Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Steve Cohen on August 30, 2015 at 4:33am

I don't think bolt cutters will work on breaking the old lock. Kryptonites are a little strong for that.  I think the videos that are available on line have frozen the lock first or something.  It may require an Angle Grinder.  At least that's what the guy at Clark-Devon Hardware told me.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Zumwalt on August 31, 2015 at 4:43am

As good as the keyless car locks? When your phone battery dies ir the signal us unavailable or it's hacked...
I'm amazed your U lock lasted 10 years but I lock and unlock my bike 30 times a day.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cohen on August 31, 2015 at 8:42am

Ha, guess I don't ride as often as you.  I managed to pull the broken piece out with a tweezers.  I still have a spare, and it works, but geez, have you ever tried ordering a new key from Kryptonite?  They have the most user-hostile web site I've ever seen.  If your model doesn't fit the names on their dropdown list -  good luck.  Their "Contact Us" link with a picture of a phone, takes you to a page with no phone numbers.  You can ask a question, but they've spent a lot of effort to intercept your question and send it to a bunch of canned FAQs, none of which apply, of course.  If you get that far, they have a submit request form that is will not accept input and not tell you why.  And email, we don't want your stinkin emails, nope, no way to contact them.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cohen on August 31, 2015 at 11:50am

OK, I'll ease up on Kryptonite a bit.  There IS a way to call Customer Service by Telephone but you won't find it unless you go to the specific FAQ question "Can I call the Customer Support Team?".  It's not shown on the customer support page.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Zumwalt on August 31, 2015 at 4:50am

If it's the larger kind a small jack can pry it apart or you can freeze it to -20° and hit it with a hammer.

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Permalink Reply by Allen Wrench on August 31, 2015 at 7:27pm

I have no idea about smartphone locks but if they are anything like everything else on my smartphone I wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole. "Hey siri, unlock my bike?"

If your old U-lock is frozen and you got the key chunk back out what about using  Triflow or other lock penetrating oil? I just got a super glued car lock to work using that. (had to disassemble it first I admit) Or go buy yourself an angle grinder and a cutoff blade as suggested above. But I'd skip the smartphone or titanium or electronic lock and get something old style like an Abus 54/160 Granit (or a big chain and straight bolt padlock) and just remember to oil it every now and then. They seem less finicky than the Kryptonite locks - I had to get a locksmith to angle grind a K Evolution that froze a few years ago.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Cohen on September 1, 2015 at 3:38pm

The lock isn't frozen, Allen.  What I think happened is that I have two Kryptonite locks, with keys that look the same and I wasn't as careful as I should have been, occasionally trying the wrong one and weakening the key.  A little oil would probably do some good.

Is that your real name, Allen?  If so, I like your parents' sense of humor.  If not, I like yours.

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Permalink Reply by Irvin Steinert on September 2, 2015 at 3:02am

Maybe there should be some Bike Lock Enabled smart phones. To make a call you get out your bike lock and  you say "Locky, please dial....."

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