Bicycles

Kryptonite Security WheelNutz turn bicycle security upside down

Kryptonite Security WheelNutz turn bicycle security upside down
Kryptonite's Security WheelNutz
Kryptonite's Security WheelNutz
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Kryptonite's Security WheelNutz
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Kryptonite's Security WheelNutz

Wheel theft is always a risk when leaving a nice bike parked in an urban environment. Cyclists can do things like removing the front wheel and locking it to the frame and rear wheel, or carrying multiple locks. Kryptonite's new Security WheelNutz, however, offer a quicker and lighter alternative ... with an interesting twist.

WheelNutz are installed on the ends of the front wheel axle, in place of the existing nuts or quick-release hardware. To remove that wheel, you just loosen them off like regular wheel nuts, but with one exception – they'll only release if the bike is upside down.

This means that as long as the bike is locked in such a way that it can't be turned over, its front wheel can't be removed. One regular lock can then just be used to secure the frame and rear wheel to a nearby immovable object.

Kryptonite's Security WheelNutz are available now, priced at US$30.95 a set.

Other add-on wheel-locking devices we've seen recently have included the quick-release-lever-securing Quick Caps, the mini combination lock-like Sphyke C3N, and the infiniti3D system, which only releases with a user-specific key.

Source: Kryptonite via Bike Radar

4 comments
4 comments
Freyr Gunnar
> Wheel theft is always a risk when leaving a nice bike parked in an urban environment.
There's another option: Get a folding bike and take it with you.
> WheelNutz are installed on the ends of the front wheel axle, in place of the existing nuts or quick-release hardware. To remove that wheel, you just loosen them off like regular wheel nuts, but with one exception – they'll only release if the bike is upside down.
… just like Zéfal's Lock 'n roll which has been available for a few years now: www.zefal.com
And that's besides the solution of getting user-specific bolts that can only be removed with a user-specific key: www.pitlock.com, www.atomic22.com, www.pinheadcomponents.com, www.ixow.com, www.vis-antivandale.com.
So Kryptonite's WheelNutz is nothing new.
Stradric
@Freyr Gunnar: An idea is just that without a clever implementation. Zefal's implementation has proven to be easily defeated. This looks promising.
esar
I just hope it's not defeatable by bouncing the wheel!
pmshah
Some 45 years ago I used to sell wheel nut sets for protecting magwheels from being stolen from the car. These came in a set of 4 nuts with a special key - suitable for that specific set only - that had to be used as an intermediate adapter in the event one had a flat. Worked just fine.