Grind This! Bicycle U-Lock Cut Resistance Gets Cheaper: LITELOK X1 Review

Bike thieves’ techniques are constantly evolving. In recent years, battery-powered angle grinders have become one of the tools of choice. Lightweight, portable, and powerful, these angle grinders make quick work of most bike locks.

In response, bike lock manufacturers have developed tougher locks intended to withstand the tools used by modern bike thieves. Several angle-grinder-resistant U-locks with premium price tags and very high levels of security are now on the market. 

The LITELOK X1 ($170) boasts a Diamond rating from Sold Secure and is the brand’s second toughest U-lock. LITELOK coats a hardened steel core with Barronium composite armor that resists most angle grinders and sends bike thieves packing. 

For the past couple of weeks, I tested the functionality of the LITELOK X1 while locking a variety of bikes at city parks and businesses around Reno, Nev. I also performed a destructive test using an angle grinder to see how it stands up against the tools of the modern bike thief.

In short: The LITELOK X1 might not be the absolute toughest U-lock on the market. But it masterfully balances security, price, and performance. In addition to having a slightly larger locking area than most angle grinder-resistant locks, it’s among the lightest and easiest on the wallet. The Barronium armored shackle can still be cut. However, it requires multiple cutoff wheels, two full cuts, and at least several minutes to compromise.

Looking for a new bike lock? Check out our guide to the Best Bike Locks.

LITELOK X1 Bicycle U-Lock Review

Bike theft is a serious problem. The advancement of battery-powered tools has only made it easier for bike thieves to cut bike locks and make off with your precious ride. Hardened steel no longer cuts it when cordless angle grinders can slice through it like butter. 

Several brands have begun applying composites to the shackles to make them more resistant to angle grinder attacks. As such, the current crop of angle grinder-resistant locks is significantly more difficult to cut than the most secure locks of a few years ago.

LITELOK X1 Details

The LITELOK X1 shares the same basic design as most traditional U-locks, aka D-locks. This includes a large rubber-coated U-shaped shackle with a locking crossbar that attaches to its ends. The locking area dimensions measure 3.97” wide x 7.7” long or 101 x 197 mm. It weighs 3.7 pounds.

What sets the X1 apart from less secure bike locks on the market is the use of a patent-pending Barronium composite material. Barronium is a proprietary composite that LITELOK’s founder and CEO developed. It consists of multiple ceramic and metallic materials fused to the outside of a hardened high-tensile steel core.

While the details about the composite are a bit sparse, LITELOK claims that it “resists angle grinder attack by turning the grinder’s energy and force in on itself.”

The 16mm-thick hardened steel shackle protects against nonpowered attacks from tools like hand saws, bolt cutters, and pry bars. The shackle and crossbar also have an anti-rotation feature. This means a thief must cut both sides of the lock to fully compromise it. The X1 comes with two keys and has a self-sealing rubber keyhole cover to keep water, dust, and debris out.

A plant-based rubber coating covers the entire lock. It’s gentle on bike frames, with a reflective stripe added for night visibility. Our test lock came with a neoprene sleeve for protection if you carry it in a messenger bag or backpack.

LITELOK also sells the X1 Tactical Mount and the Twist & Go mounts separately if you would rather carry the X1 on your bike. Currently, you can buy the Tactical Mount at 50% off by purchasing it at the same time as the X1.

Sold Secure tested the X1 and gave it a Bicycle Diamond and Motorcycle Diamond rating. This is the highest rating the independent lock testing organization awards. The Diamond rating means that it must be able to withstand attacks for a minimum of 5 minutes, including at least 1.5 minutes with an angle grinder.

It also earned a 4-star (out of 5) rating from ART, a Dutch lock testing and certification organization. The ART 4 rating means that it “provides quality protection against theft for motorcycles with a high risk of being stolen.”

Using the LITELOK X1

Before destroying the LITELOK X1 for this review, I used it for a couple of weeks to get a feel for how it works. Functionally, bike locks are relatively simple things, but I think LITELOK nailed the details for a good user experience. I liked using it so much that I was actually sad to destroy it.

First, the locking area is slightly larger than similar locks like the OnGuard RockSolid or the Hiplok D1000. While the numbers may look somewhat similar on paper, having a little more width and length in the locking area made it easier to live with. Fitting the X1’s shackle around the frame, rear wheel, and a bike rack was less of a hassle.

Still, like any U-lock, the shape and size of the locking area were slightly limiting. While I was able to lock around the rear wheel, seat tube, and a bike rack, that was it. If I wanted to lock my front wheel, too, I would need an additional lock. But the same goes for any U-lock.

The key action was also impressively smooth, as was inserting and removing the shackle from the crossbar. I’ve used other locks that weren’t anywhere near as smooth in this regard. Everything felt very precise, and using this lock was quick and easy. There was also virtually no free play in the shackle/crossbar interface, so it didn’t rattle around in my bag.

I also appreciated the included neoprene sleeve. This simple detail made it so the lock didn’t conflict with things like my laptop in my messenger bag. It also softened the occasional bounce off my back. The rubber coating didn’t leave any rubber residue or marks on my frame, and there was no exposed metal to cause scratches. 

At 3.7 pounds, it was noticeable when I carried it in my messenger bag. It didn’t feel excessively heavy. But if I were keeping it, I’d probably buy one of the frame mounts to carry it on the bike instead. For comparison, the OnGuard RockSolid is about 0.6 pounds lighter, while the Hiplock D1000 is about 0.4 pounds heavier. Both have notably smaller locking areas.

Channeling My Inner Bike Thief

I’m not a bike thief, but I’ve had a couple of bikes stolen. I’m aware of the tools they use and chose to subject the X1 lock to a destructive test using an angle grinder. I predicted this test would provide insight into how this lock defends against an increasingly common form of attack. I borrowed a friend’s corded Milwaukee angle grinder and bought a few metal cutoff wheels.

LITELOK claims the X1 is “at least 5x more angle-grinder resistant than the current best-selling D-locks.” The brand doesn’t specify which locks its comparing it to, but presumably those without any sort of special angle grinder resistance. For comparison, the X1’s more expensive sibling, the X3 ($300), claims a whopping 20x more angle grinder resistance.

As I mentioned, the LITELOK X1’s most unique feature is the Barronium armor around the hardened steel shackle. Litelok intended to “make it tougher than an angle grinder disc” and essentially grind them back. While a thief could eventually cut it, the purpose is to extend the cutting time, wear down the cutting wheels, and potentially deplete a cordless grinder’s battery.

Cutting the LITELOK X1

This was my first time cutting a bike lock with an angle grinder, and I approached it with a bit of trepidation. I’ve heard some horror stories about angle grinders and didn’t want to injure myself in the name of a bike lock review. I took the first cut much slower than I assume a seasoned bike thief would, but I got more comfortable using the tool.

That first cut took me several minutes. I got two-thirds of the way through on one side, flipped the lock, and cut from the other side. They weren’t the cleanest cuts in the world. But by the time I finished, the first 4-inch cutoff wheel was a size that couldn’t cut anymore. 

With one cut down, the X1 was only half-compromised. The anti-rotation feature completely prevented the shackle from twisting, so I had to do another cut. This meant I also needed to switch to a fresh cutoff wheel, which added even more time. 

I approached the second cut with a little more gusto and confidence. I ground the fresh cutting wheel into the other side of the lock and managed to get through about 90% of the cut before the wheel was small enough that it was no longer effective. The second cut took just under 2 minutes, and I still had a little more of the shackle to get through.

I won’t claim this was a perfect test. I’m sure a more experienced bike thief would be more confident and possibly a bit quicker with the cuts. But, cutting a lock off a bike and rack presents its own challenges, which could make it more difficult and time-consuming. Using 4.5-inch cutting wheels may have lasted a bit longer than the 4-inch ones I used.

Still, I can’t imagine it would take any less than a minute and a half to make each cut, plus the time needed to change the grinder wheel (or two). In most public places, I’d argue that’s longer than most bike thieves are willing to spend when locks without armor can be cut in a fraction of the time.

Not only that, but an attempt to cut the shackle could completely drain a battery on a cordless angle grinder. A thief would have to be ready with multiple grinder wheels and possibly multiple batteries to get through the X1.

Additionally, the fumes and smell generated while cutting were absolutely terrible. I had to wash the clothes I wore afterward because they stunk like melting rubber and burning grinder wheels. 

LITELOK X1 Bicycle U-Lock: Room for Improvement

This is a great bike lock, but I have one main critique. The X1 only comes with two keys, which could be problematic if you’re prone to losing things. For comparison, the OnGuard RockSolid comes with five keys, while the Hiplok D1000 comes with three.

Fortunately, you can order replacements if you lose both of your keys. You need to know the key number, so you’d need to document that, just in case. LITELOK sells replacement keys in sets of two for $20.

Of course, there are tougher locks on the market, too. Both of the above-mentioned locks take longer to cut with an angle grinder. For example, the Hiplok D1000 burned through several more cutoff wheels when we tested it a few years ago. 

The Takeaway

The LITELOK X1 isn’t the toughest lock on the market, nor does it claim to be. Even the brand’s own X3 lock offers a claimed 15x more angle grinder resistance. If you’re in search of a virtually impenetrable lock, look at burlier options like the LITELOK X3 and the Hiplok D1000. 

That said, I think the X1 is tough enough to thwart most bike thieves in most places. The Barronium armored shackle and anti-rotation feature require an angle grinder, multiple cutting wheels, and around 4 minutes to compromise. Opportunistic bike thieves with hand tools don’t stand a chance, and even determined bike thieves with power tools will probably move on to an easier score.

At $170, the X1 is still fairly expensive, but it costs significantly less — $80-130 — than the models mentioned above. For me, this lock was more than adequate and provided the peace of mind. After using and destroying it, I can confidently say that it provides an excellent balance of security and value.

Of course, if you’re willing to spend more, an even tougher lock won’t hurt. And, if you live in a major city or anywhere bike theft is a serious problem, it could certainly be worth it. Still, I think the LITELOK X1 is a great option that will meet most people’s needs while keeping a little cash in your pocket.