ABUS Granit X-Plus 540
ABUS · Beugelslot· €109.95
Our verdict
The ABUS Granit X-Plus 540 is the best U-lock for Dutch e-bike owners who need ART-3 for their insurance. Heavy and expensive, but mechanically and in certification terms simply the highest grade you can lock onto your bike.
Detailed review
The ABUS Granit X-Plus 540 has been the reference U-lock for more than a decade. It is the only U-lock in this shortlist with ART-3 certification — the highest grade issued by Stichting ART — and that makes it the default choice for anyone insuring an expensive e-bike, speed pedelec or cargo bike. Insurance policies from brands like Europeesche Verzekeringen and ENRA often require ART-3 for bikes above €3,500, and at that tier your options shrink fast. Mechanically the lock is impressive. The 13 mm parabolic shackle is made from specially hardened Power Cell steel that resists both bolt cutters and angle grinders — a standard cutting disc needs several minutes, and thieves willing to risk that attract a lot of public attention. The ABUS X-Plus cylinder has topped lockpicking tests for years: the double disc-detainer design is essentially immune to picking with standard tools. You feel the quality in small details too: the key turns firmly but precisely, the locking mechanism clicks home audibly, and the dust cover still snaps open cleanly after three winters outside.
In daily use, weight is the elephant in the room. 1,640 grams is undeniably heavy and in a normal backpack you feel it pulling at your shoulders. The included USH 540 frame mount works reasonably, but no bracket is truly comfortable for a lock this size — most owners end up carrying it in a pannier or messenger bag. The internal clearance of 10.8 by 23 cm fits most posts but cannot wrap around fat Amsterdam lamp posts or trees. For improvised parking spots, pair it with a short Granit Chain 37 as a supplement for the front wheel.
Compared to a Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit the X-Plus 540 is roughly equal on raw security, but wins with Dutch insurers thanks to ART-3. Against the Bordo 6000 you get one more security grade for roughly 20 euros extra, at the cost of 540 extra grams and none of the folding lock's compactness. Honest conclusion: for a €5,000 speed pedelec in Amsterdam this is the lock. For a normal city bike it is overkill.
Who is this for?
- Owners of expensive e-bikes and speed pedelecs with an ART-3 insurance requirement
- Cargo bike riders parking a €4,000+ bike in the city
- Commuters leaving their bike at Amsterdam or Utrecht stations every day
What to watch out for
- 1,640 grams is heavy — consider a pannier instead of a backpack
- Internal clearance will not wrap thick posts, hunt for slim anchors
- Overkill for city bikes under €1,500 — go with the Bordo 6000 instead
Specifications
Security
| Type | Beugelslot |
| ART rating | ART-3 |
| Security level | ABUS Level 15/15 |
| Cylinder | ABUS X-Plus |
Dimensions
| Shackle width | 10.8 cm |
| Shackle height | 23 cm |
| Weight | 1640 g |
| Material | Gehard staal 13 mm parabolisch |
What does the ART certification mean and which level do you need for your bike or e-bike? Compare ART-1 through ART-5 and the requirements of Univé, ENRA, Centraal Beheer and Unigarant.
Pros and cons
Pros
- ART-3 certified — the highest Dutch insurance grade for bike locks
- Parabolic shackle shape defeats most cutting attacks
- ABUS X-Plus cylinder offers the brand's highest anti-picking protection
- Power Cell technology adds an extra hardened steel sleeve
Cons
- Heavy at 1,640 grams — noticeable in a backpack or pannier
- Limited shackle width makes it awkward around wide city bike posts
Use case fit
How well does this product fit different bike types?
| Speed Pedelecs | 98 |
| Electric Bikes | 96 |
| Cargo Bikes | 90 |
| Road Bikes | 80 |
| City Bikes | 78 |