Daughter has put bike lock on bike and lost key. Help!!

bobsa1

My eight year old got a new bike for christmas and it came with a free bike lock (from Halfords).

The bike lock is one of the really good ones, unfortunately, as she has put it on the front wheel of the bike and lost the key :mad:

The bike isn't locked to anything, but I need to get the lock off as she can't ride it.

My DH has tried to hacksaw the lock, but twenty minutes of sawing and swearing has led to a minor indentation in the lock :eek:

Any advice would be appreciated. We have thought of going to a locksmith, I would imagine this would be expensive, or going to a bike shop, but not sure if this would help.

DD now desperate to ride bike and expects me to solve this problem asap.any help appreciated

jockettuk

have you rang and asked halfords if they can help, as you got the bike and lock from them..

tomstickland

Angle grinder will sort it. Buy a cheap one with a few metal cutting discs from B&Q etc.
Another method is lump hammer and punch applied to various parts of the lock mechanism, they have been known to fail with this.

Lorian

Or bolt cutters.

Midmac

Shout at it.

Paul_Varjak

Foresighted parents would keep the spare key in a safe place!

Failing that, why not just buy a new front wheel, and a new lock with two keys?

worrieddad_4

Angle grinder will sort it.

Just be careful the sparks don't damage the bike.

Ring Halfords and ask them. I remember one of the assistants there once telling me all about how easy it was to get one of the cheap U Locks off. Since it was free, its likely to be a cheapo one. The hammer and punch which was recommended above should do the job nicely.

Savvy_Sue

Taking it back to Halfords is a good plan, IMO, as they may have 'master' keys or be able to advise where to get a spare. If there is a number on the 'face' of the lock then a phone call may even be enough - if Halfords won't help then a locksmith may be able to if you know what make the lock is, and it may not be that expensive.

But has she really really thought about where she might have put the key? Does her bedroom need a good tidy up? Did she leave it in a pocket, in which case cleaning the filter on your washing machine might find it!

waster_2

As stated above, an angle grinder (even a cheapo one) with metal cutting disc will get any (yes I mean any) padlock, D lock or similar that you can buy off in a couple of minutes or so. I've lost keys, had locks that will not unlock, etc, etc and the trusty angle grinder never fails. Just wear a decent pair of heavy duty gloves (leather gardening are good), goggles and keep any bare skin covered up as sparks will fly. However, the sparks should not damage the bike normally.

Otherwise, put it in your car and take to Halfords, as I'm sure they'll get it off for you.

Dibdab_2

How about buying a dozen nice hot doughnuts (as a thank you) and taking the bike down to your local fire station? They have bolt cutters and I would imagine they'd have it off in a jiffy. For all the fantastic work they do, they must get pretty bored in the station in between call outs, and it might give a "rookie" a bit of practice with the bolt cutters?

trademark

be quick ive heard they are going on strike again soon .....