Locks that work

I think its safe to say that, given enough time, any lock in the world can be broken. But since this is the Locks That Work thread, then discussing locks that work is probably of more benefit to all.

It's quite easy to quote the various ways that locks can be broken, but its just more useful to discuss the locks and the methods of locking, that work best. Not everyone will agree with me of course, but its the nature of things I suppose.

I have a question concerning the Fagh Mini: Does it need one or two cuts to defeat it?
Bikeradar writes: "Unlike the excellent Abus, in test two this one only required the **one cut ...".
vs.
Kryptonite: "Double **deadbolt locking for extensive holding power".
Any explanations?

As far as i know, all the Kryptonite locks need only one cut and some levering. Double deadbolts only mean that the shackle is locked with one bolt per side, which makes it harder to rip out.

The reason why the Abus needs two cuts is not the doouble bolting, but the square shackle. Turning a square shakle inside a square hole in hardened steel is no fun.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I had suspected this, but as I was unsure, I wrote to someone at Krytonite, seeking an answer from them. However, the answer given by Timer is correct I believe. If the square-shackle u-lock is double bolted, and the part that goes into the barrel is square also, then it would be near impossible to turn. But a round tube would turn much more easily, in a round hole, even if it was double-bolted*****.

You've only been here a month, and already we gain from your particpation. Good work.

*****In light of the awaited answer from Kryptonite, my view is provisional. It is thus far based on the premise, that a round tube turns easier in a round hole, than a square tube does in a square hole. Of course the method of locking would still be vital in the measurement of this security.

Hmmm, listening we are...

Hi there! I just received the Fahg Mini which I got it off Evans.
The place where the key should be inserted has a little yellow plastic 'button' but it's all cracked and broken. Should it be like this? The black plastic has tiny cracks where the two screws are located.

Since I am pretty new with this, please let me know if this post should be elsewhere. Thank you!

Doesn't sound right. Run it round to an Evans and let someone have a look at it.

Hey all...GA2G ask my thoughts on the comment that Wapiti posted that referenced BikeRadar's review of the New York Fahgettaboudit Mini. Sorry I could not get Wapiti's quote to work on my reply so I'll copy it into this follow-up.

*I have a question concerning the Fagh Mini: Does it need one or two cuts to defeat it?
Bikeradar writes: "Unlike the excellent Abus, in test two this one only required the **one cut ...".
vs.
Kryptonite: "Double *deadbolt locking for extensive holding power".
Any explanations?

Although we can’t speak to this specific BR test as we were not there, we are still perplexed by this specific “test 2” result. Of the (4) New York Series U-Lock reviews that we checked out on BR, the NY 3000 (May 07), the New York Fahgettaboudit Mini (June 07), the NY Lock <3000> (Feb 09) and the NY Lock MC (Nov 10), the only Kryptonite U-Lock to allegedly require only one cut was the Fahgettaboudit Mini.?? The Fahgettaboudit Mini happens to have a bigger double deadbolt locking mechanism as the other NY series u-locks that required 2 cuts. In fact the Fahgettaboudit Mini has an 18mm shackle which provides even more steel than the NY Lock (16mm). Fortunately, our friends at BR did give the NY Fahgettaboudit Mini a 4.5 star rating and called it the “toughest lock we’ve ever put to the sword”. Thanks for the question - Don(Kryptonite)

OMOSSIS. no worries on the function of the lock. That is the dustcover plate and tab. Seems the lock may have fallen from a high level on that specific area or somehow the screw(s) got over cranked. This can be replaced easiliy and if Evans cannot replace that dustcover with a spare, you can contact us directly @ kryptonite@irco.com and put Don-LFGSS-OMOSSIS in the subject line and we will follow-up by email with your part and we will ship you a replacement cover. Installation is with I beleive a 2mm hex. takes a minute. What you can do if you want now is to remove the cracked plate and then reinstall the both screws. The screw do not cause the lock to function any less. Once you get the new part, reinstall and snug screws, no need to overtighten as these should have loctite on the treads. let me know how it goes for ya- Don

Hey all...GA2G ask my thoughts on the comment that Wapiti posted that referenced BikeRadar's review of the New York Fahgettaboudit Mini. Sorry I could not get Wapiti's quote to work on my reply so I'll copy it into this follow-up.

*I have a question concerning the Fagh Mini: Does it need one or two cuts to defeat it?
Bikeradar writes: "Unlike the excellent Abus, in test two this one only required the **one cut ...".
vs.
Kryptonite: "Double *deadbolt locking for extensive holding power".
Any explanations?

Although we can’t speak to this specific BR test as we were not there, we are still perplexed by this specific “test 2” result. Of the (4) New York Series U-Lock reviews that we checked out on BR, the NY 3000 (May 07), the New York Fahgettaboudit Mini (June 07), the NY Lock <3000> (Feb 09) and the NY Lock MC (Nov 10), the only Kryptonite U-Lock to allegedly require only one cut was the Fahgettaboudit Mini.?? The Fahgettaboudit Mini happens to have a bigger double deadbolt locking mechanism as the other NY series u-locks that required 2 cuts. In fact the Fahgettaboudit Mini has an 18mm shackle which provides even more steel than the NY Lock (16mm). Fortunately, our friends at BR did give the NY Fahgettaboudit Mini a 4.5 star rating and called it the “toughest lock we’ve ever put to the sword”. Thanks for the question - Don(Kryptonite)

BR reviews on the other krypto locks seem to be pretty vague..

It seems strange why other NY locks would require two cuts when the mini is supposed to be rated higher in terms of security.

Also could depend on where you actually cut on the shackle which may mean that the shackle can be opened using one cut instead of two.

@Fixed4Life any way since your quick to defend kryptonite locks. Can you explain whether the deadbolt locking mechanism prevents the shackle rotating within the locking mechanism , when the shackle is cut.

Thanks for the advice Wrongcog and Fixed4life!

No reply from Evans yet. Will wait one more day before bugging them again.

It's very simple. Just tell them to replace it under the sale of good act. Despite what Evans will try to tell you they are responsible for any item they sell, not the manufacturer. The goods you bought were defective so they are legally required to replace it. I ended up having to get heavy with them when my fixed hub stripped after 3 weeks and they were trying to make me wait for a replacement from the distributor.

BR reviews on the other krypto locks seem to be pretty vague..

It seems strange why other NY locks would require two cuts when the mini is supposed to be rated higher in terms of security.

Also could depend on where you actually cut on the shackle which may mean that the shackle can be opened using one cut instead of two.

@Fixed4Life any way since your quick to defend kryptonite locks. Can you explain whether the deadbolt locking mechanism prevents the shackle rotating within the locking mechanism , when the shackle is cut.

ammar – I support Kryptonite because I work for Kryptonite that's all, no hiding, so sorry I had not listed that on this thread. Agreed that it seems strange regarding the # of cuts reported by BR on the mini, but I do think it is important to look at the whole picture when “we” talk about the extensive holding power provided by our double deadbolt locking mechanisms. In addition to # of cuts needed, the double deadbolt also helps with twist, pull and expansion attacks. Now keep in mind, no matter what the shape of the U/D-lock is – round, square or hexagonal, there will always be some movement of a shackle in a crossbar after a cut-Fact. Other factors to consider in addition to # of cuts include: cut location (as you mentioned), what the bike is locked to, and the size of the lock (mini vs. Std. vs. LS size U/D-lock). At the end of the day filling the space with the frame/crank/wheel is the most important factor to be thinking about for any lock model. Take the space away, always! Don(Kryptonite)

....I wrote to someone at Krytonite, seeking an answer from them.........

*****In light of the awaited answer from Kryptonite, ........

Hey all...GA2G ask my thoughts on the comment that Wapiti posted that referenced BikeRadar's review of the New York Fahgettaboudit Mini.....
Thanks for the question - Don(Kryptonite)

....@Fixed4Life any way since your quick to defend kryptonite locks...

ammar why do you think I invited Fixed4Life to answer the Kryptonite question?
It was because he is an employee of Kryptonite, and has posted on this forum before.

That's just odd, of course a Kryptonite employee will defend their products. He didn't "hide" who he was...

is this the evo mini?

Hi, can anyone show me (pictures might help?) how the Kryptonite NY Fahgettaboudit Mini's dustcover is suppose to look like (unbroken)? Are you suppose to slide the little yellow knob to the side? Mine's broken and I am trying to explain it to the Evans people.

The little yellow knob thing is attached to a dust cover which yes you slide aside to reveal the keyhole.

I bet it's dusty though.

Thanks! This is how my lock looks like now.
So I must slide it with a ruler or something?

1 Attachment

Someone helpfully shoved sticks into the lock aperture on mine, took a few minutes pulling out the splinters before I could get the key in.

It could well have been a thief. Hoping you might get fed up with it and come back the next day for it.
By which time the thief would have had the night to get the lock off. Its happened before, but the thieves have used glue.

Its happened before, but the thieves have used glue.

then what?

then they go off to tool up and come back when it's dark - safe in the knowledge that the owner will probably not have been able to remove their bike themselves. Same applies if you come back and find you've mysteriously developed a puncture whilst locked up apparently...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/green-living-blog/2010/sep/13/bike-thief-stolen-tips?INTCMP=SRCH

no, I mean, what do you do if someone glues your lock barrell? Happened to my ex-girlfriends house, luckily (stupidly) the kitchen window wasn't locked so managed to climb in, ended up having to have the locks changed.

Is there any thing you can do if this happens apart from cutting off the lock?

oh sorry, I see - I guess you could try spraying something like acetone in it but, in the case of a bike, the lock is unlikely to be at an angle where this is going to be easy without it dribbling straight back out again. You probably wouldn't want to be leaving the bike alone for very long to organise it either - given the implication that someone is coming back to pinch it shortly.

I believe standard procedure is to post on the forum and wait for some kind soul to volunteer to pop by with their cordless angle grinder! ;)