Kryptonite KryptoLok Review

Kryptonite is a well-known name in the bike lock industry, and for a good reason, their locks are consistently among the strongest. Kryptonite gives the Kryptonite Kryptolok a “six” rating out of ten on its internal scale, which means it's designed for medium-risk situations, the same as 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.

Performance Comparison

Security

We admit we were skeptical about a more “budget-friendly” U-lock. We have been let down by other budget models. 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 truly is hard — it took significantly longer to cut through than other inexpensive U-locks, and the newer design took longer than the previous. 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 tougher 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, and it's really the shackle that is 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 it to secure our saddle or front wheel if we don't remove it and lock it with the rear wheel. Beware that the cable can be defeated by just about 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 and not focus 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, like Kryptonite, include a frame mount with the lock so you can 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're not going to be able to mount the lock, as the lock could be too big to fit in your frame.

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 is 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. But we only recommend buying this extra if you have already tried the Kryptonite frame mount and dislike it — it probably won't be an issue for most folks.

Mounting quips aside, the Kryptolok is one of the lighter U-lock models we tested, and for that, we gave it a bit of a 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 didn't experience this issue anymore.

This lock works similarly to any other U-lock of its size. U-locks are not our favorite lock type to use frequently, but we generally are willing to forfeit a little ease of use for heightened 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 awkward shape like the step-through eBike usually 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?