Kryptonite New York fahgettaboudit mini
Buy now £79.59, Amazon.co.uk
Rating: 9/10
First glancePick it up and the first thing you notice about this rugged U-lock is its weight. Our test example tipped the scales at 2.04kg – you really wouldn’t want to go much heavier in a lock you’ll be carrying on the daily commute or around town. Having said that, go much lighter and thieves will have a much better chance of defeating it as lighter locks tend to have thinner shackles and flimsy mechanisms.
The wasp-like black and yellow colours should help deter thieves too. Facing a bike rack full of potential targets, the New York mini should really stand out, and given its reputation any clued-up crook will be more likely to turn their attention to softer targets first.
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When you turn the key and unlock the New York Mini, the shackle can be removed completely, rather than swinging to one side as in some cheaper rivals. It’s therefore really easy to loop it through your frame and around something solid such as a bike rack before slotting it back into the main body of the device.
The hoop of the shackle isn’t huge – that’s to make it harder for a thief to attempt to prise it open – which you need to bear in mind if you have a machine with a particularly chunky frame such as a mountain bike or some E-bikes. Don’t forget to protect your bike’s precious wheels and any accessories such as a child seat by securing them to the New York mini with a suitable cable – there are plenty available in Kryptonite’s kryptoflex range.
Spec sheetThe New York mini’s specification sheet is seriously impressive – it’s got an 18mm thick hardened steel shackle, double deadbolt locks to resist twisting attacks, and a hardened steel sleeve over the cross bar. There’s also a high-security drill and pick-resistant disc lock hidden beneath a sliding cover that keeps out dust and grime. The whole package is encased in a thick vinyl sleeve to stop it rubbing against your frame and causing damage.
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It comes with three keys – including one with a very handy built-in blue light so you won’t be left fumbling to find the key hole on dark winter nights. Make sure you register your keys with Kryptonite’s “key safe program” as soon as you take delivery of your lock – should you lose one or all of them you will be able to get replacements for a nominal fee.
While registering your keys, make sure you sign up for Kryptonite’s anti-theft protection offer too. It gives you up to £3,000 of cover should a criminal ever manage to open your lock by force and make off with your bike.
Security ratingsAlthough no bike lock will ever be completely thief-proof, the New York gets a Diamond top billing under the UK’s Sold Secure scheme which grades locks according to their ability to foil crooks, with Bronze being the lowest level of protection.
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Remember, very few locks will defeat the attention of a crook wielding a portable angle-grinder for more than a few minutes, so try to leave your bike somewhere with a high footfall and in view of CCTV if possible. That way, it’s more likely someone will step in if they spot anyone trying to steal it.
The verdict: Kryptonite fahgettaboudit New York miniWe’ve yet to come across the perfect bike lock – to be truly unbreakable it would likely be too heavy to take with you, and made from such expensive materials it would probably cost more than your bike – but the New York mini comes close.
Hefty enough to stop all but the most determined thieves, it should offer plenty of protection for most bike commuters and shoppers. And if you combine it with another lock of a different design, the very sight of it should be enough to make crooks seek out a softer target.
At more than 2kg, it’s pretty weighty but as long as your commute isn’t too hilly you really shouldn’t notice you’re carrying it once it’s stowed in your backpack or bike pannier.