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 model of U-lock, assess the situation in which you're looking to secure your bike. The Kryptolok, if used as intended, is a great way to secure your inexpensive commuter in a medium-risk situation. If you ask for more, chances are you'll need a beefier lock.

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 locked in a vise, stabilizing the lock, it took us about 30 seconds to get through one side of the U, making it one of the toughest locks we tried. And 24" bolt cutters hardly made a dent.

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. In other U-locks at this price point, this is not the case; it's really the shackle that's the weakest part of the lock, not the U. The Kryptolok thwarted attacks with noticeably more vigor than other locks at this price point, which, in our opinion, vastly improves its value. This lock also has a dual-locking mechanism, meaning a potential thief would need to make two separate cuts before defeating the lock — something generally reserved for high-end (and pricier) locks. The additional braided cable should not (and actually cannot) be used on its own. 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 for well over a minute — 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 what you're locking your bike to. A large road signpost took us over four minutes to cut through in testing. A small chain-link fence post took about 30 seconds. A lockup is only as strong as its weakest link, and the Kryptolok is certainly not a weak one.

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, even with the enclosed instructions, but several online videos make installing this mount easy-peasy even on bikes without round tubes.

The quality of the mount itself is questionable. If you're commuting on the smooth pavement (like we did for the first week or so), it offers zero problems. Bumpy roads decreased our confidence, but we never lost the lock while in transit. It rattled a bit, but nothing substantial. As with all U-locks, if you're riding a small bike (<50cm), chances are you won't be able to mount the lock, as it may be too large to fit in your frame.

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The bike on the left (above) is a 56 cm frame, and the lock fits easily using the Kryptonite mount that comes with the lock. 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 option for hydration, it's not the worst thing that could happen. Luckily, there are other methods of taking 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.

Mounting quips aside, the Kryptolok is one of the lighter U-lock models we tested, and for that, we gave it a slight boost. There's nothing worse than commuting with an extra four pounds, especially if your commute involves a climb! Note that the cable is best stowed in a bag for transport; there's no easy place to mount it.

Ease of Use

We docked points for the Krypotolok in this rating metric because the locking mechanism itself was clunky and, on a couple of occasions, it was sticky. We could understand this happening after months of use, but it seemed a bit ridiculous right out of the box. While we could always get the lock opened, it took us longer to use this lock than others included in this review. Once we added some lubricant, we no longer experienced this issue.

This lock works similarly to any other U-lock of its size. U-locks are not our preferred lock type for frequent use, but we are generally willing to sacrifice a little ease of use for enhanced security. We do appreciate that it has a slightly larger shackle than most U-locks we tested, making it 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 the step-through eBike typically used by one of our testers.

Versatility

U-locks typically suffer a bit more than other locking mechanisms by 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 bike commuting, because the likelihood of finding something else that will work, given the dimensions of the lock, is slim.

However, of the U-locks, the Kryptolok performed pretty well. The shackle is a bit over 11" long and almost 5.5" 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) while not being so big and bulky as to make carrying the lock a feat of remarkable strength.

Should You Buy the Kryptonite Kryptolok?

The Kryptonite Kryptolok is a great economical option to consider for tighter budgets and moderate risk. However, if you have a higher-end bike or the neighborhoods where you are commuting aren't the safest, there are beefier and more secure locks out there that will put up a bit more of a fight than this model can.

What Other Bike Locks Should You Consider?