Kryptonite Locks

#1 in bicycle security

Kryptonite locks first invented the U lock and this company continues to offer innovative and durable solutions for bicycle security. The company’s motto is: “Tough locks for a tough world,” and they pride themselves on testing their products in the world’s worst bike theft area – New York City.

Marketing for Kryptonite locks has become legendary. The products are tested in beyond real life situations. Expensive bikes are locked to parking meters in high theft areas and left for weeks on end. The bikes are assaulted in any way imaginable and yet the locks are never picked or broken.

Kryptonite Products

The Kryptonite product line is divided up to address the different levels of security that a bicyclist might need. Some are designed for low theft risk areas, while others are specifically designed for moderate to high risk areas. For low risk areas there’s bike chains with keys, cable models and thin U locks.

However, Kryptonite is best known for its locks designed to stand up to the most theft ridden areas. For these situations there are the products contained in the New York line. There are both chains and U locks made of the thickest and most durable materials to withstand the tampering of even the most seasoned bicycle thief.

New York locks are resistant to bolt cutters and any kind of leverage attack. You just can’t break through them! The locking mechanisms are deadbolts, which provide more reliable security. The toughest locks have a double deadbolt mechanism.

The positioning of the key or combination on the U lock further increases the durability of locks in the New York line. They’re placed in the centre of the lower bar which means that it’s impossible to use a crowbar or any kind of leverage to pry it apart.

Consumer Concerns

While Kryptonite locks are trusted by bicyclists across North America (and the price that some are willing to pay for the top models proves this) there are some concerns to be had regarding the reliability of the locking device.

While there have been few consumer complaints against the New York line, which offers a $3500 replacement warrantee should a bike get stolen while protected by a New York model, older versions of the mini lock and recent Evolution locks have been proven vulnerable to lock picking.

Some security experts suggest that these cheaper Kryptonite locks can be picked with something as simple as a ballpoint pen! However, Kryptonite has dedicated itself to addressing this problem and working towards strengthening all of their bicycle locks.