REASONS TO BUY
Compact
Extremely secure
Heavy-duty
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy
Limited versatility
Expensive
Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit U-Lock Mini Review
This small high-security lock offers incredible security, but it's not very versatile or portable
Credit: Kryptonite
RELATED: Best Bike Locks of 2024
Our Verdict
Tell potential thieves to “Forget about it” in your best Brooklyn accent when securing your wheels with this lock. The Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit Mini U-Lock is a burly little guy. The Mini U-Lock is for bike enthusiasts who seek the most security from the smallest package; however, small doesn't mean lightweight as this lock weighs almost five pounds. Other lock models in our best bike lock review performed better across the board, too. The larger Kryptonite New York Standard U-lock features greater versatility and an included frame mount while offering comparable security.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit U-Lock Mini | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best U-lock on a Budget | Best Chain Lock on a Budget |  Best Wearable Design | Best Low Security Lightweight Lock | |
| Price | $119.19 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $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 | This lock is a petite beast | 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 | U-Lock | U-Lock + cable | Chain | Wearable chain | Chain |
| Time to Defeat Lock | 56 seconds | 20 seconds | 12 seconds | 13 seconds | 3 seconds |
| Measured Weight | 4.7 lbs | 2.5 lbs | 2.8 lbs | 4.3 lbs | 0.5 lbs |
| Locking Dimension | 3.3” x 6.3” | U-lock: 4" x 9", cable 5' | 33.7 circumference | 33.5" circumference, 2" width | 43" circumference |
| Primary Materials/Thickness | 18mm hardened steel | 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 LED 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 Mini U-Lock belongs to Kryptonite's New York U-Lock line, and it's just as sturdy as the rest of the family. This bike lock measures a compact 3.25" x 6.25" and is 18 mm thick.
Performance Comparison
The trouble with the Fahegettaboudit lock is its small size. Sometimes our reviewers were unable to lock our bikes to anything, or to get the lock around both tires and the frame (especially if we were on mountain bikes).
Credit: Rebecca A. Eckland
Security
This contender is hands down one of the toughest bike locks we tested. Sold Secure, the U.K. independent testing organization, gives it a Gold rating (products can meet Bronze, Silver, and Gold standards). Kryptonite offers a monetary amount ($5,000) in bicycle protection, which is enough to make most bike owners feel safe. Additionally, the Fahgettaboudit Mini earns a 10 out of 10 from Kryptonite's security scale. After trying as hard as possible to break into this U-Lock, we agree that it is made for New York. Hand tools don't work on the Fahgettaboudit.
Less expensive U-locks can be opened with a pry bar or even from a beating from a hammer, but the Fahgettaboudit Mini is just too much Kryptonite MAX Performance Steel for that. We got through the 18 mm shackle after 45 seconds of angle-grinding but then couldn't get the shackle off of the bike rack. Both ends of the shackle are locked into the crossbar so tightly that we had to make another cut to open the lock. The other models that came closest to the Fahgettaboudit Mini were the Kryptonite New York Standard U-Lock and the Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit Chain and Disc Lock. All three resist pry bars, necessitate power tools, and require two separate cuts of an angle grinder to free the bike. The ABUS Granit X-Plus 540 U-Lock also required two cuts to defeat it.
If you park your bike in a dark street at night (we recommend NOT doing this), here is what it looks like when a thief tries to work through the Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit U-Lock. For this particular lock, it would take a thief about a minute and thirty seconds -- enough to send up a smoke signal (so to speak.) This isn't to say they won't try to steal your wheels (they will and do all the time), but there is a bit of risk involved when you break a high-end U-Lock like the Fahgettaboudit.
Credit: Rebecca A. Eckland
Ease of Transport
This compact product makes it easier to shove into a backpack or pannier. It is heavy, though, weighing 4 lbs 11.1 oz. To say our testers found the lock's presence “very noticeable” is putting it mildly and is definitely one of this lock's major drawbacks. And, if you drop this thing on your foot, let's just say it's going to leave a mark. The Kryptonite New York Standard U-Lock earns its keep in this category because of its ability to be carried on the frame while riding by utilizing the included frame mount. The Fahgettaboudit Mini doesn't come with a mount; if you like carrying your locks on the bike frame, this one requires you to purchase an aftermarket bracket separately.
It may be small, but it's mighty. The size is a bonus if you're sporting a messenger bag or riding a road bike. In most cases, though, the size seriously limits what you can lock your bike to--and what bike you can lock (if it's a mountain bike, forget about it).
Credit: Rebecca A. Eckland
Ease of Use
This is where the Fahgettaboudit Mini took a hit in our scoring metrics. This model is great if you're running skinny road tires on your commuter hog, but what if you're rocking a mountain bike? When our testers took fatter-tired bikes to test this lock, they found that the size added an extra layer of logistical complication to using a U-lock. Often, you couldn't just “slide the lock over both wheels and the frame” and be done with it. With thicker tired bikes, we had to weave the open u-lock into the back stay and then through the two sets of spokes to lock the bike up. This left us with a series of Cat 5 tattoos (you know, those greasy chainring imprints on your skin), which detracted from its overall ease of use. It's also not a very secure method.
Kryptonite does a great job of creating locks that work smoothly. One of our testers poured sand into the crossbar holes to see if it gummed up the locking mechanism, but this piece continued to function normally. We experienced issues when some of the testers tried to lock their bikes around poles that were too big for the Fahgettaboudit Mini. The larger diameter ABUS Granit X-Plus U-Lock is much easier to use in this regard. The New York Standard has a larger capacity when locking and is just a smidgen less burly (16 mm shackle thickness instead of the Mini's 18 mm).
There's not much room left over after securing these mountain bike tires together. In this case, you almost surely need another New York Fahgettaboudit to properly secure the bike frame.
Credit: Rebecca A. Eckland
Versatility
This category, along with ease of transport, is where the other U-locks, such as the New York Standard, outperformed the Fahgettaboudit Mini by design. We liked the Standard's option of locking both wheels and frame to a bike rack, whereas the Mini can only secure the frame and maybe a skinny wheel. Forget about locking fat tires with this model unless you like chain grease all over your hands or the reminder of what it's like to put on your “skinny jeans” just after the holiday season. If you buy a cable and add it to the Fahgettaboudit Mini, the combo would earn more points on our versatility scale, but the Mini alone scored significantly lower. City dwellers that own expensive bikes might do well to use two Fahgettaboudit's to lock up both wheels and the frame since a cable might not survive long (and neither would your front wheel).
Should You Buy the Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit U-Lock Mini?
The Fahgettaboudit Mini is an investment, but it's high-quality and offers hardcore security. It's worth the cost if you use narrow (rather than wide) tires (hello, road bikes!) and if you know that your destination will always have a specialized bike rack. If these two things are true, then this lock is one you could leave your bike outside with peace of mind.
What Other Bike Locks Should You Consider?
The compactness of the Mini is what draws biking commuters to this lock, but we also recognize and experience its downfalls. The Kryptonite New York Standard U-Lock, the Mini's larger brother, ended up winning an award, increasing its versatility and portability. We suggest taking a look at this contender as a potential alternative.
—
Rylee Sweeney and Rebecca Eckland
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