Kryptonite, you had sold me already. The branding, the coolness of all the kids wearing your bike locks around their waists, and the practicality of your products had all convinced me that paying $100+ for a lock was so worth it. All of that came to a halt last weekend…
I am really into bikes. So when I go to pick out a lock, I am serious. After pimping out my 1980′s Peugeot aluminum frame with new parts, I decided it was time for a new lock. My first thought was Kryptonite.
I Googled “kryptonite locks” just to get an idea for what my options were.
When the SERP loaded, I skipped right past the official Kryptonite website – which was the only website I had planned to visit. Instead, I visited the other, much more interesting results:
Wired article about how one can open Kryptonite locks with a Bic pen.
YouTube videos showing how to open Kryptonite locks.
…Not exactly what I was expecting from the lock brand I had come to trust. But even after watching about 5 different people pick open Kryptonite locks and reading the Wired article on the topic, I still had faith that this issue MUST have been dealt.
To find out the truth and get to the bottom of this, I went to the official Kryptonite website. There had to be swift response immediately on the homepage. Well, there wasn’t. I figured that since most of the negative videos and article were from a few years ago, that maybe the whole issue had been resolved and I was just ignorant. I clicked around looking for a response to the videos and article, but was unable to find anything. Read the blog a little bit. Didn’t find much there either.
I am sure that if I really wanted to get to the bottom of it, I could uncover information about how Kryptonite revolutionized their u-locks with innovative technology that defies even a Bic pen. Well sorry Kryptonite, but I don’t have that kind of patience on a hot Sunday afternoon. I want to get to the park so I can relax, not dig through your press release!
I am not certain whether or not Kryptonite has resolved this issue, but from the looks of it, I would have to say that that they feel like the issue has been resolved. Regardless of Kryptonite’s superior technology, I refuse purchasing something from a company conceited enough to think that consumers will systematically prioritize brand name over quality.
Here is what I did instead of buying a Kryptonite lock:
1.) Walked over to Home Depot
2.) Purchased a thick-ass heavy duty chain ($12) a heavy duty Master Lock ($25).
Are you happy Kryptonite? I was so going to pay for that. But this made me change my mind and I’m sure that I’m not alone.
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Someone who wants to break your lock and steal your bike can. However, most thieves are not very smart, so bike locks like Kryptonite brand are usually quite sufficient. However, if you don’t feel like you need an expensive lock, then I think you have made the right choice.