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Original Post:



This is the most absurd thing I've seen in a very long time.

As you guys might remember, I recently had the nicest set of wheels I've ever had stolen from me. Today I was hanging out with a friend and we got to talking about that - he said his friend showed him just recently how to open a U-Lock with a ball point pen.

Of course I didn't believe it. That is until just thirty seconds ago when I opened my own Kryptonite Evolution 2000 with a bic ball point pen!

This has to be the most absurd thing I've ever seen. Try it. Take the end off the pen, jam it in the lock, wiggle around and twist.

Please tell everyone you know and make sure they do something about it right away. The theives probably already know this trick but from what I've heard it's fairly new. I figure the information is going to get out anyway and so it's better to let the honest people know first and hope this problem gets fixed.

You've got to be kidding me - most people consider these the standard for locking up. And it's a BALL POINT PEN that can break them open!? WTF. I will be on the phone with Kryptonite locks first thing tomorrow morning.asdf

< edit by Joe Gardner >

Movie #1: https://www.bikeforums.net/video/1.mov - 524KB
Movie #2: https://www.bikeforums.net/video/2.mov - 954KB
Movie #3: https://www.bikeforums.net/video/3.mov - 251KB
Movie #4: https://www.bikeforums.net/video/4.wmv - 3,268KB
Movie #5: https://www.bikeforums.net/video/5.mpg - 711KB
Movie #6: https://www.bikeforums.net/video/6.wmv - 605KB
Movie #6: https://www.bikeforums.net/video/7.wmv - 649KB

Audio #1: https://www.bikeforums.net/video/npr-interview.mp3 - 648KB

Spread the word, link to BikeForums.net! https://www.bikeforums.net

Please note, testing this on your own lock may break or jam your lock! Please read the whole thread, and only try this on your lock if you can afford to replace it!

New: Canton, MA September 22, 2004

KRYPTONITE OFFERS FREE PRODUCT EXCHANGES TO ALL CURRENT OWNERS OF KRYPTONITE TUBULAR CYLINDER LOCKS

If you currently own a Kryptonite tubular cylinder lock and are concerned about the security of this lock, Kryptonite will exchange this lock for you with a comparable non-tubular cylinder lock.

To participate in the exchange program, please send an email to kryptonite@irco.com

You will receive an auto response asking you for information including your name, address and lock type. It will also give you information on exchanging your lock. Kryptonite will pay the postage for all exchanges. Please note that this email address sends an auto response – do not send questions to this email address as it is not monitored. If you have questions, please send an email to locktalk@irco.com

We expect locks to begin shipping in mid-October.

</ edit >

This is a krypto with the circular-type key? Either way that is ****ed.

dam, thats crazy shyte.

How did you do this? I just tried it - all I did was mess up a ball point.

The model I did it with was a 2000 Evolution Mini.

You take the end cap off, push it into the lock just as you would a key, turn.

I can't verify or deny that this works with other models because I haven't had the chance to try.

I do think however that this is what everyone who is serious about keeping their bikes safe usually use - the Krypto site gives this lock a 4 1/2 star (out of 5) K-Tough rating. It is supposed to be virtually unbreakable.

Yes, circular key - the diameter of the pen has to match that of your key.

hmmm....i dunno which kryptonite model I have, but the end of the standard bic pen (taking the end off is a real pain) did fit the circular key lock. I jammed it in, wiggled it around, and turned, but nothing happened. Maybe I didnt wiggle it around properly, but I couldnt get it to open....

holy freaking awesome. hahahah!

I have the same lock. I went through 8 different pens. Two Bics. I couldn't get a single one inside the slim circle. From what I can tell, four of the 7 points need to be depressed before you can turn the lock - from your explanation, it seems that you were able to turn the nib through all 7 points one after the other, however, it seems that as soon as you pass one, it comes right back up and thus one of the points doesn't pass the test - thereby unlocking fails. I'm pretty concerned but I can't get it to open, even with two Bics.

This is along the same theory as picking a standard lock. With the right equipment you have no idea how easy it is to open up a standard house lock. My friends had a lock pick kit and you could pop open a keyed master lock in a minute. Sure you house has 7 or so cylinders but still. The key to the whole thing is to twist the lock a little then to start setting the heights of each pin. I woudl actually think you would need two pens to do it or do put your fingers on part or something. Lock picking not as easy as TV not as hard as you would hope.

I don't exactly know why this works, and I've got a little lock picking knowledge. I can't reproduce it because I can't get the barrel back to the original position. It's essentially locked open for the time being.

All I can say is that it worked, and very easily - just as the person who told me about it described. I bet in 24 hours or so you'll see pleanty of posts here from people who can verify this.

Update.

I filed the outer nub off of one of my keys (so as to allow entry into the keyhole even if the barrel is in the open position), and was able to re-lock the lock. It seems as though you can't re-lock it with the pen unless you don't turn the barrel the whole 180 degrees, but you can infact get the U out of the locking mechanism and re-lock it using only a pen if you are careful.

I recall seeing a few posts recently (I don't recall if they were on bikeforums.net or not) - about people who "thought they locked their bike" only to find the bike gone and the lock mysteriously still on the pole. A friend of mine just told me a similar story, and I think I know why this is happening now.

hmm, looks like I gotta replace all my locks now. So are there any other good lock makers around? Preferably ones that use car-key style locks?

This sucks, I got my talus outside with two krypto u-bolts....looks like I have to find a place for it inside tonight.

Hell.......I'm dumpin' all my Kryptonite stock first thing tomorrow morning!

Is anybody else able to do this or heard of this?

the kryptonite NY ulocks have a different locking mechanism, a key more like a car key, but at this point who wants to buy another goddamn kryptonite since thats what we are all screwed with right now...

maybe if enough of us complain theyd set up an exchange program so we can switch for locks with a different kind of key?

can someone post the 800# for kryptonite?

1-800-SAY-LOCK (USA)
781-828-6655 (outside USA)
437 Turnpike Street
Canton, MA 02021, US

Kryptonite
1-800-SAY-LOCK (USA)
781-828-6655 (outside USA)
437 Turnpike Street
Canton, MA 02021, USA

Haha, the pen is mightier than the saw! I'll have to try it on my Evo 2000 mini.

Tried, tried, tried, failed. Could not open lock and have the one described. will try more later on.

Yeah, I can't do it, but I struggle to open even w the key sometimes! Is it real? I don't want to call anyone a liar, but I've heard of internet hoax...

wahhhhhhh.......

this is crazy!
it's a little difficult to get the end of the pen jammed over the center metal piece of the lock, but after you do, yer there - ....it took me about 30 seconds.....

ahhhhh - i was paranoid before, now i'm gonna lose my mind.

anyway - thanks for the warning.

s.

i'm at work now, but has anyone tried this with a New York 3000 u-lock or any of the New York chain locks?

I'm curious - what model lock do you have? I'm trying to see which locks are vunerable to this hack. I don't know if some of them aren't or people just aren't doing it right.

I'm probably going to make a small video later on so people take this seriously.