A good bike lock is the most important accessory you can purchase for your bike.

Unfortunately, there is a Kryptonite bike lock Bic pen trick that makes one of the best bike locks worthless.

While Kryptonite bike locks are about the best you can get, some models can be picked with just a Bic pen.

If you own a Kryptonite bike lock, check to see if it is one of the models that can be picked using the Kryptonite bike lock Bic pen trick. If you are looking for a Kryptonite bike lock, make sure you do not buy a bike lock that needs to be recalled. To be fair, the Kryptonite bike lock Bic pen trick works on make locks using tubular locking mechanisms. There are other bike locks that are also vulnerable in addition to vending machines and other locks that use tubular keys. Kryptonite is offering a replacement of some newer locks that can be picked but if you own an older model, you will need to buy a new one yourself. You may still decide that a Kryptonite lock is still a good investment, as long as it cannot be picked with a Bic pen.

A good bike lock can mean the difference between a great bike ride and a long, miserable walk home.

Whether you’re a hardcore mountain biker, a long-mile road rider, a daily commuter or the occasional weekend rider, you’re going to need a bike lock. Even if you’re only stopping into the convenience store to grab a granola bar, a thief only needs a few seconds to ride away on his or her new bike. It happens everywhere too. Though New York has the highest number of bikes stolen per capita, bicycle theft is increasing all over, especially in college towns and in suburban areas. All kinds of bikes are being stolen, from thousand dollar carbon fiber race machines to weekend clunkers. Sometimes it’s for the money; the bikes are resold and the profits are pocketed. Other thefts come from opportunistic thieves who either need to get across town or who are just looking for a joyride. A cheap lock may not deter the first category of thieves, but the second group, the opportunists, will usually be dissuaded by the cheapest chain or cable lock on the market.

Though a cheap lock may serve you well for awhile, if you’re living in an area with a high rate of bike theft or if you have a particularly nice ride, you’re going to want to invest in something a little more impressive.

U-locks are a popular choice as they attach quickly and carry relatively lightly. Few people use them properly however, as to be effective a U-lock needs to clamp around both wheels of your bike along with the rack or pole you’re locking it to. To use a U-lock bike lock effectively, you need to remove the front wheel so the lock can go through both wheels and the bike frame in addition to around the object you lock the bike to.

Heavy chain locks are also good for deterring thieves, as the case hardened versions are extremely tough to cut or disarm and they can fit around larger and more awkward structures than U-locks can encircle.

They’re heavy though, and can be bulky for anyone who carries one around for a great deal of time or is trying to go fast and light; it doesn’t make much sense to worry about 15 grams of weight in your pedals when you carry around a ten pound chain. Larger locks do bring with them greater security though, and some manufacturers like Kryptonite will even insure your bike if it’s stolen while locked up with their heavy locks, providing that you register your bike first. With a good bike lock you’ll be able to ride just about anywhere with impunity, though it’s generally a good idea to register your bike’s serial number, usually located near the bottom of the down tube, with local police in case disaster strikes. Unfortunately, police agencies do not share this information as well as a car license. Your bike may show up at the police department in a city just a mile away and you will never get it back. This makes a good bike lock all the more important to use.

Whatever bike lock you use, always remember to lock both wheels and the bike frame.

If you do not, you may return to find a wheel missing. That means you will still end up walking home. If your bike is expensive, you may wish to insure your bike in addition to using a bike lock. As the Kryptonite bike lock Bic pen trick tells us, no matter what you do, someone will find a way to defeat it. Using a good bike lock can still provide a good amount of comfort that your bike will still be there when you return.