Security level (by manufacturer)
The level of protection of the lock according to the standards of the manufacturer. The higher the number, the more reliable the model is. However, note that the levels of protection of different brands are not compatible with each other and it is appropriate to compare locks according to this indicator only within the same brand.
Cable diameter
The thickness of the cable used in the construction of the lock of the corresponding type (see above). However, this parameter can also be given for chain locks — in this case we are talking about the thickness of the wire from which the chain links are riveted.
In general, the thicker the cable / chain, the more difficult it is to bite / saw through the bike lock and the more reliable it will be. So, in the case of cable locks, it is believed that a thickness of up to 10 mm provides protection against theft “on a jerk” rather than against instrumental damage, and ideally, the cable should be no thinner than 15 mm. With chains, the situation is somewhat different. On the one hand, solid wire is much more resistant to damage — all the more so since it is far from always possible to unbend a link sawn in one place, and to completely saw the chain, the wire must be cut twice. On the other hand, a large thickness has a much more noticeable effect on the dimensions and weight of bike locks (which is already rather big compared to cable locks). Therefore, even in the most advanced chain models, this figure does not exceed 10 mm.
It is also worth remembering that, in addition to thickness, the reliability of the lock is also affected by the materials (alloys) used in its construction.
