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I'm a recent convert to cycling, having moved to Amsterdam, and I intend to buy a U-lock for a bike I'm getting.

Now, people have recommended that I buy U-locks with a "sold secure" label - but in a couple of bike shops I've been to I haven't seen any items with this label. Granted, there wasn't that much variety, but it did make me wonder - is that certification very popular with lock manufacturers (of reasonable-quality locks)? Or is it more so for manufacturers in other countries than here? I need to decide whether to limit myself to locks with the certification or think of some other way to evaluate locks.

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You might have a bit more luck doing things the other way around - go to the Sold Secure web site and read off a list of compliant locks. When I was buying, I took this approach, chose the locks and then bought them online.

Also, bear in mind that Sold Secure originated in the UK, so possibly lock manufacturers who sell mostly outside of the UK market might not consider it worthwhile to worry about this badge. But having said that, I can see right now the Sold Secure sticker on both Kryptonite and Abus web sites (two of the biggest names, neither UK-based) against certain of their locks.

As regards how useful the Sold Secure branding is, you should be aware that this is pretty debatable. I've heard the scheme described as a marketing scam by the insurance/lock industries.

That having been said, I have a bike insurance policy which specifies that I need such-and-such a grade of Sold Secure lock in order for the policy to be valid. So, putting aside the issue of how "good" the lock is (in terms of protection against theft), in terms of me complying with the insurance policy it is a no-brainer just to use a lock with this badge on it.

Note that Sold Secure also have a scheme that applies to motorcycle locks, if that helps you to find a stockist. I have a chain which is rated as "silver" for a motorbike, but "gold" for a bicycle.

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    There are also other comparable certifications programs run in other countries -- the Germans, Dutch, etc. all have different branded programs from their countries (if you check Abus's offerings, they show these off). Regardless if its a "scam", better locks which have been certified (which most good lock companies will do) will be certified with a higher level on the more respectable certs (SoldSecure, the german thing, etc.).
    – Batman
    Feb 6, 2016 at 14:35
  • @Batman: Can you list a few certifications or link to where I might find them?
    – einpoklum
    Feb 6, 2016 at 14:38
  • @einpoklum also, Kryptonite offer their own scheme. "Use such-and-such a lock out of our range and we'll guarantee up to a certain value" kind of thing. But I'm not sure what jurisdictions they run that in, nor (importantly) do I know what the small print says.
    – PeteH
    Feb 6, 2016 at 14:47
  • @einpoklum - go to Abus's page or Kryptonite's page and look at what certs they have marked.
    – Batman
    Feb 6, 2016 at 15:14

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