When I bought the bike second hand I was not given the key, Does anyone know where I can find the key for this wheel ? (The front tube was replaced few years ago from another bike store)
by Matalogy
When I bought the bike second hand I was not given the key, Does anyone know where I can find the key for this wheel ? (The front tube was replaced few years ago from another bike store)
by Matalogy
24 Comments
that looks like a normal 4 or 5mm hex key that is a bit worn. if they didn’t have or see that then they have questionable competence or didn’t want to repair your bike and were looking for an excuse.
Looks like a security bolt. You need a security tool that has a little concaved indent on it. You can buy them at Home Depot or similar.
You can buy a security bit set for $10/£10
The shop you took it to doesn’t have a 5mm Allen key? That is beyond concerning
You can just buy it off amazon or take a pipe wrench to it.
They can do it. Maybe they just don’t want to because it will damage your bolts.
I think you’ll find the hole is five sided. Have a look at this link. https://www.bicyclepartswholesale.com.au/category/1068-skewers-anti-theft
Your bike also has a rusted chain with some links that don’t pivot quite correctly.
I bought used wheels with this and I lost the key. I went to decathlon and bought a set of skewers that used the same key and works fine.
Looks like a perfect job for a pair of grip pliers
Looks like a regular anti-tamper hex or maybe Torx to me. Decent US hardware stores would be able to find the right bit for you.
Alternatively, they make split tubes, although generally for Dutch-style bikes with bigger tires and bolt-on rear axles.
Oh its one of those 5€ aliexpress QR skewers that comes with its own key.
Just spend 5 seconds and cut off one of the skewer ends with an angle grinder.
We had to throw that dialogue out the window when Whyte started selling their bikes with 5-sided keys as standard. Makes it a standard tool imo and no longer a security tool. (You can also just use channel locks on the other end)
Even if it is a security hex, they are only a couple of dollars. The shop should have tools.
What’s the rear other side rear skewer look like? Cause the front looks just like a normal 5mm allen key needed. Even if it has a security bolt in the middle of the Allen key you can break it off with a screw driver and hammer.
Bike shops were prob too busy to help you out or useless cause they should have the tools needed.
Isn’t the rear skewer with that same bolt snapped? This is also where I would probably draw the line when I ran a shop as well. Looks like anti theft skewer that is also very much seized due to rust.
For a tube replacement we have charged the tube cost x2 basically as the tube cost 4-5€ converting it from our currency and the labor cost the same.
You have to think of it that way. The bolt looks fucked and looks to be anti theft. Seems like someone tried to bash a torx in there in the past. It is seized. Probabilities:
– further damaging the bolt socket if it indeed is a normal hex
– snapping the bolt like in the rear
– charging you some extra which then you would question here if it wasn’t a steal
– using pliers? Nah, you do it. (I have used the pliers once as the customer asked me and then they demanded cash as I have „destroyed” their part with aggressive pliers)
This just looks like something is is much more profitable to turn down. You bought it off if gumtree, maybe it’s stolen, doesn’t matter. It was probably cheap. I would cut those skewers and buy normal ones and you won’t have such issues in the future.
Did the bike shops actually look at the bike? Or did they tell you this over the phone?
Any bike shop should be able to deal with this. If they can’t get that open then they can chop it off with a hacksaw or an angle grinder, and sell you a new quick release.
The only explanations I can think of are: (1) you have spoken with two incompetent bike shops, or (2) the bike shops don’t want to deal with you and they’re trying to get rid of you!
Sorry for not being anymore helpful but I wouldn’t fix anything on any bike that has a tourney transmission…
That wheel lock is sold by decathlon meant to stop people from stealing your wheels and has a specific Key (that is actually the same in all of them but most people won’t have it).
Go ahead and buy a new one and it will come with the key if Decathlon is available in your country or online.
Source: work for decathlon
I know multiple bike shops that make these tools themselves…or just own the security bit set.
That’s so they can work on bikes like these.
Maybe a screw extractor, if you have no choice?
You can fix a flat without removing the wheel. It’s awkward but possible.
The bike shop may have a policy of not working on stolen bikes. A bike with security bolts, for which the ‘owner’ doesn’t have the key is stolen until proved otherwise.
I have a policy of not helping people on Reddit with stolen bikes.
I knew a guy that used to steal wheels from cars. He used a similar sized socket and construction glue, maybe liquid nails. I bet you could use a smaller hex and some of that glue to remove it. Or drill it out…