Picking and Bumping Bike Locks

[bikelockcarl]

Hi all,

I run a website that advises people on how to find the best lock for their bicycles.

Until recently I thought that bike thieves very rarely use picking and bumping to defeat bike locks. In fact I'm still sure they're not commonly used techniques.

However, I've had several comments recently suggesting it's much more common than I think.

So I thought I'd come and ask the experts! Specifically...

Picking:

1. How easy is for someone with some experience to pick locks like the Abus Granit X-Plus or the Kryptonite Evolution Series 4? Or slightly less secure Sold Secure Silver locks?

2. How long would it take for someone with no experience to learn to pick these locks?

Bumping:

1. Some people have suggested that there are loads of bump keys for Abus locks in circulation. With lots of stories of returning to find their bikes stolen with the lock lying next to it undamaged and still working perfectly well. Has anyone come across these bump keys?

I realize that these questions may make me sound like a thief looking for information! But you can see from my email address that I'm the administrator of the site.

Thanks in advance!

[GWiens2001]

The average picker is not going to pick a quality disc detainer lock like the Abus Granite X-Plus.

Bump keys can be made from any key that fits into the keyway.

From what I understand, picking is still quite rare for criminals. They usually cut the lock.

Won't go into more detail than that at this time.

Gordon

[bikelockcarl]

Thanks Gordon.

So how easy is it to make a bump key for a bike lock like the Abus 540?

I mean, if it's relatively straightforward and they can be copied easily, then I can see how they could become a serious problem.

Have you come across these keys?

Are they legally available?

[GWiens2001]

Am a little uncomfortable going into details with someone who is not new here and not well known. Am sure you can understand.

Legality will vary on where you live - you will need to research that on your own.

Bump keys are simple (in theory) to make. I don't really use them, as they can be destructive to the locks. Plus, to me, it is not really an area I have spent much time with, as you would need a bump key made for each keyway encountered.

Have I come across bump keys? Yes. Even have a couple dozen of them - most are unused since purchase or since I made them for a specific use.

It makes me nervous to see you asking again and again about one particular lock and if bump keys can be made or bought for it. It seems out of line for an article on whether bump keys are used frequently for stealing bike locks, since most bike are not locked with that particular lock, but with a wide assortment of locks.

With this fixation on one specific lock, if anyone here knows where to get a bump key for that lock, I am going to request that the information be kept to yourself.

Gordon - Moderator

[bikelockcarl]

Hi Gordon,

I totally understand your reticence.

As a moderator are you able to check my email address to verify where I'm coming from?

Regardless, I'm quite happy to discuss things in generic terms.

But maybe I can explain myself better.

The reason I'm so interested in the Abus 540 is because I specifically recommend it as the best all round bike lock currently available. And at least one commenter on the site has recounted how their bike was stolen while locked with this lock in circumstances that would suggest picking or bumping.

As you say, most thieves will try to cut a lock rather than pick it. But I think people see these videos on YouTube and think with the right piece of equipment, these locks can be defeated in 5 mins by anyone.

I was thinking of buying a tool like [url="http://www.walkerlocksmiths.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=254"]this one[/url]. And then I was going to document my progress in trying to learn how to pick an Abus lock to show how easy or more likely how difficult it is. As you seem to suggest: it would be very difficult for an average picker, let alone someone who's never done it before.

Bump keys are much more worrying. And I haven't been able to find out too much about them. It strikes me that if there's no particular skill involved in using them and if one key would fit all the keyways for that particular type of lock, and those bump keys can be easily copied, then that is a dangerous combination.

I can understand you not wanting to give too much information. But surely if there are sets of bump keys being passed around for particular bike locks it would be useful for people to know which locks they are? If only to avoid buying them.

Really I'm just trying to find out if cyclists have anything to fear from bump keys. Or whether its all scare stories and rumors flying around.

Thanks

Carl

[GWiens2001]

Carl, thank you for your clarification. It helps me to understand why you were going on about that lock, and to tailor my answers to your questions without crossing the line of what can only be discussed in our advanced forums. That is so we do not teach crooks to steal. (You are not a crook, but we do not want a crook to find how to get into stuff with higher security locks by googling us. Google can search our open forums, but has no access to our advanced forums.

First of all, there is absolutely nothing to fear from bump keys with the Abus 540 with the X-Plus lock/key. Bump keys work by making the driver pins jump, creating a gap between the key pins and driver pins. If that gap is created at the shear line, the lock opens. But there is no gap between the key pins and driver pins because there are no key pins or driver pins in the X-Plus series of locks.

Bump keys work only on pin tumbler locks that have both a key pin and a driver pin. The X-Plus locks have neither. They are what are referred to as "Disc detainer" locks. There is no possible way for a bump key to open any disc detainer lock. They just operate on a completely different locking mechanism, so any claims of disc detainer locks being bumped open are not to be taken seriously.

The pick you are looking at from Walker Locksmiths will only work on the old style X-Plus keys. It is due to that kind of tool that Abus changed how the X-Plus locks function, making the tool pretty much useless. I can't go into what changes they made to the lock on the open forum, but rest assured, it is sufficiently effective against this and other similar tools.

As for picking that lock... even if you have an ideal situation like most of us practice with - lock in a vise at a comfortable height and at an angle that makes it easier for us to comfortably work on the lock, it takes a while. Last time, it took me 15-20 minutes (with the old style X-Plus locks) in that ideal position. Doing it attached to a bike locked to a bike rack or post or whatever, bent over, while worrying and stressing about watching for someone returning for their bike or calling the cops when they see someone picking a lock on a bike... well, it would take longer.

That is as far as I care to go on the public forums. Hope it helps you out!

Gordon

[bikelockcarl]

Thanks so much for getting back to be Gordon. And for the detailed answers.

You've confirmed what I suspected about the difficulty of picking these locks. And it's reassuring to know that they can't be bumped.

I do wonder what's happening to the people that are finding perfectly functioning locks but no bike when they return to where they locked them?

There have been suggestions that there are less key variations than the manufacturers claim. So that the chances of your key opening someone elses lock are not that unlikely. But even if that's the case it can't be a serious issue in terms of the numbers of thefts.

Or maybe they are just forgetting to lock them properly! In fact I did myself this with my sons bike just a few months ago. And of course it was stolen, although in this case they took the lock as well.

Anyway, thanks again for your help.

Carl

[GWiens2001]

Some lock manufacturers make locks in lots - all locks in the lot are keyed alike. It can speed up the process, but it means the locks on the shelf at the bike store may possibly be keyed alike.

Not sure if Abus does that, but it would make some sense. Go to the house locks, or even possibly the padlocks at your local Home Depot or Lowes (especially the deadbolts), and you may find that they are all keyed the same. So if you buy your deadbolts from a local hardware store, someone else who buys the same lock at the same store may have a key to your house. That is why it is good practice to rekey a store-bought deadbolt before installation, or have a locksmith rekey it. Then install the lock.

Unfortunately, most bike locks can not be rekeyed. But it does mean you may want to buy from across town, or off the Internet from a reputable seller. If it comes from an area not local to you, it has less of a likelihood of having the same key in your area.

Gordon

[cledry]

Some lock manufacturers make locks in lots - all locks in the lot are keyed alike. It can speed up the process, but it means the locks on the shelf at the bike store may possibly be keyed alike.

Not sure if Abus does that, but it would make some sense. Go to the house locks, or even possibly the padlocks at your local Home Depot or Lowes (especially the deadbolts), and you may find that they are all keyed the same. So if you buy your deadbolts from a local hardware store, someone else who buys the same lock at the same store may have a key to your house. That is why it is good practice to rekey a store-bought deadbolt before installation, or have a locksmith rekey it. Then install the lock.

Unfortunately, most bike locks can not be rekeyed. But it does mean you may want to buy from across town, or off the Internet from a reputable seller. If it comes from an area not local to you, it has less of a likelihood of having the same key in your area.

Gordon

I've actually been looking for kaa bike locks for a customer and they are almost impossible to find. Kryptonite and Abus both offer them by special order only.

[gino]

Some lock manufacturers make locks in lots - all locks in the lot are keyed alike. It can speed up the process, but it means the locks on the shelf at the bike store may possibly be keyed alike.

Not sure if Abus does that, but it would make some sense. Go to the house locks, or even possibly the padlocks at your local Home Depot or Lowes (especially the deadbolts), and you may find that they are all keyed the same. So if you buy your deadbolts from a local hardware store, someone else who buys the same lock at the same store may have a key to your house. That is why it is good practice to rekey a store-bought deadbolt before installation, or have a locksmith rekey it. Then install the lock.

Unfortunately, most bike locks can not be rekeyed. But it does mean you may want to buy from across town, or off the Internet from a reputable seller. If it comes from an area not local to you, it has less of a likelihood of having the same key in your area.

Gordon

Why didn't I know that ? This should be common knowledge...

Thanks for sharing that!

[cledry]

Some lock manufacturers make locks in lots - all locks in the lot are keyed alike. It can speed up the process, but it means the locks on the shelf at the bike store may possibly be keyed alike.

Not sure if Abus does that, but it would make some sense. Go to the house locks, or even possibly the padlocks at your local Home Depot or Lowes (especially the deadbolts), and you may find that they are all keyed the same. So if you buy your deadbolts from a local hardware store, someone else who buys the same lock at the same store may have a key to your house. That is why it is good practice to rekey a store-bought deadbolt before installation, or have a locksmith rekey it. Then install the lock.

Unfortunately, most bike locks can not be rekeyed. But it does mean you may want to buy from across town, or off the Internet from a reputable seller. If it comes from an area not local to you, it has less of a likelihood of having the same key in your area.

Gordon

Why didn't I know that ? This should be common knowledge...


Thanks for sharing that!

I think it isn't common knowledge because with reputable manufacturers like Abus it isn't going to happen. In fact when somebody can find me a dozen U type bike locks kaa on the shelf I'll buy them. Actually if anyone knows of a rekeyable one I would be interested.

The reason you often find padlocks or locks at home centers kaa is it is designed for convenience so that a customer can often replace all of their locks and end up with one key, but manufacturers know that it is a liability to have bicycle locks kaa. Eventually of course it will happen that they share a common key between padlocks, but the chance of finding two on the shelf kaa will be almost impossible.

[moby7102]

Hi All,

I have just bought 2 off ABUS 540 locks and have just learnt about this X-plus picking tool. How do I know if the X-plus locks I have are the "new" version or the old vunerable version, as mentioned by Gordon below. I'm not interested in what changes abus made - I just want to make sure I've got the "new" x-plus version. Although the locks were purchased recently, I think they have been sitting on an Amazon wharehouse shelf for a few years (which might explain the nice discount I got on them). The locks themselves don't appear to have a date stamp, only what lookslike a serial number stamped on the plastic body.

regards moby

Carl, thank you for your clarification. It helps me to understand why you were going on about that lock, and to tailor my answers to your questions without crossing the line of what can only be discussed in our advanced forums. That is so we do not teach crooks to steal. (You are not a crook, but we do not want a crook to find how to get into stuff with higher security locks by googling us. Google can search our open forums, but has no access to our advanced forums.

First of all, there is absolutely nothing to fear from bump keys with the Abus 540 with the X-Plus lock/key. Bump keys work by making the driver pins jump, creating a gap between the key pins and driver pins. If that gap is created at the shear line, the lock opens. But there is no gap between the key pins and driver pins because there are no key pins or driver pins in the X-Plus series of locks.

Bump keys work only on pin tumbler locks that have both a key pin and a driver pin. The X-Plus locks have neither. They are what are referred to as "Disc detainer" locks. There is no possible way for a bump key to open any disc detainer lock. They just operate on a completely different locking mechanism, so any claims of disc detainer locks being bumped open are not to be taken seriously.

The pick you are looking at from Walker Locksmiths will only work on the old style X-Plus keys. It is due to that kind of tool that Abus changed how the X-Plus locks function, making the tool pretty much useless. I can't go into what changes they made to the lock on the open forum, but rest assured, it is sufficiently effective against this and other similar tools.

As for picking that lock... even if you have an ideal situation like most of us practice with - lock in a vise at a comfortable height and at an angle that makes it easier for us to comfortably work on the lock, it takes a while. Last time, it took me 15-20 minutes (with the old style X-Plus locks) in that ideal position. Doing it attached to a bike locked to a bike rack or post or whatever, bent over, while worrying and stressing about watching for someone returning for their bike or calling the cops when they see someone picking a lock on a bike... well, it would take longer.

That is as far as I care to go on the public forums. Hope it helps you out!

Gordon