The Chainlink

Broke my key. need to cut my U-lock.

While unlocking my bike the other night the key broke off in the lock. The bike is in a fairly public place and I need to cut the lock off. I have the tools to cut the lock which isn't really an issue. I am just worried about cutting a lock on a bike on a busy street. Has anyone been in a similar situation? Am I best off calling the police prior to cutting the lock to avoid being accused of trying to steal a bike?

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Permalink Reply by Mike Keating on June 1, 2011 at 10:59am
Another vote for calling the manufacturer.
Permalink Reply by ChristopherMCA on June 1, 2011 at 12:06pm
Kryptonite NY U-Locks come with 3 keys can you get your broken key out of the barral? if you can use your other key to open the lock. That would save you from the hassle 
Permalink Reply by steve rulz on June 2, 2011 at 4:51pm

Yeah it was interesting standing in broad day light on a very busy street with many on lookers. A number of people walked by. One person said something along the lines of "that doesn't look illegal at all" as he passed but that was all. A parking attendant stopped to ticket the car that was right next to the meter we were grinding on. The store near by was kind enough to let us run and extension cord to power the grinder. To make it look even more shady I didn't have my cycling shoes with me. When it was all said and done I hailed a cab and threw it in the trunk. I guess the moral of the story is to make sure you hang on to an extra key when you buy a lock. They often come with plenty of spares. Register your keys. Lock up well and keep in mind that any lock is only a deterrent. It takes only minutes to cut a lock and most people won't stop it from happening.

magomawe said:

At least your bike is safe.  So did anyone notice someone slicing through a u-lock with a grinder?
Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on June 2, 2011 at 5:36pm

Please post a link to the video once you get it up!

It takes a pro under 30 seconds to cut a U-lock with a cordless power grinder-- I'd imagine it might be quicker with a corded.

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on June 2, 2011 at 6:32pm


Most locks do come with a bunch of extra keys and often a number on a plastic keyring fob.  I think the last OnGuard lock I bought came with no fewer than 5 keys -one of which had a little LED light in it. 

 

Most people lose the keys and never write down the number. Then again most people never bother to write down the serial number of their bike or register it at any of the free places to do so.

 

Howard is right, a pro can cut through a lock in about 30 seconds.  If they have REALLY nice tools like one of these battery-powered rebar cutters they can do it in 5 seconds.

 


steve rulz said:

 I guess the moral of the story is to make sure you hang on to an extra key when you buy a lock. They often come with plenty of spares. Register your keys. Lock up well and keep in mind that any lock is only a deterrent. It takes only minutes to cut a lock and most people won't stop it from happening.


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