Kryptonite New York Lock M18 Review – 2019 – 2020

Kryptonite New York M18 – A Highly Secure Bicycle Lock

Pros:

  • Incredibly secure. 
  • Kryptonium steel shackle.
  • Deters leverage attacks.
  • Drill proof and pick resistant.

Cons:

  • The lock itself is very heavy.
  • It is an expensive model.

Features: Kryptonium Steel Shackle – Double Deadbolt Lock – Anti-Pick Style Disc Cylinder – Gold Sold Secure Standard – 2.6kg

We have tested and reviewed many different styles of bicycle locks from Kryptonite, but we have yet to test some of their more high-end models that offer maximum levels of security. One that really caught our attention is the Kryptonite New York M18.

This U lock means business. It is constructed from high quality materials and offers incredibly high levels of protection. However, considering it is a more high-end model from the Kryptonite range, we had to find out whether or not it is worth the extra money. Please read on below for our verdict on this Kryptonite bike lock to see if it can offer you the protection that you need.

The Design of the Kryptonite New York M18

The design of the Kryptonite New York M18 is actually a little different from most of the previous models that we have tested and reviewed. To start off with, we’d like to talk about the shackle. This is not your standard hardened steel shackle that we have come to expect from Kryptonite locks. Instead, the shackle is an 18mm thick Kryptonium steel shackle which is much stronger.

Now, onto the lock itself. This particular bicycle lock features a double deadbolt lock which is coated in a hardened steel sleeve to offer maximum security. As well as this, the disc style lock is not only drill proof, but also pick resistant so thieves are going to have a very hard time removing your bike from where it has been secured. The lock location has been specifically designed to deter leverage attacks; yet another layer of protection.

It is worth noting that the Kryptonite New York M18 has been specifically designed to be used in high risk areas. It has been approved to Gold Sold Secure standard, so it is as safe as you can get. One thing that we really liked about the design of this one is the colour. We felt that the orange crossbar on some of the previous designs was a little too bright. The yellow crossbar on the New York M18 works much better.

The Portability of the Kryptonite New York M18

For us, this was the only issue with the Kryptonite New York M18. First of all, there is the size of the lock to think about. Fortunately, this lock is actually a little smaller than we expected. At just 8x3x3cm, the lock is actually plenty small enough to be able to stow away in a saddle bag or even a backpack.

However, the issue that we had with this lock is the weight of it. Most of the locks that we have tested and reviewed in the past have been less than 1.5kg. However, the Kryptonite New York M18 comes in at 2.6kg. This is a significant jump in weight and one that definitely didn’t go unnoticed.

We only tested the lock on short journeys, but we suspect that if you were to regularly ride long distances then the weight of the lock might be an issue because it is definitely quite heavy. This is to be expected though, when you consider the stronger materials that it has been constructed from. It all comes down to what is more important to you personally; portability or security.

Using the Kryptonite New York M18

Using the Kryptonite New York M18 was very easy indeed. It is important to keep in mind that due to the dimensions of the lock, it will take a couple of tries to figure out the best way to secure your bike. We found that the wheels were not the best option as the lock is a little too big. However, there are plenty of other parts of the bike where the lock fits well.

What really surprised us is how smooth the locking and unlocking mechanism feels. There is no resistance at all and we didn’t struggle with locking it or removing the lock at all. The only real issue that we had with this lock is the weight of it. However, as we have already mentioned, if you live in a high risk area and you only make short rides on a regular basis then this won’t be a problem for you.

Overall, we cannot recommend the Kryptonite New York M18 enough. If security is important to you, you live in a high risk area and you want something that is strong, durable and performs exceptionally, then this is the bike lock for you.

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