Hey everyone, I'm new to bike commuting and Amazon is having a really good spring sale with Kryptonite locks at really good prices. Before I learned about the importance of a good lock I bought this titanker chain lock years ago I use it when I'm biking around the neighborhood and stuff all in a generally safe area. I've heard amazing things about the Kryptonite Evolution 1090 and saw that the lockpickinglawyer uses it but I've also heard how much better a U-Lock is so I'm looking at the Evolution mini with cable even though it's rated 7/10 where the 1090 is 8/10.
Basically what I’m asking is I would like to take advantage of the current amazon price but I'm not sure which one to get. My general line of thinking is stick with my cheam Titanker lock for a generally safe area or a quick trip into a store and buy the Kryptonite U Lock if I'm going to keep it locked up for longer. Is that reasonable or should I just buy the 1090 since it's so highly regarded and just replace my Titanker?
by zen_turtle0
4 Comments
If you can, buy two locks. Maybe one of each? Do what you can to make a thief pick an easier target.
As far as those particular models that you’re looking at, someone else with more knowledge of them should weigh in. The lockpicking lawyer does know his stuff, I wouldn’t hesitate to use what he uses.
The krypto chain is twice the weight of the u-lock, which is something to keep in mind. With a chain you have to be more careful about locking to parking meters, since they can be lifted over the head if there’s enough slack. The titanker is too light duty in my opinion, and I wouldn’t want to deal with deciding between two locks every time I left the house.
I use a mini krpto lock (no cable) and pitlock brand locking skewers in place of quickreleases to secure my wheels and saddle. Not cheap by very effective, and you don’t have to remember to lock up the wheels every time you park.
The lock picking lawyer knows his shit about picking locks, but here’s the thing: that’s not how the average thief is gonna steal your bike. A thief is just gonna cut the lock. So don’t put so much stock into what LPL is suggesting, not because he’s not knowledgeable, but because his set of knowledge doesn’t really apply here.
If you want to be really secure, get two different kinds of locks – a U lock and a chain. U locks need an angle grinder to cut them, chains need a bolt cutter. Angle grinders can’t cut a chain and bolt cutters can’t cut a U lock, so if you have both, a thief would need to have both sets of tools on them to steal your bike. Because that would be extremely conspicuous and hard to carry, it’s unlikely to happen.
I’d highly suggest checking out [the Sold Secure website](https://soldsecure.com/category/bicycle), they’re an independent agency that tests and rates all kinds of locks and security devices. They have a large database of bicycle locks and their rating system is pretty clear and straightforward. A good rule of thumb is the lock should cost 10% of the value of the bike.
Also, locks are only as good as how you use them. Learn [the Sheldon Brown locking method](https://www.sheldonbrown.com/lock-strategy.html), it’s just about the most secure way I’ve seen to lock a bike up.
How many bikes are stolen due to people picking them up locks? It is probably not zero, but it only represents a small subset of thefts. Bolt cutters, angle grinders and car jacks are common tools of the trade, so pick your lock accordingly. I quite like the angle grinders resistant locks from onguard.