i can't get my bike unlocked. here's how this happened.

so, when i bought my lock, the store only carried master u-locks (i know, ****ty store). i'm not sure if the lock is crap, but the keys sure suck. i broke one off in the lock before while unlocking. it was unlocking the bike, so i just had to take the little part out.

today i broke the second while locking up before work. i can get the piece out with tweezers, i guess. i wanna try picking the lock because i want to replace it (with a different brand if i can) and no one i know has bolt cutters and i can't afford a locksmith. if i can't pick it, i don't know what to do...go to a bike shop and try to find one of the same?

i'm sort of at a loss...any suggestions?

sawzall/angle grinder/hacksaw

hmmmm...dremel?

You're probably out of luck. You got the last one out because the tumblers weren't engaged, if this time it was turned at all, the peice is probably stuck in there. I'd talk to a locksmith and show them the stub of a key you have and the lock, and have them drill it out all professional for you...

Not even close, even for a cheap u-lock.

home depot rents tools for pretty cheap, see if you can rent an angle grinder, i've cut a few u-locks with one, it works.

yeah...a friend has a hacksaw, my girlfriend has a dremel...if i pay a locksmith, i can't afford a new lock till payday on the 17th and all i have is a crappy cable lock. i don't want to leave it all night...i'm reading up on lockpicking now, but i doubt that'll work...first time, doing a double sided style lock...all that.

car jack from a friend who owns a car.

hmmm...might be my best bet.

damn. guy who has the hacksaw lives waaaaay on the outskirts of portland and won't drive in tonight...it's cold and i want to sit up guarding the bike all night now.

what?

a car jack.. the thing you jack a car up with.. youd have to fiind one that goes low enough to fit inbetween the "U".. but hes right.. i lifted my house with one...and its not even hard

oh, you mean put it on the inside of the u-lock and raise it till it pops? oh...hmmmm...

brute force in general? it had crossed my mind, but seemed sloppy considering i didn't know if it would work.

Hacksaw = HOURS - can be done, you'll probably need a couple of blades... Used that on a free-locked bike I lost the key to.

Angle Grinder = seconds, need a power source, lots of sparks. My dad had one with a 6" disk for a bike locked to our front porch. Found the key the next day. Be really careful not to hit your frame.

Car Jack = don't really know. Supposedly used to leverage the lock open from the inside. If you have a min-u, you're probably out of luck again...

Sucks about your bike. Can you bring it in at work for a little while? Will it be safe tonight if you do have to wait for a loccksmith?

i think you should try it and tell us if it works.. i can't decide if i think it woudl or wouldn't... is boston trevor still around here? i bet he could crunch the numbers and spare you the time if it doesn't.

hacksaw...i'm willing to spend hours. couple of blades, fine, whatever.

angle grinder...no power source i know of where the bike is locked.

car jack...this isn't a mini-u, so it's a possibility.

and i can't bring it in at work if i can't get it off the rack. i don't trust leaving it out all night, though i'm probaby being paranoid...hey, it's my baby.

he posts sometimes...but are you just talking physics?

I was actually thinking about until the 17th or whatever in case you had to leave her tonight and wait to get a lock - I don't use my lock on my nice bike at work, because she's always in sight...

oh, oh, i see...i doubt it. there's not a lot of room anywhere. i'll sure check.

i hate the thought of it, but the house is kind of walking distance (i'll ride for days and ***** about walking a few blocks) from light rail and so is work...if i just take rides at night and in the morning and don't go places without others who have locks, i'll be okay.

Just trying to give you options. They may not be the best, but if they work...

oh, it'll work once i get the lock off. thanks.

hmm, i just wondered--brute force...think that'd work? go down with a hammer or crowbar or both and another person and try to bash it off?

meh, i dunno what "other person" i'd call.

whats it locked to?

a bike rack. anchored in concrete

bummer, i wouldnt be above cutting a tree down or destroying some public property to get to my ride..

but i guess those arent options. good luck dude.

yep, it looks like the hacksaw either tonight or tomorrow, which will take a while, but allow me to purchase a new lock. plus i can leave the broken part of the key in so i can show people the broken key if they think they're doing a good deed by accosting me (though normally they would be).

Yep, they will pop a U-lock. Why I use 1 cm chain link sooo short, you'll never get the chain to the ground to chop with long arm cutters.
Phone the cops, I've had bikes stolen, re-locked by me -thief locks cut off by them.
Different I know...but then, no problem with hacksaws during daylight.