OnGuard Brute STD 5001

Many top-rated U-locks are quite expensive, but the OnGuard Brute STD 5001 bike lock gets high marks for value. It also performs well in theft tests, so you won't be sacrificing much protection. The OnGuard Brute STD 5001 U-lock wins a bike-lock test conducted by Maxim magazine, and it also scores very well in a test by Slate.com. In these tests, reviewers are unable to saw through the 16.8 mm steel shackle, and the lock doesn't budge in a direct assault with a hammer. It does eventually succumb to a tester with an angle grinder, but most bike thieves don't carry power tools with them. The OnGuard Brute STD 5001 U-lock has a long shackle, so it's a good choice for beefy bike frames or for securing both the frame and rear wheel. However, reviewers think the large size makes it unwieldy to carry, and the included mounting bracket doesn't seem sturdy enough to support the 4.3-pound Brute STD 5001. If you live in a low-crime area and want a lighter lock, the OnGuard Bulldog Mini TC 5013TC U-lock (*Est. $22) weighs just 2 pounds.

The best review of the OnGuard Brute STD 5001 comes from Slate.com, which pits the U-lock against several other bike locks in a head-to-head test. While the test is several years old, most of the locks are still on the market. The Brute bike lock is also featured in a test conducted by Maxim magazine, but it's only compared to two other locks. The New York Times also highlights the OnGuard Brute STD lock in a shorter review.