Kryptonite New York Lock Fahgettaboudit Mini U Bike Lock Review

Kryptonite New York Lock Fahgettaboudit Mini U Bike Lock Review

Owning a bike in a big city is without a doubt very convenient. In addition to evading traffic pretty much every day and saving a ton of money you would have spent on gas or cab fare, you get to work out every day without interrupting your routine.

However, it isn’t all sunshine and daisies as bikes are the most vulnerable modes of transport to theft. With this unfortunate fact in mind, it goes without saying that investing in a high quality high security lock is your best defense against all thieves and other hooligans who have their eye set on you two wheeled beauty.

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There is high demand for high quality bike locks and the market is full with many kinds of brands and models. The Kryptonite New York Lock Fahgettaboudit Mini U lock is easily one of the most outstanding with its amazing features gaining it nationwide popularity and the title of best U bike lock on the market.

Below is a comprehensive review of the product in terms of features and what you should expect as the bike owner whether good or bad. That way, by the end of it you should have as much information as you need to make an informed purchase.

Brand History

The Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit Mini U bike Lock is a product of the Kryptonite security company. Founded in the early seventies, the company sought to provide bike owners, especially those in high crime rate cities, with great security options for their rides.

Michael Zane was passionate about security and wanted to come up with a lock that offered the perfect combination of top notch design and high quality construction. Thus the idea for the Kryptonite Fahgettaboudit U bike lock was conceived.

When the lock first released, Zane decided to put it through a street test to see whether it would be able to hold in the real world.

He used it to lock a 3 speed bicycle to a post and believe it or not, the frame remained intact for thirty full days in spite of several valiant efforts to break through it.

The success of this test put the brand on the map and peaked the interest of the public with several subsequent street tests being conducted in different parts of New York with the same success story.

In 2001, Kryptonite was bought by Ingersoll Rand and for a long time was the security giant’s leading brand. In a nutshell, the combination of great quality products and what is probably the best customer support system in the country has helped gain the brand its cult following and you can rest assured that the locks are not going anywhere any time soon.

Features Of Kryptonite Fahgettaboudit Mini U Bike Lock

  • Frame material

The mini U bike lock is made from high quality MAX-performance hardened steel material. This is responsible for the strength and resilience offered by the lock whether it is against natural elements like dirt and water or thievery techniques like sawing.

  • General weight and dimensions

The lock weighs 4.4 pounds which makes it heavier than many other models on the market. The weight attributed to the high quality steel material used to make the frame. It measures 2 inches in general width by 5.7 inches in length by 9.2 inches in height. This makes it easy to carry on belt hooks in spite of the heaviness.

  • U bar dimensions

The U shackle bar on the Kryptonite New York Lock Fahgettaboudit Mini U lock offer high quality & security. The steel shackle itself is 18 mm thick making it very difficult to cut through. It is 3.2 inches wide and 6 inches long making it one of the smaller U bike lock options on the market.

  • U bar reinforcements

The U shackle coated with a high quality rubber sleeve over the steel. This is designed to offer further protection by deterring efforts to gain forced access by cutting through the shackle. The sleeve also makes the lock easy to handle and allows attachment to the bike frame without scratching or chipping the paint.

  • 3 HIGH SECURITY KEYS

The Mini U bike lock from Kryptonite Fahgettaboudit line also features 3 stainless steel locks. The material makes them resistant to rust and allows long term easy use without having to lubricate or replace the cylinder. One of the keys comes with a blue LED light for use in the dark. This light is powered using a replaceable battery.

  • Vinyl coating over the entire lock

The coating serves to main purposes. The first is to offer protection to the lock’s frame from exposure to potentially harmful environmental elements. This includes everything from water to sunshine and therefore prevents corrosion and rusting that could damage the lock. The vinyl coating also adds to the lock’s aesthetic value ensuring that in addition to functioning optimally for a long time, it doesn’t lose its simple yet appealing look.

  • Centered keyway

As with many other high quality bike locks, the keyway on the Kryptonite Fahgettaboudit mini U lock is located at the center of the body. This design is meant to deter forced entry by use of leverage techniques and greatly contributes to the security offered by the lock.

  • Pick proof key cylinder

The cylinder designed to prevent lock picking. Kryptonite uses High Security Keyway on their Fahgettaboudit mini U locks.

  • Security comparison ranking

As far as security concerned, the Kryptonite Fahgettaboudit Mini U lock is one of the best on the market with an impressive level 10 ranking on the security comparison scale. This is as a result of a combination of features from the steel frame and thick shackle to the rubber reinforcement and centered keyway. This ranking makes it perfect for use in high risk areas.

  • Accessories

The mini U bike lock is compatible with several bonus accessories that are designed to make its use a lot easier for you. These do not come with the unit and you would have to buy them separately. They include Velcro wraps for attachment to the bike frame while cycling, belt hooks and lapels for carrying around as well as lock brackets.

Practical Specs

The Kryptonite Fahgettaboudit Mini U lock is basically a Nation-wide phenomenon and it would therefore be very easy to find this lock at most hardware stores. You can also find it in bike accessory as well as security equipment stores.

However, the easiest ways to get it is through the internet. It is available on many different online shopping platforms from Amazon.com to Kryptonite’s very own customer website.

  • Price

The price of this lock determined by where you buy it, when you buy it and sometimes how many you buy. However, the price ranges from $75.50 to $80.00.

This might seem a bit expensive to many people but the great features and security offered more than justify the impressive price tag. It is also interesting to note that many other brands and models of U bike lock designs fall within a similar price range; give or take a few bucks.

  • Warranty and guarantees

As earlier stated, the Kryptonite brand is world famous for its amazing customer support. It therefore comes as no surprise that their Kryptonite Fahgettaboudit Mini U bike lock features a warranty cover.

  • Insurance

In addition to the very generous warranty offer, Kryptonite also offers customers insurance covers. Owners of the Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit Mini U lock in particular have access to the brands In-House Anti-Theft Protection insurance cover for your bike. With insurance if your bike get stolen using their lock, you’ll get compensate based on the bikes value Etc.

  • Shipping

As with the price, the shipping terms and agreements depend on where you decide to buy your unit. If you get it from amazon.com, you will have to pay a small extra amount of money to have it delivered to you. The good news is that Amazon ship it to any part of the world.

Pros

  1. Its offers impenetrable security.
  2. Very strong.
  3. Resilient against natural elements and therefore durable.
  4. It is easy to use.
  5. Also resistant to lock picking techniques and all other forms of thievery techniques.

Cons

  1. It is expensive.
  2. It is very heavy.
  3. The U bend is narrow and limits your options in terms of objects onto which you can fasten your bike.

Customer Reviews And Ratings

Average star rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on amazon.com. This makes it one of the best rated bike locks on the market. Below is the pros and cons already highlighted from amazon customers.

  • The good

– The lock is resistant to almost all forms of techniques used by bike thieves.

– You can attached it to your bike frame using lock brackets or Velcro wraps.

– The LED light makes it very easy to use at night.

  • The bad; and the ugly

– Some faulty units feature flawed key cylinders that cause key jamming with continuous use.

– The keys are very simple and there have been reports of one Kryptonite key opening more than one bike lock.

– The keys are also not user friendly and require very specific techniques to open and close the lock. It might be there as a safety measure but it poses as an inconvenience for many first time users.

Recommendations

With 10 points security rating, this lock is perfect for everyone. This is because the lock designed to resist all forms of attacks.

The bike lock would also be ideal for people who commute daily in their bikes. In addition to offering high security, the lock is easy to carry around sauce as your backpack.

Finally, the product would be great for people who park their bikes in dusty of humid environments. The coating that makes it resilient even if exposed to natural elements.

Final Verdict

The Kryptonite New York Lock Fahgettaboudit Mini U lock offers the best combination of strength, durability & security that can’t be compromised.

Finally, buying a lock brand that cares about your interests is a bonus that ensure you’ll get all the support you need from them.

Therefore, whether you are a student, commuter or an office worker with a love for two wheels, you can rest assured that the Kryptonite Fahgettaboudit Mini U lock is a purchase that you will not regret.

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