internal size of a U-lock against your frame. Also think about how you'll carry it: a frame bracket, pannier or backpack. A lock left at home protects nothing.
How to lock an e-bike properly
- Lock the frame to something solid. Use a fixed bike rack or a post that's bolted down and can't be lifted over or unscrewed.
- Fill the lock. Keep the U-lock off the ground and position it so there's minimal gap left inside, which makes leverage and grinder attacks harder.
- Secure the wheels. Run a cable or second lock through the front wheel, especially if it has a quick release.
- Take the battery and display. If your battery and display come off, take them with you. A bike without them is far less appealing.
- Pick your spot. Busy, well-lit and covered by CCTV beats a quiet laneway every time, though cameras alone won't stop a determined thief.
- Add a second layer. A hidden tracker helps police recover bikes. See our guide to the best e-bike GPS trackers.
- Record your serial number. ACT riders can register on BikeLinc, and photos plus the serial number help police elsewhere too.
FAQ
What Sold Secure rating do I need for an e-bike?
Treat Sold Secure Gold as the minimum for an e-bike, and go for Diamond if you leave your bike in public places for long stretches. A lock with a Powered Cycle rating has passed a tougher test again.
Can any lock stop an angle grinder?
No lock is grinder-proof. Anti-grinder locks like the Hiplok D1000 and Litelok X1 are designed to make the attack take much longer and use up more cutting discs, which raises the odds a thief gives up or gets noticed.
Should I use two locks?
For an e-bike, yes if you can. Two different lock types, such as a U-lock and a chain or alarmed lock, means a thief needs two sets of tools and twice the time.
Is a cable lock enough?
Not on its own. Cable locks can be cut quickly with hand tools. They're fine for securing a wheel alongside a proper U-lock or chain.
What should I do if my e-bike is stolen?
Report it to police as soon as you can with the serial number, photos and any tracker data, then contact your insurer. Keep an eye on local online marketplaces too, but leave any recovery to police.