Possible to pick these types of locks?

[gemcxx]

Hi Members,

First, I know nothing about lockpicking. I lost the key for my bike lock and was wondering if its possible to pick this type of lock for the purpose of making a new key. If yes, would a typical lock shop know how or is this a specialty skill that would be hard to find?

Thanks.

[keysman]

I lost the key for my bike lock and was wondering if its possible to pick this type of lock for the purpose of making a new key. If yes, would a typical lock shop know how or is this a specialty skill that would be hard to find?

A locksmith shouldn't have any trouble making a key for that lock.
For a list of locksmiths near you try here: http://www.clearstar.com/yellform.htm

[averagejoe]

While it would most likely be possible to have a key made, it would be much cheaper and easier to just go buy a new bike lock. The cover for the lock has been removed making it much less secure.

[Solomon]

It's a cheap pin tumbler with a dimple key. Yes, it can be impressioned providing they have a blank which will fit... but the amount of money you'd spend having a key made you could just go out and buy a new lock. Which is probably a good idea, as it doesn't look particularly high quality. The key would look rubbish anyway; a dimple key filed by hand isn't exactly the prettiest sight.

[gemcxx]

Cool thanks. I'll see if the guy at the key shop has any picking skills. Im in Denmark and everything is so expensive so rather than just toss the lock.

Seeing that you guys are lock experts, what would you say is the best lock for a bicycle? Keeping practicalities in mind.

Cheers

[zeepia]

Best lock depends on how you use your bike and your surroundings.

I have only Basta lock installed to the bike´s frame and when I want to attach it to some pole I use a longer wire loop with same lock. But I don´t leave my bike anywhere suspicious place or when there is no surveillance around. And not for nights outside, it is stored in my garage. And when I go to my work with it I take it inside.

When you have to exposure your expensive bike to thiefs you can rely a big hardened chain and a good padlock. Then you can lock your bike to a steel pole some kind. Including tires. When you get a normal U-shaped lock it should be enough but it´s more difficult to lock to some external structure.

If your U-lock is tubular lock, you should consider not getting the cheapest one available. There are too many tubular picks out there. They require less skill than single pin picking some hard lock.

I can´t believe that bike thiefs would pick hard locks at market parking areas. They have boltcutters or they carry your bike to a van. Or both. If you lock resists bolt cutters it´s a good start.

[vinnie]

For bike locks I suggest getting a chain/cable that doesn't have a lock already built in, just the loops on each end, and using a padlock on it. Then you can pick whatever padlock you want, depending on how much you want to spend/how secure you care to have it. But in general, I don't think bike thieves want to go to too much trouble to get a bike. THey jsut want to get it and run. So if they need to sit there and take the time to pick a lock, they're probably not going to bother.

[gemcxx]

Ok thanks for all your input. Consider this thread closed on my part.

Regards