I've had my bike lock freeze solid several times this winter - no big deal usually, as a bit of ethyl alcohol and maybe a match, and a bit of wiggling on the key and it opens.
But now I have to replace that lock, and all the locks I see for sale these days use flat keys (due to the "Bic" scare last summer.) Those flat keys look quite fragile compared to the round ones I'm used to, and this seems to be borne out by the fact that you usually get 4 or more keys with these new locks, and also by comments from folks at my LBS.
So if I get one of these, I'll want one that doesn't freeze when on a bike that's stored outside in a Canadian winter.
In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden] says...
Quoted message said:
But now I have to replace that lock, and all the locks I see for sale these days use flat keys (due to the "Bic" scare last summer.) Those flat keys look quite fragile compared to the round ones I'm used to, and this seems to be borne out by the fact that you usually get 4 or more keys with these new locks, and also by comments from folks at my LBS.
So if I get one of these, I'll want one that doesn't freeze when on a bike that's stored outside in a Canadian winter.
Any recommendations?
How about a tube of lock deicer from an auto parts store? Seems easier than worrying about breaking a key, and it's portable to any keyed lock you might use.
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__o Kristian Zoerhoff _'\(,_ [email hidden] (_)/ (_)
"Brian Huntley" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
I've had my bike lock freeze solid several times this winter - no big deal usually, as a bit of ethyl alcohol and maybe a match, and a bit of wiggling on the key and it opens.
But now I have to replace that lock, and all the locks I see for sale these days use flat keys (due to the "Bic" scare last summer.) Those flat keys look quite fragile compared to the round ones I'm used to, and this seems to be borne out by the fact that you usually get 4 or more keys with these new locks, and also by comments from folks at my LBS.
So if I get one of these, I'll want one that doesn't freeze when on a bike that's stored outside in a Canadian winter.
I've had my bike lock freeze solid several times this winter - no big deal usually, as a bit of ethyl alcohol and maybe a match, and a bit of wiggling on the key and it opens.
But now I have to replace that lock, and all the locks I see for sale these days use flat keys (due to the "Bic" scare last summer.) Those flat keys look quite fragile compared to the round ones I'm used to, and this seems to be borne out by the fact that you usually get 4 or more keys with these new locks, and also by comments from folks at my LBS.
So if I get one of these, I'll want one that doesn't freeze when on a bike that's stored outside in a Canadian winter.
Any recommendations?
The reason for the high number of keys is that so far, the majority of locksmiths have not acquired the tooling to duplicate them. The keys themselves are not fragile in my experience. (I have several sets at this point.)
Perhaps keeping the ice from forming in the keyhole may be your best defense with these; the working parts are going to be hard to de-ice if water gets inside. Would a wide rubber band help? Master makes a flat-key U-lock that has a rotating cover to conceal the keyhole; it seems to do a fair job of weatherproofing. Unfortunately, it's also the lock with the worst key-replacement situation; neither the locksmiths nor the manufacturer can supply duplicates yet. At least with Kryptonite, you can order replacements as long as you wrote down the code number from one of the original keys. -- Typoes are a feature, not a bug. Some gardening required to reply via email. Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.
I've had my bike lock freeze solid several times this winter - no big deal usually, as a bit of ethyl alcohol and maybe a match, and a bit of wiggling on the key and it opens.
But now I have to replace that lock, and all the locks I see for sale these days use flat keys (due to the "Bic" scare last summer.) Those flat keys look quite fragile compared to the round ones I'm used to, and this seems to be borne out by the fact that you usually get 4 or more keys with these new locks, and also by comments from folks at my LBS.
So if I get one of these, I'll want one that doesn't freeze when on a bike that's stored outside in a Canadian winter.
"Brian Huntley" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
I've had my bike lock freeze solid several times this winter - no big deal usually, as a bit of ethyl alcohol and maybe a match, and a bit of wiggling on the key and it opens.
But now I have to replace that lock, and all the locks I see for sale these days use flat keys (due to the "Bic" scare last summer.) Those flat keys look quite fragile compared to the round ones I'm used to, and this seems to be borne out by the fact that you usually get 4 or more keys with these new locks, and also by comments from folks at my LBS.
So if I get one of these, I'll want one that doesn't freeze when on a bike that's stored outside in a Canadian winter.
Any recommendations?
I've had good luck soaking locks up with the wet-type silicone spray.
I have a replacement Krypronite U-lock and an OnGuard cable lock that both use the newer style flat keys. I have had problems with them freezing up on the rack at work. The OnGuard lock came with five keys in total. I couldn't understand why so many until the day that the plastic part broke off in my hand as I applied *gentle* pressure in an attempt to melt the ice in the lock. These keys aren't that sturdy. I suspect the Kryptonite is no better. The lock mechanism doesn't seem to allow one to melt the ice with pressure on the key like you can do with the cylinder locks.
My remedy was to inject the locks with grease. I recommend something silicone based like Pedro's Syn-grease so it won't cause too much of a mess if it gets on your clothes. This has helped things a lot but I still had a freeze up once with the U-lock and it will need more grease. This requires that you keep your keys sequestered in a towel or bag to keep the grease at bay.
I have a replacement Krypronite U-lock and an OnGuard cable lock that both use the newer style flat keys. I have had problems with them freezing up on the rack at work. The OnGuard lock came with five keys in total. I couldn't understand why so many until the day that the plastic part broke off in my hand as I applied *gentle* pressure in an attempt to melt the ice in the lock. These keys aren't that sturdy. I suspect the Kryptonite is no better. [snip]
Thanks to all for the replies.
I happened to be out today in -8C, and my lock was a bit 'mushy' but not frozen hard. I was at a Bikes Crossing Borders event, and mentioned this to another chap on a bike, who said he'd had no problems with his flat-key Krytonite lock. I looked at his keys, and they were noticably beefier than other brands I've seen. They're also all-metal, so could take a bit of heat if required.
So, it looks like my best option is to take the plunge and pay for quality.
...I was at a Bikes Crossing Borders event, and mentioned this to another chap on a bike, who said he'd had no problems with his flat-key Krytonite lock. I looked at his keys, and they were noticably beefier than other brands I've seen. They're also all-metal, so could take a bit of heat if required.
Look closely at the keys provided before making assumptions. Some Kryptonites (in fact, all of the flat-key Kryptos in my possession so far) come with keys that have plastic-covered heads, although I'm pretty sure that the plastic is just a cover and not the whole grip. The head of my Master U-lock's flat key is flexy enough that I think it's more than just a cover. If the Krytonite's plastic head doesn't have metal inside, it's some of the stiffest plastic I've ever seen. -- Typoes are a feature, not a bug. Some gardening required to reply via email. Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.
Alas, contrary to the Stocks Locks keys, I don't think the Kryptonite keys have metal in the handle. I would LOVE it because I really don't like the thickness of the plastic part on my key ring.
On the other hand, I have not have any problems so far. I lubricate the mechanism once or twice per year, usually after a hard rain, and I have a home made protective flap on my locks. Old tubes make great protective flaps.
Carry some alcohol based hand sanitizer to shoot into the lock
"Brian Huntley" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
I've had my bike lock freeze solid several times this winter - no big deal usually, as a bit of ethyl alcohol and maybe a match, and a bit of wiggling on the key and it opens.
But now I have to replace that lock, and all the locks I see for sale these days use flat keys (due to the "Bic" scare last summer.) Those flat keys look quite fragile compared to the round ones I'm used to, and this seems to be borne out by the fact that you usually get 4 or more keys with these new locks, and also by comments from folks at my LBS.
So if I get one of these, I'll want one that doesn't freeze when on a bike that's stored outside in a Canadian winter.
Carry some alcohol based hand sanitizer to shoot into the lock
As I stated in my original post, I do carry ethyl alcohol for deicing. It's not always effective, especially when the mechanical part of the lock (as opposed to the lock cylinder itself) is also frozen.
Mind you, if you light 2ml of it on fire, it helps a bit.
Whats the Bic scare of which you refer? What happened? Everyone's bikes get stolen? I haven't bought a bike lock in twenty yrs but should soon. I use Corrosion X on everything, guns, machinery, fishing reels, etc. never had it freeze up in the winter hunting. PM me if you want to try it as I sell it. Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2
This can be a problem. I think they have all weather locks but I don't really know how they will be in extreme cold. Its a good question. Maybe the push locks would be best for the cold air.
I just use a deicer from an Autoparts store that squirts or sprays into the key slot, all locks will freeze, I carry one in my winter coat so when I go to the car I have it handy.
