rass

hi,

i am finishing up a tour around europe and I leave out of London on May 20th. I flew my bike here with me from the U.S.
When i get on the plane to return i have to disassemble my bike and put it back in a regular bike box in order for them to permit me checking it on the plane.
This is where the problem comes up. I had a small bag stolen from me which had the only key to my locking quick releases. So now I have no way of getting my wheels or seat off of the frame, making it impossible to fit into a small enough box to check at the airport.
i have nowhere to leave the bike here, no one will buy a bike if they cant even adjust the seat and i cant change my plane reservation. so if i dont find a solution in the next three days i am screwed. this is not an option.
I am trying to contact On Guard about the problem but does anyone here have experience with a problem such as this. All suggestions welcome! please help!!

tyler

JTGraphics

Not good for sure! but one last resort is to just grind one side down to the point were you can punch the skewer out the other side, the QR will be toast but it will come out.

roadfix

Find someone (perhaps airport maintenance) with an angle grinder and cut those suckers off.

MichaelW

If you need a decent bike shop in London, Bikefix is a good start. If they cant help they will point you in the right direction.

TRaffic Jammer

find a bike shop that will either cut them off, OR store your ride while you go home...ship them the keys so they can ship the ride home to you on a later flight. It'll cost you but you'll get you bike home. Good luck , man that bites.

Cyclist0383

Exactly what kind of locking skewers do you have?

jsharr

He stated that he has contacted ON Guard, so I think that is the brand he must have.

BikeGarage

Your friendly local locksmith should be able to help. Usually there is a set of numbers on the lock core that will allow locksmith to make a key for it.

Cyclist0383

Then he will most likely need the number that was printed on the original key if he didn't register the number before hand, $20 for the key and a bunch more for shipping, and to contact Pinhead Components, who are the makers of the locking skewer. For some stupid reason they only give you one with their skewer set.

https://www.pinheadcomponents.com/ind...emart&Itemid=3

JTGraphics

He only has 3 days for this one is gone already. To get an answer and key from On-Guard will take longer than that, locksmith is out they don't deal with these type of lock.
Grinding it will get it off as you do it remember to keep the frame cool with a wet rag because it will get hot and blister the paint if you don't cool it.
I have resorted to this for removing other things so I know it will work.
Hay Good Luck on what ever you decide on.

Camilo

So you don't think it's at least worth while contacting a locksmith? That's the first thing I'd do. They might even be able to cut it off if they can't open it.

Cyclist0383

There is no lock on it.

cornholio

There's no lock on it? Is it like a torx bit security deal?
If there is a lock, I too recommend locksmith, and if it is just an odd shaped bolt head then I recommend any mechanic (automotive/bicycle).

JTGraphics

You need to see one its different thats for sure, it is a security system so expect it to be a little difficult to just take it an have it removed, it will take a little creativity to get it off with out the original key for it.

BFW

Perhaps some quick curing epoxy and a hex key? If you have the time to let it cure, and the quick releases aren't torqued to highly it might not twist off. Or the wet rag around the delicate bits and tack weld a hex key to it. Just some off the wall brainstorming. Perhaps drill it out a little and use a screw extractor?

JTGraphics

Actually that will work also but you don't need screw extractor, I have also done this several times,
Take a center punch and punch the center, take a drill in this case something about twice a big as the skewer size thats going thru the axle, drill it when the drill gets to the area were the actual skewer is the larger part (head) that your drilling will pop off leaving the small skewer shaft only, push it out the other side done, I've drilled several bolts and screw heads off this way works like a charm.

the_mac

Go to a Bike shop (or any other shop, but a bike shop will work).

Have them drill two of the holes in each locking head deeper, and then use a pin spanner to take them off. Two holes + pin spanner = no more lock.

You'll have to replace the parts when you get home, but this will be the least likely to damage anything else.

rass

great thanks a lot for all of the suggestions. hmmm, i will take my list of options to the nearest bike store and see what tools i have at my disposal. (yes they are on guard quick releases)