Trek U-bolt lock is pickable

rufo wrote:
:: I picked my Trek lock yesterday. It doesn't have a model number on
:: the lock, but the number on the frame mount is MT526BL.
::
:: A BIC pen barrel was too narrow, and split when I forced it in. But
:: I used the tapered cap, cutting it down to a section of the proper
:: diameter. Once I tapped it in past the teeth I could turn it and the
:: lock popped open.
::
:: I've emailed Trek to inquire about an exchange program.

My Trek U-lock is made by Kryptonite. In fact, Kryptonite is written on the
lock and one is directed to send registration and other information to
Kryptonite.

So I wrote to Kryptonite about replacement.

Quoted message said:

I picked my Trek lock yesterday. It doesn't have a model number on
the lock, but the number on the frame mount is MT526BL.

A BIC pen barrel was too narrow, and split when I forced it in.

The pens to use are the opaque (usually white) soft plastic ones, not the
brittle transparent ones.

--
Benjamin Lewis

"Love is a snowmobile racing across the tundra and then suddenly it flips
over, pinning you underneath. At night, the ice weasels come."
--Matt Groening

Every generation is surprised to learn that locks can be picked easily.
They had supposed them to be hard to open.

Somebody in my dorm brought in knowledge of how to pick locks with
two paper clips, and for the duration thereafter, every door was
effectively unlocked.

Yet theft did not increase. It was just interesting to do, or,
sometimes, convenient.
--
Ron Hardin
[email hidden]

On the internet, nobody knows you're a jerk.

Quoted message said:

Every generation is surprised to learn that locks can be picked easily.
They had supposed them to be hard to open.

Somebody in my dorm brought in knowledge of how to pick locks with
two paper clips, and for the duration thereafter, every door was
effectively unlocked.

Yet theft did not increase. It was just interesting to do, or,
sometimes, convenient.

In junior high, one of the ways we made the bus trip go by faster was to
practice picking combination locks. Some of us got pretty good at it, and
it got to the point where you had to be a real dweeb to not be able to
figure out the combination of the then-popular Schwinn lock/cable with 4
in-line numbered tumblers. But I don't think any of us ever used that
knowledge to steal anything.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

Quoted message said:

I picked my Trek lock yesterday. It doesn't have a model number on
the lock, but the number on the frame mount is MT526BL.

A BIC pen barrel was too narrow, and split when I forced it in. But I
used the tapered cap, cutting it down to a section of the proper
diameter. Once I tapped it in past the teeth I could turn it and the
lock popped open.

I've emailed Trek to inquire about an exchange program.

Any recent TREK lock with a tubular key is made by Kryptonite, which will
handle exchanges as explained in their press release below-

KRYPTONITE OFFERS FREE PRODUCT EXCHANGES TO ALL CURRENT OWNERS
OF KRYPTONITE TUBULAR CYLINDER LOCKS
Lock Manufacturer Continues to Set the Standard for Security and Service

Canton, MA September 22, 2004 - Kryptonite today announced that the company
is offering free product exchanges to all consumers who are concerned about
the security of their current Kryptonite tubular cylinder locks.

At no charge to them, consumers will be able to exchange their current
Kryptonite tubular cylinder lock for a Kryptonite non-tubular cylinder lock.
Kryptonite will begin exchanging products within a few weeks as it
accelerates product availability.

"At Kryptonite, we understand the responsibility that comes with being the
market leader. Since we learned last week about the possibility of
compromising some of the industry's tubular cylinder locks, we have been
working diligently to devise the best and most responsible solution to
address the concerns of consumers and to meet the needs of our distributors
and retailers," said Steve Down, General Manager of Kryptonite. "We decided
to simplify and expand our planned product upgrade program so that we could
expedite the process for consumers and eliminate any lingering doubt in
their minds about their locks. Standing by our customers is the responsible
thing to do for those who rely on our security products to keep their
valuables safe."

Kryptonite is offering a free product exchange to consumers who currently
have Kryptonite locks using tubular cylinders. To participate in the free
product exchange offer, consumers can visit the company's Web site at
www.kryptonite.com for registration instructions. As part of this effort,
Kryptonite will initiate a swap program through direct communication with
all of its distributors and retailers.

Mr. Down concluded, "At Kryptonite, we constantly remind ourselves of our
responsibility to lead and offer solutions - not excuses - that strengthen
Kryptonite's relationships with consumers and channel partners. By
instituting the most comprehensive program possible, we believe our company
has again taken the lead in providing unprecedented customer support and
service."

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com.