Advocacy & Safety - Can the new Kryptonite locks be picked?

Hi! I am new to this forum, and forums in general :P

I want to buy a U-Lock from Kryptonite but have heard their old locks can be picked. I have also heard that their new locks can't be picked. I was wondering if this is true?

I live in NYC and was considering either the Evolution Series 4 or the NYC Lock. Crime rates here I don't think are that bad, but then again maybe I shouldn't take the chance lol.

Not likely. Even bike shops can't make those keys.

If you own a Kryptonite U-lock of the NY (yellow) or Evolution (orange) series, and lock up properly, a thief will need a portable acetylene torch, or a battery powered Sawz-all/grinder with lots of diamond blades/wheels.

The weak link becomes the object you lock up to.

I'm sorry what do you mean by weak link? Is the link from the NYC lock weak?

Sorry, I know that probably sounds dumb lol

He meant whatever you secure the lock to: racks, poles, fence, signs, etc, will likely be made of a weaker metal than the Kryptonite lock. Sometimes thieves will cut the object the lock is secured to and cart the bike off in a van or something. In order to take the bike some place where they can use a really heavy duty tool to remove the lock from the frame.

^^Exactly.

There is actually a device I saw that was made to pick the new krypto locks. No idea if it works or not but it's out there.

Any lock can be picked eventually. And the kryptonites can be cut. Check out the thread from the dude in Vancouver who just had his bike stolen when the kryptonite was cut.

If a thief wants it... they'll get it.

All you can do is try to make your bike appear less desireable to steal. i.e. better locks, stored in well watched area, or just have a crappy bike

You get what you pay for. Bike locks and brand names are no different. I wouldn't worry about people picking the lock, but cutting it anyway.

If a thief wants it... they'll get it.

All you can do is try to make your bike appear less desireable to steal. i.e. better locks, stored in well watched area, or just have a crappy bike

Exactly, which is why even after numerous bikes have been stolen from the library that I go to I still have my bike. I use two locks and a cover.

While other's use cheap flimsy chains, generally the sort with the barrel lock built into the chain. Or in some instances they leave their bikes unlocked, and in still some other instances they remove the seat and leave the bike outside unlocked thinking that that will "protect" them.

Just the other day such a bike was stolen, meanwhile mine repeatedly goes untouched. Gee with so many other easy targets I wonder why??? ;-)

As long as there are people who are willing to leave their bikes unsecured or secured with very weak locks my bike is the least likely to be targeted.

Exactly, which is why even after numerous bikes have been stolen from the library that I go to I still have my bike. I use two locks and a cover.

While other's use cheap flimsy chains, generally the sort with the barrel lock built into the chain. Or in some instances they leave their bikes unlocked, and in still some other instances they remove the seat and leave the bike outside unlocked think that that will "protect" them.

Just the other day such a bike was stolen, meanwhile mine repeatedly goes untouched. Gee with so many other easy targets I wonder why??? ;-)

As long as there are people who are willing to leave their bikes unsecured or secured with very weak locks my bike is the least likely to be targeted.

Which library do you visit? I usually go to the Seminole Library on 113th ave.

Which library do you visit? I usually go to the Seminole Library on 113th ave.

The North Branch Library right by Fossil Park, and the Fire Station on 9th North. They have I want to say about a half-dozen posts (what I call inverted exclamation points) set into the sidewalk. I guess the idea is that when you lock your bike to it you (if your cable is long enough and mine is) run the cable through one wheel then the loop on top and then the other wheel. I also use a U-Lock and cover. Just trying to make it as difficult and obvious as possible that someone is messing with my bike. Plus they have a security camera that watches the bikes. Although sadly there are a number of the posts that aren't as clear on the camera as they could be. Which is why I always try to get one of the two that are "clear as a bell" to lock my bike to.

Before the most recent bike being stolen two bikes were stolen in the same day. The thieves according to my friends at the library looked at mine, but didn't touch it.

Any lock can be picked. The question is whether they can pick it quicker than they can cut it.

Any lock can be picked. The question is whether they can pick it quicker than they can cut it.

Exactly, and the best defense against having one's bike stolen because the lock was cut. Is to use multiple locks. As well as different styles of locks. As given that most thieves travel light so as to be in and out as quickly as possible they're only going to carry tools for cutting one type of lock. So by using two different types of locks, say a cable and U-Bolt that increases your odds of keeping your bike.

Also locking it in a high traffic area where it will be obvious that someone is attempting to steal it vs. unlocking it.

Sadly, though the bottom line is like my Grandfather used to say: "Locks are only there to keep honest people honest." :-(

If you own a Kryptonite U-lock of the NY (yellow) or Evolution (orange) series, and lock up properly, a thief will need a portable acetylene torch, or a battery powered Sawz-all/grinder with lots of diamond blades/wheels.Actually, as I understand it, small jacks are the tool of choice for breaking U-locks. Small, quiet, fast -- they get slipped into the lock and they break it open with several tons of force. The better locks will resist more force, but eventually they all fail.

The defense against that is to not give them room to put the jack in -- use a mini U-lock. And perhaps throw in another U-lock, or a cable lock -- enough to make them move on to the next bike.

The picking problem was with the old cylindrical key u-locks - they could be opened with a Bic pen. New ones are fine - not invincible, but nothing is.

Is this one of the best locks available?

Is this one of the best locks available?

Depends on the model. The upper range stuff, probably. This isn't a great test but it gives you an idea of the variation by model:

http://www.slate.com/id/2140083