This is probably a reminder to many people but maybe necessary info to some. It should be made a sticky.
If your lock has a circular/cylindrical lock then throw it away. It's useless. It can be picked with a Bic pen or a piece of rolled-up cardboard. This is very widely known, and isn't a secret.
Here's a news story with a good picture of the type of lock I'm talking about:
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/191 ... cks17.html
Note that these types of locks are also used on notebook computer locks too, and they're equally useless.
There's even a name for it: Penjacking. See the following:
http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/kryptonite.asp
At the bottom of that article are some videos showing how easy it is to pick the locks.
Basically, the design of these locks is flawed. There's no way around this other than to buy a new lock.
Cylindrical locks - DON'T USE THEM!!!
NOt neccesarily the case.
These videos and sites illustrate something that was a "well known secret" for many years after being exposed (Jim McGurn - I believe)
The problem affected a number of cheaper locks across a whole spectrum of uses from bike locks and vending machines to security doors.
Kryptonite unfairly took the can because they responsibly offered to replace locks, thus identifying themselves with the problem.
Modern "cylinder locks", and even many of the middle to high end of the market cylinder locks in use at the time were immune to this tampering and still are.
By all means be suspicious, and exercise caution. However do not simply spurn any lock that has a cylinder on the grounds of what is fast becoming an unfounded "urban myth"
The problem affected a number of cheaper locks across a whole spectrum of uses from bike locks and vending machines to security doors.
Kryptonite unfairly took the can because they responsibly offered to replace locks, thus identifying themselves with the problem.
Modern "cylinder locks", and even many of the middle to high end of the market cylinder locks in use at the time were immune to this tampering and still are.
By all means be suspicious, and exercise caution. However do not simply spurn any lock that has a cylinder on the grounds of what is fast becoming an unfounded "urban myth"
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r-sparks
Re: NOt neccesarily the case.
Cunobelin wrote:Modern "cylinder locks", and even many of the middle to high end of the market cylinder locks in use at the time were immune to this tampering and still are.
By all means be suspicious, and exercise caution. However do not simply spurn any lock that has a cylinder on the grounds of what is fast becoming an unfounded "urban myth"
How can we tell the difference? We need to know because otherwise we're gambling with our bikes.
Ask!
There are few locks (if any) these days with this vulnerability, but if you want reassurance - ask specifically.
Research is another thing.
Most cycling magazines test locks on occasion. Cycling Plus did so a couple of months back. and included several cylinder types. All survived fairly well, and none was "bicced"!
There are few locks (if any) these days with this vulnerability, but if you want reassurance - ask specifically.
Research is another thing.
Most cycling magazines test locks on occasion. Cycling Plus did so a couple of months back. and included several cylinder types. All survived fairly well, and none was "bicced"!
-
r-sparks
Cunobelin wrote:Ask!
There are few locks (if any) these days with this vulnerability, but if you want reassurance - ask specifically.
Research is another thing.
Most cycling magazines test locks on occasion. Cycling Plus did so a couple of months back. and included several cylinder types. All survived fairly well, and none was "bicced"!
Ask who? If you're buying a new lock then this is good advice. What if you have an old lock?
None with the vulnerability are sold today but if, like me, you had an old D-lock hanging around from just a few years ago, you might be vulnerable.
I hope people are getting the message here. I disagree with what Cunobelin is saying. If you have a D-lock with a circular lock, be vigilant. Do some research, possibly by contacting the manufacturer.
If it's more than a few years old then there's a chance it can be opened easily. This isn't "urban myth", as Cunobelin is implying, and it didn't just affect a few D-locks.
I'm no mug at this sort of thing but the lock appears bombproof.Just to let you know that US bics are not like our UK clear plastic bics.
The US ones are not hexagonal like the UK counterparts, they are round and made of plastic that deforms and doesn't shatter.
Spent 4 years teaching in the colonies, will see if I have any of the US ones in an old briefcase...
Dave
The US ones are not hexagonal like the UK counterparts, they are round and made of plastic that deforms and doesn't shatter.
Spent 4 years teaching in the colonies, will see if I have any of the US ones in an old briefcase...
Dave