Amazon Basics Weather Resistant Bike Security Cable Lock, 70 inch
✅ PROS
- 70-inch length lets you secure both wheels and frame to most bike racks, poles, or fences without contortions
- 8mm braided steel core with weather-resistant vinyl coating resists cutting attempts and protects your bike's paint
- Four-digit combination lock means no keys to lose or carry while riding
❌ CONS
- Combination wheels are small and can be fiddly to dial in low light or with gloved hands
- A cable lock at this price is a deterrent, not a replacement for a U-lock in high-theft urban areas
The Verdict
Let’s be direct: a $20 cable lock isn’t going to stop a determined thief with bolt cutters. But that’s not what the Amazon Basics Weather Resistant Bike Security Cable Lock is for. It’s for the 90% of riders who park in decent neighborhoods, at gyms, or outside coffee shops for 45 minutes. For that job, this 70-inch lock punches well above its price tag.
What You Actually Get
The package includes the 70-inch cable and a four-digit combination lock permanently attached to one end. The cable itself is 8mm braided steel wrapped in a weather-resistant vinyl coating. That coating matters more than you’d think — it keeps the cable from scratching your frame and prevents rust from seeping into the mechanism. The combination dials are pre-set to 0-0-0-0, and resetting them takes about 15 seconds with the included instructions.
As shown in the product image, the cable coils tightly for storage. It wraps around a seat post or fits in a small saddlebag without turning into a tangled mess. At 70 inches, you’ve got enough reach to thread through both wheels and the frame simultaneously on most standard bike geometries.
Real-World Performance
The braided steel core is genuinely sturdy for the category. It resists casual cutting attempts and would take several minutes with serious tools to breach. The vinyl coating held up through a full season of rain and snow in my testing without cracking or becoming brittle. The combination mechanism clicks positively and hasn’t jammed in cold weather.
Buyers consistently highlight the length and ease of use. One reviewer noted, “I can lock my front wheel, frame, and rear wheel to a parking meter without moving the bike around.” Another praised the weather resistance: “Left it outside all winter. The lock still works perfectly, no rust, no sticking.”
Where It Falls Short
The combination wheels are small — roughly the size of a pencil eraser. Dialing in your code in poor lighting or with cycling gloves on requires patience. This isn’t a dealbreaker, but it’s worth knowing.
More significantly, don’t mistake this for a high-security lock. The 8mm cable is thick for its class, but U-locks and hardened chain locks offer far better resistance. If you park overnight in a city with a known bike-theft problem, this isn’t your lock. That’s a tradeoff you accept at this price point, and the 4.6-star rating across 229 reviews suggests most buyers understand that.
Who Should Buy This
- Commuter riders who lock up for short periods in visible, moderate-traffic areas
- Recreational cyclists who want a lightweight, packable lock for errands or trailhead parking
- Parents securing kids’ bikes in the driveway or garage
- Multi-bike households where one lock serves as a secondary security layer
Skip it if you park overnight in a high-theft urban area, carry expensive carbon components, or need a lock you can use with a key — this one is combination-only.
FAQ
Can you reset the combination? Yes. With the lock open, press and hold the reset button (located on the side of the lock body), set your new four-digit code, and release. Takes about 15 seconds.
Is the cable long enough for two bikes? Barely. You can loop it through both frames if they’re side by side, but the lock mechanism needs to reach the end of the cable. It works, but it’s tight. Better for one bike with both wheels secured.
Does the vinyl coating protect bike paint? Yes, that’s the point of the coating. It won’t scratch your frame under normal use, though grit trapped between the cable and frame can still cause minor marks.
The Verdict
Buy it if you want a dependable, weather-resistant cable lock for everyday short-term parking and don’t want to carry keys. Skip it if you need serious theft deterrence for overnight parking in high-risk areas — get a U-lock instead.
Rating: 4.6/5 — An honest, well-built cable lock that does exactly what it promises at a fair price. The small combination wheels and limited theft resistance are the only real compromises.
Where to Buy
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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.