REASONS TO BUY
Large and versatile
Super burly
REASONS TO AVOID
Too heavy to transport regularly
Can be a pain to use
Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit Chain and Disc Lock Review
Too big and heavy to transport, this lock is best left stationed at a bike rack where you regularly lock up for an extended time
The Kryptonite NY Fahgettaboudit Chain and Disc was by far the beefiest lock that we busted.
Credit: Jon Oleson
RELATED: Best Bike Locks of 2024
Our Verdict
We knew the Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit Chain and Disc Lock would be enormous and hefty when researching biking-related gear. When it arrived, we were shocked. This 5 feet long chain and mini yet sturdy disc lock weigh over 15 pounds in total. Wowza! As expected, this lock provides incredible security, durability, and versatile locking positions. For obvious reasons, it's the least portable model reviewed, so it's best to leave it at the bike rack you frequent where security concerns are high. Without a doubt, this lock is the most intimidating contender of best bike locks, and it's only suitable for folks who need this type of deterrent.
Compare to Similar Products
| Awards |  Best U-lock on a Budget | Best Chain Lock on a Budget |  Best Wearable Design | Best Low Security Lightweight Lock | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $135 List $124.96 at Amazon | $53.19 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $70 List $63.13 at Amazon | $99.99 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $17.99 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | A serious theft deterrent for extended parking when portability is not an issue | Above average security in a large, versatile lock that's let down a bit by difficult to use key and annoying mount | Can fit any bike and rack and is remarkably secure though tough to ferry around town | Wear this chain lock around your waist to bring solid security with you whenever you cycle | Among the lightweight, low-security options, this lock is a steal and one of our favorites |
| Rating Categories | Kryptonite New York... | Kryptonite KryptoLok | Abus Ivera 7210 | Hiplok Original: Su... | ABUS Chain Lock 120... |
| Security (40%) | |||||
| Ease of Transport (25%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (20%) | |||||
| Versatility (15%) | |||||
| Specs | Kryptonite New York... | Kryptonite KryptoLok | Abus Ivera 7210 | Hiplok Original: Su... | ABUS Chain Lock 120... |
| Type | Chain with disc lock | U-Lock + cable | Chain | Wearable chain | Chain |
| Time to Defeat Lock | 33 seconds | 20 seconds | 12 seconds | 13 seconds | 3 seconds |
| Measured Weight | 15.1 lbs | 2.5 lbs | 2.8 lbs | 4.3 lbs | 0.5 lbs |
| Locking Dimension | 60" circumference (chain), 4" x 5" (disc lock) | U-lock: 4" x 9", cable 5' | 33.7 circumference | 33.5" circumference, 2" width | 43" circumference |
| Primary Materials/Thickness | 14mm 3T hardened manganese steel(chain), 15mm steel shackle (disc lock), nylon sleeve | 12.7mm hardened steel | 7mm hardened steel square chain | 8mm hardened steel chain, 600D polyester sleeve | 4mm hardened steel |
| Included Keys | 3 keys (one with HID light) | 2 keys | 2 keys | 3 keys | N/A |
| Defeated by Tin Snips | No | No | No | No | Yes, requires two cuts to defeat |
| Defeated by Hammer | No | No | No | No | No |
| Defeated by Hacksaw | No | No | No | No | No |
| Defeated by 36" Bolt Cutters | No | No | No | No | Yes, but not very easily. Requires two cuts |
| Number of Angle Grinder Cuts to Defeat Lock | 2 cuts | 2 cuts | 2 cuts | 1 cut | 2 cuts |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
The Kryptonite 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
The Fahgettaboudit chain provides enough length and flexibility to lock up both wheels with the frame without removing the front one.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Security
This lock is a serious theft deterrent; just looking at it is intimidating. Sold Secure (an independent lock rating agency) gave it a high rating of “Gold” for bicycles and motorcycles. It also receives a rating 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.
Power tools are necessary to break this lock.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
In our lab of destruction, this lock fared at the top of the group. 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, register as soon as you buy this lock.
This lock needs one cut and plenty of hammering or two cuts to remove it from most bike racks.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
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 the toss-in-your-backpack-and-go type. It's intended to remain in one location, such as the bike rack outside your apartment building or office. For testing sake, we rode around town with this model in our backpacks, and we felt all 15+ lbs of it. Uffda.
Our testers tried various methods of transporting this monstrous chain lock, but we didn't like any of them.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
If you must ride with this lock in tow, our best solution was to wrap it around the handlebars, which 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.
It's possible to transport this lock, but it seriously affects the handling and increases the weight.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Ease of Use
Due to its size and heft, this is the toughest and slowest lock in our review to use. Be warned; this lock can chip paint off your bike as you feed the chain around the frame. Carelessness might even result in a dent in 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 significant weight of this lock makes securing it a cumbersome chore.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
The Fahgettaboudit Chain and Disc Lock comes with three keys, and one of them has a handy 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 this bike lock. We dig that.
Use the sliding dust cover to prolong the integrity of the locking mechanism.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Versatility
The chain of this lock is five feet long, which is long enough to snake through both wheels and the frame without needing 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 functional beyond your biking gear, too, as we used it to lock up dirt bikes outside a watering hole, as well as to secure items in our garage overnight.
Our experts reviewed these two chain locks; the Hiplok (left) features 8 mm thick links, and the Fahgettaboudit Chain (right) has thicker 14 mm links.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Should You Buy the Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit Chain and Disc Lock?
The Fahgettaboudit Chain and Disc Lock isn't for the faint of heart; it's as burly as bike locks get. It's not practical for running errands or moving from point A to B to C. But, if you meet this criterion: you need ultimate top-security, you're okay with your bike potentially experiencing some wear and tear from the chain, and you can leave this bike lock at your destination, then we think this contender could be a fit. Just remember, if you need to move or carry it, lift with your legs, not your back.
What Other Bike Locks Should You Consider?
The most manageable high-security model to carry is the ABUS Granit X-Plus 540 U-Lock, which weighs less than three and a half pounds and mounts on the frame. Otherwise, if you're a daily commuter who needs solid security, we suggest the Hiplok Original: Superbright (a wearable option!) or the Kryptonite New York Standard U-Lock.
—
Ross Robinson
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