Are they really worth it? I had some explaining to do when I paid $80 + tax for one. Anybody else use it, has it saved your bike?

Hi,

I have one. Where I live the bike theft is not so bad and it was probably overkill but I used to live in a place where ANY bike (that included a 10 year old 3 speed) would get stolen inevitably, so when I decided to get a decent bike I bought the lock.

I cannot say whether or not it saved my bike but I do feel that it would be really hard to steal it. it also comes with some warantee. The only real problem with it is that it weight tons (almost more than the bike).

PB

If you live in New York, YOU HAVE TO HAVE ONE. I see junk bikes all the time costing less than $30.00 with the New York chain!! Yes. People steal junk bikes here. The cycle can be all scrached up but it is still locked with that heavy chain. I will never park my folding bike without it. You can cut a cable in 15 seconds and no one would say a thing.

At my local bike shop, the mechanics, for their own amusement, decided to try to beat the h*ll out of a couple of U-locks. One was a cheap $20 U-lock, and the other was a New York lock. With a tire jack, they were able to break and twist the $20 lock so that it looked like a piece of abstract sculpture. On the other hand, they spent about an hour trying to bust the New York lock. They were able to strip off some of the outer shell, but the main U-lock itself was unbroken. (I'm pretty sure they only tried normal mechanical means and did not use, say, expensive electrical power tools to try to destroy the lock. But since power tools need a power source, etc., they're nowhere near as common as other means that thieves would use to destroy bike locks.)

Of course, one thing with the New York lock: DON'T LOSE YOUR ONLY KEY. If you're down to one key, go get a spare made.

Kryptonite makes the New York Lock. That's why I carry the next best Kryptonite lock: the Evolution 2000. I believe in deterrence.

That said, the best deterrence is strategy. Combine as many deterrents as you can, for example:

1) Reduce the time a bike is available for theft.
2) Don't park your bike predictably in the same spot everyday.
2) Increase the number of eyewitnesses of potential theft.
3) Combine different locks (cable and U-lock.)
4) Disguise your bike, or ride a beater.
5) Know the neighborhood.
6) Perhaps the most effective deterrent is four walls (I park inside.)
7) Use your bike as a chair while you work (you may not be able to do this unless your boss really loves you.)
8) Disguise you bike as a car and pay $5.00 to park it.

You roll eyes, but my parking garage at the university charges $1 a day to store a bike inside and the racks are 3 feet from the security desk, right where people pay.

Well worth it, if there really is security.

My Brother had his brand new Cannondale stolen from the local (Soho) multistory car park, right under the noses of the security staff.

Rule one - Never ever trust the NCP.

My brand new (1.5 days old) Specialized Rockhopper A1 FS Comp fully fitted for touring bike with a D Lock and cable was stolen 5m (15 feet) from the the Security office

Later discovered it was the 4th bike that summer.

Rule Two - Just because it's in full view of the Security staff don't assume the will protect it. They get paid such crap wages that if you want a new bike, try bunging the Security a few quid/bucks and see what happens.