lostforawhile

I just found out about the issues with the Krytonite locks being easy to pick, are they now considered safe? I have a cable one with the lock built into the cable, a newer one

agent pombero

Cable locks are NEVER safe. Never use just a cable lock! Use a U-lock for the frame/back wheel/to the rack and a cable for the front wheel and saddle.

The best lock available is probably the kryptonite fahgettaboudit u-lock.

cplager

As far as I know, the modern kryptonite locks are not easily picked. That being said, all cable locks are easily cut. And pretty much all locks are cuttable.

Locks should be used as a deterrent (i.e., convinced the thief that he's better off stealing somebody else's bicycle). There are places that many, many people here on the forums leave that can not leave even locked bicycles unattended for any length of time.

Cheers,
Charles

lostforawhile

we dont have bike racks here, I think the only one available is at the library and possibly the hospital. I dont have much alternative,

unterhausen

the easily picked Kryptonite locks had circular keys.

lostforawhile

I 've heard there are supposed to be some cable locks that are nearly impossible to cut, I read a review of a bunch of locks somewhere, I normally dont leave my bike unattended, I keep it in the house etc, I'm mainly looking for something where I can lock it to an immovable object while I run in the store to get a drink etc.

charbucks

For more flexible locking, I use a chain. I think it's safer than a cable but provides the same ability to lock to random objects.

fietsbob

They swapped my Round key one for another with a 2 sided key,
[presume the lock cylinder is double, too] so the 2 sides need be picked at the same time..

they had a replacement Program at the time.

JanMM

Yes, they had a HUGE recall/exchange program. That was quite a few years ago.

Burton

If thats all you need then a cable lock is more than enough unless you're stopping off in the middle of a high crime area and have expensive wheels. Seats, controls and components can still be stripped off any locked bike if its left unattended for a lengthy period.

I use a cable lock myself for short stops at the convenience store and ocassionally (tonight for example ) - don't bother with that. Bike theft seems to take a dive in the winter for some reason.

lostforawhile

around here they arent after the bike, they are looking for metal to scrap, anything made of metal not tied down vanishes. We have a huge issue with people breaking into houses, ripping out all the plumbing,wiring, ripping off the gutters, sinks etc, basically trashing the house and selling the metal for scrap, people have gone away for the weekend, came home, and their house is destroyed.

hueyhoolihan

you ain't kidding!

the other day i discovered my lock had been stolen, but they left my bike! insulting...

LarDasse74

Kryptonite bore the brunt of the PR problems caused by the easily-pickable locks, but it was not only Kryptonite locks who were affected, nor only bicycle locks. It was my understanding that all locks with circular keys were susceptible to some degree. Picking a lock with a bic pen was a trick well known to people who work with computers as they were generally locked with circular keys too.

lostforawhile

since I wont be leaving it long, I guess I'll stcik with this one, I know I will be replacing a number of fasteners on the bike with security torx or allen head screws, most people dont carry those types of tools

WingSuit

I used to have a kryptonite lock, but Superman stole it.

lostforawhile

I thought one of these locks guaranteed Superman couldn't steal it, he has a slight allergy to Kyrptonite

LarDasse74

Bike thieves often carry allen keys.
If it is a fastener you seldom adjust, and never need to adjust or repair on the road - water bottle bolts, seatpost binder, etc - just install an allen head bolt and use a large drill bit to remove the flats from the head. If there is an exposed nut ont he other side (as with some seatpost binders), grind the wrench flats off to a round taper so you cannot grab it with pliers.

You would be surprised how fast a cable lock can be cut.

lostforawhile

not regular allen keys, security allen keys. they require special allen key with a hollow center that fits over a pin in the head of the bolt. They are the same thing they used to put on things like pay phones etc.

MadCityCyclist

Kryptonite had a well-publicized issue with their locks which was fixed a while ago....but if you're using a cable lock it won't matter, because the cables themselves are easily defeated by most bike thieves. Additionally, even with a good U-lock or hardened chain, your bike's safety is only as good as the item you've locked the bike to, or if you have a bike thief that is willing to saw through the bike frame and sell off the individual parts.

But using a cable lock only makes it easier for the thief, and it's more likely that your bike will be stolen.

JanMM

Bike thieves are well aware of security hex head or torx fasteners and know where to buy the allen/torx tools for them.

HvPnyrs

this ^^^^

Lost,
The fact that your cable lock still uses a barrel key ( aka Ace key, cylinder key, tubular key Etc. ) should tell you that it is a low security lock.

I've had 2 bikes stolen (Knock on Wood ). The low end road bike's (10 mm) cable lock was cut from my Brothers back porch railing. His bedroom window opens onto the back porch w/ his bed next to the window. he was sleeping within less than 8 ft. from the bike!!!
Many years later I had a low end beach cruiser's ARMORED cable lock cut from the rack of the Downtown Los Angeles Public Library central office in BROAD,BRIGHT day light.
I figured since the Lock was ARMORED and the bike was "just" an old beach cruiser I was ok to browse the stacks for a few hours... WRONG !!!

I've learned my lesson (and my hope is you also learn from my experience).
Luckily for me both bikes were freebies to me. Still hurt when they were ripped off.
I would strongly urge you to seriously consider adding a Strong U-Lock to your low security cable lock.

I 've owned the Trek 520 touring bike for over 10 years and over 15,000 touring and commuting miles, Yes I still go to the Main Library and get lost in the stacks for hours.
Yes I STILL use cable locks, BUT the cables are only secondary (only use them to tie in my front wheel and leather seat) to the strongest U-Locks I can afford.
The bikes I own now are NOT low end and they were NOT Freebies.

HvPnyrs

This ^^^^ Really sounds to me like you have TWEEKER CREWS (meth and/or crack addicts driving around in vans or trucks) working your neighborhoods. I hope your local 5-0 (Police) are making headway in their investigation.

technoD

CRAP! I have one of the older kryptocrap locks!! Guess when I come home, I get to play "hide the bag". What about the new krypto u locks??

ko57

W*lm*rt has a cable lock with a Kevlar layer, it seems pretty good, that might take a good while-not be worth the trouble-to cut. I already have a couple of cable locks-one with built in lock, one with separate padlock. Where I live a cable lock helps, especially for a quick stop at a store, etc., I've never had a problem.

Haven't bought a U-Bolt yet but if/when I bike to work, I might try that also, the idea of keeping my bike outside for 9+ hours is something I'm not very keen with, but others who bike-customers and coworkers it seems have not had problems. I could check my bike on my breaks.

tcs

Work around.