Locks not only secure your bike but will regularly act as a visual deterrent to bike thieves; by this measure, the Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit chain is like a large, bad-tempered guard dog complete with foam at the mouth.
It's a burly number, both in size and weight. So while it’s never going to be the most portable of options, its chunky dimensions make it a potential choice for those who are concerned more with a lock’s ability to keep their bike safe than they are to how easy it is to carry around.
Like all of the best bicycle locks, it comes with a high Sold Secure rating, emphasizing that this is a lock that places security above all else. We take a closer look at how it performs.
Construction
The Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit chain is a generous 150cm in length. It’s made from a series of 14mm six-sided chain links made of 3t hardened manganese steel, all wrapped in a protective nylon cover.
The chain’s padlock boasts a 15mm steel shackle that features a disc-style cylinder with both a reinforced anti-drill and anti-pull protection system. There’s also a hardened double deadbolt and sliding dust cover designed to extend the life of the locking mechanism.
Each lock comes with three keys, one with a bulb if you need assistance locking your bike in the dark, and is part of the brand’s key safe programme.
In use
The purpose of this review isn’t to test the limits of the Fahgettaboudit chain by attacking it with bolt cutters, angle grinders and any of the other tools used by bicycle thieves. Instead, I’ve looked at the lock from a user perspective, namely how easy it is to lock and unlock your bike as well as other factors important to cyclists, such as portability.
On my scales, the lock weighs just under 7kg or a little over 15 lbs. Whichever measure you use it will likely make it too heavy to carry unless you’re riding a cargo bike or similar. I found carrying it on my person, both in a backpack and around my waist, impractical. I don’t use panniers but I’d guess that it might be too weighty for this application as well given that you’re likely to be carrying plenty of other gear in the bags to begin with.
But viewed as a lock to use in your shed or garage then the Fahgettaboudit’s weight and size stop being a hindrance and start to show where this lock thrives. Here you can use the burly chain’s generous length to secure your prized bike or bikes to a fixed point, such as a secured rack. I successfully locked two bikes using the chain. I also found it straightforward to lock and unlock the padlock.
Value
It's an expensive lock, perhaps unsurprisingly given the sheer weight of materials being used. Again, if you’re using it to lock up your pride and joy at home, it’s likely an acceptable amount to pay. But if you’re looking for a lock to secure your regular commuter, better options, in regards to portability and price are available.
