I regularly advise the use of an extension cable to help secure your bike’s components without the need to remove them.
I spoke with contacts at Kryptonite who were very keen for me to produce a review of their Kryptoflex Cable 710.
There are many different types of extension cable on the market, and whilst they are all very similar, there are some small differences.
In this review, you’ll find out how I got on with the Kryptoflex double loop cable. I’ll also teach you the best ways to use it to secure your bike.
Overview - Kryptonite Kryptoflex 710 Review
Pros
- Capable of securing multiple components
- 6mm thick internal cable
- lightweight & compact
- Varying lengths avalible
- Cheap to purchase
Cons
- Provides minimal security
- Not as secure as Hexlox or Pinheads
Today’s Best Deals:
Specifications:
Security Rating – N/A
Weight – 0.52kg (1.1lb)
Shackle Length – 213cm (7′)
Cable Thickness – 6mm Braided Cable
Warranty – Lifetime
If you want to improve the security of your bike whilst you’re away from it, the Kryptonite Kryptoflex 710 offers an efficient way of doing so.
The Kryptoflex’s 7′ (210cm) woven steel cable offers the best level of security for your bike when compared with the ABUS’ and Zefal’ looped cables.
The Kryptoflex 710 is a cheaper alternative to products like Hexlox and will take up minimal room in your backpack whilst cycling.
The 710 can be used alongside any bike lock, and will provide a convenient and simple way to secure more of the components on your bike.
At 1.15lb (0.52kg) it’s not heavy and will cost much less than having to replace your bike’s components if they’re stolen!
I found the most up to date and competitive price here [Amazon].
How Secure Is the Kryptonite Kryptoflex 710
Cable locks come in many shapes and sizes however, one characteristic unites them all; They all offer a minimal level of security.
I strongly discourage using a cable lock as your primary choice of bike lock.
Most cable locks can be cut with a small pair of wire cutters and only offer enough protection to deter chancers and opportunist thieves.
Like all cable extensions, the Kryptonite Kryptoflex 710 double loop cable has a protective vinyl outer shell.
This coating prevents the woven steel wires from scratching your bike and at the same time makes the cable appear to be stronger than it actually is.
Whilst cables all offer similar levels of security, I wanted to find out if there was a difference between the sizes of the external rubber shell and the internal woven metal cables.
Alongside the Kryptoflex 710, I got hold of an ABUS Cobra Cable and a Zefal K-Traz Cable.
So that I could inspect the width of the internal wiring, I cut a portion of the outer plastic shell off to expose the internal woven cables.
Underneath I found some interesting results.
The inner, metal cable of each lock is woven slightly differently and had a different sized vinyl covering. Keep reading to find out which cable is most secure.
How Secure Is the Kryptonite Kryptoflex 710 Comparison
Kryptonite Kryptoflex 710
The Kryptoflex 710 Looped Cable uses the most individual wires and has the thickest internal cable.
These wires are woven tightly together into six smaller cables, (containing eight wires each) which weave together to form the Kryptoflex cable.
The total diameter of the 710 cable is 9.63mm which makes it the thinnest of the three cable extensions.
Its thin outer shell helps to reduce the 710’s overall weight but does make it look a bit thinner than the ABUS Cobra.
The internal metal cable that the Kryptoflex 710 uses measured 6.22mm, which means its outer shell is only 1.7mm thick.
This makes the Kryptonite Kryptoflex 710 the thickest of the three cable extensions featured in this article.
A thicker cable lock is unlikely put off a determined thief as they’ll understand that all cables offer pretty low overall security.
However, a cable with a larger diameter may prevent an opportunist thief from targeting your bike, as they’ll have less knowledge of bicycle security. A thicker piece of metal will also require more effort to cut/break.
ABUS Cobra Cable 120
The ABUS cobra uses the second most individual strands. The strands of the ABUS Cobra are woven in a similar way to the Kryptoflex’s. The Cobra is made from six smaller cables, each containing six strands.
The total diameter of the ABUS Cobra Cable 120 was 11.75mm which means it’s the chunkiest, but does it have the thickest cable inside?
Whilst the ABUS Cobra Cable 120 has the largest diameter, its internal metal cable has a diameter of 5mm making it thinner than the Kryptoflex 710.
This means the black outer shell of the ABUS Cobra 120 is 3.375mm thick. Whilst this cable may look the most secure of the three, it’s not.
It’s noticeable that the strands of the Cobra are in a slightly looser weave. Which means it would provide less resistance if someone attempted to crop it.
Zefal K-Traz Cable
The total diameter of the Zefal K-Traz Cable is 9.7mm making it narrowly wider than the Kryptoflex 710 and the second thickest cable overall.
The Zefal K-Traz Cable has the thinnest internal woven cable. It’s made up of six tightly woven smaller cords, each containing four strands of steel.
The diameter of the internal woven cable is 3.89mm which means the Zefal K-Traz’s inner cable is the thinnest of all three looped cable extensions.
The strands may be tightly woven, but the Zefal cable is already 1.5mm thinner than the ABUS Cobra, so it wins the prize for the thinnest cable!
Security Conclusion - Which Cable Is Best?
Most cable extensions could be cut relatively quickly, but if you want the most secure cable for your bike, the Kryptonite Kryptoflex 710 is the best choice.
This is because it uses the most metal and therefore has the thickest inner metal cable (measuring 6.22mm).
As I mentioned, the difference in security between these cables is marginal, so you may also want to choose the cheapest cable the Zefal K-Traz [Amazon link].
It’s worth bearing in mind that all three cables cost almost the same amount to buy.
I’d recommend the Kryptonite Kryptoflex it offers the best security. You can view the most up to date and competitive price on Amazon here.
Which Bike Locks Work with the Kryptonite Kryptoflex 710?
Below you’ll find three affordable, yet high quality bike locks that work well with the Kryptonite Kryptoflex 710 Cable.
If you’re looking for a new bike lock, and don’t want to spend too much, check out my review of the best cheap bike locks, otherwise, all of the best bike locks will work well alongside this cable extension.
- Best folding bike lock
- Lightweight & compact
- Silent whilst mounted
- Increased locking options
- Lightest bike lock
- Best strength to weight ratio
- Highly pick resistant
- Kryptonite's lightest D lock
- Lifetime warranty
- High security cylinder
- Thinner 5mm plates
- Hard outer coating
- Thinnest shackle
- Smaller locking area
- Relatively expensive
- Less locking options
- Single bolted shackle
- Length: 9.4"(24cm)
- Width: 4.5" (11.5cm)
- Width: 4" (10.1cm)
- Length: 7" (17.8cm)
- Width: 2.75” (7cm)
- Length: 6” (15.2cm)
- Best folding bike lock
- Lightweight & compact
- Silent whilst mounted
- Increased locking options
- Thinner 5mm plates
- Hard outer coating
- Length: 9.4"(24cm)
- Width: 4.5" (11.5cm)
- Lightest bike lock
- Best strength to weight ratio
- Highly pick resistant
- Thinnest shackle
- Smaller locking area
- Relatively expensive
- Width: 4" (10.1cm)
- Length: 7" (17.8cm)
- Kryptonite's lightest D lock
- Lifetime warranty
- High security cylinder
- Less locking options
- Single bolted shackle
- Width: 2.75” (7cm)
- Length: 6” (15.2cm)
Last update on 2025-01-21 at 12:19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
How Practical Is the Kryptonite Kryptoflex 710?
The Kryptoflex 710 provides a quick and convenient way for you to secure your bike’s components.
If your bike has quick-release wheels, you’ll understand the need to secure these whilst leaving your bike unattended.
Just imagine you locked your bike up and came back to find the same in the image below!
The Kryptonite Kryptoflex 710 is one of many looped cable extensions that Kryptonite Manufacture. The Kryptoflex 710 is 7’ (210cm) long and weighs 1.15lb (0.52kg).
I was able to fit the Kryptoflex 710 into my backpack with ease, and whilst cycling, I didn’t notice the extra weight.
This makes the Kryptonite 710 cable extension a good option for commuters, who don’t want to carry too much weight whilst cycling.
There are smaller sizes of the Kryptoflex available, but the reason I like the Kryptoflex 710 so much is that it offers enough length to secure your saddle and a wheel at the same time.
Two of your bike’s components that are repeatedly targeted by thieves!
The Kryptoflex 410 is a 4’ (120cm) cable and weighs 0.7lb (0.32kg). Using the 410 Cable, you won’t be able to secure your saddle and wheel at the same time, which I why I prefer the 710.
Best Way to Use the Kryptonite Kryptoflex 710
Using a double looped cable can be slightly confusing for those who haven’t used one before. The Kryptoflex 710 (like most cable extensions) has two loops on either end.
To fully utilise the Kryptoflex’s length, you should make sure to thread the cable back through itself (creating a lasso). This way, only one loop of the cable needs to be secured when locking.
The best way to use the Kryptoflex 710 is to thread it through the underside of your saddle. This should also prevent a thief from removing your seatpost. Next, pull the cable through and thread it through your front wheel.
After this, pull the cable back towards your rear wheel and through the loose cable end (creating the lasso effect). Now using your lock of choice (I used the Pragmasis DIB lock) secure your rear wheel and frame to an immovable object, whilst securing one end of the cable.
This is the best and most secure way to use a cable extension when locking your bike.
How Much Does the Kryptonite Kryptoflex 710 Cost?
The Kryptoflex 710 can be bought at a very affordable price online. One thing’s for sure though, purchasing the Kryptoflex is much cheaper than replacing multiple components of your bike.
There are other alternatives to the Kryptoflex, such as the cables shown below. There are also different accessories for securing your bike’s components such as Hexlox.
Hexlox cost considerably more than the Kryptoflex 710 Extension Cable, but mean that you won’t have to carry an extra item with you whilst cycling, which is handy.
I found that the most affordable price for the Kryptoflex 710 was on Amazon here.
How Does the Kryptoflex 710 Compare to Other Cable Extensions?
ABUS Cobra 12/120 Loop Cable
The Abus Cobra 12/120 would be my next choice of cable extension. Unlike the Kryptoflex 710, this 4ft (120cm) cable only offers enough length to secure either your front wheel or saddle.
By removing your front wheel and securing it with your lock of choice, you can use the Cobra 120 to secure your saddle. Otherwise, if you’re only looking to secure your wheels, the Cobra 120 is a good option.
Amazon have one of the most affordable prices for the Cobra Loop Cable, you can check it here.
Zefal K-Traz Cable Lock
Out of the three looped cable extensions I’ve mentioned during this article, the Zefal K-Traz is my least favourite. It’s slightly cheaper than the ABUS Cobra 120 and less expensive than the Kryptoflex 710 (but only half its length!).
Like the Cobra the K-Traz Cable Lock only offers enough length to secure your front wheel or your saddle and isn’t able to lock both at the same time like the Kryptoflex 710.
The K-Traz Cable was the least secure of the three cables mentioned throughout this Kryptonite Krpytoflex 710 review, but it’s the cheapest option. View the most competitive price on Amazon here.
Conclusion - Kryptonite Kryptoflex 710 Review
Using Kryptonite Kryptoflex 710 is a great way to increase the overall security of your bike whilst it’s locked. If you regularly leave your bike locked in busy public areas without securing its components, it won’t be long before a thief pinches them.
The Kryptoflex is a worthy investment and will last well thanks to its durable vinyl outer layer. If you’d prefer not to carry an extra item with you whilst cycling, then like I said above, check out Hexlox.
If you want to view the most up to date and competitive price of the Kryptoflex 710 Cable, you can view it on Amazon here.
