Best
Best Chain Locks for Electric Tricycles
Three chain locks sorted by reach and chain thickness for a heavy, high value e-trike.
Updated · 3 min read · 3 products evaluated
An electric tricycle is a tempting target because of its battery and motor, and it is far too heavy for one person to carry away, so thieves tend to roll it or lift it into a van. A chain lets you thread through the frame and a fixed post in awkward spots where a rigid U lock will not fit.
We compared three chain locks by length, link thickness and lock head. A trike is wide, so a very short chain may never reach around the frame and a post at the same time.
Short answer
APECYC is the best all round choice with a 4 foot chain and a resettable 5 digit combination, so there is no key to lose. Weogine pairs a U lock with a 4 foot chain for two locking points. Sportneer has the thickest stated links at 7 millimeters, but its 2.46 foot chain is short for a wide trike.
Quick Picks
Our 3 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Best Two Piece Set
Weogine U-Lock with 4 ft Chain
Two locking points on a heavy e-trike
Best Chain Thickness
Sportneer 7mm Square Chain Lock
Short stops at racks and poles
Our Picks
Best Overall1 of 3
APECYC 4 ft Combination Chain Lock
A 4 foot chain with a resettable 5 digit code and a fabric cover.
Best for
Everyday e-trike parking
Why we like it
APECYC offers a 4 foot hardened steel chain with a 5 digit resettable combination and a protective fabric cover. With no key to carry, there is nothing to lose or leave in a lock.
Four feet reaches around a trike frame and a post better than Sportneer's 2.46 feet. Link thickness is not clearly given, so compare it with Sportneer's stated 7 millimeters if cut resistance matters. The code can be watched, so shield your hand.
Key specs
| Features | 4 ft chain, 5 digit combination, hardened steel links, fabric cover |
|---|
Specs can change between model years; confirm the exact version before buying.
Strengths
- 4 foot reach
- No key to lose
- Resettable code
- Fabric cover protects paint
Limitations
- Code can be watched
- Link thickness not clearly given
Consider it if
- Garage and street parking
Skip it if
- Riders wanting stated link thickness
Best Two Piece Set2 of 3
Weogine U-Lock with 4 ft Chain
A 14 millimeter U lock plus a 4 foot chain, with a frame mounting bracket.
Best for
Two locking points on a heavy e-trike
Why we like it
Weogine combines a 14 millimeter U lock with a 4 foot security chain, three keys and a frame mounting bracket. You can use the pair together or separately.
It gives you two locking points, which makes sense for a heavy electric trike with a battery to protect. The shackle is thinner than the stand alone heavy locks, and the brand is new to us. Use the U lock on the frame and the chain on a wheel.
Key specs
| Fit and mounting | Frame mounting bracket |
|---|---|
| Features | 14 mm shackle, 4 ft chain, 3 keys |
Specs can change between model years; confirm the exact version before buying.
Strengths
- U lock plus chain
- Mounting bracket included
- Three keys
- Can use each separately
Limitations
- Thinner shackle than heavy locks
- Unverified brand
Consider it if
- Frame and wheel locking
Skip it if
- Long term street parking
Best Chain Thickness3 of 3
Sportneer 7mm Square Chain Lock
A 7 millimeter square link chain with a head that adjusts to three positions.
Best for
Short stops at racks and poles
Why we like it
Sportneer uses a 7 millimeter square link manganese steel chain with a fabric cover and a lock head that adjusts to 75, 80 or 85 millimeters. It comes with three keys and is sold for e-bikes and scooters.
The links are thicker than the other two options give details for, but at 2.46 feet it is short for a wide trike and may reach only a rack beside the frame. Measure the distance from your frame to a post before buying.
Key specs
| Size | 7 mm square chain, 2.46 ft |
|---|---|
| Features | 3 position lock head, fabric cover, 3 keys |
Specs can change between model years; confirm the exact version before buying.
Strengths
- 7 mm square links
- Three position lock head
- Fabric cover protects paint
- Three keys included
Limitations
- Short 2.46 foot chain
- Costs more than the others
Consider it if
- Short stops
- Lighter e-trikes
Skip it if
- Wide frames and thick posts
Spec Comparison
Key figures side by side. A dash means the brand gives no figure, so ask before you buy if it matters to you.
| Model | Features | Link |
|---|---|---|
| APECYC 4 ft Combination Chain Lock Best Overall | 4 ft chain, 5 digit combination, hardened steel links, fabric cover | Check price |
| Weogine U-Lock with 4 ft Chain Best Two Piece Set | 14 mm shackle, 4 ft chain, 3 keys | Check price |
| Sportneer 7mm Square Chain Lock Best Chain Thickness | 3 position lock head, fabric cover, 3 keys | Check price |
How We Chose These Chain Locks for Electric Tricycles
- Chain length
- A trike frame is wide, so we compared how far each chain stretches and whether it can reach around a frame tube and a post at once.
- Link thickness
- Stated link size such as 7 millimeters matters for cut resistance, and we noted where a lock does not clearly give the figure.
- Lock head design
- We compared combination, keyed and adjustable heads, since a key can be lost and a visible code can be watched.
- E-trike fit
- We considered how each lock works for a heavy, valuable e-trike, including covers that protect paint and mounting options that keep the chain off the rider.
What to Look for in a Chain Locks for Electric Tricycles
Chain length
A chain must pass through the frame and around a fixed object. On a wide trike frame, a short chain may reach only a rack and nothing solid.
Measure the distance from the frame to your usual post or rack and add a margin. Four feet covers more situations than 2.46 feet.
Link thickness
Thicker links take longer to cut with bolt cutters. A 7 millimeter square link is far more resistant than a thin link, but thickness is not always stated.
Look for the link size in the title or bullets. If it is missing, as with APECYC, assume a medium chain and use it for shorter stops.
Combination or key
A combination lock has no key to lose, but a visible code can be watched or guessed on short codes. A keyed lock needs spare keys and can be picked.
Shield your hand when setting the code, and keep spare keys at home if you pick a keyed head such as Weogine or Sportneer.
Battery and parking habits
An electric trike's battery is its most valuable part, and a chain only protects the frame. Removing the battery when you park defeats a common reason to steal it.
Lock through the frame and a fixed post, lift the chain off the ground, and take the battery inside when possible.
How to Choose
By Reach Needed
| Situation | Our pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Wide frame and thick post | APECYC 4 ft | Four feet of chain reaches around both |
| Frame and a wheel together | Weogine U-Lock and Chain | U lock plus chain gives two points |
| Short stop at a bike rack | Sportneer 7mm | Thick links, short chain, quick to clip |
| No key to carry | APECYC 4 ft | Resettable 5 digit combination |
Chain Only vs U Lock and Chain
- Chain only
- APECYC and Sportneer are simple chains, easy to thread through a frame and a post, and light to carry.
- U lock and chain
- Weogine gives a 14 millimeter shackle plus a 4 foot chain, so you secure the frame with one and a wheel with the other.
Most e-trike owners should start with a 4 foot chain and add a second lock for long stops.
For Garage and Apartment Parking Specifically
- Look for
- A fabric covered chain that will not scratch the frame or rattle against a wall, plus a code or keys you will actually remember.
- In this comparison
- APECYC and Sportneer both have fabric covers, and APECYC avoids keys; Weogine is bulkier, so it suits a locked garage less.
When to Spend More
- Spend more if
- You park an e-trike outdoors for hours, where a heavier locking system than Weogine's 14 millimeter shackle is worth adding.
- Save if
- You lock at a store for short stops and can see the trike, where APECYC or Weogine is enough.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a chain lock enough for an electric tricycle?
For short stops, a good chain is a reasonable deterrent. For long outdoor parking, add a second lock and remove the battery. None of the chains here claims a security rating, so treat them as deterrents.
Which chain is the thickest?
Sportneer states 7 millimeter square links. APECYC says hardened steel links without a stated size, and Weogine's chain is paired with a 14 millimeter U lock. Check the link figure before relying on any chain for long stops.
Why does chain length matter on a trike?
A trike's frame sits wider and the rear wheels sit apart, so a short chain may reach only a rack beside the frame. Sportneer's 2.46 feet is short, while APECYC and Weogine give 4 feet.
Combination or keyed lock?
A combination like APECYC's avoids lost keys but can be watched, so shield your hand. Keyed locks like Weogine and Sportneer include three keys, which are easy to lose but also give spare copies.
Should I remove the battery when I lock up?
Yes, if you can. The battery is the most valuable part of an e-trike and a chain protects only the frame. Taking it inside removes a common reason for theft and also protects it from weather.
Bottom Line
APECYC is the best default chain for an electric trike because four feet of reach and a resettable code suit most parking spots. Weogine is the pick when you want two locking points, and Sportneer offers thick links for short stops. Always measure reach first and take the battery indoors.