10 min read
Until 2020, Sold Secure Gold bike locks were the most secure on the market, but with the introduction of the Diamond category, that’s all changed.
In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into what Sold Secure is, what Sold Secure Gold means and what bikes Gold-rated locks should be used with.
If you’re here to find a high-security Gold-rated recommendation, I’ve picked out the four best Sold Secure Gold locks, which you can compare using the table below.
Otherwise, we’ll get straight into it, just what does Sold Secure Gold mean?
The Top 4 Sold Secure Gold Rated Bike Locks
When it comes to picking a Sold Secure Pedal cycle Gold-rated bike lock, there are over 130 different options to choose from.
So for cyclists looking for a high-security, top-performing lock, I’ve put together a table with four of your best options.
The locks below hold Sold Secure Gold certification and are suitable for securing your bike in higher-risk areas for longer periods of time.
If you want to compare the full range of Sold Secure Gold-rated bike locks, you can find the full comparison table of over 130 locks here.
(3.89 x 7.87")
(3.25 x 5.5”)
(4.17 x 8.27″)
- 120dB Anti-theft alarm
- Compact & lightweight
- High quality materials
- Budget-friendly
- Bolt cutter resistant
- Highly portable
- Silent mounting system
(3.89 x 7.87")
- 120dB Anti-theft alarm
(3.25 x 5.5”)
- Compact & lightweight
- High quality materials
(4.17 x 8.27″)
- Budget-friendly
- Bolt cutter resistant
- Highly portable
- Silent mounting system
Last update on 2023-05-29 at 07:50 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
What Is Sold Secure?
Based in Rugby in the UK, Sold Secure is a well-known security testing organisation that is owned and operated by the Master Locksmiths Association.
Sold Secure test a wide range of security products. Once tested, depending on performance, a rating is assigned to each product, allowing consumers to compare the security and quality of different products & brands.
What sets Sold Secure apart from other testing houses is that they work with organisations such as Secure by Design, the British police and several insurance companies to ensure their attack testing remains relevant and reflects methods thieves are currently using on the streets.
The sensitive information they receive from their partners allows them to replicate theft as accurately as possible so that products can be certified for their resistance to theft.
A Brief History of Sold Secure
Founded in 1992 by the British Police force, Sold Secure was initially set up to help combat a rising car theft rate.
Cars at the time were so insecure that they could be opened and started very easily with no real expertise.
Naturally, many car owners were purchasing aftermarket security products, such as wheel locks and steering wheel locks, to increase the security of their cars.
However, at the time, there was no way for them to gauge the security that different locking systems offered, so Sold Secure was set up and began testing and providing security ratings for these products.
As car security gradually improved over the years, Sold Secure’s role became slightly redundant. In the year 2000, the Master Locksmiths Association bought Sold Secure and continues to operate it today.
Over the last 23 years, Sold Secure has expanded its portfolio of security categories and product types to the point where they can now test and grade almost any mechanical security product on the market.
How Do Sold Secure Test & Grade Locks
Sold Secure keep the fine details of their testing procedures away from the public domain.
While frustrating and slightly confusing, this is understandable, as revealing sensitive testing information would educate thieves on the most effective attack methods for almost every security product.
Once a product has passed through testing, it’s given a rating to identify its performance.
Focusing on bike locks, these are graded based on the amount of time and tools required to defeat the lock.
The table below contains a summary of the testing procedure followed for the Sold Secure Pedal Cycle category.
I explain what each of the ratings means later in the review.
| Sold Secure Pedal Cycle Test Information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Rating: | Time Limit | Tools Used |
 | 1 Minute | Smaller toolkit using tools that can be easily concealed by thieves such as screwdrivers, hammers, small hacksaws and others. |
| | 3 Minutes | A slightly larger toolkit with full size hacksaws (HSS blades) small bolt cutters, smaller crowbars and others. |
| | 5 Minutes | A more extensive toolkit using larger more powerful tools such as Tungsten hacksaws, large bolt croppers, large crowbars, lump hammers and others. |
| | 5 Minutes | The most advanced tool list using tools that are very difficult to conceal but extremely effective such as the largest bolt cutters, drill (HSS drill bit), machine based crop test and others. |
So, as you can see from the table above, there are four different Sold Secure ratings in the Pedal Cycle category.
Later in the review I’ll explain what these four ratings mean, but we’ll focus on the Pedal Cycle Gold rating for now.
What Does Sold Secure Pedal Cycle Gold Mean?
To understand accurately what Sold Secure Pedal Cycle Gold means, I spoke to the Lab Manager of Sold Secure, Guy McCaffery, who cleared things up.
Sold Secure Pedal Cycle Gold-rated locks are suitable for cyclists riding high-value pedal bikes, or for anyone who locks their bike in high-risk areas such as big cities and towns.
Pedal Cycle Gold-rated locks provide resistance against a more extensive tool kit and can withstand dedicated attacks.
So, now that you understand what the Sold Secure Pedal Cycle Gold rating means, it’s only right for me to confuse things a little more.
Whilst two bike locks may offer the same Sold Secure rating, they won’t necessarily provide the same level of security.
For example, one lock may have far exceeded the requirements for the Pedal Cycle Gold rating, whereas another lock may have just made the cut.
This means whilst looking out for Sold Secure certification, you should also learn about and understand the security features a lock offers before making a purchase decision.
This lock selection process can be long and tedious, so as mentioned, I put together a table of the four top-performing Gold-rated bike locks on the market, allowing you to compare and find your best option.
Otherwise, if you want to compare the complete list of over 130 Sold Secure Pedal Cycle Gold-rated locks, you can view the up-to-date table below.
List of Sold Secure Bike Locks
The table below includes every Sold Secure Pedal Cycle Gold-rated bike lock, their characteristics, and additional information.
This is the most up-to-date and detailed table available. I update this regularly in line with new products added to the category.
By clicking the names of each lock below, you’ll be taken to Amazon or other sites where you can view the most up-to-date price for each lock.
Some of these links are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you decide to purchase. However, the prices are current, and you won’t pay any extra for this.
| Preview | Model | Weight | Width | Length | Shackle Thickness | Warranty Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ABUS Bordo Granit XPlus 6500 110 | 2.16kg (4.76lb) | 110cm (43.3") | 5.5mm | 2 Years | |
| | ABUS Bordo Granit XPlus 6500 85 | 1.76kg (3.88lb) | 85cm (33.46") | 5.5mm | 2 Years | |
| | ABUS BORDO 6405 85 | 1.70kg (3.75lb) | 85cm (33.46") | 5.5mm | 2 Years | |
| | ABUS BORDO 6405 110 | 1.95kg (4.29lb) | 110cm (43.3") | 5.5mm | 2 Years | |
| | ABUS Bordo 6500a SmartX | 2.30kg (5.07lb) | 110cm (43.3") | 5.5mm | 2 Years | |
| | ABUS Bordo 6500a SmartX RC | 2.32kg (5.11kg) | 110cm (43.3") | 5.5mm | 2 Years | |
| | ABUS 470 230 | 1.26kg (2.78lb) | 10.9cm (4.29") | 12mm | 2 Years | |
| | ABUS 470 300 | 1.32kg (2.91lb) | 10.9cm (4.29") | 12mm | 2 Years | |
| | ABUS CityChain 1010 170 | 3.38kg (7.45lb) | 170cm (66.9") | 9mm | 2 Years | |
| | ABUS CityChain 1010 140 | 2.65kg (5.84lb) | 140cm (55.1") | 9mm | 2 Years | |
| | ABUS CityChain 1010 110 | 2.20kg (4.85lb) | 110cm (43.3") | 9mm | 2 Years | |
| | ABUS CityChain 1010 85 | 1.85kg (4.08lb) | 85cm (33.5") | 9mm | 2 Years | |
 | ABUS Granit 53 London | 1.15kg (2.53lb) | 10.8cm (4.25") | 23cm (9.05") | 13mm | 2 Years |
| | ABUS Granit CityChain XPlus 1060 170 | 3.75kg (8.27lb) | 170cm (66.9") | 10mm | 2 Years | |
| | ABUS Granit CityChain XPlus 1060 140 | 3.26kg (7.19lb) | 140cm (55.1") | 10mm | 2 Years | |
| | Abus Granit CityChain XPlus 1060 110 | 2.65kg (5.84lb) | 110cm (43.3") | 10mm | 2 Years | |
| | ABUS Varedo Granit Plus 47-/150 HB 300 | 1.29kg (2.83lb) | 10.8cm (4.25") | 30cm (11.8") | 12mm | 2 Years |
| | ABUS Varedo Granit Plus 47-/150 HB 230 | 1.12kg (2.47lb) | 10.8cm (4.25") | 23cm (9.05") | 12mm | 2 Years |
| | ABUS Ivy Chain 9210 170 | 4.40kg (9.7lb) | 170cm (66.9") | 10mm | 2 Years | |
| | ABUS Ivy Chain 9210 140 | 3.65kg (8.05lb) | 140cm (55.1") | 10mm | 2 Years | |
| | ABUS Ivy Chain 9210 110 | 3.00kg (6.61lb) | 110cm (43.3") | 13mm | 2 Years | |
| | ABUS Ivy Chain 9210 85 | 2.44kg (5.38lb) | 85cm (33.46") | 10mm | 2 Years | |
| | ABUS Super Ultimate 430 11" | 1.80kg (3.97lb) | 10.8cm (4.25") | 30cm (11.8") | 14mm | 2 Years |
| | ABUS Super Ultimate 430 9" | 1.50kg (3.3lb) | 10.8cm (4.25") | 23cm (9.05") | 14mm | 2 Years |
| | ABUS Ultimate 420 11" | 1.80kg (3.97lb) | 10.8cm (4.25") | 30cm (11.8") | 13mm | 2 Years |
| | ABUS Ultimate 420 9" | 1.50kg (3.3lb) | 10.8cm (4.25") | 23cm (9.05") | 13mm | 2 Years |
| | AXA Absolute 9-110 | 2.73kg (6.02lb) | 110cm (43.3") | 9mm | 2 Years | |
| | AXA Absolute 9-90 | 2.23kg (4.92lb) | 90cm (35.5") | 9mm | 2 Years | |
| | AXA Fold Ultra | 1.44kg (3.17lb) | 90cm (35.5") | 8mm | 2 Years | |
 | AXA Linq | 2.65kg (5.84lb) | 100cm (39.37") | 9.5mm | 2 Years | |
| | Axa Newton Pro | 1.48kg (3.26lb) | 14cm (5.51") | 19cm (7.48") | 16mm | 2 Years |
| | AXA Newton ProMOTO-2 | 2.35kg (5.18lb) | 100cm (39.37") | 9mm | 2 Years | |
| | BBB BBL-78 | 1.50kg (3.3lb) | 14.1cm (5.55") | 29.5cm (11.61") | 16mm | 2 Years |
| | Bontrager Pro | 1.50kg (3.3lb) | 10.8cm (4.25") | 23cm (9.05lb) | 13mm | 2 Years |
| | Burg Wachter 1580 HB 165/200 | 1.07kg (2.35lb) | 11.6cm (4.56") | 19.8cm (7.8") | 12.2mm | 2 Years |
| | Burg Wachter 1600 HB 170/280 | 1.50kg (3.31lb) | 10.2cm (4.17") | 21cm (8.27") | 16mm | 2 Years |
| | Burg Wachter GKM 10mm Security Chain | 2.02kg (4.45lb) | 100cm (39.97") | 10mm | 2 Years | |
| | Burg Wachter GKM 10mm Security Chain | 2.94kg (6.48lb) | 150cm (59.6") | 10mm | 2 Years | |
| | Burg Wachter GKM 10mm Security Chain | 3.96kg (8.73lb) | 200cm (78.74") | 10mm | 2 Years | |
| | ETOOK 600 U Lock | 1.28kg (2.82lb) | 10.5cm (4.13") | 24cm (9.45") | 13mm | 2 Years |
| | ETOOK Combination Chain Lock 655 | 1.90kg (4.19lb) | 85cm (33.46") | 9mm | 2 Years | |
| | ETOOK Combination Chain Lock 655 | 2.30kg (5.07lb) | 100cm (39.37") | 9mm | 2 Years | |
| | ETOOK Combination Chain Lock 655 | 2.40kg (5.29lb) | 110cm (43.3") | 9mm | 2 Years | |
| | Foldylock Forever 90 | 1.64kg (3.64lb) | 12.2cm (4.8") | 25.2cm (9.9") | 6.5mm | 3 Years |
| | Giant Protector 1 STD | 1.25kg (3.3lb) | 11.5cm (4.53") | 23cm (9.05") | 14mm | 2 Years |
| | Giant Protector 1 DT | 1.75kg (3.86lb) | 11.5cm (4.53") | 23cm (9.05") | 14mm | 2 Years |
| | Giant Protector LS | 1.35kg (2.98lb) | 11.5cm (4.53") | 29.2cm (11.5") | 13mm | 2 Years |
| | Halfords 23 | 11cm (4.33") | 23cm (9.05") | 13mm | 2 Years | |
| | Halfords 23 Cable | 11cm (4.33") | 23cm (9.05") | 13mm | 2 Years | |
| | Hiplok EDX | 3.50kg (7.72lb) | 100cm (39.37") | 10mm | 2 Years | |
| | Hiplok Gold | 2.20kg (4.85lb) | 85cm (33.46") | 10mm | 2 Years | |
| | Hiplok Home Gold | 4.30kg (9.48lb) | 150cm (59") | 10mm | 2 Years | |
| | Hiplok Superbright | 2.20kg (4.85lb) | 85cm (33.46") | 10mm | 2 Years | |
| | Kholburg Helsinki | 2.50kg (5.51lb) | 120cm (47.28") | 8.3mm | 2 Years | |
| | Kryptonite Combo U Lock | 1.04kg (2.3lb) | 10.2cm (4") | 20.3cm (8") | 12mm |