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Bike Locks · Comparison

The Litelok X1 meets
the Kryptonite KryptoLok Standard U-Lock

The angle-grinder-resistant U-lock testers rank first almost everywhere, pairing diamond-grade security with a weight you will actually carry.. We tested it head-to-head against the Kryptonite KryptoLok Standard U-Lock ($44) across 6 key dimensions.

Litelok X1 black U-lock front view on white background
BEST

Litelok X1

“The angle-grinder-resistant U-lock testers rank first almost everywhere, pairing diamond-grade security with a weight you will actually carry.”

$260
Our Score
83.5 / 100
Buy on Amazon
Kryptonite KryptoLok Standard U-lock with FlexFrame bracket and keys on white background
VALUE

Kryptonite KryptoLok Standard U-Lock

“The default sensible U-lock: Sold Secure Gold protection, a roomy shackle, and a price under fifty dollars that no premium lock touches.”

$44
Our Score
70.9 / 100
Buy on Amazon
01

Head-to-Head Breakdown

Grinder
30% of score +
Litelok
88
Kryptonite
45
Litelok X1

Angle-grinder resistant in every lab: BikeRadar measured 4 min 38 sec, OutdoorGearLab 6 min 35 sec, and Bikerumor needed a wheel change at ~98 sec per cut. Tough, though the heavier X3 and Hiplok D1000 resist longer.

Kryptonite KryptoLok Standard U-Lock

Not angle-grinder resistant: OutdoorGearLab cut the 12.7mm shackle in about 20 seconds with a grinder. It is built to defeat hand tools and opportunists, not power tools.

Security
20% of score +
Litelok
90
Kryptonite
70
Litelok X1

Sold Secure Diamond for both pedal and powered cycles plus ART 4, the top independent ratings, with a Barronium-armored core that shrugs off bolt cutters and prying.

Kryptonite KryptoLok Standard U-Lock

Sold Secure Gold with a 12.7mm hardened steel shackle handles bolt cutters and prying well enough for everyday and moderate-risk parking.

Portability
20% of score +
Litelok
80
Kryptonite
88
Litelok X1

At 1.7kg (3.7 lbs) OutdoorGearLab called it unbeatable security without the back-breaking weight, lighter than every other Diamond grinder lock except the OnGuard.

Kryptonite KryptoLok Standard U-Lock

At 1.32kg (2.9 lbs) with an included FlexFrame bracket, it is light and easy to carry daily, lighter than every premium pick except the OnGuard.

Usability
10% of score +
Litelok
78
Kryptonite
88
Litelok X1

A 3.98 x 7.72 in shackle window fits a frame and wheel to most racks, and it ships with a frame mount and two keys.

Kryptonite KryptoLok Standard U-Lock

OutdoorGearLab called its 4 x 9 in window the sweet spot for size and convenience, with plenty of room for a frame and wheel.

Weather
10% of score +
Litelok
75
Kryptonite
78
Litelok X1

The fused Barronium coating and sealed keyway hold up well outdoors, in line with its Diamond corrosion testing.

Kryptonite KryptoLok Standard U-Lock

Kryptonite's sealed keyway and weatherproofing are a long-proven strength of the KryptoLok line.

Trust
10% of score +
Litelok
78
Kryptonite
92
Litelok X1

Litelok is the specialist that pioneered light angle-grinder-resistant locks, and reviewers across six outlets trust its testing claims.

Kryptonite KryptoLok Standard U-Lock

Kryptonite is the most established lock brand, and the KryptoLok is eligible for the Kryptonite Anti-Theft Protection registration program.

02

Strengths & Weaknesses

Litelok X1

+ Strengths
  • Named the best overall bike lock by BikeRadar, OutdoorGearLab, Bikerumor, and thebestbikelock.com
  • Diamond rated for both pedal and powered cycles, so it covers e-bikes as well as regular bikes
  • At 1.7kg it is one of the lightest angle-grinder-resistant locks you can buy
Weaknesses
  • The toughest cutters slow it less than the heavier Litelok X3 or Hiplok D1000
  • Premium pricing near $260 is a big step up from a standard U-lock
  • Sold mostly through Litelok directly, so retail availability is thinner than Kryptonite or Abus
Key flaw: The X1 is not the single toughest lock made.

Kryptonite KryptoLok Standard U-Lock

+ Strengths
  • OutdoorGearLab's Best Buy and RunBikeCalc's best value, with Sold Secure Gold at well under $50
  • Light at 2.9 lbs and includes a FlexFrame transport bracket
  • Roomy 4 x 9 in shackle and Kryptonite's trusted keyway and support network
Weaknesses
  • Not angle-grinder resistant, so it is the wrong pick for high-theft city centers
  • 12.7mm shackle is thinner than the 14mm-plus shackles on the premium locks
  • No e-bike-grade powered cycle rating
Key flaw: The KryptoLok's limit is the power tool.
03

The Verdict

Our Bottom Line

The Litelok X1 is the rare lock that nearly every independent tester crowns first. BikeRadar, OutdoorGearLab, Bikerumor, and thebestbikelock.com all rank it their best overall, and Cycling Weekly places it second only to a lighter newcomer. The reason is the combination that used to be impossible: real angle-grinder resistance in a lock you will actually carry.

BEST
Litelok X1
Litelok X1 black U-lock front view on white background

The Litelok X1 is the rare lock that nearly every independent tester crowns first. BikeRadar, OutdoorGearLab, Bikerumor, and thebestbikelock.com all rank it their best overall, and Cycling Weekly places it second only to a lighter newcomer. The reason is the combination that used to be impossible: real angle-grinder resistance in a lock you will actually carry.

Best for:
  • City commuters parking in higher-theft areas who want real angle-grinder protection
  • E-bike owners who need a powered-cycle Diamond rating
  • Riders who refuse to carry a 5-pound lock but still want top-tier security
  • Anyone replacing a stolen-bike lock who wants the broadest expert consensus pick
  • Buyers who value Sold Secure Diamond and ART 4 ratings over rock-bottom price
VALUE
Kryptonite KryptoLok Standard U-Lock
Kryptonite KryptoLok Standard U-lock with FlexFrame bracket and keys on white background

The Kryptonite KryptoLok is the lock most riders should actually start with. It is a different tool than the X1: it is not angle-grinder resistant, and it does not pretend to be. What it delivers is Sold Secure Gold protection against the bolt cutters, prying attacks, and opportunists that account for the vast majority of real-world bike theft, all for under $50.

Best for:
  • Everyday riders in low-to-moderate theft areas
  • Budget-conscious buyers who want a trusted brand under $50
  • Commuters who prioritize light daily carry and a roomy shackle
  • Students and casual cyclists locking a mid-value bike
  • Anyone who wants solid Gold-rated protection against hand tools and opportunists
04

Specifications

Spec Litelok X1 Kryptonite KryptoLok Standard U-Lock
Type U-lock U-lock
Security Sold Secure Diamond Sold Secure Gold
Shackle Barronium-armored steel core 12.7mm hardened steel
Weight 3.7 lbs 2.9 lbs
Internal 3.98 x 7.72 in 4 x 9 in
Grinder Proof Yes, resistant No
Read the full Bike Locks review
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