Best
Best U-Locks for Electric Tricycles
Five U-locks compared for the extra value, weight and wide frame of an electric trike.
Updated · 4 min read · 5 products evaluated
An electric tricycle is expensive to replace and awkward to hide, so the lock matters more than it does on a basic cruiser. A U-lock is the stiffest common lock design, but its small opening decides what it can actually reach on a wide three-wheel frame.
The five picks here all name electric bikes in their copy, and they span a wide range: a 750 gram compact shackle, a 16 millimeter heavyweight, and two models that add a cable or chain for the second wheel. Each is judged by what it can encircle on a trike and what it adds beyond a single shackle.
Short answer
The Kryptonite New York Long Shackle is the best overall pick for its 16 millimeter shackle, 4 x 10.25 inch opening and double deadbolt. The Sportneer is the best cable combo, the Master Lock is the budget cable option, the Weogine adds a chain, and the OTTOLOCK Sidekick is the light second lock.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Best Overall
Kryptonite New York Long Shackle U-Lock
Securing a high-value e-trike
Best Cable Combo
Sportneer 18mm U-Lock with 6 ft Cable
Locking frame and extra wheel
Best Light Second Lock
OTTOLOCK Sidekick Compact U-Lock
Short stops as a second lock
Our Picks
Best Overall1 of 5
Kryptonite New York Long Shackle U-Lock
A 16mm hardened shackle with a long opening that reaches a trike's frame and a wheel.
Best for
Securing a high-value e-trike
Why we like it
The shackle is 16 millimeters of hardened steel with a patented double deadbolt that resists twist attacks, and the interior opening is 4 x 10.25 inches. That long opening gives a wide trike frame more room to reach a post than a short U-lock would.
It is the heaviest pick at 4.85 pounds, so it adds real weight to carry compared with the 750 gram OTTOLOCK Sidekick. It carries a Sold Secure Gold certification and a 9/10 security rating from the maker, and three keys with a key replacement program. Choose it when the trike is the most valuable thing you lock outside.
Key specs
| Size | 4 x 10.25 in interior opening |
|---|---|
| Features | 16mm shackle, double deadbolt, 3 keys, 4.85 lb |
Specs can change between model years; confirm the exact version before buying.
Strengths
- 16mm hardened steel shackle
- Long 10.25 inch opening
- Double deadbolt design
- Three keys and key replacement
Limitations
- Heavy at 4.85 pounds
- Locks only what the opening reaches
Consider it if
- High-value electric trikes
- Long stops downtown
Skip it if
- Riders who want a light carry
Best Cable Combo2 of 5
Sportneer 18mm U-Lock with 6 ft Cable
A thick 18mm shackle plus a 6 foot cable that can reach a second wheel.
Best for
Locking frame and extra wheel
Why we like it
The shackle is 18 millimeters thick, measures 9.85 x 6.3 inches and weighs 3.2 pounds, with a silicone coating that protects paint. A 6 foot cable and a frame bracket come with it, and the bracket fits tubes from about 0.87 to 3.15 inches across.
Next to the Kryptonite, the shackle is thicker but the opening is shorter, so the cable carries more of the job on a wide trike: the shackle takes the frame and one wheel, and the cable reaches the second rear wheel. It suits riders who park at racks and want both wheels covered. Remember a cable is easier to cut than the shackle.
Key specs
| Size | 9.85 x 6.3 in, 18mm thick |
|---|---|
| Features | 6 ft cable, mounting bracket, silicone coating, 2 keys |
Specs can change between model years; confirm the exact version before buying.
Strengths
- Thick 18mm shackle
- 6 foot cable for a second wheel
- Bracket fits tubes up to 3.15 inches
- Silicone coat protects paint
Limitations
- Cable is the weak point
- Only two keys included
Consider it if
- Rack parking
- Locking both rear wheels
Skip it if
- Long unattended stops
Best Budget Cable Lock3 of 5
Master Lock 8385D U-Lock with 4 ft Cable
A familiar hardened U-lock with a 4 foot looped cable and a carrier bracket.
Best for
Everyday errands
Why we like it
The hardened steel shackle is 8 inches long, 4 inches wide and 0.75 inch thick, with a double locking shackle and a 4 foot looped cable. A carrier bracket and two keys come in the box, and the brand copy names e-bikes and scooters.
The 4 inch width is narrow for a trike, so it will not reach a thick frame tube and a post together as easily as the Kryptonite or the Sportneer. The 4 foot cable is shorter than the Sportneer cable, which limits reach on a wide rear axle. It is the sensible lower-cost lock for short daytime stops.
Key specs
| Size | 8 in length, 4 in width, 0.75 in diameter |
|---|---|
| Features | Double locking shackle, 4 ft looped cable, carrier bracket, 2 keys |
Specs can change between model years; confirm the exact version before buying.
Strengths
- Double locking shackle
- 4 foot cable adds reach
- Carrier bracket included
- Two keys supplied
Limitations
- 4 inch width is narrow for a trike
- Cable is easier to cut
Consider it if
- Short daytime stops
- Lower-cost security
Skip it if
- Overnight outdoor parking
Best Chain Combo4 of 5
Weogine U-Lock with 4 ft Chain
A compact U-lock paired with a 4 foot steel chain and a frame bracket.
Best for
Locking more than one part
Why we like it
The lock measures 6.33 x 6.25 inches and comes with a 4 foot steel chain, a mounting bracket for tubes from 1.02 to 1.5 inches, and three keys. The chain can run through a wheel while the U-lock takes the frame.
The bracket range tops out at 1.5 inches, so check your frame tube before buying, since a thick trike down tube may not fit. A chain adds flexible reach compared with the Master Lock cable, but the brand is unverified and the shackle is thinner than the Sportneer. Treat it as a mid-security combo for a trike kept out of sight.
Key specs
| Size | 6.33 x 6.25 in |
|---|---|
| Features | 4 ft chain, bracket for 1.02 to 1.5 in tubes, 3 keys |
Specs can change between model years; confirm the exact version before buying.
Strengths
- 4 foot chain for a second wheel
- Three keys included
- Frame bracket supplied
- Can be used apart
Limitations
- Bracket limited to 1.5 inch tubes
- Thinner shackle than the Sportneer
Consider it if
- Frame plus wheel locking
- Spare key backup
Skip it if
- High-risk urban parking
Best Light Second Lock5 of 5
OTTOLOCK Sidekick Compact U-Lock
A 750 gram U-lock that locks one tube to a post as a quick add-on.
Best for
Short stops as a second lock
Why we like it
The Sidekick weighs 750 grams, uses a 12 millimeter double shackle with an antirotation deadbolt, and has a 2.75 x 5.75 inch opening and silicone body. It locks a single tube to a post.
That small opening cannot take a thick trike frame together with a post, so it works best as a second lock beside a bigger Kryptonite or Sportneer, or on a slim rear tube. Three keys are included. It carries the least weight of the five and gives the least security alone.
Key specs
| Size | 2.75 x 5.75 in opening |
|---|---|
| Features | 12mm double shackle, antirotation deadbolt, 750g, 3 keys |
Specs can change between model years; confirm the exact version before buying.
Strengths
- Only 750 grams
- Silicone body protects paint
- Antirotation deadbolt
- Three keys included
Limitations
- Tiny opening for a trike frame
- Thinner 12mm shackle
Consider it if
- Second lock
- Quick stops
Skip it if
- Sole lock on an e-trike
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 | Size | Features | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kryptonite New York Long Shackle U-Lock Best Overall | 4 x 10.25 in interior opening | 16mm shackle, double deadbolt, 3 keys, 4.85 lb | Check price |
| Sportneer 18mm U-Lock with 6 ft Cable Best Cable Combo | 9.85 x 6.3 in, 18mm thick | 6 ft cable, mounting bracket, silicone coating, 2 keys | Check price |
| Master Lock 8385D U-Lock with 4 ft Cable Best Budget Cable Lock | 8 in length, 4 in width, 0.75 in diameter | Double locking shackle, 4 ft looped cable, carrier bracket, 2 keys | Check price |
| Weogine U-Lock with 4 ft Chain Best Chain Combo | 6.33 x 6.25 in | 4 ft chain, bracket for 1.02 to 1.5 in tubes, 3 keys | Check price |
| OTTOLOCK Sidekick Compact U-Lock Best Light Second Lock | 2.75 x 5.75 in opening | 12mm double shackle, antirotation deadbolt, 750g, 3 keys | Check price |
How We Chose These U Locks for Electric Tricycles
- Shackle thickness and lock design
- We compared the stated shackle diameters, from 12 to 18 millimeters, and noted double deadbolt or antirotation designs, since a thicker shackle with a better locking head resists leverage more effectively.
- Opening size for a wide frame
- We weighed the stated opening dimensions because a trike frame tube is often thicker than a bicycle tube, and a short opening may not reach a post at all.
- Added cable or chain reach
- We rewarded locks that add a cable or chain, since a trike has two rear wheels and a single shackle cannot cover both of them.
- Weight and key backup
- We compared stated weights and key counts, because a heavy lock is left at home and a lost single key leaves an expensive trike stuck in place.
What to Look for in an U Locks for Electric Tricycles
Shackle diameter
Shackle diameter is the thickness of the steel bar. A thicker bar takes more force to cut or lever, and it usually brings more weight with it.
On a trike worth locking outdoors, aim for 16 millimeters or more for long stops, and check the stated diameter in the title or bullets rather than a phrase like heavy duty.
Opening size versus frame tubes
The opening is the gap inside the U. A trike frame tube and a rack post must both fit through it, so a narrow opening may refuse a thick down tube.
Measure your frame tube and the posts where you park, and compare them with the stated opening before buying, such as 4 x 10.25 inches versus 2.75 x 5.75 inches.
Cable or chain for the second wheel
A trike has two rear wheels, and one U-lock around the frame leaves the second wheel free to be taken. A cable or chain adds reach for that wheel but is easier to cut than a shackle.
Use the cable for wheels and the shackle for the frame, and check the stated cable length, like 4 or 6 feet, against how far apart your rear wheels sit.
Keys, weight and mounting
Extra keys let you keep a spare at home, and a mounting bracket keeps the lock on the frame during the ride. Heavy locks without a bracket often get left behind.
Check that the bracket range covers your frame tube diameter, and carry the lock in a rear basket if it is heavy, rather than dangling it from the handlebar.
How to Choose
By Where You Park
| Situation | Our pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Overnight or high-risk outdoor parking | Kryptonite New York Long Shackle | 16mm shackle and double deadbolt resist leverage |
| Rack parking, both rear wheels | Sportneer 18mm U-Lock | 6 foot cable reaches a second wheel |
| Short daytime errands | Master Lock 8385D | Lower cost with a 4 foot cable included |
| Frame plus wheel in one pass | Weogine U-Lock with Chain | 4 foot chain adds flexible reach |
| Quick stop as a second lock | OTTOLOCK Sidekick | 750 grams adds little weight to carry |
Shackle vs Cable or Chain
- Shackle only
- A thick shackle resists cutting best, but it only reaches what fits in its opening. The Kryptonite and the OTTOLOCK Sidekick are the shackle-led picks, with 16 and 12 millimeters.
- Shackle plus cable or chain
- The Sportneer, Master Lock and Weogine add a cable or chain that covers a second wheel. That reach is easier to cut, so it adds coverage, not extra strength.
Most trike owners should pair a thick shackle with a cable or chain for the second wheel.
For Parking at Racks Specifically
- Look for
- An opening large enough for a thick trike frame tube plus the rack, and a cable that reaches the second rear wheel without stretching across the rack.
- In this comparison
- The Sportneer fits best: its 9.85 x 6.3 inch shackle and 6 foot cable cover both rear wheels, while the Kryptonite handles the frame with its long opening.
When to Spend More
- Spend more if
- The e-trike is your main transport and sits outside for hours. The Kryptonite adds a 16 millimeter shackle and a key replacement program that cheaper models lack.
- Save if
- You lock briefly in sight of your stop. The Master Lock or the OTTOLOCK Sidekick covers short stops, and you can add a cable or a second lock later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a U-lock enough for an electric trike?
A U-lock is a strong start, but it only holds what fits inside it. Because a trike has two rear wheels, add a cable or chain for the second wheel, and use a second lock for long outdoor stops.
Will a U-lock fit around a trike frame?
It depends on the opening and the frame tube thickness. The Kryptonite opening of 4 x 10.25 inches is the longest here, while the OTTOLOCK Sidekick opening of 2.75 x 5.75 inches suits only slim tubes, so measure before ordering.
Is a thicker shackle always better?
A thicker shackle resists cutting and leverage better, but the weight rises with it, from 750 grams for the Sidekick to 4.85 pounds for the Kryptonite. Pick the thickest shackle you will actually carry instead of leaving it at home.
Should I lock the battery separately?
These locks secure the frame and wheels, and none of the five mention battery security. If your electric trike has a removable battery, take it with you, and check the maker's instructions for any battery lock.
What does a mounting bracket do?
A bracket carries the lock on the frame while you ride, so the weight sits low and does not swing. Check that the bracket range covers your frame tube, such as 1.02 to 1.5 inches on the Weogine.
Bottom Line
The Kryptonite New York Long Shackle is the best overall choice for an electric trike that stays outside, thanks to its 16 millimeter shackle and long opening. Add the Sportneer cable setup when you need both rear wheels covered, and keep the OTTOLOCK Sidekick as a light second lock for short stops.