DockLocks Anti-Theft Weatherproof Cable Review

We don't think that anyone should use a cable lock as the primary method of locking their bicycle. But if you're going to anyway, the DocksLocks Anti-Theft Weatherproof Cable is your best option. This lock is lightweight and easy to use, the dials are smooth and well-labeled, and it works after being soaked in mud or wetted down and spending the night in the freezer. This lock also comes in many sizes; you can have it in five-foot lengths all the way up to 25 feet. We tested the five-foot version on our bicycles for a few months and walked away impressed with how nice to use and carry this lock was, and it earned our Editor's Choice award for the best cable lock.

Performance Comparison

Security

When we grade the security of cable locks, we don't do it on a curve. We compare them to every bike lock we've tested: U-locks, chain locks, steel bands, and the lot. On that scale, no cable lock does well, and the DocksLocks Anti-Theft Weatherproof Cable is no exception. Though it resisted attacks from our pliers, three-pound hammer, and screwdriver, we were able to cut through it with bolt cutters and an angle grinder in just a few seconds with very little effort, and it took less than a minute to get through with our hacksaw. If you're looking for security, cable locks are not for you.

Cable locks are designed to prevent snatch and grabs of your equipment from opportunist, tool-less thieves. We've seen cables that are so weak you can yank them apart with your bare hands and a bit of leverage. Fortunately, the DockLocks Cable didn't have that problem. It is also designed with tight enough tolerances to resist the picking of the lock. Some poorly made combination cables can be picked by slowly turning each dial and feeling the lock to see when it loosens up. On a poorly designed lock, as a dial goes into place, the lock gets looser, and you can work out a combination in a matter of minutes. This lock didn't succumb to over ten minutes of our attempted picking, which is a pretty good performance when we were able to open some in under a minute.

Ease of Transport

The DocksLocks Anti-Theft Weatherproof Cable lock is lightweight and small. It's easy to toss into your bag or wrap around your handlebars and hit the town. And you're going to have to because it doesn't come with any method to attach it to your bicycle. Fortunately, the tight coil the lock defaults into is small enough to fit into most fanny and hip packs, so you shouldn't have a problem squeezing it into any space you need. In this category, we specifically looked at the five-foot-long lock. If you're using a longer one, you're going to need more space.

Very few locks in this price range come with a bike mounting method, and those that do tend to be poorly made and very breakable, so we don't hold the lack of a mount against this lock too much. At under a pound, this lock doesn't present a problem in a bag or basket, and it's light enough not to spoil the ride if you wrap it around your handlebars.

Ease of Use

This is an area where the DocksLocks Anti-Theft Weatherproof Cable performs quite well. The lock is designed well, so sliding the lock together and apart is smooth and easy. The combination dial is attached to the cable via a free-moving hinge that makes it easy to get things lined up properly. Even though it's a 10-millimeter cable, it coils and uncoils well, making it easy to stretch out around your wheels and the bike rack. Some cables have too much "memory"; they spring back to their coiled positions abruptly and (occasionally) painfully. This lock does not have that problem.

This lock also performs well in both muddy and freezing conditions. We sprayed it down with water and put it into our freezer overnight, then tried to open it in the morning, simulating freezing overnight temperatures. The dials didn't stick, nor did the lock, and it popped right open as expected. That earned it good marks in our books.

Versatility

This is where the DocksLocks Anti-Theft Weatherproof Cable really shines. Since it's available in lengths up to 25 feet, there's just about nothing you couldn't lock with it if you wanted to. This lock was originally designed for paddleboards, kayaks, canoes, and the like, hence why the company is called DocksLocks, but its smaller guises work well for bicycles too.

If you're looking for a cable to pop onto your roof or hitch rack to keep thieves from quickly grabbing your bike, kayak, or other pieces of outdoor gear, having this easy-to-use lock available in a 10 or 15-foot length is quite nice. It's only going to stop thieves who want to grab it and run off, not ones who bring tools, but it should stop an opportunistic bad actor who happens to be walking by.

Should You Buy the DocksLocks Anti-Theft Weatherproof Cable?

You shouldn't buy the DocksLocks Anti-Theft Weatherproof Cable lock or any cable lock if you want to secure your bike against theft. No cable lock is secure enough to resist simple attacks, like bolt cutters, for more than a few seconds. But if you want to prevent snatch-and-grab opportunists from taking off with your unlocked steed, this lightweight, easy-to-use and carry cable lock is not bad. It hasn't stopped working in tough conditions, is easy to carry with you, and won't beat up your fingers with stiff combination dials. If you're going to use a cable lock, this is a good option for you.

What Other Bike Locks Should You Consider?

If you want to keep your bike secure and still have a lock that's nice and easy to use, check out the Abus Ivera 7210 chain lock. It's over two feet long and is tough to cut with an angle grinder, and is impervious to our bolt cutters, so it's a quite secure option. For the ultimate in security, the Top Pick Hiplok D1000 was so difficult to cut that it redefined our rating table. It resists an angle grinder better than anything we've ever seen. And for a great all-rounder U-lock that's inexpensive to boot, look at the Kryptonite KryptoLok.