I have reliably utilized the Kryptonite Evolution Series 4 1090 and 1055 locks for different purposes over the last five years. These locks differ in their usage. For securing a factory made bicycle with a rigid front fork I prefer the Kryptonite Evolution Series 4 1055 Mini Integrated Chain; while I prefer the longer Kryptonite Evolution Series 4 1090 Integrated Chain to secure my handmade bicycle with a front shock on the streets of Salt Lake City, Utah. I have used these styles of locks for about five years and I have had the peace of mind a lock is supposed to give one after locking it to a secured bike rack.
The Kryptonite Evolution Series 4 1090 Integrated Chain along with the 1055 Mini Integrated Chain are made of manganese steel. Manganese steel is wear-resistant and maintains its theft resistant features from a process known as work hardening.1 This process is performed by applying an adequate load amount to the manganese steel until the material changes its shape. This is done within a temperature one can work or ride in. Each style of chain comes with a dust-cover to protect the lock from freezing during extreme weather. It is important to note that when the weather gets below freezing the dust-cover needs to be closed to preserve the ease of locking and unlocking. Additionally, each lock comes with a nylon chain cover to prevent scratches from forming on your self-powered machine.
I have used the Kryptonite Evolution Series 4 1055 Mini Integrated Chain for the majority of my last five years of bike commuting. I stored this chain on my factory made bike frame by wrapping it around the top tube. It is the optimum length for locking the front wheel and frame of a rigid fork bike to a bike rack. I specifically remember locking my bike up at Nostalgia Café on first south in downtown Salt Lake City with this Mini Integrated Chain along with a fellow cyclist. After a few hours of studying, I exited to find my bike intact while the other had all the parts removed except the frame. This costly experience for my fellow cyclist was a lesson to me. Thieves don’t prefer to tamper with Kryptonite Integrated Chain locks.
While camping, I choose to bring my Kryptonite Mini Integrated Chain to lock my factory made bike to a lamp post or bolted picnic table. Each time I have left the bicycle for up to 24 hours. Once I returned with a small tear in the nylon chain cover. It was obvious that the thief decided the time it would take to saw through the steel was not worth jeopardizing their incognito identity.
The Kryptonite Evolution Series 4 1090 Integrated Chain is quite long and I would recommend the use of this when locking a bike equipped with a front shock. The location of the down tube in relation to the wheel is often exceptionally wide and requires the use of a longer chain. The lock is significantly heavier by 139%. However, because my bike is made of aluminum and my factory made bike is made of steel, it makes the use of this longer Integrated Chain worth the weight.
Over the years, I have started to take advantage of the security I feel when locking up my bike. This is a feeling I have started to realize is due to the engineering and careful attention to detail Kryptonite takes while designing and implementing innovative security ideas. Do yourself a favor and checkout the size of Kryptonite Evolution Series 4 that is right for your bike and security needs!
- Kryptonite Evolution Series 4 1055 Mini Integrated Chain, Retail: $75.95, length 21.5”, weight 4.4 pounds
- Kryptonite Evolution Series 4 1090 Integrated Chain, Retail: $88.95, length 35.5”, weight 6.1 pounds
References
- Kang, J.; Zhang, F. C.; Long, X. Y.; Lv, B. 2014. Cyclic deformation and fatigue behaviors of Hadfield manganese steel. Mat. Sci. Eng. A-Struct. 591(3): 59-68.
