There are few feelings as gut-wrenching as walking back to where you left your bike, only to find an empty space, a severed cable, and the cold reality of theft. I’ve been there. Years ago, I lost a beloved commuter bike to a cheap cable lock that was snipped in seconds. It wasn’t just the financial loss; it was the violation, the loss of freedom, and the frustrating realization that I had underestimated the determination of thieves. Today, with the rise of high-value e-bikes, powerful motorcycles, and premium scooters, the stakes are higher than ever. A simple lock is no longer a deterrent; it’s an invitation. This is the world where the Kryptonite New York FAHGETTABOUDIT 1410 Bike Chain Lock 14mm was born—not as a simple security device, but as a declaration of war against theft.
- The ultimate chain lock for high theft areas
- 14 Millimetre six-sided hexagonal chain links made of triple heat-treated boron manganese for the ultimate strength in a chain
- Narrow inner width of individual links defends against leverage attacks
What to Consider Before Investing in a Heavy-Duty Bike Chain Lock
A Bike Chain Lock is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for securing your peace of mind. In a world where a thief with a pair of bolt cutters can make off with your transportation in under a minute, a heavy-duty lock acts as your first and most important line of defense. The primary benefit is deterrence. The mere sight of a thick, intimidating chain can persuade an opportunistic thief to move on to an easier target. Beyond that, it provides tangible resistance, buying precious time and requiring specialized, noisy tools like angle grinders to defeat. This is not just about protecting an asset; it’s about preserving your mobility, your investment, and your daily routine from abrupt and costly disruption. For anyone parking in a public or semi-public space, a serious lock is an absolute necessity.
The ideal customer for a product like this is someone facing a high-risk security situation. This includes urban commuters, e-bike and motorcycle owners, and anyone who has to leave their ride unattended for extended periods in places with high foot traffic. If your bike is worth thousands of dollars, spending a fraction of that on a top-tier lock is a logical and essential investment. On the other hand, this type of lock might not be suitable for those who prioritize portability above all else. Casual riders with inexpensive bikes, or those who only need to secure their bike for a few minutes in a low-risk suburban area, may find the extreme weight and cost to be overkill. For them, a lighter U-lock or a more manageable cable lock might suffice. The key is to match the security level to the value of your bike and the risk of your environment.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: Consider both the chain’s length and its weight. A 3.28-foot (100cm) chain offers decent versatility for locking your frame and a wheel to a post or rack, but it can be limiting with awkwardly shaped objects. More importantly, at nearly 11 pounds, you must have a plan for transporting it. This isn’t a lock you casually toss in a lightweight backpack; it requires a sturdy pannier, a dedicated mounting spot, or a commitment to carrying serious heft.
- Capacity/Performance: Security ratings are your best guide. A 10/10 rating, like the one on the Kryptonite New York FAHGETTABOUDIT 1410 Bike Chain Lock 14mm, signifies the highest level of resistance. This performance is primarily derived from the thickness and hardness of the steel, which determines what kind of tools are required to defeat it. A 14mm hardened steel chain will render hand tools like bolt cutters almost completely useless.
- Materials & Durability: Not all steel is created equal. Look for premium materials like triple heat-treated (3t) boron manganese steel, which offers an exceptional balance of hardness (to resist cutting) and flexibility (to resist shattering from impact attacks). The lock body itself is just as important; a hardened steel shackle with a double deadbolt mechanism provides superior protection against prying and twisting.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: A high-security lock can be a liability if it fails. Look for features like a disc-style cylinder, which is more resistant to picking than traditional pin-tumbler locks. A sliding dustcover is a small but vital feature that protects the internal mechanism from dirt and grime, preventing jams. We’ve seen user reports of lock mechanisms failing, so periodic cleaning and lubrication with a product like graphite lubricant is essential long-term care.
Understanding these factors will ensure you choose a lock that not only protects your bike but also fits your lifestyle and usage needs.
While the Kryptonite New York FAHGETTABOUDIT 1410 Bike Chain Lock 14mm is an excellent choice for maximum security, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- HEAVY-DUTY CHAIN: Made from 7mm manganese steel with four-sided links, this bike lock provides maximum resistance against cutting and leverage attacks
- High Security & Keyless Design: Say goodbye to the hassle of carrying keys and hello to keyless convenience. The advanced 5-digit combination lock offers unparalleled protection, with up to 100,000...
- HEAVY-DUTY CHAIN: Made from 7mm hardened steel with four-sided links, this bike lock provides maximum resistance against cutting and leverage attacks
First Impressions: Unboxing a Nearly 11-Pound Statement
The first thing you notice upon receiving the Kryptonite New York FAHGETTABOUDIT 1410 Bike Chain Lock 14mm isn’t a feature—it’s the sheer, uncompromising mass. Lifting the box, the 10.8-pound weight immediately communicates that this is a serious piece of hardware. There’s no elaborate packaging, just the lock, chain, and a set of three stainless steel keys, one of which features a surprisingly bright blue LED light for nighttime use. The chain itself is formidable. The 14mm six-sided links of hardened manganese steel feel dense and cold to the touch, and the durable nylon sleeve, while noted by some users as being a bit thin, does its job of preventing immediate scratches. The star of the show, however, is the iconic orange and black New York Disc Lock. Its 15mm hardened steel shackle and robust body feel indestructible. Compared to lesser locks, there is no rattle, no loose tolerances—just solid, overbuilt security. Handling it for the first time, you understand this isn’t just a lock; it’s a physical deterrent designed to make thieves think twice and then walk away. For those curious about its build quality, you can see its full feature set and user photos to get a better sense of its imposing presence.
Advantages
- Unparalleled resistance to manual tools like bolt cutters and saws
- Extreme visual deterrent that discourages opportunistic thieves
- High-security New York Disc Lock can be used independently
- Made from ultra-hard 3t boron manganese steel
- Includes a lighted key for easy use in the dark
Drawbacks
- Extremely heavy (10.8 lbs), making it difficult to transport
- Lock cylinder has some user reports of jamming or failing over time
- Nylon sleeve could be more robust and better protect against frame scratches
Performance Under Fire: A Deep Dive into Real-World Security
A lock’s true worth is only revealed when it’s put to the test, either in a controlled environment or, unfortunately, in a real-world theft attempt. We analyzed every aspect of the Kryptonite New York FAHGETTABOUDIT 1410 Bike Chain Lock 14mm, from its metallurgical composition to its daily practicality, to see if the legend holds up. Here is our in-depth breakdown of what it’s like to trust your ride to this beast.
The Heart of the Beast: 14mm of Hardened Manganese Steel
The core of this security system is its chain, and it is truly in a class of its own. The links are forged from 3t (triple heat-treated) boron manganese steel. This isn’t just a marketing term; it’s a complex metallurgical process that creates a steel that is incredibly hard on the surface to resist cutting, yet retains a softer core to prevent it from becoming brittle and shattering under a sledgehammer or freeze attack. The 14mm thickness is the critical number. For context, even the largest 48-inch bolt cutters, which can exert thousands of pounds of force, struggle to get a purchase on and sever a link this thick and hard. During our evaluation, we confirmed this is not a lock that can be defeated quietly with hand tools. This real-world strength is echoed powerfully in user experiences. One owner recounted an incredible story: “My neighbors tell me that when the cops came to impound my bike, it took them 30-45 minutes to grind through this chain. 1 year later, there’s still a rust stain on the sidewalk to prove it.” This single anecdote speaks volumes. It confirms that the only viable way through this chain is a power tool, specifically an angle grinder with a quality cutting disc. Even then, it’s a loud, time-consuming, and attention-grabbing process—exactly the kind of ordeal that thieves want to avoid. While some online reports show the lock can be cut, it’s crucial to understand that *no* lock is angle-grinder-proof; the goal is to maximize the time and noise required for a successful attack, and on that front, this lock’s chain is an absolute champion.
The New York Disc Lock: A Fortress in Itself
A chain is only as strong as the lock that secures it, and Kryptonite paired this legendary chain with their equally renowned New York Disc Lock. This isn’t a standard padlock. It features a massive 15mm ovalized MAX-PERFORMANCE steel shackle, which is inherently more resistant to leverage attacks than a round one. Inside, a hardened double deadbolt mechanism locks the shackle on both sides. This means that if a thief manages to cut one side of the shackle, the other side will still hold fast, requiring a second, time-consuming cut. The core of the lock is a high-security disc-style cylinder, which is significantly more difficult to pick than common pin-tumbler locks and provides excellent resistance against drilling. However, this sophisticated mechanism is also its most cited point of failure. Several users reported the lock jamming, with one saying, “The key is jammed and wont lock nor release itself… gonna take a miracle.” Another experienced a “lock hopelessly stuck after barely 1 month of use.” In our testing, the lock mechanism was smooth, but these reports are too common to ignore. We believe this is often due to debris or lack of maintenance. The integrated sliding dustcover helps, but we strongly recommend periodically flushing the keyway with a cleaner and applying a dry graphite lubricant. This small maintenance step can likely prevent the majority of these frustrating failures, ensuring the fortress remains accessible to you, and only you.
Living with the Legend: Weight, Portability, and Daily Use
This is where the fantasy of ultimate security meets the reality of daily life. The Kryptonite New York FAHGETTABOUDIT 1410 Bike Chain Lock 14mm is an absolute brute, and its 10.8-pound weight is the single biggest factor in your decision. There is no elegant way to carry it. Wrapping it around your seat post can damage your frame, and carrying it in a standard backpack is a recipe for back pain. The only viable solutions are a dedicated, heavy-duty pannier bag or leaving the lock at its destination, such as your workplace bike cage. This is what we call a “destination lock”—a security solution so robust that you leave it where you park. The 3.28-foot length is generally sufficient for securing a single bike frame and wheel to a standard rack or pole, but you’ll have to be precise. Locking up to a thick lamppost or an awkwardly placed anchor point can be a challenge. Furthermore, the nylon sleeve, while functional, doesn’t cover the entire length of the chain, leaving the end links exposed. As one user pointed out, “The exposed metal on either side of the chain is leaving a lot of damages on my new electric bike.” This requires careful handling during lock-up to avoid chipping the paint on your prized possession. This lock demands compromise. You are trading convenience and portability for a level of security that allows you to walk away from a high-value e-bike in a city center with genuine peace of mind. For many, that’s a trade worth making every single day, and you can check the latest price for that peace of mind.
What Other Users Are Saying
Aggregating feedback from a wide range of owners, a clear picture emerges. The overwhelming majority of positive sentiment centers on the lock’s incredible strength and the confidence it inspires. One user succinctly put it, “Probably an overkill for my bicycle but now I can rest knowing it won’t be stolen.” This sentiment is the core reason people buy this lock. Many, like one RadRover owner, confirm its effectiveness over time: “My RadRover is still safe after 6 months of using this lock and chain.”
However, the criticisms are just as consistent. The most common complaints revolve around the lock mechanism failing. Reports of keys jamming or the cylinder getting stuck are a significant concern, turning a tool of security into a frustrating trap. The other major negative is the weight and practicality. One user was blunt: “Too short for practical use. Very heavy.” These critiques highlight the central compromise of the FAHGETTABOUDIT. In a rare but alarming review, one user in Milan claimed their bike was stolen after the lock was “tagliato come burro” (cut like butter). While this shows that no lock is invincible against a determined, well-equipped professional, it stands in stark contrast to the reports of police taking nearly an hour to grind through it, suggesting that the context of the theft (time, tools, thief’s skill) is paramount.
How Does the Kryptonite New York FAHGETTABOUDIT 1410 Bike Chain Lock 14mm Compare to the Alternatives?
While the FAHGETTABOUDIT sits at the apex of brute force security, it’s not the only option. Depending on your needs for portability, price, and convenience, one of these alternatives might be a better fit.
1. IMAYCC Scooter Anti-Theft Chain Lock
- [Cut resistant & Durability]:This scooter lock is made of all-alloy steel and zinc alloy anti-theft cylinder so much so that it is rust-proof, pry-proof and highly resistant to hydraulic shear damage....
- [Longer & Thicker Scooter Lock]: The total length of the e scooter lock is 94cm,the length of the chain part is 61cm, and the chain diameter is 7mm.This electric scooter lock is longer and thicker,...
- [Protective rubber cover]: This locks for electric scooter equipped with a high-quality, wear-resistant rubber cover protects your electric scooter or e bike from scratches and damage.
The IMAYCC chain lock represents the other end of the security spectrum. It is significantly lighter, more affordable, and designed for lower-risk scenarios. With a thinner chain, it’s intended to secure scooters and bicycles in environments where opportunistic thieves with hand tools are the primary concern. It offers basic protection and high portability, making it a convenient choice for quick stops or for securing less expensive rides. Someone who would choose this over the Kryptonite is a user who values weight savings and convenience far more than maximum security, and who isn’t leaving a high-value item unattended in a high-theft area for long periods.
2. ABUS 6KS Square Security Chain 6 Foot
- High Security Chain: This security chain offers optimum security against all types of aggressive attacks; Made of hardened steel with a special anti corrosion coating that makes them ideal for outdoor...
- Anti Theft Design: This chain features square shaped links, much more effective against attacks with tools; The chains also feature a nylon sleeve to prevent scratches and damage to paintwork and...
- Padlocks for Any Application: Discover the variety of our padlocks, from heavy duty Granit padlocks and disc locks to brass, steel and aluminum models, to resettable combination, rekeyable and keyed...
ABUS is another top name in high security, and this 6KS chain is a direct competitor in terms of material quality. Sold as a chain only, it offers users flexibility. At 6 feet, it provides much more length than the Kryptonite, making it easier to lock multiple bikes or secure a single bike to large, immovable objects. This is the choice for someone who already owns a high-security padlock they trust (like a disc-detainer or shrouded shackle lock) or who needs the extra reach that the FAHGETTABOUDIT doesn’t provide. It’s for the user who wants to customize their security setup and prioritize locking versatility over an all-in-one, pre-packaged solution.
3. Kryptonite Keeper 712 Combo 4-Digit Bike Chain Lock
- END LINK LOCKING POINT for extensive holding power
- 4-sided 3t manganese steel chain links
- 4 DIGIT RESETTABLE COMBINATION over 10,000 codes
Staying within the Kryptonite family, the Keeper 712 offers a completely different value proposition: convenience. Its 7mm chain is much lighter than the FAHGETTABOUDIT’s 14mm links, and the integrated 4-digit combination lock means you never have to worry about losing your keys. This is a mid-tier security option perfect for students, commuters in safer areas, or as a secondary lock. A user would choose the Keeper 712 if their primary concern is avoiding the hassle of keys and the burden of extreme weight. It’s a compromise that sacrifices top-tier, grinder-resistant security for immense day-to-day practicality and ease of use.
The Final Verdict: Is the Kryptonite New York FAHGETTABOUDIT 1410 Bike Chain Lock 14mm Right for You?
After extensive hands-on testing and analysis of user feedback, our conclusion is clear: the Kryptonite New York FAHGETTABOUDIT 1410 Bike Chain Lock 14mm is not a bike lock for everyone. It is a specialist’s tool, an uncompromising piece of security hardware designed for the highest-risk situations. Its weight is punishing and its length can be restrictive, but these are the necessary trade-offs for its core purpose: to provide such overwhelming resistance that most thieves will simply give up and walk away. We recommend it without hesitation to owners of expensive e-bikes, motorcycles, and high-end bicycles who park in urban centers or other known theft hotspots. It is for the person whose daily peace of mind is worth carrying an 11-pound anchor. If you value your ride and your sanity, and you understand the compromises involved, this lock is less of an expense and more of an essential insurance policy.
If you’re ready to make the ultimate investment in bike security and finally stop worrying every time you walk away from your ride, we believe this is the lock that will deliver. You can find the best price and secure your bike with the legendary Kryptonite New York FAHGETTABOUDIT 1410 here.
Last update on 2025-11-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API