acoldspoon

I need to buy a lock for my fixed gear bike. In past years I would have just bought whatever Kryptonite lock was offered with a NYC insurance policy. But, now it seems that Master Lock has followed suit and offered NYC insurance on a whole range of locks. Any thoughts?

radical_edward

Kryptonite sent me a replacement NY 2000 for a 10 year old New York Lock when the bic thing came out.

Masterlock are still selling locks with the bicable locking mech and flatly deny that their locks can be opened in this way.

I think you want a Kryptonite.

acoldspoon

Good point!

Yoshi

Yeah just get a NY series Kryptonite lock.

DannyRocks

Quite a few people here ride w/ chains + locks, but honestly the versatility you lose with a u-lock is more than made up for by the weight you save.

deathhare

I have this and its heavy as ****.

shapelike

Hell ya, that fat ******* is in my backpack everyday ... it's surprisingly heavy. The shackle is even thicker than on the other NY series Kryptonite locks, but that's one of the things that makes it "the best."

I'd team that thing up with some locking skewers and call it a day.

radical_edward

The cutover point for the chain or u-lock decision is if you are skinny enough for the chain to be locked around your waist. If you can't wear it as a belt, then chains are a hassle to carry.

The NY2000 is lighter than the Fahgettaboudit Mini, but is much bigger, which gives you more locking options and is only marginally less secure. If the thugs have the gear to get through a NY2000, then the Fahgettaboudit or the M18 is not that much of a leap.

The Fahgettaboudit looks like it would give you the best peace of mind money can buy though.

dogpound

that thing is so heavy and really doesn't fit around anything.
I have one and almost never use it, going for the lighter kryptos

andypants

I think the EVO lock and chain are tough enough. I haven't used the krypto insurance but plan to use renter's insurance to cover my bike, I've heard good things about that and so-so things about the kryptonite insurance offered.

dogpound

yea, the krypto insurance isn't that great and has lots of hoops, I think you're better with renter's/homeowner's insurance.

SamHouston

You're best with both policies. Considering one is free and the other protects your couch that's the clear choice.

MasterLock may be trying to break their image of ****tiest locks ever, that'd be good, but I won't be the one to try them out, especially if they still have the tubular locks/keys!

Just pay a passerby a few bucks to watch your bike while your away, take advantage of how friendly NYers' are, I bet you anything some will jump at the chance to help you out.

Fixxxie

I have that exact same lock. I weighed it and it weighs 4 pounds, extra training and all
It's the perfect size to lock to a parking meter through the frame and front wheel EXACT fit and feels pretty secure leaving the bike I love alone
PS
Plus it comes with the "Hella-Cool" lighted key

acoldspoon

Problem is I'm skinny enough (while not being at all skinny), but my back won't tolerate this.

Yoshi

I lock my bike across the street from my office everyday (krypto ny chain and evo mini u-lock). But I could probably just use a cable lock - there are a bunch of stores right where I lock up and the employees are always outside hanging out. Usually one of them is sitting on my top tube. I'm sure if anyone tried to steal it they'd stop them.

egan

Why are you guys using a chain AND a mini u? I can easily fit my chain through both wheels and a signpost.

Bushman

^ the Mini U lock is PART of the chain lock combo (chain + mini U lock = chainlock)

bonechilling

He clearly stated he was using a Kryptonite Evolution Mini.

Yoshi

I lock to a street light. There is only enough room to fit the frame and rear wheel, so the evo-mini goes around the front wheel and frame.

acoldspoon

So, if I don't want to use a chain, what is my best NYC option. NYFU or the other NY U lock from Kryptonite? Will the NYFU fit around stable enough things to lock to?

andypants

I think you do want to use a chain, or have a QR front wheel.

acoldspoon

I'll be carrying one of these, so my front wheel will be a quick-enough release wheel.


I'd much rather carry a small tool on my keyring, and spend an extra three seconds taking off and putting back on my front wheel, than carry an extra few pounds of chain. YMMV.

Yoshi

All of Kryptonite's u-locks fit around parking meters, sign posts and bike racks.

alanbikehouston

Master lock makes only three grades of locks: crummy, really crummy, and really, really crummy.

Don't look at a lock unless it has received a "top" rating from "Cycling Plus" or from Soldsecure. The best (and most expensive, and most heavy) locks from both Kryptonite and OnGuard rank at the top of test after test. The locks from Master finish last, in test after test.

If your bike is worth more than $200 or so, (and looks like it), you probably need two locks. Put a heavy duty lock, such as the Kryptonite Fahgettaboudit u-lock around your rear wheel and a beefy locking post that is set in concrete. Use a lighter lock, such as the Kryptonite Evolution Mini u-lock to attach your front wheel to the frame.

In test results, the chains that weigh eight or ten pounds do NOT perform better than u-locks that weigh five or six pounds. So, the only valid reason to use a chain lock is that you park in a neigborhood where there are no locking posts that fit a u-lock. If you MUST lock to streetlight poles and powerline poles, obviously, you are stuck using a chain lock.

And, if your bike is worth more than $500 or so (and looks like it) I would not park it out of your sight for more than five minutes with ANY lock. No lock will stop a crook who has the right tools and know-how, and an expensive looking bike, left unwatched for six or eight hours is eventually going to catch the eye of exactly that sort of crook.

And, talk with your insurance guy. Make sure your bike is covered by your renter's insurance or your homeower's insurance, and that the deductible is reasonable (No point having a $500 deductible on a $500 bike).