cbtumedic

Just cause he doesn't have the key doesn't mean it's stolen. I've removed lots of wheel locks on cars in the shops I worked in over the years because people lost their keys, doesn't mean the cars were stolen, things happen and people lose things, I know I've lost some stuff, Internet people are so fast to accuse people, it's rediculous.

biketowork12

Looks like this thread was from ages ago, but it's still very relevant to me. My wife bought a Marin hybrid bike about 2 years ago and lost the pentagon key for the rear wheel skewer lock, so she's been unable to change a flat tube and thus ride her bike in over a year. I haven't been able to find a way to buy the key online, and don't really want to have to resort to other measures such as pinching the cones (whatever that means) to remove the wheel, then buying a whole new skewer set...seems like there should be somewhere that I can just buy the key...although maybe it's not easy to buy for a reason since it's an anti-theft device and all... Any suggestions would be appreciated. I emailed Marin, waiting to hear back.

biketowork12

Found it on Amazon just before almost giving up. I won't give the details in case thieves are reading this...but it can be found.

Jim Chu

Ways to remove any "special" fastener: 1. Use the appropriately-sized stripped screw bit (EZ-Out) 2. Weld a piece of scrap bar stock to the offending nut or bolt. 3. Dremel with a cut-off disc - cut the nut off. 4. Grind the nut off. 5. Drill the bolt out. These anti-theft devices are only meant to dissuade the opportunistic parts thief. Given enough time you could fashion a pentagon bit out of tool steel. There's really only one way to make your bike truly theft-resistant, and that's by making it so defaced that it has no resale value. My first ebike had an anti-theft alarm, seat post cellular tracker, and U-bolt lock. A homeless guy still stole it. By the time I realized it was stolen and tracked him he already had disposed of it. All I got back was my seat and post from his camp, because my name was painted onto the seat (thinking that was what someone was likely to steal...duh! Might have got the bike back if I hadn't done that). But the fact that he couldn't sell the seat inspired me. My current ebike has my name prominently welded/cut into every part - frame, handlebars, rims, motor, battery - and I reused the seat from the old bike. If you can't sell it, why steal it?

xenologer

Hey NOOB!
this is a zombie thread from nearly 9 years ago.

HillRider

The most recent poster knows that. Read the post three up from yours. Not all re-openers of "zombie threads" are unaware of it.

xenologer

That kinda makes it worse then doesn't it?

Sy Reene

This many years go by, isn't there a greater likelihood of wheel lock keys having been misplaced?

fietsbob

Fire hydrants used a pentagonal, 5 sided, wrench to open them .

wschruba

External 5-point, though

Jim Chu

I would have posted this as a private message, but I AM new here, as you have pointed out in an insulting manner. I don't have the requisite 10 posts to do that. And I do think this comment deserves a response.

You know, if the admins didn't want anyone else to comment on this thread, it would be LOCKED. If you don't want to read it, SKIP IT. You look like you've been posting here a long time, so you should know the first rule of this forum is NO HARASSMENT.

There is no rule telling me not to comment on old threads. In fact, just the opposite IS one of the rules in most other forums I frequent - reuse old threads so there is a continuity of thought, and not a proliferation of many threads on the same subject. So kindly let me enjoy the forum in the constructive manner I had intended. If what I'm doing is wrong, I would hope a moderator will correct me, at which point I will decide if I want to stick around or move on.

Have a Nice Day!
Jim Chu

hermanchauw

A locking plier may have enough grip strength to turn the screw.

fietsbob

11-29-08 original post..

Rubato

My girlfriend vanished with a borrowed generator hub on her bike, secured with Pitlocks.... Had to call sheepishly a month later to get the key for a flat repair. It seems I needed several days to find the socket...

Riveting

Who's gives a ***** if a thread is old? Does adding to an old thread make the knowledge contained within any less useful? It's not like the question was time/date sensitive. Would you advocate just deleting all 9+ yr old threads?

FBOATSB

Welcome to Bike Forums @Jim Chu. Thanks for this post. I like reading zombie threads. Even if thete is some "rule" against it. Post often!