REASONS TO BUY
Very secure
Mounts to bike
Convenient size for locking up
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy
Bulky to transport
Kryptonite New York Lock Standard U-Lock Review
A great choice for high-risk areas that need higher security
Credit: Luke Hollomon
RELATED: Best Bike Locks of 2024
Our Verdict
The top bike locks and the manufacturer Kryptonite have become almost synonymous among many urban cyclists, and the Kryptonite New York Standard U-lock does not disappoint this association. It combines simplicity, functionality, and 16 mm of burly steel to form one of our favorite bike locks. In this gear category, the trade-off of high security is significant weight, which is a downside for those who seek a lightweight option. But, our testers were willing to mount this lock and ride into high-risk environments with confidence. Our attempts to break this lock were ineffective with hand tools, including a cordless drill and a car jack; therefore, we are confident that it takes a miracle and some luck to break this lock with hand tools. Short of that, a thief will have to use power. Kryptonite is very confident that their lock won't break and offer $4,000 in bicycle protection to back it up. This bike lock is worthy of joining the group of other highly-rated biking gear, and we think it's most useful for cities, suburbs, and college towns.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Kryptonite New York Lock Standard U-Lock | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best U-lock on a Budget | Best Chain Lock on a Budget |  Best Wearable Design | Best Low Security Lightweight Lock | |
| Price | $110.89 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $53.19 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $70 List $62.49 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 great pick for urban bike life when high security is necessary | 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 | 40 seconds | 20 seconds | 12 seconds | 13 seconds | 3 seconds |
| Measured Weight | 4.4 lbs | 2.5 lbs | 2.8 lbs | 4.3 lbs | 0.5 lbs |
| Locking Dimension | 8" x 4" | U-lock: 4" x 9", cable 5' | 33.7 circumference | 33.5" circumference, 2" width | 43" circumference |
| Primary Materials/Thickness | 16mm 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 Standard U-Lock features Kryptonite's top-of-the-line security technology. This bike lock is a great pick for security and convenience. The “U” bar is made of hardened steel 16 mm in diameter, which locks into a crossbar with a dual locking mechanism.
Performance Comparison
This lock is a great pick for when you need more security. The shackle features a dual locking mechanism and is long enough to fit around most bike racks and the bike's frame.
Credit: Luke Hollomon
Security
Kryptonite's New York Standard, Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit U-Lock Mini, and Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit Chain and Disc Lock are Gold rated in Sold Secure, an independent European lock testing organization that rates accepted products as Bronze, Silver or Gold. Kryptonite gives the Standard a nine out of 10 security rating, and the Fahgettaboudit models a 10 out of 10. When comparing the two U-locks, our security testing showed a minimal increase in security for the Fahgettaboudit Mini. The Standard took 31 seconds to cut through with a grinder for only one cut. A thief would have to make two cuts to free a bike locked up with this lock, which means they would be throwing sparks all over the place for over a minute. The Fahgettaboudit Mini took 45 seconds.
The New York Standard is constructed with a burly dual locking mechanism in the crossbar, meaning that one cut through the “U” can't pull the “U” apart enough to get the bike frame out. This is one of a few compelling reasons to lock your bike through thick parts of your bike over thin spokes or even rear triangles. We struck the already cut “U” metal bars with a hammer to force the bars apart on this lock. Mid-level security U-locks were kaput after one cut with the grinder. It also took longer to bust through the 16mm steel of the New York Standard.
There is a reason these locks were named for the notoriously most likely-to-get-your-bike-stolen city in the world. This is an ideal bike lock if you live in a metropolitan area and expect to leave your bike on the street for more than a New York minute. The Anti-Theft Protection policy offers financial compensation if your bike is stolen when appropriately locked with this model. Be aware, though, that you must meet Kryptonite's somewhat stringent stipulations to cash in after an unfortunate theft. This lock is a powerful deterrent with a chance for compensation in worst-case scenarios.
The key features an integrated light, which is nice for when you're locking or unlocking your bike at night.
Credit: Luke Hollomon
Ease of Transport
Here, we come back to the dilemma of security vs. transportability. A more secure lock means more physical lock, and thus a heavier and bulkier transport. The Kryptonite New York Standard is pretty heavy, weighing a hair over four pounds, and also a beast of a lock to break into. To help this unavoidable problem, the Standard comes with a mounting bracket (the FlexFrame U Bracket) to attach that four pounds to the frame.
Say you are riding a comfy towny bike and you want to buy a New York Standard to mount on the frame. The addition of the lock increases your bike's weight by 10 percent, not a super noticeable difference. If you took that same four pounds and put it in your backpack, your shoulders, and lower back may well take notice after a few miles.
Mounting the lock on the frame is the easiest way to transport the New York Standard.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Ease of Use
The New York Standard scores similarly to the other U-locks in the usability department. Dual locking sides mean that you have to slide the crossbar evenly onto the “U” part of the lock, which can take a little fiddling, depending on what you are locking your bike to. And, if you're new at this, expect a few “Cat 5 tattoos” (chain grease or dirt from the bike) to end up on your hands and forearms as you wrestle with the bike, lock, and whatever you are locking the bike to. However, of the standard U-Locks in this review, the Standard was our reviewers' go-to if other similar locks wouldn't work. It enabled our reviewers to lock bikes to racks, park benches, iron fences, bleachers — in other words, more than just standard bike racks.
When comparing the size of the New York Standard to the other U-locks, they are all about 4" by 9", a natural size to get around a wheel, your bike frame, and the object you are locking it to.
We were able to get around a fairly thick bike rack, and the frame of our e-bike thanks to lock's eight-inch shackle.
Credit: Luke Hollomon
Versatility
The New York Standard's 4" width and 8" length allows the bike lock to handle your frame, rear wheel, bike rack, and detached front wheel to most bike racks.
If you want to cover all your bases, this lock is pretty darn good, although not the best. You will have trouble locking to awkward structures like trees and lampposts, though.
The only downside to the New York Standard has to do with versatility-- you better make sure there's something like a bike rack where you're going. Other locking situations-- trees, fences, bridges, etc.-- are sometimes out of the picture due to the size and shape of this lock, and pretty much all U-locks.
Credit: Rebecca A. Eckland
Should You Buy the Kryptonite New York Standard U-Lock?
The Kryptonite's New York Standard U-Lock is a workhorse, and a thief most certainly will need power tools to get through the thick metal and burly locking mechanism. It is heavy in hand and initially on the wallet, but the quality of the lock and design is worth the investment. However, if you need the absolute maximum security, you may want to look at other choices.
What Other Bike Locks Should You Consider?
If you don't need such a high level of security and you prefer to wear your bike lock around your hips, we suggest checking out the Hiplok Original: Superbright. This award-winning contender is worth considering, especially if you have some nice biking gear you would like to secure. If you need even greater security, we recommend looking at the Hiplok D1000; this burly lock ate our grinding discs and batteries as we tried to cut through it and set a new standard for security.
—
Ross Robinson and Rebecca Eckland
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