How secure are Kryptonite locks?

techguy

So, i've had a Kryptonite Fahgettaboudit for the past number of years and have never once worried that somebody might cut it open, with the exception of an angle grinder.

I've just come across the remains of a Kryptonite Evolution (I think) in my bike shed and it has gotten me thinking. Are they really that strong?

I still feel pretty content, given that there is a fair difference in weight (and looks) between the Fahgettaboudit and the Evolution. I've often thought that the Evo didn't look that strong tbh. Also, there are a couple of marks where people have tried to cut mine open.

So what are people's experiences with these locks? What locks have a better reputation?

Cheers..

Ole Rodrigo

Ive been using the evolution, mostly because I don't want the weight of something like the Fahgettaboudit. The trick is to lock it so that there is little space within the D to squeeze a jack in order to prise it open. That just leaves an anglegrinder ( or key ).

You see a lot of couriers using them, I think they are ok for short periods of time. I wouldn't leave a bike locked in the open for long anyway, but if I did it wouldn't be with an evolution.

petethedrummer

techguy wrote: »

What locks have a better reputation?

It seems to be a toss up between kryptonite and ABUS.

ThreeBlindMice

petethedrummer wrote: »

It seems to be a toss up between kryptonite and ABUS.

Lower end Kryptonite are rubbish, I wouldn't even lock my hack with one.

petethedrummer

ThreeBlindMice wrote: »

Lower end Kryptonite are rubbish, I wouldn't even lock my hack with one.

Well tell us what you would use. The guy wants recommendations!

dancecatz2000

Doesn`t matter what you use if thief has time he will get it,

petethedrummer

dancecatz2000 wrote: »

Doesn`t matter what you use if thief has time he will get it,

You wanna use a procrastination lock then. It's the thief of time.

ThreeBlindMice

petethedrummer wrote: »

Well tell us what you would use. The guy wants recommendations!

The New York, How often do you hear of bikes on the stolen thread being lifted with one of these? €100 is a small price to pay for complete peace of mind.

gctest50

Motorbike stuff but anyway :

http://www.almax-security-chains.co.uk/index.asp?pg=7

BofaDeezNuhtz

gctest50 wrote: »

Motorbike stuff but anyway :

http://www.almax-security-chains.co.uk/index.asp?pg=7

Theres Almax Youtube vids online cutting both motorbike and bike locks.

JC 3.14159

If I know I'll be locking the bike somewhere that makes me feel uneasy, or outside overnight I use a Kryptonite Fahgeddaboutit.

I've used other locks in the past but always had that niggly (and possibly irrational) "will the bike still be there when I get back" feeling during the day. With this one, I can at least know it's as safe as it can be.

Yeah, as for any lock, an anglegrinder will get through it eventually, but if you leave it locked up in a sensible place the risk of that is minimal. I don't think your average bike thief (boltcutters/hacksaw etc) would bother trying - it's gotta be a half-hour hacksaw job at least (and would take 2 cuts I think).

Downsides are it's crazy heavy, and the smaller size means it can take a while to find somewhere suitable to lock it. Then again, because it's small it'll fit in a bag, and doesn't leave room for jack access for thieves so there's good and bad to the size.

€100 well spent overall.

For day-to-day use, shortish stops, in and out of shops etc, I use an Abus Bordo (not one of the bigger, stronger Granit ones). Doesn't weigh too much, can be carried neatly in its holder on the bike without clanking around, can be made to work in most places (i.e. you can usually find somewhere to lock it fairly quickly). Not anywhere near as strong as a good U-lock, but certainly better than any cable lock.

ThreeBlindMice

gctest50 wrote: »

Motorbike stuff but anyway :

http://www.almax-security-chains.co.uk/index.asp?pg=7

You can't go wrong with about 5ft of Almax chain and a ground anchor if you have several valuable bikes in your shed.

WithCheesePlease

Ok, so I'm ultra paranoid about bike locking and here's what I do... For everyday hops and locking in places I use everyday and am comfortable with (home, work, gym) I just use my Kryptonite New York lock, which I have on a mount on my bike.

For longer stays where I leave my bike anywhere other than the 3 places I usually use my bike I also bring with me the Fahgettaboudit mini and a kryptonite KryptoFlex, just to be sure! And I never use anything other than my hybrid, would never chance locking a good road bike outside.

I know there's always a chance it could still be taken, but I just do what I can to make it as difficult as possible for the thieving lowlifes.

68 lost souls

When I lived in the states I always locked my wheel to my frame and a fixing with a kryptoflex and then te frame, kryptoflex and fixing together with a new York. Havnt cycled back in Ireland yet but getting the old bikes out and fixing them up this week, I think I might invest in another New York lock and I have come cables for the wheels to frame.