Kryptonite New York Lock Diamond D-lock review: Hefty, and claimed to be angle-grinder proof, making it perfect for high value bikes

The ever-increasing popularity of electric and cargo bikes in city centres means the rate of theft has inevitably soared at the same time. With these very expensive bikes routinely targeted now, it’s more important than ever to invest in one of the best bike locks your budget can stretch to.

Kryptonite’s latest offering, the New York Lock Diamond Standard, is pitched as its most secure portable lock to date, bringing the heritage of its iconic New York series into a new era of power-tool-resistant security. Claimed to be the only D-lock with a 26mm thick, diamond-coated, double-layered steel shackle, it promises to outlast a battery-powered angle grinder, along with twist and pick attacks. In fact, Kryptonite claims it'll take ten cutting discs to get through this lock.

According to Kryptonite, its patent-pending hardened double-deadbolt and pick-resistant disc cylinder raises the bar of bike security even higher, and on paper it certainly sounds like a dream upgrade for anyone with some expensive kit to protect. But is it one of the best e-bike locks on the market?

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Without an expensive e-bike in my fleet, I bolted one to my hilariously tiny analogue commuter bike to see if real-world user experience lived up to Kryptonite’s claims. Read on to see it lives up to the hype.

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Design and aesthetics

It would be impossible to talk first impressions without starting with the sheer bulk of this lock. The shackle is almost cartoonishly thick, while the bright yellow cylinder screams “don’t even try it” at passing opportunists. With its undeniable heft, the build quality feels excellent, while the smooth vinyl coating and sliding keyhole cover establish the New York Diamond as a premium product that’s been well thought-through.

Mounting the FlexFrame-U bracket, however, comes with classic Kryptonite headaches. Anyone who’s wrestled a Kryptonite bracket onto their frame before will be well versed in the complicated process: juggling multiple straps that thread through a slot that barely accommodates them, keeping everything under tension while forcing a plastic block over the top, while also lining up a tiny M4 bolt you can’t really see.

Experienced mechanics can usually manage it in around ten minutes (and luckily I had one of those to hand to help me). Mere mortals could lose an indefinite amount of time attempting it if this is their first dalliance with a Kryptonite lock. I would definitely recommend leaving it to the professionals, not only for the sake of your sanity, but also the potential risk of damaging your paintwork that comes from over-tightening the bolt.

Something to be aware of is the large size of the lock, and how that interacts with your frame’s triangle and bottle cages. On smaller frames, especially if you’re carrying a bottle on the downtube, there’s absolutely no chance of placing the bracket so the lock sits directly inside the triangle. In fact, depending on the shape, it’s only likely you’ll be able to achieve this with a large or extra-large bike. With anything medium or below, your best bet is to angle the bracket so that the lock sits just outside the triangle.

That said, I’m well aware that this lock is not designed for my bike at all. It would make much more sense on a cargo bike or large e-bikes where space and carrying capacity are more abundant, and less precious.

Security level

The headline feature of the Kryptonite New York Lock Diamond Standard is the chunky 26mm diameter shackle with its diamond coating. Kryptonite claims that it can chew up angle-grinder discs, buying valuable time against battery-powered tools favoured by organised bike thieves, and effectively outlasting them. Given the shackle needs to be cut twice to actually release the bike thanks, you need five discs for each cut.

In addition to that, the shackle comprises a double-layered steel core and a hardened double deadbolt that locks both shackle legs independently, rendering brute-force attacks significantly more difficult. Kryptonite also says that the disc-style cylinder will resist pick and drill attacks.

Short of attempting to destroy it myself, I can attest to the fact that this is possibly the most sturdy D-lock I’ve ever come across, and compared to older and smaller Kryptonite offerings, it has a noticeably tighter tolerance when locking the shackle legs into the cylinder.

Even the three stainless-steel keys that come with it are more chunky compared to older models. Plus, the five-year Anti-Theft Protection Offer should sweeten the deal.

When it comes to portable bike locks, the Kryptonite New York Lock Diamond Standard is about as tough as you can get.

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Performance

After repeated daily use for about a fortnight, the benefits and compromises of such heavy-duty hardware started to become clear, so I’ll tackle them one at a time.

The tighter tolerance on the shackle is a double-edged sword, in that it’s a huge improvement when you’re riding, because there’s much less play in the cylinder, which means no rattling while moving. For anyone who’s used Kryptonite locks in the past, this will be welcome news, as they’re notoriously loud. The New York Diamond doesn’t make a peep, even while riding over potholes, and that is a wonderful thing indeed.

However, that tight fit also means you have to get the lock barrel lined up with the shackle very precisely before it’ll slide in fully. If you’re approaching it from an odd angle, which in real-world use means leaning over your bike or wrapping your arms around the rear wheel, chances are you’ll misalign it, which means the shackle legs get caught and it takes a few attempts to get it seated properly. It’s not difficult once you get the hang of it, but it does slow things down if you’re in a hurry, and can be very frustrating.

The weight and bulk also factor into the lock’s overall performance. At 2.4kg on my scale, this lock is heavy enough to feel hefty and substantial in hand, and also more than enough to notice while riding. You definitely don’t want to carry it in a backpack, unless you absolutely have to. Of course, on an electric or cargo bike, 2.4kg is a much smaller percentage of the overall weight, and becomes much less of an issue.

Once mounted to the bike it’s very manageable, but you do need to get the bracket mounted in the first place, which is a feat unto itself, or will require a trip to the local bike shop. That said, even on my tiny extra-small frame, I was able to seat it in a way that it just about cleared the cranks, and while I could feel it against my leg while pedalling, it wasn’t a big deal at all.

Removing the lock from the bracket when locking up is thankfully very straightforward. You push a plastic tab while lifting the lock upwards, and it releases without much fuss. Reattaching is the same in reverse, just make sure to push the tab back to create space for the metal section to slot in. It holds firm while riding, and if mounted securely, shouldn’t move around or rattle loose.

The shackle itself is reassuringly thick. As a rigid D-lock, it’s best suited to standard anchor points like Sheffield stands or other conventional bike racks. It won’t work as well with less conventional anchors like odd-shaped railings or lampposts, and in that regard it’s not the most versatile option. If you need more versatility you’re better off with one of the best bike chain locks. Instead, the New York Diamond prioritises security over flexibility and is clearly designed for high-risk urban environments where theft is a serious concern.

As a final thought, the key mechanism works smoothly and feels reliable, while the sliding dust cover is a nice touch for keeping the internal mechanisms free of grit or water ingress in bad weather. Small details like these are what prolong the lifespan of the lock, especially if you’re using it year-round in all weathers, and make them such a worthwhile investment.

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Value

A £270 price tag for a lock may seem insane if you've only spent twice that on a whole bike, but in the context of the bikes this lock was designed to secure – expensive electric and/or cargo bikes – that is actually quite a small price compared to the overall outlay.

Yes, it's expensive, among the most expensive on the market, but it's a hell of a lot cheaper than replacing a whole bike if you're a high value target.

Verdict

The Kryptonite New York Lock Diamond D-lock is uncompromising. Aimed squarely at high-value electric and cargo bikes, its diamond-coated shackle and double deadbolt design offer class-leading resistance to power tools, and buy some much needed time before someone can make off with your property.

Compared to older Kryptonite models, there are some obvious improvements in the tighter tolerance that means rattling while riding is a thing of the past, and we hope to see this feature trickle down into future offerings for analogue commuters.

You do pay for the peace of mind in two ways, though: Weight and faff. 2.4kg is hefty, and may feel a bit too much for some. Meanwhile the mounting bracket remains as awkward as it ever was, while smaller bikes will struggle with placement alongside their bottle cages. If you can live with those drawbacks however, then you’re going to get the kind of protection and reassurance that few brands can match.