Kryptonite Evolution 1012 Chain Lock Review

The Kryptonite Evolution 1012 combines a robust 10mm hardened steel chain with 6-sided links to an oval crossbar lock head. The lock head uses a rubber cover and a new end-link design that connects to a hardened-steel deadbolt. Kryptonite says this lock is designed for e-bikes. We're not sure if that means it's a little longer, more robust, or too heavy for analog bikers to want to lug around.

Security

Six-sided hardened steel chain links measure 10mm thick and prevent bolt cutters from getting a bite. The terminal end of the chain uses a special 8-shaped link that interfaces with the massive ovalized lock body and accepts the deadbolt. The entire chain is covered with a durable nylon cover, and the chain ends have rubber caps that prevent the metal chain from scratching your bike when you lock it. The nylon cover isn't exactly security, but it did keep our bolt cutters from slipping off the links we were trying to cut. To get a firm, yet ultimately unsuccessful, bite on the link, we first used a knife to pull back the nylon sheath. Unlike a braided steel cable that you can

The oversized, oval-shaped lock body houses the deadbolt, which maintains a circuit when locked. The lock cylinder has a sliding dust cover attached to the lock body. Removing the dust cover 2mm bolts lets you slip off the rubber cover, but it won't get thieves any closer to penetrating the lock. Hacksaw blades and hammers were ineffective at damaging the lock housing or the chain. This is a robust piece of security equipment.

Ease of Transport

There is generally a relationship between security and weight, and at 7.3 pounds, it's the second-heaviest lock we've tested. The proper place for this lock would be low at the bottom of a pannier or in a backpack. While you could wrap it around one of your bike's tubes, the weight and hardness could damage your frame.

Since the lock is fairly long, at 47.25", you could also wear it as a sash, and while that is popular with the messenger crowd, the idea of crashing and falling on this chain makes that sound like a bad idea.

It's not lightweight, but carrying the lock as a sash was quite effective for shorter rides.   Credit: Joshua Hutchens

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Ease of Use

The hardest part of using this lock is carrying it. Its weight made it one of our least favorite locks to lug around, but it almost made up for it in versatility and security. There are two keys, and like other Kryptonite locks, you can use them in either direction. Kryptonite has phased out its lighted keys, which we found to be incredibly convenient, but it's easy enough to feel the lock cylinder cover and determine where to insert the key.

The extra length of the chain makes wrapping the lock around odd-shaped items or looping in your front wheel fairly easy. We found that we needed to be careful when locking and unlocking, as the chain is quite heavy, and even dropping part of it could damage a bicycle. Our review is split between companies that furnish two and three keys; more is better, right? If you register your lock after purchasing it and then lose your keys, Kryptonite will send you a new pair of keys free of charge.

Versatility

With a chain this long, you can easily wrap it around a telephone pole or other non-traditionally shaped fixtures. Sometimes a bike rack isn't in the most secure location, and you might choose to lock your bike in a better-lit or more visible area, where you need the extra length the 1012 provides. You'll also be able to lock both wheels of your bicycle with this chain, and that may give you more peace of mind in some circumstances. The lock is far more versatile than any of the U-locks in our test, but it also weighs much more, so the trade-offs for this level of security are real.

Should You Buy the Kryptonite Evolution 1012?

The Kryptonite Evolution 1012 Chain is a robust piece of security equipment, but it still won't stop a thief with power tools. If you need the additional versatility of a chain lock like this and don't mind carrying the extra weight, we think it's a decent value for the level of security it provides.

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