Kryptonite KryptoLok Review

Kryptonite gives the Kryptonite Kryptolok a “six” rating out of ten on its internal scale, indicating it's designed for medium-risk situations, similar to its predecessor. So, before rushing to the store to buy this U-lock model, assess the situation where you're looking to secure your bike. The Kryptolok, if used as intended, is a great way to secure your inexpensive commuter in low- to medium-risk situations.

Security

We admit we were skeptical about a more “budget-friendly” U-lock. Other budget models have failed to meet our expectations. But after testing, we were pleasantly surprised by the Kryptonite Kryptolok performance, which offers more security than U-locks in a similar price range and even more than the predecessor on which it is based. This is due to the shackle, made of 13 mm (1/2") hardened steel. The steel is truly hard — it took significantly longer to cut through than other inexpensive U-locks, and the newer design took even longer than the previous one. Even with the lock stabilized in a vise, it took us about 20 seconds to get through it using our powerful angle grinder.

What makes the Kryptolok stand out in this rating metric is Kryptonite's choice to use hardened steel not only on the U part of the lock but also in the shackle. On other U-locks at this price point, this is not the case; the shackle is the weakest part of the lock, not the U. This lock also has a dual-locking mechanism, meaning a potential thief would need to make two separate cuts before defeating the lock — something we find impressive at this price point. The additional braided cable should not be used around your anchor point; it is for locking a front wheel or accessories. We like to secure our saddle or front wheel if we don't remove it and lock it with the rear wheel. Be aware that the cable can be defeated by almost any tool in a thief's arsenal.

If you're locking up in a small town or a medium-risk area (at a coffee shop or a heavily trafficked area), chances are this lock will suffice. Thieves are not likely to attempt to compromise a bike lock with an angle grinder, creating flying sparks and ear-shattering noise in full view of the public. Like any lock, it's equally important to consider the context in which you're locking your bike, rather than focusing solely on the lock itself. Also, consider how secure the rack you're locking your bike to is. A lockup is only as strong as its weakest link, and the Kryptolok is certainly not weak.

Ease of Transport

Full disclosure here: no U-lock is fun to carry around. They're heavy and clunky. However, some manufacturers, such as Kryptonite, include a frame mount with the lock, allowing you to carry it on your bike rather than in your bag. The included mount isn't the most straightforward to install, but with some perseverance or help from online videos, you can even fit the mount to bikes without round tubes.

The quality of the mount itself is questionable. If you're commuting on smooth pavement (like we did for the first week or so), it poses no problems. Bumpy roads decreased our confidence, but we never lost the lock while in transit. Several pounds of rattling from your bike is generally disconcerting. As with all U-locks, if you're riding a small bike (<50cm), you may not be able to mount the lock within the main triangle.

The bike on the left (above) has a 56 cm frame, and the lock fits easily with the Kryptonite mount that comes with it. However, mounted to the bike on the right, which has a 52 cm frame size, notice that the lock takes up space where a bottle would typically go. If you have another hydration option, it may be worth sacrificing the space. Luckily, there are other ways to take the Kryptolok with you: it can attach to a rack on the back of your bike, or you can easily stow it in a backpack. Another option is a third-party U-lock mount. However, we only recommend purchasing this extra if you have already tried the Kryptonite frame mount and dislike it; it probably won't be an issue for most people.

Aside from hicups with the mount, the Kryptolok is lighter than most U-locks and thus a bit easier to carry. With a bit of patience, you can figure out how to wrap the cable around the U-lock using the attached Velcro strap, so you don't have to carry it separately.

Ease of Use

The locking mechanism sometimes felt clunky, and on a couple of occasions, it was difficult to insert the key. Once we added some graphite lubricant to the lock cylinder, we no longer experienced this issue. We would have preferred that Kryptonite do that at the factory, but keeping the cylinder lubricated is good practice, especially if using the lock in wet climates.

With a slightly larger shackle than most U-locks we tested, the Kryptolok is easier to use in more situations. This is especially nice if the bike you're using doesn't have round tubes or is an unusual shape, such as a step-through eBike, a fat bike, or a bike without round tubes.

Versatility

U-locks typically suffer a bit more than other locking mechanisms due to their rigid design, which limits where you can lock your bike. The Kryptonite Kryptolok is not immune to this limitation. In other words, hope there are bike racks where you're commuting by bike, because the likelihood of finding something else that will work, given the lock's dimensions, is slim.

However, of the U-locks, the Kryptolok performed pretty well. The shackle is a bit over 9" long and almost 4" wide, which offers enough space to accommodate a road frame, two tires, and a bike rack (most of the time). If you're riding a mountain bike frame or wider tires, you might not be able to fit all that into the lock. The Kryptolok offered much more versatility than smaller U-locks (which limited what you could lock your bike to), yet wasn't so big and bulky that carrying the lock required remarkable strength.

Should You Buy the Kryptonite Kryptolok?

The Kryptonite Kryptolok is a versatile option for lower-risk areas. However, if you're riding a more expensive bike or locking up for long stretches, there are more secure locks that will put up a bit more of a fight than this model can.

What Other Bike Locks Should You Consider?