UPDATE: Scissor jack, picking, and fire dept. Have all failed. I have to go drive back home today, so the bike shall remain there to be reclaimed by nature, instead. It's my L that I deserve to take, lmao! Thanks for the advice, everyone!
I abandoned my old bike during an unsafe period of my life, five years ago. I hoped that overtime, someone else would just steal it and claim it as their own. I just had no need for it, and no time and space to take it with me, either. I completely forgot that it was basically stuck there because of the U-lock.
After visiting some friends who were living at the same complex, five years later, I was heartbroken to find that it remained in the same spot I left it in, this whole time.
The lock was my ex's, so the keys are totally gone. I feel terrible leaving it in this condition. My husband and I have a beautiful blue schwinn tandem bike with the exact same body and seats, so it would be wonderful to have this bike taken back to Chicago with us and restored. We live near a fantastic bike restoration shop where our tandem bike was also restored, as well.
Plus, after a series of car problems, I need my bike more than ever, but idk how to break through this U-lock! Any suggestions???
by smilingboss7
26 Comments
Battery powered angle grinder.
If you don’t have an angle grinder you should be able to pop it off with a small car jack, if you can get it in there.
Are you pee wee Herman?
Get the serial number off the lock. Kryptonite will send you a replacement key. I forgot what proof they ask for that it’s your lock, but they’ll tell you.
A scissor jack.
Looks like a steel frame, it’s a pretty decent lock but you might just be able to keep turning the bike till the lock gives out. This is cheap but the least safe for the bike.
Unfortunately it’s a pretty low end bike with a lot of steel parts and after 5 years outside, the cost to fix it probably exceeds the value of the bike several times over.
New tires, tubes and a chain will cost you over $100 alone. And that’s not to mention the headset, crankset and wheel bearings which are probably toast. I’d want to check out the wheels and see if spokes start snapping.
Hard to tell, but it looks like the lock is a tubular pin tumbler. Ballpoint pen housing is a method used to unlock them.
Once I actually flagged down some cops and explained that I found my stolen bike locked up. It was there for weeks in front of a bar. Big cop took out “the master key”, cut the chain and let me ride off.
Bolt cutter?
bolt cutter / angle grinder and Police Man Uniform (Halloween is around the corner)
Do you have older photos of the bike ? If someone does call, the police may detain you but if you can show its your bike & you dont have the key anymore. Even better if you have proof you used to live at the complex. Might call non emergency to warn them too & honestly you’ll be fine, theres no victim ya know.
Unlocks can be spread open easily. You can pickup the bike and start twisting it and the leverage will break that u lock.
Ck YouTube, I think there was a way with a plastic pen
Use a car jack – the kind with the long thread running through the middle that expands the Jack from a flat shape to a diamond shape and then to a very skinny diamond shape.
I had to do this recently and it was easier than I thought.
A pair of bolt cutters would make quick work of that lock. If you ask around you can probably borrow one.
just where you left it. must has been a hell of a night
Just leave it abandoned. That bike is pure junk anyway. Forget about the “sentimental value”. it’s a meaningless value you created out of thin air, and it’s nothing more than a pointless obsession. If you really want to attach “sentimental value” to something, just pick any other random object and attach it there. After all, it’s just an illusion you’re making up in your own head
UPDATE: Lock picking has failed, and the scissor jack broke. Called the fire dept. As well, and they said they don’t trust that it’s my bike (understandable.)
It looks like a cheap lock,I’ve drilled them out successfully as a mechanic hired to free peoples bikes. You might approach a bike store ,offer to show ID and give them your story. I’m not sure what they would charge or if they would even do it. Most bike stores hate bike thieves and you might not come across as one ,rather as a victim of one. Two people look much less suspicious ,especially if it’s a woman that appears to have hired someone to free her bike.
[That looks like Pee Wee’s bike](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/N6EAAOSwgLlkyOxZ/s-l1200.jpg)
What a shame your bike wasn’t stolen?
Just yell “GOOD MORNING MISSES CRABTREE” and start cutting a grey suit is optional
Car scissors jack
If you’re sure it’s yours, borrow rent a hand grinder w a cut off disk and have at it. Shouldn’t take more than 10 minuter
I have some doubts about your story. You wanted someone to take your bike? Why lock it? Why not just give it away to a friend or homeless shelter? Why be so selfish and take up a parking spot?
How ass is the fire department if they cant cut a lock? How the hell do they cut people out of cars then?