Sold Secure is a UK premium lock testing centre and independent security certification body, owned by The Master Locksmiths Association.

Sold Secure tests and certifies a wide range of bicycle locks and motorcycle locks, such as chain locks and D(U) locks, to provide consumers with an indication of their strength, regardless of the brand or type. Sold Secure helps people make informed purchasing decisions by offering thorough and accurate security assessments.

Choosing a Sold Secure bike lock is essential. The ratings include Diamond, Gold, Silver, Bronze (or if the test is not successful, they are “unrated”). This tiered-system is an extremely useful guide for riders when choosing a lock, particularly as it is consistent and independent of different brands. Sold Secure will guide you in choosing the right locks, based on your needs.

Sold Secure has a UK based testing house where they put the locks through a series of tests that recreate the environment and resources used by bike thieves in the real world. If a lock has a Sold Secure rating, it has provided a good level of resistance against common theft attack methods such as cutting, drilling, picking, leverage attack, bolt cropper, freezing, and other attacks.

1. Lock your bike somewhere visible, where there is a lot of passing traffic. You don’t want to lock your bike down a quiet alleyway for instance, as it simply gives the bike thief more time to work on the bike lock.
2. Lock your bike to a secure locking point. A dedicated bike rack is ideal. Try not to lock your bike to railings or wire fences that are easy to cut through.
3. When you lock your bicycle, position the lock so that it is awkward for the thief to attack. For example, the tighter the lock is around the bike, the less leverage they will have to break the lock.
4. The higher the lock is from the ground, the more secure it will be.
5. Secure anything that’s easy to remove, such as quick-release wheels or bike lights. Failing that, take them with you.

1. Always secure your bike in a well-lit, high-traffic area. Avoid isolated spots, as these give thieves more time and privacy to work on your lock.
2. Where possible, try to secure your bike to a fixed point or secure anchor. This will stop the thieves from simply lifting the bike away.
3. Use multiple locks so thieves will have more time to spend to work on the locks, for example D lock with chain lock. Layering security will make it more difficult for thieves to steal your bike.
4. When using a D lock, it is best practice to position the lock around the wheel, to make it harder for the thief to remove. Wheel spokes can be easily cut through.
5. Don’t forget to secure easily removable items, like your helmet, when locking up your bike.

*Pedal Cycle Diamond and Powered Cycle Gold offers the same level of security.

SOLD SECURE RATING	PROTECTION LEVEL	THREAT LEVEL	CAN BE USED IN
Sold Secure Pedal Cycle Bronze		GOOD security level, resistant against opportunistic attacks	Low risk area
Sold Secure Pedal Cycle Silver		GREATER security level, resistant against determined attacks	Low to medium risk area
Sold Secure Pedal Cycle Gold		HIGH security level, resistant against dedicated attacks	Medium to high risk area
Sold Secure Pedal Cycle Diamond		MAXIMUM security level, resistant against most of attacks	Very high risk area
Sold Secure Powered Cycle Gold		MAXIMUM security level, resistant against most of attacks	Very high risk area
Sold Secure Powered Cycle Diamond		ULTIMATE security level, resistant against most of attacks including angle grinder	Extremely high risk area

What is Sold Secure?

Sold Secure is a UK-based certification organisation that tests and rates security products, including bicycle and motorcycle locks like chain and D(U) locks, for resistance to attacks. Their Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Diamond ratings provide a clear understanding of security levels.

What is the difference between Sold Secure Pedal Cycle and Powered Cycle?

The difference lies in the type of vehicle being secured and the level of security. Sold Secure Pedal Cycle is for standard bicycles and E-bikes, while Sold Secure Powered Cycle is for motorcycles and other motorised cycles. Powered Cycle locks are generally stronger, as they are designed to provide higher security for vehicles of greater monetary value.

What is the difference between Sold Secure Pedal Cycle Diamond and Powered Cycle Diamond?

The difference between Sold Secure Pedal Cycle Diamond and Powered Cycle Diamond lies in the level of security they provide. Powered Cycle Diamond offers a higher level of protection, especially for environments where the risk of theft is greater.

Sold Secure Pedal Cycle Diamond offers a very high level of security, designed for use in very high-risk areas. However, Powered Cycle Diamond, provides ultimate security with at least 90 seconds of angle grinder resistance, making it suitable for areas with extremely high risk.

However, some locks with the Sold Secure Powered Cycle rating can withstand an angle grinder attack for a far longer period of time. The 1000 Series locks and anchors, for instance, have been proven to withstand an angle grinder attack for several minutes.

Check out the 1000 Series here.

What is the difference between Sold Secure and ART?

Sold Secure and ART are independent security certification organisations that test and certify bicycle and motorcycle locks.

Sold Secure, based in the UK, evaluates locks for resistance to various attacks and provides ratings from Bronze to Diamond.

ART, based in the Netherlands, uses a star rating system from 1 to 5, with 5 stars indicating the highest level of security. Both certifications help consumers choose reliable locks, with Sold Secure being more common in the UK and ART widely recognised across Europe.

What is the strongest bike lock?

The strongest bike lock must have a Sold Secure Powered Cycle Diamond rating. The Hiplok D1000 is one of the toughest bicycle locks available on the market, as it has been tested to resist an angle grinder significantly longer than standard locks. The Hiplok DX1000 is a larger alternative to the D1000, suitable for motorcycles and larger frames bicycles. It’s also resistant to angle grinders, offering ultimate security for your bike.

What is the lightest Sold Secure lock?

If you’re looking for a lock that is both light and strong, the Hiplok DX is a great choice. Its compact and lightweight design makes it easy to carry while offering maximum security with a Sold Secure Diamond rating. Weighing just 1.1kg, it provides a light yet highly secure option.

Are Hiplok locks Sold Secure approved?

Many Hiplok chain locks, D locks, and storage solutions are Sold Secure approved. With ratings ranging from Bronze to Diamond, Hiplok offers a variety of options to suit different needs and budgets, ensuring you can choose the right lock for your security requirements.

Products without a Sold Secure rating are designed to stop opportunist thefts and would therefore be best suited for low-risk areas and situations, i.e a café stop, where your bike is nearby/in view.

Do Sold Secure ratings apply to all types of bike locks?

Sold Secure ratings apply to a wide range of bike locks, including chain locks, D locks (U locks), folding locks, even bike storage products. Sold Secure tests each type of lock based on its resistance to various theft methods, but not all locks may be tested or rated, so it’s important to check if your lock has been certified.

How can I find out if my lock is Sold Secure certified?

You can check if your lock is Sold Secure certified by looking for the Sold Secure logo or the rating (Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Diamond) on the packaging or product itself. You can also visit the official Sold Secure website and search their database to verify the certification of specific locks.