Kryptonite Locks hit a small design glitch that could potentially have serious consequences for the brand. Due to the use of tubular cylinders in many of the companys mid price-point locks allows the locking mechanism to be picked with a plastic pen. Several consumers have posted videos on-line showing Kryptonites U-Lock un-locked in seconds by simply twisting the hollow barrel of a pen into the key-hole.
Bicycle consumer blogs are covered with comments and questions about this issue, some with over 20 pages of postings. Kryptonite is considered by many to be the most widely distributed and trusted brand in the specialty bike business.
One customer said, “The Kryptonite locks were the only thing that gave me a sense of security for my bikes. Now all of the technology that went into the “unbreakable” portions has been made pointless by the simple ball point pen.” Another wrote, “I have a crappy lock and now I can't write a complaint letter!”
Shortly after learning of the issue, Kryptonite issued a statement saying that locks based on a tubular cylinder design “continue to present an effective deterrent to theft,” but the company has been developing a disc-style cylinder for some years. These products are scheduled to be introduced in the next few weeks, but Kryptonite is attempting to accelerate the delivery.”
In a later, separate statement Kryptonite said, “In light of recent demonstrations on the Internet that explain how to criminally defeat tubular cylinder lock technology, which has performed successfully for more than three decades, Kryptonite intends to expedite the introduction of its upgraded Evolution and KryptoLok lines
Specifically, Kryptonite will provide the owners of Evolution and KryptoLok series products the ability to upgrade their crossbars to the new disc-style cylinder, where possible. This cylinder provides greatly enhanced security and performance.”
Both statements have been criticized as overly promotional by industry analysts, and many are saying that this issue not only presents a problem for Kryptonites design team, but may well be the biggest PR challenge any sporting goods firm has faced this year.
Many of the Kryptonite locks in question carry a type of bicycle theft insurance provided by Kryptonite upon evidence of product failure. Some of the locks in question are protected up to $3,000. Kryptonite has not commented on what it will do for consumers whose bicycles were stolen by this method.
>>> Apparently, the pen really is mightier than the sword
or at least a pair of bolt cutters
>>> This isnt just a Kryptonite issue. Thousands of specialty shops and sporting goods stores are going to have to deal with the fallout…
