ABUS Granit X-Plus 540 U-Lock Review

Security

The Abus Granit X-Plus 540 U-lock is an excellent “standard hardened steel” lock. Like being the really popular kid in middle school, it's great, but the world has kept moving, and bike thieves have gotten more sophisticated. While Abus ranks its own lock very high, giving it a 15/15 in their security ranking. This feels misleading when you notice that they rate their Super Extreme Lock a 15+/15. While the Granit has a half page of security certifications, the 33/64" hardened square shaft parabolic shackle has no defense against the angle grinder.

For high-dollar bikes or overnight parking in urban hotspots, standard locks often fail against modern electric tools; instead, you'll need a specialized angle-grinder-resistant lock. Check our 2026 testing of models like the Litelok X1 and X3, and the Hiplok D1000. These locks use advanced composites on or mixed into the steel to destroy angle grinder discs. This turns a quick 30-second snatch-and-go theft into a several-minute struggle while the thief swaps out new grinding wheels. While these locks cost a bit more, they represent the only reliable insurance against the most common method of professional bike theft today.

This puts the Granit in a weird place: it's a high-end, expensive product, and while it has some great features, it lacks the crucial ability to defend your ride against a thief with a power tool.

Ease of Transport

At 3.2 pounds, the Abus Granit 540 strikes a solid balance for the weight-conscious urban rider; it's light enough to disappear into a pannier but substantial enough to signal “don't mess with it” to amateur thieves. Its spacious 11.5" x 7" exterior allows you to reach those awkward, non-traditional racks that leave smaller locks dangling, but that same size can make it a tight squeeze for compact or step-through frames. The lock included Abus's Halter SH B mounting bracket. It's great, but it requires prime real estate within your bike's main triangle. If you choose to mount it there, you'll likely have to sacrifice a water bottle cage, making it a classic trade-off between hydration and top-tier security.

The Abus Granit is a lot of weight to strap to your bike; it certainly changed the ride characteristics of my lightweight commuter e-bike.   Credit: Joshua Hutchens

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As a longtime bike mechanic, I cringe at frame-mounted bike locks. While they seem like a convenient spot to mount your lock, many frames aren't designed to withstand the forces exerted by a 3+ pound lever bumbling up and down throughout your commute. That said, the Abus mounts are generally a bit more frame-friendly than their Kryptonite and OnGuard counterparts.

Ease of Use

The Abus Granit X-Plus 540 remains one of the most intuitive medium/high-security locks to operate, though its key design is certainly a conversation starter. Because the X-Plus cylinder is recessed deep within the shackle to deter lock picks, the keys are an eye-popping 2.75 inches long, which isn't comfortable in your pocket. Despite this bulk, the integrated LED light is a win for ergonomics, allowing you to locate the keyhole at a dark bike rack.

The lighted key is a big deal in 2026. Other brands have stopped offering light-up keys to save money, claiming that everyone carries a cell phone with a flashlight. While true, most of us don't have a third hand to hold said flashlight.

The Granit X-Plus 540 features a clever automatic keyhole cover that shields the internals from dirt and rain, without requiring a manual sliding door. While this self-cleaning design extends the lock's lifespan, the leverage of those 2.75-inch keys makes regular maintenance essential. A quick shot of graphite spray every few months prevents the cylinder from seizing, ensuring you don't break off a key, a complaint we've read about but haven't experienced firsthand.

Versatility

While U-locks aren't notorious for their flexibility, they're far more secure than braided steel cables that thieves can snip in seconds. The Granit 540 has a bit more versatility than most due to its interior volume, giving you more leeway to lock on to less traditional anchor points. It's the rare heavy-duty lock that doesn't force you to spend ten minutes hunting for the perfect skinny bike rack.

If you want to further enhance the lock's versatility, you can add a cable that lets you loop it through more parts of your bike.

A parking meter, the frame, and the rear wheel are all secured in the U-lock.   Credit: Joshua Hutchens

We found some unusual anchor spots to test the Granit's versatility.   Credit: Joshua Hutchens

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Should You Buy the ABUS Granit X-Plus 540 U-Lock?

The Abus Granit X-Plus 540 is a solid offering in the “traditional” U-lock category, offering top-tier weatherproofing and refined ergonomics that make it a joy to use daily. In 2026, however, power tools have changed the game, leaving the Granit in a weird place. There is a lot that we like about this lock, but for the price, you can get better security.

What Other Bike Locks Should You Consider?

$160 is a high asking price for a lock, but we're willing to bet your bike is worth far more. If a higher level of security would make you feel more, ahem, secure, check out the Litelok X1 and X3. Those locks use a special material that destroys angle-grinder wheels, and the X1 isn't much more expensive than the Granit. If you don't always have access to the most conventional bike racks, you might consider the Kryptonite Evolution 1012 Chain Lock.