wanlogan

I'm looking at some locks to secure my bike with in college, and I am pretty sure the Kryptonite New York Chain is the most secure lock I can get (within reason).

However, the thing is, how secure is secure? How easily can someone with an acetylene torch cut through it? Picking the lock? Bolt cutters? Portable angle grinder?

Anybody with experience? A friend recounted a story about how she took the chain to a home depot to get it shortened. Long story short, the chain cutting tool broke, and she and the associate agreed to never speak of the incident again. That seems somewhat unbelievable, that even a commercial chain cutter couldn't break the dammed thing.

I'll be locking my commuter MTB with it, though might encounter situations in which I would need it to lock my race rig.

Here's the lock for those interested: https://www.kryptonitelock.com/produ...=1002&pid=1169

Lastly, I'm buying this assuming I would never use the Kryptonite guarantee... too many of my friends' bikes have been stolen with the lock, rendering the $3500 guarantee void.

RT

Here's an interesting lock thread.

wanlogan

That's awesome! Cutters did look beat though... Plus, the Kryptonite chain is 14mm-- 5mm thicker than the Abus.

Accordion

****.

Oh wait....

AngryScientist 

any lock system can be defeated given the right tools and time. and angle grinder with the right abrasive wheel will eat through any type of metal, and they make them battery powered now.

you should be pretty safe with that lock, but your "appendages" likely wont be. if you're locking up a "nice" bike, things like the stem, fork, seatpost, saddle, QR skewers, wheels if not properly locked, etc are all up for grabs by the conniving thief.

college campus (what the hell is the plural of campus anyway??) are notorious for bike thieves, lock the bike up in well populated, areas near campus security, and hope for the best, dont lock up anything you'll be heartbroken (or bankbroken) to lose.

collegeskier

Alternatively, find out if your bike is covered by your parents home insurance or get renters insurance that covers the bike (replacement value and low deductible). Then worse case your out like $250 for a brand new comparable bike. I mean get the good lock but figure if someone really wants to steal it, it will get stolen if you have insurance at least a month later you will have a ride and be out minimal money.

xdrmusclex

the new york chain and lock weighs a TON. I got the ny faggettabouitit mini ulock. it is still heavy but i feel pretty confident that it will deter a theif for at least 10 minutes, the maximum i would lock my bike outside in NY

dshack

You're not going to find a better price than this on the Kryptonite NY Faggettaboutit:

https://www.amazon.com/Kryptonite-Fah...1704270&sr=8-2

jrobe

I saw a decent bike this morning by the local college that was locked up nicely with a great lock. The problem was that it was completely vandalized (no saddle, bent wheels, etc.). The lock worked well though.

I would buy a cheap used bike on Ebay for commuting. My bikes will never be locked in anything except my garage.

williaty

Yes, all of those things can be done and are done daily in high-crime areas. With a lock, you aren't buying "proofness" against theft, you're buying time for someone to notice the thief, and hassle to encourage the thief that it would be easier to steal someone else's bike. Basically, locks are a deterrent. You're trying to make the thief think "man, it's going to take me 90 seconds to cut this bike free but I can have that one over there in about 10 seconds and it'll look like I'm just unlocking it.".

For my take on it, buy both a good quality u-lock (Kryptonite Evolution Series 4 or one of their New York models) AND a high quality chain. Place the curved part of the U around the object you're locking to with the forks of the lock enclosing the seat tube and rear wheel rim. Make sure there's NO ROOM inside the U-lock as any "space" in it is a place to stick a bottle jack and pop it open. Then place your chain through the front wheel, main triangle of the frame, and around the object to which you are locking. Make sure the chain cannot be pulled to the ground as it's MUCH easier to use a bolt cutter on a boron-hardened chain it you can lay the cutter on the ground, put the chain in it, and then bounce on the cutter. Also make sure you have a chain or cable (doesn't have to be hardcore) securing your saddle to your frame. If you're leaving the bike in a REALLY bad area, consider replacing ALL the hex head and allen head bolts with anti-theft bolts. Yes, people really will clip your control cables, loosen your stem, and steal your handlebar just to get your brifters.

aboss3

I love mine. The only thing is: I wish I would've gotten a longer chain. My 3" is really tough to tie 2 bikes together. Otherwise, no complains. Excellent lock, and really feels secure. Can't get better protection than this.

wanlogan

Thanks for all of the help and suggestions. I think I'm going with the 5' chain-- not really concerned with heft. I can probably just wear it like a bandolier opposite my Timbuk2 and balance the weight.

The bike is a Scott Racing Series steel frame (90's) with RS Judy SL, XT/Mavic disc wheels, Avid mech discs, and SS drivetrain. Pieced together for cheap, though would probably be nicer than most bikes on the rack... crap. I'm probably just going to fill the allen bolts with some candlewax and lock my wheels with the chain. Hopefully that'll deter most thieves.

I'm somewhat concerned now about people just vandalizing the bike out of spite. Does that happen at all?

By the way, the value of the bike really doesn't justify the inevitable increase in the deductible if I cover it under homeowners. The Merckx on the other hand...

chrisb71

Though most colleges say you can't take your bike into the dorm room, most guys with expensive bikes brought them in, and the RAs looked the other way. I'd keep the nice bike in the room and use it for training, and keep a beater locked up outside for errands and getting to class.