My Bike Key Snapped In My Lock

[M. Kristensen]

I have a Kryptonite Flex Security lock, its a braided steel lock with a yellow built in lock in the head. Recently it was freakin cold (I live in Buffalo,NY) and my key snapped in the damn built in lock. I tried to turn the key even more and it snapped into a worthless piece of metal. I was so pissed off and I took a hammer and kind of mutilated the lock head. How do I open it? I have to use my bike for everyday use. I only have a small hatchet, hammer, etc regular household tools.

[Yoshi]

What kind of lock does it have? Is it a standard pin-tumbler lock? If so you can get a broken key extractor and fish it out. If it's a disk lock or a tubular lock I'm not entirely sure of the best method for removing it.

Probably your best bet is to visit a locksmith.

[randya]

If you hadn't mashed the lock with a hammer, you might have been able to get the piece of broken key out. Cable locks are usually easily opened with a garden variety hacksaw.

[2manybikes]

Keep hammering it will fall apart.

[M. Kristensen]

http://www.kwiklocks.com/kryptonite/security_cables.html

The Lock is the one called the Key Cable

[2manybikes]

http://www.kwiklocks.com/kryptonite/security_cables.html

The Lock is the one called the Key Cable

Oops... I was thinking of a different one. Go visit the fire dept. they will tell you what to do. My friend is a captin in the Fire Dept. and a cyclist. He has the "key" to anything and everything. They have to break locks all the time to get into fires.

[slvoid]

Needle nose pliers.

[supcom]

Well, assuming you have not dmaged the cylinder, there might be enough of a stub of the key sticking out to turn with pliers or tweezers. If not, then perhaps you can get a jewelers screwdriver in between the key and the cylinder to turn it.

However, first you need to determine why the key broke. I assume the cylinder was either frozen or in need of lubrication. In either case, before you try turning the cylinder, you might try pouring some alcohol or deicer into the cylinder to melt any ice and/or hose it down with WD40, or equivalent, to lubricate it.

If that fails, you'll probably need to buy a hacksaw and a couple good blades. Oh, and a new, preferably better, lock.

[PanPanX]

if he takes a hacksaw to it.. wouldnt the lock be useless afterwards? or if he kept hammer it, wouldnt it mess it up? and wouldnt he end up having to get a new lock anyways?

[Raiyn]

if he takes a hacksaw to it.. wouldnt the lock be useless afterwards? or if he kept hammer it, wouldnt it mess it up? and wouldnt he end up having to get a new lock anyways?
He took a friggen hammer to it. Somehow I don't think he gives a ******************* if he messes it up further. Call it a hunch.

[PanPanX]

just get a new lock then.. why bother breaking it more??

[Yoshi]

It sounds like the bike is still attached to the lock.

[PanPanX]

oh...hahhahaa! then yes.. just use a hack saw..

[operator]

He took a friggen hammer to it. Somehow I don't think he gives a ******************* if he messes it up further. Call it a hunch.


Can't quite figure out what expletive Raiyn said that fits that many stars, hmm.

[M. Kristensen]

well thanks guys for the help. although all i did was buy a bolt cutter and it came apart in like 30 seconds. any suggestions for better cable locks though because i already have a kryptonite ny u-lock 3000 but i need wheel and seat protection.

[randya]

OnGuard or Abus armored cables.

http://www.onguardlock.com/armour.html
http://www.abus.de/us/main.asp?ScreenLang=us&sid=63703554923133321122004206190139254&select=0104b03&ArtikelGrID=3

Good luck finding the smaller and lighter (less than 1" diameter, less than 3 pound) versions of the armored cable locks in the US, though. It seems like the European market is absorbing most of the production of these locks; they are certainly not as readily available or popular stateside.

[baxtefer]

bolt cutters, hacksaw, angle grinder

take your pick