Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit Chain and Disc Lock Review
Cons: Too heavy to transport regularly, can be a pain to use
Manufacturer: Kryptonite
Our Verdict
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| Price | $119.99 at Amazon | $93.36 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $74.99 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | Check Price at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $59.90 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Pros | Large and versatile, super burly | Very secure, mounts to bike, convenient size for locking up | Wearable design, solid security, easy to use | Versatile, light (for a U-Lock), easy to use, value | Inexpensive, more secure than many in its price range, high quality |
| Cons | Too heavy to transport regularly, can be a pain to use | Heavy, bulky to transport | Not lightweight, uncomfortable with some backpacks, pricey | Slightly less secure than other U-Lock models, bulky | Locking mechanism stuck a few times, lackluster frame mount |
| Bottom Line | Too big and heavy to transport, this lock is best left stationed at a bike rack where you regularly lock up for extended time | This is our favorite all-around lock for high security needs | The innovative design of this wearable chain lock increases this heavy lock's portability, which is great news for regular bike commuters | A versatile U-lock and cable combo that provides strong security at a favorable price point | This inexpensive U-lock offers versatility and security that is likely to fit the needs and budgets of many cyclists and commuters |
| Rating Categories | Kryptonite New York... | Kryptonite New York... | Hiplok Original: Su... | Kryptonite Evolutio... | Kryptonite Kryptolo... |
| Security (40%) | |||||
| Ease Of Transport (25%) | |||||
| Ease Of Use (20%) | |||||
| Versatility (15%) | |||||
| Specs | Kryptonite New York... | Kryptonite New York... | Hiplok Original: Su... | Kryptonite Evolutio... | Kryptonite Kryptolo... |
| Measured weight (lbs) | 15.1 lbs | 4.5 lbs | 4.3 lbs | 3.5 lbs | 3.2 lbs |
| Type of lock | Chain with disc lock | U-lock | Wearable chain | U-Lock + cable | U-Lock + cable |
| Lock dimensions | 60" x 2" (chain), 4" x 5" x 1.4" (disc lock) | 4" x 8" (16 mm thick U) | 33.5" circumference, 2" width | U-lock: 9.4"x 5.6" (13mm thick U), 4' cable | U-lock: 11.1" x 5.4" (13mm thick U), Cable: 4' |
| # of keys included | 3 keys (one with HID light) | 3 keys (one with HID light) | 3 keys | 3 keys (one with HID light) | 2 keys |
| Primary materials | 14mm 3t hardened manganese steel(chain), nylon sleeve, 15mm steel shackle (disc lock) | 16mm Hardened Steel | 8mm hardened steel chain, 600D polyester sleeve | 13mm hardened "max-performance" steel with braided steel cable | Steel |
| Warranty/Manufacturer programs | $5,000 Theft Protection, Lifetime Warranty; Key Safe Program | $4,000 Theft Protection, Limited Lifetime Warranty, Key Safe Program | 1-year manufacturer warranty | $2,500 Theft Protection (does not cover cable), Limited Lifetime Warranty; Key Safe Program | $1,700 Theft Protection |
| Unique Features | Sliding dust cover, HID light on one key | Keyhole cover, LED light on one key; dust cover over keyhole | Reflective sheath, curve key | LED light on one key; cable in addition to U-Lock; dust cover on keyhole | Includes 4 foot cable |
| Tin Snips | No | No | No | Cable: Yes; U-lock: No | No |
| Hammer | No | No | No | No | No |
| Hacksaw | No | No | No | No | No |
| Bolt Cutters, 36" | No | No | No | Cable: Yes, U-lock: No | No |
| Angle Grinder | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Number of cuts required to free lock | 2 cuts | 2 cuts | 1 cut | 2 cuts | 2 cuts |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The New York Fahgettaboudit Chain and New York Disc Lock consists of a 5-foot chain of 14 mm 3t hardened manganese steel with a nylon sleeve. A 15 mm steel shackle disc lock, coated in PVC, secures the chain.
Performance Comparison
Security
This lock is a serious theft deterrent. Just looking at it is intimidating. The independent lock rating agency Sold Secure gave it their highest rating, "Gold," for bicycles and motorcycles. It also receives a score of Category 3 from Thatcham Quality Assured, a motor insurers' automotive research center in the UK. Kryptonite themselves gave it a perfect 10/10 security score, unmatched by any other lock reviewed. On paper and in hand, it's a beast.
In our lab of destruction, this lock fared at the top of the heap. Hand tools were useless against this big guy, and it took roughly 45 seconds for us to get through the hardened steel to cut the lock. After one cut, this lock opened up 1/2 an inch. If you lock up responsibly, this means it takes two cuts of an angle grinder to compromise the Fahgettaboudit Chain and Disc Lock. If that doesn't convince you of this model's security, Kryptonite offers a generous theft protection program with the purchase of this lock. If this is important to you, be sure to register as soon as you buy this lock.
Ease of Transport
The Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit Chain and New York Disc Lock is as cumbersome to carry as it is to say. It's not made to toss in your backpack and go. This lock is intended to stay where it lies, either at the bike rack outside the office or the one outside your apartment building. For testing sake, we rode around town with this model in our backpacks, and we felt all 15+ lbs of it. Uff da.
If you must ride with this lock in tow, our best solution was to wrap it around the handlebars. This puts a lot of weight on the front wheel and slows you down, but if you need to move it a few miles, this is the best way to carry it (unless you have a basket or panniers installed on your bike). We would not be thrilled to ride over five miles with it attached in this manner, though, and do not recommend transporting the lock habitually. The easiest high-security model to carry is the ABUS Granit X-Plus 540, which weighs less than three and a half pounds and mounts on the frame.
Ease of Use
Due to its size and heft, this is the toughest and slowest lock in our review to use. You need to be careful to avoid chipping the paint off your bike as you feed the chain around your frame. Carelessness might even result in a dent to the frame, and we were sure to avoid the chain resting entirely on thin spokes when locking it up. Our testers appreciated that top-shelf security means heavy-duty materials, but we were often frustrated when using this lock.
The Fahgettaboudit Chain and Disc Lock comes with three keys, which is handy, and one of them has an integrated HID light. Kryptonite includes this lock in their Key Safe Program, which means you're eligible for a one-time, free of charge replacement pair of keys over the lifespan of your lock. We dig that.
Versatility
The chain of this lock is five feet long, which is long enough to snake through both wheels and the frame without having to remove anything. Due to its thickness, we couldn't fit it through any saddle stays or use it to lock up our panniers. This heavy chain is useful beyond bikes, though. We used it to lock up dirt bikes outside a watering hole and to secure items in our garage overnight.
Value
The price is a lot to pay for a bike lock. That said, it's beastly nature might bring you peace of mind, which is invaluable. In our opinion, this model doesn't present much value unless you need a deterrent of its size.
Conclusion
The Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit Chain and New York Disc Lock isn't for the faint of heart. It's about as burly as locks get. It isn't practical for running errands or moving from point A to B to C. It's best sticking to point A. If you need a high-security lock that stays in one place, this is your best bet. Lift with your legs, not your back…
— Ross Robinson